Obituary of Cliff Joseph Pereira

Cliff Joseph Pereira, age 68, of Easton, beloved husband of Margherita Carolina Aloi-Pereira and father to Arianna Aloi Pereira, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Born on December 27, 1957 in New York, New York, he was the son of the late Joseph Pereira and Sara Cardoso Pereira.

Together, he and his wife, owned and operated Il Palio Restaurant in Shelton for the past 16 years. It was there where he formed countless life-long relationships with staff and customers alike. Welcoming and talking to his customers brought him immense joy, and he ensured that every person who walked into Il Palio felt at home.

Cliff always had a positive outlook on life. He had an unbreakable love and bond for his family and friends. Every person he encountered, whether a stranger or a family member, will continue to feel his optimism and love. A true New Yorker at heart, he loved returning to the city and walking the streets he grew up on. Cliff was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Giants and Rangers.

No role was more important to Cliff, however, than being an exemplary husband and father. He dedicated his life to caring for his family and voicing his love for Margherita and Arianna. He was beyond proud of Arianna and all of her many accomplishments. Just days before his passing, Arianna was accepted to Yale, Harvard, Brown, and Columbia. Cliff took so much pride in being a "Yale Dad" and put 100% of his faith in his daughter—even when she didn't have faith in herself. The unconditional love he gave freely and the values he instilled generously will forever live on through Arianna, and everyone who was lucky enough to know him. He will be deeply missed.

In addition to his cherished wife of 37 years, Margherita, and adored daughter, Arianna, surviving loved ones include: a sister, Diana Pereira and her husband Sean O'Branski, a brother, Bobby Pereira and his wife Alli, mother-in-law, Agostina Pessiva, brothers-in-law, Giuseppe Aloi and his wife Caterina and Ivo Aloi and his wife Naomi, nieces and nephews, Austin, Isabella and West Pereira, Brendan and Megan O'Branski and Giovanni, Beatrice, Federico, Sofia and Alessandro Aloi. He also leaves to cherish his memory, his co-workers and staff at Il Palio, and many dear friends both in the U.S. and Italy. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Pereira, and his father-in-law, Luigi Giovanni Aloi.

Relatives and friends may greet the family on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (by coincidence, April Fools' Day, which is appropriate given Cliff's love of laughter) from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. This will be followed by a Mass and funeral at 3:00 p.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 220 Shelton Rd., Trumbull.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.com) or the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org).

To leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.abriola.com.