George A. Gaetano Jr. 91 of North Haven passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday February 3, 2021. George was born on December 18, 1929 to George and Susan Onofrio Gaetano. George is survived by his brother, Gerald Gaetano of East Haven. Predeceased by his brother Anthony Gaetano, sisters Rosemarie Gaetano and Luella Anastasio of New Haven and his son George Marshall of Colorado. George is survived by his loving and devoted wife Evelyn Bilotti Gaetano of 52 years and daughters Linda Casey (David) of Milford, Kim Fenlon (Stephen) of Hamden and son Kevin Marshall (Dee) of New Haven.
George, better known as “Poppy” to his 5 loving grandchildren George, Kelly, Brendan, Elizabeth and Domenic. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren Maguire, Julia, Dylon, Olivia, Brogan, Beckett, Elle and Robert. He is also survived by his life-long, best friend, Frank Cofrancesco. They enjoyed their Saturday morning breakfast and kitchen table chats together for the past several years. George served his country honorably in the United States Air Force as an Air-traffic Controller; stationed overseas and stateside. In his younger years George was a draftsman for Singer Sewing Machine, Pratt & Whitney and UMC until he landed the position of Petroleum Inspector for the Saybolt Company in West Haven, CT until his retirement many years later. He was an avid reader, enthusiastic golfer and die-hard Red Sox fan… finally getting to celebrate their World Series win in 2004.
George loved soaking in nature from his backyard deck. Feeding the birds, squirrels and any animal that happened to wander through. But George’s real affection towards animals was for his dogs, Willie, Molly and Mikey who he can now spoil once again.
The visiting hours will be Monday morning, Feb. 8th from 10:00 to 11:00 at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave. A service will be conducted at 11:00 in the funeral home with the Rev. Timothy Meehan officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Masks and social distancing strictly required for all services.
Aunt Evelyn , Brenda, kim and kevin,
My deepest sympathies to all of you , I have very fond memories of Uncle George at all our family functions , especially at the holidays when I was a kid. We would debate about the Red Sox chances of winning a world series which seemed like forever until 2004. We shared our love for Golf and even played golf with him from time to time , he always admired how far I could hit a golf ball but I couldn’t chip it from 20 yards to the green, he had a great short game , and he told me so lol. Mostly I enjoyed listening to his conversations with my mom and Auntie Ro , whenever they were all together. Too funny , that they all got along so well together for all of their lives. He was a good man. may he rest in peace.
Dear Evie and family and dear Frank:
It was with such a profound sadness that I heard of George’s passing. George and Frank were my Dad’s two best friends. And no one on the planet EVER had two better best friends.
George, Frank and my Dad (“Andy” — or as they would sometimes call him “Gamby”) were as close as friends could be. My Mom would call them “The Three Musketeers” or “The Three Amigos.” Being that we are all Italian, and given the incredible closeness of their relationship, I think a better description of their relationship would have been
“I Tre Fratelli” (The Three Brothers).
When my sister and I were born, George and Frank were named our Godfathers — and, really, there could be no other picks by my Dad.
When my Dad died suddenly in 2003, one of the first things I had to do was to tell George and Frank in person. While others could be notified by phone, my Dad’s two best friends had to be in person — out of respect for them and out of respect for my father. You could see in both of their faces how the news just ripped them apart. They had lost not only a friend, but a brother. When we held a celebration of life get-together after my Dad’s burial, it was the stories of the three of them growing up together that I remember most. Many of the stories involved golf and having a good time and some, shockingly enough (ahem), involved drinking and having a good time. And after each story was told, it was followed by that classic George laugh. George had such a memorable laugh. His laughter just bellowed, “I love life!”. I also remember Frank later recalling all the great times they had together by reciting the lyrics from a song: “Those were the days, my friend. I thought they’d never end.”
A short while after my Dad died, I journeyed back to Connecticut and surprised George and Frank at one of their Saturday breakfast meetings. I brought with me two items which I had gifted to my Dad which I had wanted them to have. To Frank, I gave a book of the history of the New York Yankees. Frank, like me and my Dad, was a fan of the Yanks while George was a Sox fan. To George, I gave two dozen of my Dad’s favorite golf balls (“Sweet Shots”) which I bought right after they stopped making them (and which he had never had a chance to open). George looked at them, remembered they were my Dad’s favorites for some unknown reason, shook his head, and immediately gave a dozen to Frank.
So many fond memories came rushing back when I heard of George’s passing. I have such wonderful memories of being in the company of “I Tre Fratelli” from my youth. Even when I was just a little kid, George and Frank always had a knack for making me feel so special. I also remember when visiting George and Evie at their home in North Haven, they both were always so warm and welcoming. Even though I was only about 8 years old when George and Evie tied the knot, I still recall that “their song” was “Only You” by The Platters (and I have played it several times in their honor since learning of George’s passing). Both as a husband and as a friend, George added so much to the lives of so many.
Now I imagine that my Dad and George already have found a good golf course up in heaven. And I envision that they are already walking together down a fairway — just like the old times. Just like it should be. In a way, those days never do end.
Rest in Peace, George. Our love to his family. You had a great one.
I have a problem accepting the fact that I lost my Buddy ‘George. We shared so many years of friendship and fond memories. To his wife …Evie… I give my thanks for being there for him in so many ways. Their love and devotion to each other was amazing…..To be included as a friend and part of the family was a joy that I will always cherish. Please accept my profound sympathy.
Dear Evie,
We are deeply sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you constantly and hope you can find peace in fond memories and smiles you shared. May George rest in peace.
Love
Gianna & Rich