Obituaries
Serving Our Community Since 1951
Dante Mariconda, age 98, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, beloved husband of the late Mary Ann (Mayernik) Mariconda, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, in the Hewitt Nursing facility, Shelton, Connecticut. Mr. Mariconda was born November 12, 1924, in Paterson, New Jersey, son of the late Alfonso and Filomena (Curcio) Mariconda. Dante met Mary at The Ritz Ballroom on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport. They married in 1949. Dante and Mary raised three sons, Richard, Robert (Bobby), and Dante, Jr. (Danny).
Dante was a United States Army veteran of World War II and was retired from General Electric and International Harvester. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, The Raybestos Brakettes, and UCONN women’s basketball. He also enjoyed reading, especially his tabloids. He was a great cook. While his 3 sons were growing up, he made them pounds of pasta, with his excellent sauce.
Although Dante didn’t have traditional hobbies like some others, his hobby was fixing things. He had great knowledge of and was a master of all trades, and there was nothing he couldn’t do or attempt to fix. All of these skills were observed and learned by Dante, Jr. and also inherited by his grandsons, Eric and Brad.
Dante was a loving husband and father. He enjoyed watching Rich and Bob play baseball in Little League and beyond, through high school. His family was precious to him, whether they were close by or far away.
After the death of Mary Ann, Eileen Noonan became his longtime companion. Dante considered Eileen and her five sons to be his second family, and her sons thought of Dante as a father-figure. He enjoyed their family dogs and the many holidays and family cookouts. Along with Eileen came her best friend, Candy, who became part of the group.
The last 5 years of Dante’s life were spent in the Hewitt Nursing Facility. During this time, watching TV was one of the ways he passed the time. Turner Classics and AMC were his favorite channels, because he loved the old-time movies. He quickly accepted his life there and began to enjoy visiting with patients and their families. Special relationships were built with patients Andy, Ralph, and Kathy and their visiting family members, Carla and Toni.
He loved talking and kidding with the staff, including the entire Physical Therapy staff. Dante knew each person and was extremely observant, knowing their schedules and if they were late, early, or working on an unexpected day. He also knew most of their salaries and always said they deserved a raise. Dante became known as the “mayor” of Hewitt.
During his time there, his son, Dante, Jr., faithfully cared for him and visited frequently. Dante, Jr. provided him with his every desire, including broccoli rabe, donuts, coconut custard pie, pizza, salami, and Portuguese rolls, to name a few.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ann, a son, Robert Mariconda, and companion, Eileen. Also preceding him in death were his brothers, John, Cosimo, and Silvio, and his sister, Gilda.
Dante is survived by two sons, Richard Mariconda and his wife, Paula, of Hardesty, OK and Dante Mariconda, Jr. of Derby, CT, two grandchildren, Eric Mariconda, of Piedmont, OK and Brad Mariconda and his wife, Radostina, of Evergreen, CO, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit with Dante’s family before Friday’s service time, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
All are invited to attend the Funeral Service celebrated by Deacon John Piatak on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 12:00. p. m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., Stratford.
Interment with military honors will follow in St John’s Cemetery, Stratford.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Fund, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate , Disabled American Veterans, https://secure.dav.org/donate, or do a good deed for someone in need.
For additional information or to share an online condolence, please visitwww.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Dante Mariconda, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
12
May
2591 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Service
12
May
2591 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Interment with Full Military Honors
12
May
2610 Nichols Ave
Stratford, CT 06614
Disabled American Veterans
