Obituary: Armand "Meatball" D'Agostino, 84, of Middlebury

Armand "Meatball" D’Agostino, 84, of Middlebury, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 1, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He was the widower of Vera (Monti) D’Agostino.

D’Agostino was born in Waterbury on June 8, 1927, the youngest of four sons to the late Oreste and Concetta (Veneziano) D’Agostino. He left high school to join the U.S. Navy and served his country proudly during World War II.

After serving his country, he returned to Waterbury’s Wilby High School and graduated in 1947. He then attended Central Connecticut Teachers College, where he pursued a teaching degree. He married Vera Monti in 1951 and later moved to Middlebury in 1963.

D’Agostino is best known for his business career as a restaurateur. He and his brother Bob opened and operated many restaurants including Armand’s Restaurant in Watertown, the Quality Courts Hotel and Conference Center in Waterbury and the Iron Pot and Country Tavern in Heritage Village.

For the last 17 years, D’Agostino continued to work five days a week at the main office of Webster Bank in downtown Waterbury. He was a lifelong Democrat, having served Middlebury as police commissioner, justice of the peace and constable. He could always be counted on to give a hand at any function whether cooking, cleaning or just greeting people with a friendly hello and a cigar.

D’Agostino enjoyed a good cigar and playing cards, but he most enjoyed his time spent with his grandchildren. It has been said that of all the things that D’Agostino did, what he did best was being a great grandfather.

His grandchildren have often said" "No one could ask for a better Poppie."

As a World War II veteran and as a patriot who placed his country foremost in his heart, D’Agostino knew all too well the sacrifice to his country. His grandson PFC Anthony D’Agostino gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country, when his helicopter was shot down on November 2, 2003 in Fallujah, Iraq while protecting our nation. D’Agostino often said that this was "his single greatest personal loss."

D’Agostino is survived by his daughter, Beth Santos and her husband Jordano, with whom he lived in Middlebury; his son, Steven D’Agostino of Torrington; his brother, Nicholas D’Agostino, retired superintendent of schools in Wolcott; and his four grandchildren; Lisa D’Agostino of Torrington, Alexandra Santos, Jordan Santos and Paige Santos, all of Middlebury; a sister-in-law, Ann D'Agostino of Woodbury; The Rosa Family; Steve and Trish, whom he thought of as another son and daughter, and their children Alison, Steven, Amanda and Coley with whom D’Agostino spent every holiday; and special friends Ray and Penny Albini, and their children Maria, Raymond and Julia, whom he loved spending time with. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Ugo and Robert D’Agostino.

Calling Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.

Funeral: 9 a.m. Thursday, April 5, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a 10 a.m. blessing.

Burial with Full Military Honors: Following at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the , 65 Tucker Hill Rd., Middlebury, CT 06762