Mariano Cordone, 83, of Pawcatuck, Connecticut, beloved husband of Giovanna Cordone, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 8, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Mariano was born in Castelbuono, Sicily, in the province of Palermo. He was the son of the late Vincenzo and Provvidenza Cordone.

Mariano served in the Italian Army. Mariano moved to the United States with his siblings in 1971 and proceeded to live the American dream that generations of immigrants shared before him and share to this day. Upon first arriving in the United States, Mariano worked constructing guitars at Guild Guitars in Westerly. After working at Guild Guitars, Mariano worked at Arwoods, later known as Wyman Gordon, in Groton, CT until he retired in 1998.

Anyone that knew Mariano probably remembers him most for his passion of gardening. Mariano would spend his retirement enjoying his time in the garden where he planted a variety of vegetables and an enormous fig tree. As Mariano grew older and his health forced him to gradually cut back with the gardening, his enjoyment in the garden was replaced with his greatest love, his grandchildren. Affectionately referred to as Nonno, Mariano would spend endless hours with his grandchildren, who were a great source of pride for him.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son Vincenzo and his wife Lucia of Ashaway and their four children, Santino, Brookelynn, Gabriella and Valentina; his brother in law, Giuseppe Di Garbo of Pawcatuck; and his nieces and nephew.
He was predeceased by his sister Anna Di Garbo and his brother Pasqualino and his wife Anna.

The family wishes to especially extend their gratitude to all the caregivers that helped Mariano during his last year – Westerly Adult Day Care, Connecticut Community Care and most of all, Groton Regency, who provided exceptional care and support in his final days.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 5-7pm at Gaffney Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St, Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am on Thursday at St. Mary’s Church, 95 Main St., Stonington. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will immediately follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Pawcatuck.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family asks that donations be made payable to the Groton Regency Recreation Fund, 1145 Poquonnock Rd, Groton, CT 06340 in Mariano’s memory.

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