Catherine (Zappone) Granitto passed away peacefully on June 23, 2022, surrounded by her family at her home. She was the devoted wife of the late Joseph Granitto. Catherine was born on April 3, 1921, in Waterbury CT. She was the first American born citizen in the family, daughter of the late Francesco and Angelina (Daversa) Zappone of Cercemaggiore Province in Italy.
Catherine lived her entire life in Waterbury and graduated from Wilby High School in 1939. After graduating high school, Catherine enjoyed dancing to the big bands at Hamilton Park, Lake Compounce, and Lake Quassapaug where she met the love of her life, Joseph Granitto from New Haven, CT. Joe and Katie, as he would always call her, were great swing dancers. They became engaged on Easter Sunday, 1942, while Joseph was on leave from the Army after being released from Walter Reed Hospital, where he spent 13 months after being injured. They were married on Thanksgiving Day, 1942. After Joseph was honorably discharged in the Summer of 1943, they settled in Waterbury where they started their family with the birth of their daughter Lorraine in 1945, followed by sons, Joseph in 1946, and Frank in 1949.
Through the years, before and while raising her family, she clerked in several department stores. She also performed secretarial duties for her husband while he served as Commander of the Favale-Generali Italian-American War Veterans Post, and also later as Connecticut State Commander of the Italian-American War Veterans. Her last employment was as permittee at Lou’s Package Store in Bantam, CT.
Throughout her marriage and after the tragic loss of her husband in 1967, Catherine’s focus was always on her family. She was at her happiest when the family gathered every Sunday for dinner, which she hosted at the family home. She also enjoyed watching New York Yankees baseball games and the UConn Women’s basketball games. Catherine will always be remembered as the heart and soul of the family. She was blessed to have the love of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who always gathered for holidays and special celebrations. In her later years as she grew ill, she received extraordinary care from her loving granddaughter, Lisa Marie Bourassa, RN.
Catherine leaves behind to cherish her memory, her daughter, Lorraine Nucifora and husband Anthony of Southington, and sons, Joseph P. Granitto and wife Leslie of Watertown, and Frank Granitto of Cheshire and former wife Lydia of Terryville. In addition to her children, she is survived by her grandchildren, Lisa Marie Bourassa and her husband Michael of Burlington, Joseph J. Granitto and his wife Kimberly of Watertown, Robert W. Granitto and David M. Granitto of Watertown, Dr. Selena R. Granitto of Jersey City, NJ, and Alexander F. Granitto of Terryville. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Gabrielle E. Granitto and Ryan J. Granitto of Watertown, and Victoria R. Granitto, Natalie A. Granitto, and Robert M. Granitto of Waterbury. She also leaves a nephew Nicholas Zappone of Key West, FL, and her favorite niece, Carol Zappone, widow of Francis T. Zappone.
Catherine was predeceased by her sister Ann Marie Zappone, her brother Nicholas Zappone, her two nephews, Francis T. Zappone and Thomas Zappone, and her goddaughter, baby Angela Zappone.
Catherine will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was blessed to have lived a long and wonderful life of purpose. She will be remembered as a beautiful woman inside and out. Rest in peace.
Arrangements: Funeral will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. from Chase Parkway Memorial/Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway Waterbury, CT to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
