Lino J. Conti

Lino (Lee) Joseph Conti, beloved husband of Sophie (Brigante) Conti, passed away peacefully with his children by his side on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 at the Hospital of Central CT. Lino was born in New Britain on Dec. 12, 1928, the son of the late Joseph and Amabile Conti. A World War II veteran, Lino, at the age of 17, enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served proudly for 3 years. After his discharge, Lino attended the Teachers College of CT, now CCSU, and graduated with a B.S. degree in education. In 1953 he was initiated into the Kappa Delta Phi, national honor society and the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. He received his Master's degree in education from Hillyer College , now University of Hartford, in 1954 and the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in 1960. For 38 years, Lino served in the New Britain school system where he loved and enjoyed working with children as a teacher, assistant principal and summer school director. He was a member of the N.B. Teachers' Club and New Britain Teachers' Athletic Club, where he served as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. A former member of St. Ann's Parish in New Britain, Lino served as a principal of St. Ann's Parish School of Religion and president of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. He moved his family to Kensington, where he joined St. Paul's Parish, the Parish Council, Knights of Columbus, Berlin Youth Program and was a member and Secretary of the Berlin Town Planning Commission. He was a member of the Marchegian Society in New Britain and held several offices as a member of the Marchegian Hunting Club, often recalling the days he would spend with his father hunting, returning to the Marchegian Club where the women members would prepare the game for the annual "Festa". He was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed volleyball and tennis. Upon retirement, he became a member of the Berlin Timberlin Senior Golfing Association. As a lifelong athlete, he enjoyed watching UCONN basketball, Yankees baseball, and he especially loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events. As a form of relaxation, Lino was interested in yard work and landscaping creating walks, walls, patios, and rock gardens. He was a devoted husband to his wife Sophie for 64 years. He was the consummate family man. Surviving are his wife, Sophie; two daughters who cherished him, Lisa Conti and Carolyn Carcia and her husband Roy; 3 grandchildren, Steven, Matthew, and Mariana; his sister, Lena Gianninoto; several loving nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends and extended family members who loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his beloved granddaughter Elizabeth, and by a sister Ada Olson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 AM at St. Paul Church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 4-7 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St. New Britain. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.