Joseph L. Gugliemino, Jr
1938 - 2025
Joseph L. Gugliemino, Jr. 1938-2025 With deep sorrow, the Gugliemino Family announces the passing of Joseph Leonard Gugliemino, Jr. He was a much loved father, husband, brother, cousin, uncle and friend. Joe was born on November 28, 1938, in Middletown to his parents, Joseph Leonard Gugliemino, Sr. and Mary Severina Gugliemino (Cannamela.) Joe was raised in Cromwell along with his three siblings, Maria Swift (deceased), Richard Gugliemino and Paula Luna, all of Cromwell.
Joe leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Dorene C. Gugliemino (Caso) as well as his four children, Joseph A. Gugliemino of Berlin, MA, James P. Gugliemino of Chattanooga, TN, Jeannie L. Gugliemino of Middletown, CT and Jody L. Santoro of Lakeland, FL. In addition to an extended family of Roccapriore, Cannamela and Gugliemino cousins, nieces and nephews, Joe leaves behind his cherished nine grandchildren: James, Laurie, Amy, Rachel, Ben, Tess, Max, Malikhy and Marious. Joe maintained close relationships with the parents of his grandchildren, Cono Santoro of Cromwell, Rona Percarsky of Massachusetts, and Rhonda Willey of West Virginia.
As a youth and teenager, Joe spent many hours delivering milk from his grandfather's dairy farm, the Gugliemino Dairy. While in high school, he joined the Navy Reserves and completed boot camp in Maryland. On weekends, he also worked in the kitchen at Middlesex Hospital. He graduated from Middletown High School in 1956. After graduating, he worked at Middletown's A & P, before volunteering for active duty in the U.S. Navy in 1957. Joe served in the Navy, mainly overseas in Morocco, until 1959 when he was honorably discharged.
After returning to Cromwell, he married his neighbor, Dorene Gugliemino (Caso) in 1960. Along with help from friends and family, Joe constructed his family home with his own hands. He resided in that Cromwell home that he built from 1967 until shortly before his passing. Joe worked for several companies as a Systems Analyst, including the Travelers, Bross Construction, and L.K. Comstock. He finished his career working for the State of Connecticut in their tax department. Joe was active in many Cromwell organizations. He was a life-long member of St. John's Catholic Church. He coached his sons' Little League Baseball and basketball teams. Joe also enjoyed playing softball in adult leagues. He belonged to the Cromwell Knights of Columbus. Joe joined the Cromwell Volunteer Firefighters in the 1970s and served for two decades. He loved playing Setback all his life and played regularly with different Setback leagues in Cromwell.
Joe and Dorene both loved to travel with a close group of friends. Over the years, they explored many destinations in Europe, Asia and the US. Joe's favorite trips included family homes in Italy, a river cruise down the Danube, and walking on the Great Wall of China.
Joe's family would especially like to thank his caregivers, Juliet McNish and Amalla Smith, for their loving, attentive and dignified care. The family is also grateful to the volunteers and staff at the Middlesex Health Hospice Care Program, with special appreciation to Nurse Kathy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 23rd at 10:30 am at Saint John Church, 5 Saint John Court, Cromwell. A burial will follow in the State Veteran Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded. Family and friends may call on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell. In lieu of flowers, those who would like to, may make donations in Joe's memory to The Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com. . To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Leonard Gugliemino, Jr., please visit our floral store.