Ferdinando Sesto, 90, of Bristol, beloved husband of Virginia (Ferraro) Sesto, died on Tuesday, Aug. 30 at John Dempsey Hospital. Ferdinando was born in Platania, Italy, on March 25, 1932, and was a son of the late Francesco and Maria (Romano) Sesto. He was raised in Italy where he served with the Italian Navy. A Bristol resident since 1960, he worked for the former Bristol Brass and Accurate Forging retiring in 1996. He was a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Parish devoted to St. Anthony Church, Bristol.
His favorite hobbies were making his homemade wine, fishing and his garden. Up until his last days he was still pulling weeds and making sure it was watered. You may also see his handy work around Bristol, he built several stone walls. He was a mason worker by trade and was proud to always show us his work. He “played” the harmonica and sang to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, Ferdinando is survived by five children: Maria Gates of Chaplin, Angie Strid and husband, Mike of Bristol, Francesco Sesto and wife, Nancy of Centerville, Mass., Vincenzo Sesto and wife, Maria of Delray Beach, Fla., and Susanna Sesto of Bristol. He was “Nonno” to 12 grandchildren: Marc Gates, Jaimie Gates (his loyal caregiver), Jennifer and Blake Chaffins, Christina and Matt Mulligan, Joseph Strid, Carmine Sesto and wife Noelle Currie, Stepheni and Luke Marsman, Gianna Sesto, Lea Kulak, Frank Kulak, Lisa Jefferson, Brandon Kulak; 14 great-grandchildren; Christopher (his little “Pooka”), Calvin, Lyra, Landon, Alanna, Alee, JJ, Lyvi, Danyl, Kamdyn, Beau, Carson, Zoey, and newest great-grandchild making a debut in March 2023.
Other special children in his life were TC, Kendalyn, Damien, Emily, Christian and his little friend Averie. He has several nieces and nephews including: Ferdinando and Florence Sesto, Michael and Liz Sesto and their new addition in the winter of 2022, Marissa and Tim DeAngelis and great-great niece Ava, Luisa and Gary Gladu, Angie and Greg Karal and their sons: Jared and Alec. Pino and Concetta Sesto, Frank and Angela Sesto, Antonio and Angelina Sesto along with the other members of the Sesto family currently in Italy. Lucio and Irene Ferraro and their family along with other members of the Ferraro family from Italy and France.
He is also survived by his cousins Caterina and John Mariano of Massachusetts and their family, Jack and Joanne Ferraro of Connecticut and their family, and Maureen Ferraro and family. He was predeceased by his siblings: Michael, Guiseppe, Cesare, Pasqualina, an infant brother Cesare, and 3-year-old brother: Ferdinando.
A special thank you to Bristol Health Home Care, especially to his dedicated home health aide Rhonda.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 10:30 a.m. from Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, to St. Anthony Church, 111 School St., Bristol, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home on Tuesday between 4 and 7 p.m. Please visit Ferdinando’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.