Claudia Gardino Peronace, 77, of Bristol, beloved wife of Frank Peronace, of nearly 56 years, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, Aug. 10. Claudia is predeceased by her parents, Julia (Lattarulo) and Carl Gardino, and her sister, Carole G. Volz.
In addition to her loving husband, Claudia is survived by her two daughters and their husbands Jill and Joel Dawiczyk, Holly and Andrew Zygiel, her sister and her husband, Judith and Thomas Boccia, along with her brother-in-law, Francis Volz.
Her pride and joy were her four grandchildren, Abigail and Zachary Dawiczyk, and Gabriel and Nicholas Zygiel. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
Claudia graduated from New Britain High School, where she met Frank. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Central Connecticut State University. She was a teacher through and through, sharing her wealth of knowledge and talents with her family.
Her career as an educator spanned decades and ranged from pre-school at Happy Days Nursery School which she co-directed with her sister Judy to community college and everything in between. Her talents knew no end, from music to acting, to directing; she shared her gifts. Her greatest gift was her love.
She was a local business owner and entertained countless children as “Claudia the Clown” while running K.C.’s Party Shop of Bristol. She volunteered her time in her church and her community and was very proud to do so. She directed the folk group at St. Gregory the Great Parish and was a member of the choir at St. Matthew Catholic Church while also the cantor there for many years.
Her volunteerism included community theatre in Bristol where her acting roles included Miss Hannigan in Annie and Madame de la Grande Bouche (the Wardrobe) in Beauty and the Beast and many years with the O.M. Show. She was an active member of the Bristol Senior Center and volunteered as the chorus director and in the office helping with her treasured trips.
Her love for travel and camping brought her all over the world, having enjoyed her trip to Alaska in June and camping in July with her grandchildren. Claudia enjoyed life, singing, cooking, and most of all her family. She was a survivor of one form of cancer before pancreatic cancer abruptly took her life.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at O’Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Bristol. A funeral service will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, at O’Brien Funeral Home, starting at 9 a.m. until a procession that will leave for St. Matthew Catholic Church, 120 Church Street, Forestville for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol.
In lieu of flowers consider donating in Claudia’s memory to the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol, https://www.bbgc.org/donate. To leave an online message of condolences, please visit Claudia’s tribute page at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com.
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