Obituary: Constantino "Connie" Lepore, 67, of Naugatuck

Mr. Constantino “Connie” J. Lepore, age 67, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Monday, April 15, 2013 at his home. He was the devoted husband of Zoraida (Bonini) Lepore.

Mr. Lepore was born on August 8, 1945 in Serino, Italy, son of the late Francesco and Rose (Picone) Lepore. Connie came to America, with his family, in 1954 and grew up on the east side of Bridgeport. Along with his brother, Carmine, he spent much of his time at the Orcutt Boys Club where he met lifelong friends and honed his athletic skills. He played baseball, basketball, and table tennis and was a charter member of the Keystone Club. He was a graduate of Harding High School in Bridgeport and attained his Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

He began his illustrious 50-year journalism career at the Bridgeport Telegram as a sports writer. From there, Connie traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he wrote for the San Juan Star and met the love of his life, Zoraida. The couple moved back to Connecticut in 1984 and Connie took a job with the Waterbury Republican American, where he worked as an editorial writer for more than 10 years until he began publishing Amici Friends, which evolved into Friends Magazine. This labor of love lasted for more than 12 years and featured many Italian events and businesses over the years.

Humble about his accomplishments, he wrote and published El Registro de Baloncesto de Puerto Rico, which was circulated in Puerto Rico. His writing career took him all over the world reporting on sporting and current events. He traveled throughout the United States and Latin America. Connie covered high profile events such as the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and Ali and Foreman fights. He was an avid and good golfer and passionate about classical music and opera.

A gifted writer, Connie loved the English language. He was fluent in English, Italian and Spanish and wrote in all three languages throughout his career. In addition to writing, Connie loved to read books on many different subjects, especially books regarding the Shakespeare controversy.

In addition to Zoraida, his wife of 39 years, Connie is survived by his daughter Francesca Sullivan and her husband Neil of Waterbury, his granddaughter, the light of his life,Violet Sullivan, his brother, Carmine Lepore and his wife Lola of Stratford and his sister, Constantina Pontonio and her husband Tony of Trumbull. He also leaves several nieces and nephews including Rose Mattei, Robert Paniagua, Michael Lepore, his grand-nephew, Carlos Paniagua whom he dearly loved as well as his cousins, Lucie Gribok and family, Anna Marie Gardecki, and Mike Picone.

Connie’s family would like to thank the VITAS team for their care and compassion shown to Connie and to the family during his final days.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 10 a.m. from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury to St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury for a Mass at 11 am. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5-8 pm. Memorial contributions in Connie’s name may be made to any local animal shelter or rescue group of the donor’s choice.

Click here to write an online condolence on the Maiorano Funeral Home website.