Obituary for Corinne Casali
On Sunday, August 25th, 2019, our beloved Corinne Zoli Casali (90) passed in peace and entered into God’s eternal kingdom surrounded by her loving family and friends. Corinne was nicknamed “Corky” at a young age, by a family acquaintance who originally referred to her as a “corker” (defined as “an astonishing person or thing”). The nickname stuck for her entire life and was used by everyone.
Corky was born in Torrington, CT on December 16th, 1928. She was the daughter of the late Theodore Peter Zoli and the late Emma Teresa Barella, also of Torrington. Her maternal grandparents were one of the first families of Italian heritage to settle in Torrington, arriving in the 1890’s. She attended Torrington grammar schools, Laurelton Hall during her high school years, and then graduated from the College of St Elizabeth 1951 with a degree in Home Economics. She managed the traffic department at WLCR radio station in Torrington in the early 1950’s which was then located in the Meara building above Howard’s. In 1955 she married her grammar school sweetheart, the late Dino Casali, when she dedicated her life to raising her future family.
Her radiant smile, gentle humor, and unpretentious social graces instantly won people over. A devout and passionately dedicated mother of four children, Corky was a gourmet cook whose holiday feasts were legendary. She especially loved family discussions and telling stories after the meal while still seated at the table which she humorously termed “lingering.” She treated everyone who entered her home like family, and had a unique ability to make all guests feel welcome. A selfless, hardworking mother, who kept her home meticulously clean, she single handedly orchestrated most of the activities in the lives of her children. Later in life when her children were grown with families of their own, she coordinated annual family vacations (17 people) every summer for 15 straight years. The treasured memories she created for her family are priceless!
Corky is survived by her four children, David Casali and his wife April, Paul Casali and his wife Donna, Dina Peebles and her husband Chip, and Carla Gnitzcavich and her huband Michael. Seven grandchildren, David’s children, Mark and his wife Chelsea, and Jennifer Casali; Paul’s children, James and Corinne Casali; Dina’s children, Quinn and Emma Peebles; and Carla’s child, Michael Gnitzcavich.
Calling hours will take place at the Thurston Rowe Funeral Home in Litchfield on Saturday, August 31st from 9:30-11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM at St Anthony of Padua Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org.
Special thanks to all the hardworking professionals at BRANDYWINE LIVING and HOSPICE VNA for their outpouring of love and support.
Corky was born in Torrington, CT on December 16th, 1928. She was the daughter of the late Theodore Peter Zoli and the late Emma Teresa Barella, also of Torrington. Her maternal grandparents were one of the first families of Italian heritage to settle in Torrington, arriving in the 1890’s. She attended Torrington grammar schools, Laurelton Hall during her high school years, and then graduated from the College of St Elizabeth 1951 with a degree in Home Economics. She managed the traffic department at WLCR radio station in Torrington in the early 1950’s which was then located in the Meara building above Howard’s. In 1955 she married her grammar school sweetheart, the late Dino Casali, when she dedicated her life to raising her future family.
Her radiant smile, gentle humor, and unpretentious social graces instantly won people over. A devout and passionately dedicated mother of four children, Corky was a gourmet cook whose holiday feasts were legendary. She especially loved family discussions and telling stories after the meal while still seated at the table which she humorously termed “lingering.” She treated everyone who entered her home like family, and had a unique ability to make all guests feel welcome. A selfless, hardworking mother, who kept her home meticulously clean, she single handedly orchestrated most of the activities in the lives of her children. Later in life when her children were grown with families of their own, she coordinated annual family vacations (17 people) every summer for 15 straight years. The treasured memories she created for her family are priceless!
Corky is survived by her four children, David Casali and his wife April, Paul Casali and his wife Donna, Dina Peebles and her husband Chip, and Carla Gnitzcavich and her huband Michael. Seven grandchildren, David’s children, Mark and his wife Chelsea, and Jennifer Casali; Paul’s children, James and Corinne Casali; Dina’s children, Quinn and Emma Peebles; and Carla’s child, Michael Gnitzcavich.
Calling hours will take place at the Thurston Rowe Funeral Home in Litchfield on Saturday, August 31st from 9:30-11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM at St Anthony of Padua Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org.
Special thanks to all the hardworking professionals at BRANDYWINE LIVING and HOSPICE VNA for their outpouring of love and support.