Obituary of Peter J Saccavino

At home, August 20, 2009, Peter J. Saccavino, 94, of Thompson Ave., East Haven. Husband of the late Susan A. Gargiulo Saccavino. Father of Julie Paulsen and husband Harry of Waterbury, Susan Marchese of Wallingford and Jean Richo and companion Pete Morris of Branford. Brother of Antoinette Williams of East Haven and the late Rose Purficato, Frances Moniti, Theresa Solli, Mary Vacca and Frank, John, Dominic Saccavino. Also survived by eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Born July 13, 1915 in New Haven a son of the late Dominic and Antoinette Faugno Saccavino, he went to work at an early age making deliveries on his bicycle for the New Haven Postal Telegraph. He later owned and operated his own business, Parcel Delivery Service which he had until selling the business in 1965. He then worked as a truck driver for Grand Light and Supply Co. in New Haven until his retirement. A gifted athlete, he excelled in many sports but his passion was amateur wrestling. Over the years he won eleven state championships in four different weight classes and also won two New England Titles. In the late 1940’s he got to the US Olympic Trials but lost in the first round. He was a captain of the New Haven YMCA wrestling team and also captained the Boy’s Club wrestling team. He was active with the East Haven Auxiliary Police for over thirty years and served as treasurer and secretary of the pistol team. Always involved with his three girls sporting activities he coached girls basketball, baseball and track teams in the New Haven Rec Leagues and also at Atwater and Fair Haven Schools. He was an avid boater and had built his own boat and he always took the family to Saratoga and Lake George every summer when the children were small. He also found time to be a coach and instructor for the East Haven Classic Drum Corp. His efforts with the Boys Club over the years were rewarded in 1982 when he was awarded the Boys and Girls Club Gold Ring Award. Peter was a communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Church. Funeral from the Clancy Funeral Home 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, Saturday morning at 9:30. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Vincent de Paul Church at 10:00. Burial will follow in East Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Saturday morning from 8:30-9:30. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of New Haven, 253 Columbus Ave., New Haven, CT 06519,