Eugene P. “Gene” Minella, 84, of Bristol, beloved husband of Nancy (Fiorillo) Minella, died on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Gene was born in Torrington on May 16, 1939, and was a son of the late John Louis Minella, Sr. and Mary (Menti) Minella.
He was raised in Torrington where he graduated from Torrington High School. He then enlisted to serve in the Connecticut Army National Guard. He would meet and marry Nancy and together they moved to Bristol in 1962. Gene joined the Bristol Fire Department where he served Engines 1 and 4 from 1967 to 2004 retiring after 37 ½ years as a driver.
He also held various part-time jobs through his working life including work at Bristol Lumber, Forestville Lumber, Cousins Oil, and as a caretaker of the Filippini Religious Sisters’ property on East Road. He enjoyed his food and the family get-togethers for dinner. He enjoyed taking care of his rose garden and his tomatoes and was a fan of the Yankees and Packers.
Gene also enjoyed watching his two sons and grandson playing High School football for Bristol Central along with being a 40-year member of The Bristol Chain Gang patrolling the sidelines at Muzzy Field. A World War II buff, he was a collector of WW II memorabilia obtaining many items in his collection at military auction houses. He was a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Parish devoted to St. Anthony Church.
In addition to his wife of 62 years, Gene is survived by three children: Michael Minella of Bristol, Tricia Ranaldi and husband, Marcus of Bristol, and Christopher Minella and wife, Karen of Cheshire; five grandchildren: Jesse Minella and wife, Ana, Elijah Minella, Ian Ranaldi, Julianna Ranaldi, and Noah Minella; sister-in-law: Theresa Cercone of Farmington; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother: John Minella, Jr., and In-Laws Harry J. and Nancy Fiorillo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 111 School St., Bristol. Entombment, with military honors, will follow in the Holy Family Mausoleum, Bristol.
Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, on Sunday between 2 and 5 p.m. The family thanks the staff of Shady Oaks for the wonderful care provided to Gene. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made the Bristol Hospital Development Foundation, PO Box 977, Bristol, CT 06011-0977. Please visit Gene’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.
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