Obituaries

Joseph Abbatiello, 75: Veteran, BOE Member, Athlete

He was a college football standout, a businessman and a member of the Amity Board of Education.

Joseph Abbatiello, of Orange, husband of Diane Castracane Abbatiello died peacefully June 6 at Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He is the brother of Richard (Theresa Cappetta) Abbatiello and the late Donald Abbatiello. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Joe was born in New Haven May 16, 1937 to the late Joseph and Virginia Perrotti Abbatiello. He was a graduate of Wilbur Cross High School where he was an All-State football player and Captain of the football team. He went on to play football at Northwestern University under legendary coach Ara Parseghian and was selected to the All Big-10 team as a guard two years in a row. 

After graduating Northwestern, Joe entered the US Navy where he was an ensign and served aboard a destroyer that was positioned off the coast of Cuba during the Bay of Pigs Invasion in April, 1961. After being honorably discharged, Joe began his professional career when he joined his father and brothers in business at Aura Industries and Top Stone Cigar Co. He would go on to become president of both companies.

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After many years in business, the companies were sold and Joe stayed on as president of Aura Industries heading operations in Hong Kong and Ireland. Throughout his life, Joe was very devoted to his faith and his community. He served on the Board of Education for the Amity School system for eight years, was president of the Board of Directors of Boys and Girls Village in Milford and also served on the Board of Faith Christian Church and the Board of Hosana Ministries Recovery Program in Bridgeport.

Joe was very proud of the work he did as a member of the board of Teen Challenge Recovery Program in New Haven. As an area coordinator for Sports World Ministries, Joe was instrumental in bringing many professional athletes to New Haven to speak to area high school students about faith, ethics and the many opportunities and challenges that life offered.

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Joe was vice president of Scungilli International and a member of Racebrook Country Club. He was the recipient of several awards, among them being his induction into the New Haven Gridiron Club, induction into the Wilbur Cross High School Sports Hall of Fame and receiving the Gold Ring Award from the Boys and Girls Club. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday June 16 at 10 a.m. at Gateway Christian Fellowship Church, 129 Bull Hill Ln., West Haven, CT. There will be no visiting hours. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph Abbatiello Memorial Fund c/o Levitsky & Berney, PC 100 Bradley Rd. Woodbridge, CT 06525. All contributions will be divided equally to fund programs for Teen Challenge and Nigeria-IJAW Mission. The Iovanne Funeral Home, INC. 11 Wooster Pl. is in care of arrangements. 


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