Peter G. Cante

Peter G. Cante, 91, of North Branford, previously of Naugatuck, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford  on June 30, 2017. Peter was the beloved husband of Emelia (Emily) Cristante of North Branford and was predeceased by his loving first wife, Carmella (Millie) (Finateri) Cante of Naugatuck. 

Peter was born in Giuliano, province of Napoli, Italy on February 14, 1926.  He was the youngest of  9 children born to the late Liberato and Madelena Cante. Before joining his sister Maria in America in 1956 and settling in Naugatuck, Peter served in the Italian Military.  Peter was a chef and food services supervisor for the state of Connecticut  Department of Corrections for many years before his retirement in 1987.  Peter enjoyed a lifetime of travel, including many trips to Italy and throughout the U.S., adventures from the Canary Islands to Alaska, and cruises to the Caribbean, Canada and the Mediterranean.  After his retirement, Peter continued to enjoy traveling, winter trips to Sarasota, FL , summer trips to Maine, and developed his  artistic skills as a painter. Peter was always committed to family and was a cherished member of both the Cristante and Finateri/Laudate families. He will be sadly missed.

Besides his wife Emily and many dear friends, Peter is survived by his step-children: Frank Cristante of North Carolina; Steven Cristante and wife  Suzanne of North Branford; Albert Cristante and wife Florie of North Haven; and 8 dear step-grandchildren.   Peter is also survived by a sister-in-law: Catherine (Kay) Cuccuru of Naugatuck, and many  beloved Naugatuck area nieces and nephews and their families including: MaryAnn Laudate and John Masayda; Dominic and Karen Laudate; Lisa and David Green; John Cuccuru; John Mark, Lucille ,Tony  and Maryjane Finateri; and Andrew Laudate of Boston, MA.  He is also survived by dear nieces and nephews in Italy including: Madelena, Teresa, Rita and  Franco  Cante; and by his goddaughter  Carolyn Poeta of Seymour.  In addition to his first wife, Peter was predeceased by his sisters and brothers:  Sister Maria Madelena , Concetta, Ernesta, Teresa, Angelina, Biagio and Giuseppe Cante of Italy; Maria Cante of Waterbury; and Naugatuck area sisters  and  brothers in laws:  Ann (Finateri) Laudate; Grace Finateri; Constantino Cuccuru; and Angelo, Nunzio and Dominic Finateri.

Family and friends may visit the Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Road, North Branford on Wednesday July 5th from 9-10:30am, followed by a mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine Church, North Branford  at 11am. Burial will be at the family plot at St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road in Branford.

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