This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Obituaries

Obituary: Gerald Jon Ciccarone Sr.

Gerald Jon Ciccarone Sr., former owner of the Avalon Inn restaurant, dies at the age of 85.

Gerald Jon Ciccarone Sr., former resident of the Stony Hill District of Bethel and for the past twenty years, resident of Tamarac Florida died Monday, December 19 at the Florida Medical Center at the age of 85.

Ciccarone was born on June 24, 1926 in South Norwalk, son of the late Concetta and Alfred Ciccarone.

After serving in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper during the invasion of Okinawa in World War II, Mr. Ciccarone, affectionately known as "Jerry" by his many friends and customers, returned from the war, married Mollie Lovallo of Torrington, Ct. He devoted his life to his family and operating the Avalon Inn, delighting many with his culinary and entrepreneurial skills. For many years his reputation as a generous man was noted by the Franciscan Nuns of Sacred Heart and the Sisters of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bethel where he would deliver boxes of prime steaks and other culinary creations for the sisters to enjoy during many holidays.

He successfully operated the Avalon Inn until 1977 when he expanded the facility and renamed the restaurant "The Avalon Whaler." The original "Avalon Inn" and subsequent "Avalon Whaler Seafood Restaurant" enjoyed the reputation of providing one of the finest dining experiences in the greater Danbury/Bethel area for many years under his tenure. The restaurant was a "family affair" where his wife, Mollie and four children contributed to the culinary arts while learning considerable restaurant acumen and work ethics under his tutelage.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bethel and St. Malachy's Catholic Church in Tamarac, FL.

He is survived by his wife Mollie of 64 years and his children, Gloria Ciccarone-Nehls and her husband, Marlon Nehls of San Leandro, California; Thomas Ciccarone, his wife, Maryanne of Danbury, Connecticut and their children, Tara, Adam, Erica and Michael; and Gerald Ciccarone Jr. of Brookfield, New Hampshire and his son, Gerald Ciccarone III. He is also survived by his sister Gloria Bacciochi of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and pre deceased by his son Robert and brothers John and Alfred.

A wake will be held at Green's Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury from 5 to 8 pm Thursday, December 29.

The funeral will be held at St. Mary's Church, Rt. 302, Bethel at 10 am, Friday, December 30.

Find out what's happening in Bethelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?