Domenico M. Luongo

Domenico M. Luongo, 93, of Southington, CT, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. He was the beloved husband of the late Giovannina (Carusone) Luongo for 58 years. 

Domenico was born on February 7, 1931 in Liberi, Italy to the late Pasquale and Margherita (Didomenico) Luongo and proudly served in the Italian Army before coming to the United States in 1968. He worked as a drop forger and inspector at Rex Forge for many years and alongside his wife, built a loving home for his large family. Even after retirement he continued his early-to-rise hours under darkness with his late wife Giovannina, whether it was working in the garden, picking vegetables, making bread, braciole, meatballs and sausage, chicken cutlet and tomato sauce for Sunday dinner gatherings. Domenic would say, “ If the food is good …..I make it, if its not good my wife made it.”

 Domenic was a talented gardener; during the growing season it was his pride and joy. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t grow. Besides his vegetables, he had fig, chestnut and pear trees along with his prize patch of broccoli rabe that many would pick from during the season. Domenic shared his garden with family, friends and complete strangers who would be passing by his house, walking along the side walk on West Center Street. 

Domenic made many friends along the span of chain link fence which surrounded his garden. These individuals came back year after year to chat and leave with a bag of vegetables.

Sharing his harvest always put a smile on his face even if he didn’t know you. Domenic loved to enjoy a good homemade meal, foods of his traditional Italian heritage. He loved to eat and cook. His saying was, “ Eat today don’t eat tomorrow,” in other words fill up now. Another favorite saying was, “ Wine is free but water you gotta pay.” He was happiest surrounded by his beloved family and friends, eating drinking and laughing. Whether it was within his home or within the garage adjacent his outside kitchen, which served as another area to eat, laugh and enjoy each others company.

Domenico is survived by five children: Margaret Tatalovich and husband Alan and Virginia Pazillo and husband Rick, both of Girard, OH, Patrick Luongo and wife Mary-Beth, Angie Palmieri and husband Lew and Tony Luongo, all of Southington, his cherished grandchildren; Nicholas Tatalovich, Stefanie Ligon, Rachel and Dominic Luongo, Danielle Pazillo, Zakary and Lukas Palmieri and Domenic Luongo and two great-grandchildren, Gabi and Bryce Ligon. He is also survived by his brother, Michelangelo Luongo and sister, Ada Luongo, both of Italy and many nieces and nephews in both the United States and Europe.   In addition to his wife Giovannina, he was predeceased by his grandson, Anthony Palmieri and a sister, Marietta Luongo. 

On behalf of Domenic’s family, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Craig Bogdanski and staff for their outstanding care and compassion over the years always, going above and beyond. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Domenic’s memory may be made to the Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm (LEAF) (http://www.leafct.com/). 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 22, 2024 at St. Dominic’s Church, 1050 Flanders Rd., Southington. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be held before the Mass from 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville.  For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.