Tweet
Richard Garuti Sr., 83, of Kensington, passed away Monday afternoon at Hospice in Branford with his loving wife of 57 years, Rose (Daddabbo) Garuti by his side. Born in New Britain, the son of the late Joseph and the late Julia (Catabrigga) Garuti, he graduated from New Britain High School, served in the US Army in Korea and in the Connecticut National Guard, and was part-owner of Ray's Garage with his brother for 40 years before his retirement in 1989. Inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame, he and his brother were considered New England auto racing pioneers, and were known throughout New England for building midget and stock cars. They built their first stock car for Plainville Stadium in the early 50's and continued to construct winning cars for the next two-plus decades, scoring on both the United Stock Club and NASCAR circuits at Riverside, Cherry Park, Agawam, Thompson, Stafford Springs, Waterford, and many other tracks. He enjoyed traveling, watching football and basketball games and automobile racing, and was a great lover of dogs, especially his boxers Duke and Sarge. Loving all children, he will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Richard Garuti Jr. and his wife Marjorie of Plantsville, a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and John Sayers of Berlin, his beloved grandchildren, Katie Parafati and her husband Enzo and their daughter Remi Carina Parafati, Sarah Griffin and her husband Richard and their daughter Lilly Joy Griffin, Karen Garuti, John Richard Sayers, and Richard Garuti III, a brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Irene Garuti of Southington, two sisters, Eve Andre of Silver Springs, Maryland, and Geraldine Mokulis of Southington, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. His family would like to thank Apple Rehab in Plainville, Connecticut Hospice, and family and friends, for their care and support.
A graveside service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in West Lane Cemetery on High Road, Kensington. Friends and relatives are invited to call at Porter's Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Directions to the funeral home can be found at: www.portersfuneral.com
Published in the Hartford Courant 6/15/11
Richie (left) and Ray Garuti being inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame by Jackie Arute
A graveside service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in West Lane Cemetery on High Road, Kensington. Friends and relatives are invited to call at Porter's Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Directions to the funeral home can be found at: www.portersfuneral.com
Published in the Hartford Courant 6/15/11
Richie (left) and Ray Garuti being inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame by Jackie Arute
Attached Files