Call Me Angelo
By Editor at September 24, 2023 | 6:15 pm | Print
Council Honors Tomasso
The Common Council gave tearful memories of Angelo Tomasso Jr. during its meeting Wednesday night.
Tomasso, 90, a leader in this City passed away unexpectedly Monday following a short illness. He began his career in the construction industry. He worked as general superintendent of Angelo Tomasso, Inc. After the passing of his father, he became president and chief executive officer of the company until it merged in 1971 with Ashland Construction Co. Tomasso subsequently became vice president of Ashland until 1979 when Tilcon, Inc. purchased the company. He later became Tilcon’s president and CEO.
He was a director of the Connecticut Bank Federation, the New Britain Bank and Trust Company and the Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation. Angelo was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 511, the Generale Ameglio M.B. Society, the Elks Lodge #957, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Disabled American Veterans and the NAACP.
He was a trustee of St. Ann Church, chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and the founder, director and past president of The Hundred Club of Connecticut. He served as a board member of the New Britain Boys & Girls Club, and was a 50-year board member of New Britain General Hospital, where he served as chairman for many years. In recognition of his civic accomplishments, Central Connecticut State University conferred an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 1990.
He was a lifelong resident and World War II veteran.
But, on Wednesday night he was honored for being a legend in the City who was a modest, caring man regardless of his stature.
Alderman Carlo Carlozzi recalled that no matter how much respect he had for Mr. Tomasso, he was always told to just call him “Angelo”.
“I often forgot and he would say ‘I told you, call me Angelo’,” said Carlozzi. “We lost one of our favorite sons.”
“We are so indebted to the Tomasso family. Mr. Tomasso was a wonderful person. He was just giving. He liked to give money more than make it,” said Mayor Erin Stewart. “The family has done more for the City than we could ever imagine.”
Alderman Daniel Salerno recalled seeing Mr. Tomasso at a CVS about a year ago.
“He remembered me and we chatted for about 5 minutes. That is who he was. He had an incredible memory that went back 90 years. No one will ever match Angelo Tomasso.
He did a number of silent things that he never got credit for or requested credit for.”
Alderman Lou Salvio said Tomasso always gave him one piece of advice - “Always remember where you came from.”
“The Tomasso Family never forgot their roots in Italy and they never forgot their roots in New Britain,” said Alderman Suzanne Bielinski.
“New Britain had a lot of giants come out of the City, but Angelo Tomasso is the last true giant of New Britain,” said Alderman David DeFronzo. “The true testament to him and his legacy is that no one will ever know all he did.”
