Obituary of Concetta "Tina" Gentile

Concetta “Tina” Gentile

June 18, 1926 – April 7, 2023

Tina loved her family and friends.  She loved and cherished every family gathering, visiting friends or having people over for coffee.  The holiday cook out was always special.

Her extended family included the Tagliacozzanis who were always gathering at each other’s houses for a coffee or ride to Tibbetts Brook Park for a barbecue and swim.  These friendships lasted a lifetime, and she held them close to her heart. 

Tina met the love of her life, Nello(dec) in 1948 and they married on Jun 18, 1950, at Mount Carmel Church.   In 1953, their only child Philip was born.   Tina was a working mom throughout her life but always made sure that family came first.  Tina worked as a seamstress for many years at The Fashion Shop, Vivian’s, The Natural Look and Dorothy Stein’s.  She loved to sew.

When she was not working, she would cook and make the best homemade gnocchi and many other classic Italian dishes.  Her tomato sauce was always made from scratch using fresh tomatoes from her garden.  Desserts such as pizzelles or wheat pie topped off the meal.

Tina always wanted a daughter and in 1968, her pregnant sister in-law, Antonietta(dec), brother in-law Orfeo(dec) and their daughter Roberta arrived from Italy to live with Nello, Tina and Philip.  Lori, her niece, was born later that year.  Roberta and Lori became the daughters she never had, and she loved them as her own.  Lori often called and took care of Tina like she was her own mother when Philip or one of the aides caring for Tina were not available.

Tina was the daughter of Domenico(dec) and Maria Grimaldi(dec).  She had 4 siblings, Gabriel Grimaldi(dec), Mary Santilli(dec), Domenica (Lena) Baiocco and Rose Stasiak(dec).  In later years Tina, Mary and Lena ran up quite a phone bill speaking frequently with each other.

Tina is survived by her son Philip, daughter-in-law Margaret and granddaughter Madeline who she adored as well as her great grand pup Apollo who brought a smile to her face to the very end.  Her sister Lena and nieces Lori, Maria, Roberta, Emanuela and nephews Anthony, Joseph, Marc, Angelo and Alfonso

Tina will be deeply missed by everyone.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.