Anthony (Tony) Giovanetti, 96, of Seymour, CT, formerly of Enfield, beloved husband of Estelle (Malley) Giovanetti for more than 66 years, entered into eternal peace, Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Griffin Hospital in Derby, CT. Raised in West Springfield, MA, he was the son of the late Frank and Angelino Mastromatteo. Following high school, he served honorably in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate, Second Class (AD-2) with Reconnaissance Squadron VD-3. His B-24 squadron was responsible for mapping the island of Kyushu for the planned land invasion had the war not ended. Following the war, the GI Bill gave him the opportunity to attend Aviation Maintenance Technician School where he acquired his FAA Certification as a Powerplant Mechanic. He used this training to begin working in 1947 at the United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, CT (now Raytheon Technologies) and assumed greater levels of responsibility that culminated in the position of Main Wind Tunnel Test Engineer. During his 43-year career, Tony tested advanced aerospace designs including rotary and fixed wing aircraft, propulsion systems (propeller and gas turbine), and missiles. Some of his notable accomplishments included testing of the H-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 commercial jetliner, and the large Pratt & Whitney JT9D gas turbine engine on the Boeing 747.
Tony was a devoted father who enjoyed building and flying radio-controlled model airplanes, launching model rockets, playing baseball, and fishing with his sons. Also, after retiring from his job in 1990, he enjoyed bowling and golfing well into his 90s, especially with his grandsons. He was also talented with his hands and took pride in making necessary home modifications and spending time outside caring for his yard. Over the past 15 years, Tony was restoring a full-scale 1947 Cessna 140 propeller airplane with his eldest son.
Besides his wife Estelle, he is survived by three children, Anthony J. Giovanetti of Seymour, Rosanne Cook and her husband Michael of Houston, TX, and Matteo Giovanetti of Pompano Beach, FL; one half-sister, Frances Roberts, two half-brothers, Richard and Robert Mastromatteo, two grandsons, Michael (Mallory) and Gregory (Madeline) Cook. Seven other siblings predeceased him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday June 24, 2022, at St. Bernard Church of St. Jeanne Jugan Parish, 426 Hazard Ave., Enfield. Committal, with military honors, will follow at Hazardville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Anthony's memory to St. Jeanne Jugan Parish, 23 Simon Rd., Enfield, 06082. To leave online condolences, please visit www.Leetestevens.com.