Michael Annunziato

“How lucky I am to have all of you, and I would do it all over again,” he said to his family gathered round him on his last day on this earth.

Michael Annunziato left this world to be with God and Margaret, his beloved wife of 64 years, on February 18 after a brief illness.

Born Dec. 22, 1924, in New Haven, CT, to Phillip and Christine Annunziato, he was the youngest of three siblings.

He met the love of his life, Margaret, in Everett, WA while stationed there as a young sailor during WWII.  Serving as quartermaster aboard the USS Elmore, he saw action in the South Pacific.  After Michael and Margaret married in 1946, they moved to New Haven, where he started his education degree at the University of Bridgeport.  However, his education was interpreted in the 1950s as he was called to serve in the Korean conflict.

Michael moved to Norwalk in 1954 to begin a 31-year career teaching middle-school science for Norwalk Public Schools.  He was a founding member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, his church family for nearly six decades.  After retiring in 1986, he and Margaret took extended trips across the USA in their beloved motor home to visit family.

Michael was the best of the Greatest Generation. A mentor to students and friend to everyone he met, Michael made people smile with his easy ways and humor.

Michael is survived by his sister, Theresa Limosani of East Haven, and four children: Catherine and Jan-Michael Poff of Cary, NC; Susan Livingston of Norwalk; Steven Annunziato and Nina Hyde of Black Rock; and Jim and Lynn Annunziato of Carmel, NY.  Michael’s humor and sweet spirit lives on through his cherished eight grandchildren: Blair and husband Jason; Schuyler and wife Jessica, Paden and wife Jessica; Tara and Joe Rollin, Kristen, Jenna, Michael and Randall, plus eight great-grandchildren. “Uncle Mickey” also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews near New Haven and Seattle, who kept in touch all these years.

The family is especially grateful to Toni or T, as Michael called his amazing caregiver.  She offered love and support to Michael for five years after he suffered a debilitating stroke that never dulled his spirits or dimmed his memories.

Visitation is Monday, February 20, 4-7 pm., at the Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street, Norwalk.

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 11:00 on February 21, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 208 Newtown Ave, Norwalk.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to your local hospice organization. Please visit www.norwalkfh.com for more information.