HAMDEN - A devoted husband

HAMDEN - A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle, as well as beloved physician, Joseph Thomas Tomanelli, age 56, passed away on April 24, 2017.

Joe was born in Syosset, NY on January 8, 1961 and, along with his younger sister Holly, spent most of his childhood in Ronkonkoma, NY. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, where he met his future wife Evangeline – his great love, best friend and partner for life. He received his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. Joe spent his entire 27-year medical career practicing internal medicine in the Meriden/Wallingford area – most recently at Hartford HealthCare Medical Group – where he loved the community and the thousands of patients he had the privilege to care for.

Raising his sons, Joe poured himself into encouraging, teaching, coaching and sharing his passions with them – knowing that they were the most wonderful gifts he would leave to the world. An avid fitness enthusiast, Joe was an accomplished skier, biker, swimmer and runner – having run the Boston and New York City marathons. He was also a faithful Jets, Islanders and Mets fan. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Joe earned his pilot’s license in 2005, and flying his plane was one of the great joys of his life – a joy he shared with his family.

Joe will be remembered by all who loved him for his strength, determination and passion for life – his deep love of family, dedication to his medical practice, and his joy in fitness, sports and flying. He is survived by his wife Evangeline Tomanelli, sons Nicholas Tomanelli (Hope Culliton) and Daniel Tomanelli (Audrey Pence), adored granddaughter Franscesca Rose Culliton Tomanelli, mother Barbara Tomanelli, sister Holly Taylor, aunt Loretta Scheel (Robert Bujalski), Susan Bujalski, sisters and brothers-in-law Elizabeth (Alan) Miller, Rhoda (David) Welch, Ruth Hill, Donnie Parker, Donald Parker, David Parker (Karen Johnston), Veronica (Stephen) Parker Zielinski, Emily Parker (Rene Carver), nieces and nephews Robert and Benjamin Nicoll, Sarah (Chip) Champion, Ethan (Lisa) Miller, Joshua Millspaugh (Rami Woods), Jason (Lori) Millspaugh, Jesse (Cheyenne) Cute, Michael (Jodie) Tunision, Jennifer Tunison, Elwin Parker-Morris (Sarah LeBlanc), Elijah Parker, Jared (Nicole) Parker, Anthony and Chelsea Parker, Benjamin (Bree) Parker, Daniel Parker, Miranda (Toby) Cann, Jonathan Parker, Grace and Luke Parker Zielinski, Jacob and Hannah Parker Carver, and many great nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on the family on Friday, May 12th from 5:00-8:00pm at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home, 615 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT. A memorial service celebrating Joe’s life will be held at 11:00am on May 13th at the Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the community for their outpouring of love and kindness, Those wishing to make a gift in Joe’s memory are asked to donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.