Pasquale M. Rinaldi
Pasquale M. “Patsy” Rinaldi, 80, of Vero Beach, Fla., died peacefully at home on May 16.
Born in Waterbury and raised in Stamford, Patsy spent much of his life in Greenwich. He and his wife, Joan, owned and operated Rinaldi’s Country Deli in Cos Cob from 1986 until their retirement in 2000.
“Our customers became like family to us,” Joan Rinaldi said. “We would watch the kids grow up and go to high school and college, and then come back. It really was a wonderful business.” Patsy and Joan’s daughter-in-law Michelle Rinaldi and Michelle’s sister Antoinette Martinez now own the popular deli on Orchard Street.
Patsy was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during the Korean War on the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Gilbert Island. When he entered the service, he had already started dating Joan, whom he had first met at Stevens Elementary School in Stamford. They married in 1955.
While living in Greenwich, Patsy ran the Red Rooster Tavern in Wallingford, where he tended bar and Joan worked as a hostess. Later Patsy became the caretaker of a large estate off John Street. But what he really hoped to do was buy a deli—and in short order the opportunity presented itself.

Patsy loved sports, especially bowling and golf. He played on a touring bowling team for the U.S. Navy, and later he spent many happy days on golf courses in Greenwich and Florida.
Once, while passing through beautiful Vero Beach during a family vacation, Patsy and Joan imagined retiring there some day, among the beaches, sun and citrus trees. They did exactly that in 2000.
In addition to Joan, his wife of 60 years, Patsy is survived by sons Nicholas A. Rinaldi of Vero Beach; Anthony J. Rinaldi of Stamford; Michael P. Rinaldi of Stuart, Fla.; and Richard P. Rinaldi of West Haven; daughter Gina Marie Rinaldi of Greenwich; brothers John Rinaldi of Los Angeles and Robert Rinaldi of Palm Coast, Fla.; sister Roseanne Lopiano of Torrington; and eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Patsy was preceded in death by his sister Josephine Marschall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Foundation, 1110 34th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, in memory of Pasquale M. Rinaldi.
Patsy was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach; a mass of Christian burial was celebrated there on May 20.

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