Ciotto Friends Gather to Honor Legacy and Launch Memorial Fund

Tribute to a Lifetime of Community and Public Service

As a tribute to a Wethersfield couple who spent their lives committed to community, friends and family members gathered on Thursday evening in Farmington to announce the establishment of the Biagio “Billy” and Jeanne Ciotto Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.   The fund was created to honor the life and legacy of longtime civic leaders Billy and Jeanne Ciotto.

“We are so proud that our parents legacy will be carried on through this fund,” said Joe Ciotto. “They both cared deeply about the communities and people who had helped them along the way and always taught us to think of others and give back to those that helped you along the way.  This fund is a great way to carry out their legacy.”

Billy Ciotto, who passed away at the age of 91 on March 20, 2021, dedicated seven decades of his life to public service.  Billy and Jeanne were married for 66 years, and, during the early years of their marriage, Billy often worked three jobs so that Jeanne could stay home with their five children.  Ciotto held various roles over his 42-year career in the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, including serving as a Deputy Commissioner.  He went on to serve as State Senator representing the 9^th Senate District (Wethersfield, Newington, Rocky Hill, Cromwell and Middletown) for six terms, chairing  the legislature’s Transportation Committee.

During his time at the State Capitol, Ciotto was renowned and respected for his unique ability to reach across the aisle and bring about common sense, bipartisan legislative solutions.  Following his time in the State Senate, he joined Congressman John Larson’s office to serve as the Congressman’s Ambassador-At-Large, a role he performed until shortly before his passing.

“Dad loved being a public servant,” said Maria Ciotto-Larose. “While he was a proud Democrat, my father didn’t care what party you were in and was willing to work with anyone to achieve progress for the residents of Connecticut. He was also grateful to continue his service to Connecticut through his work in Congressman Larson’s office.”

Jeanne Ciotto was raised in Hartford, graduated from Weaver High School and worked in Hartford before raising their family.  Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, as a young woman Jeanne sang with an 8-piece band every Friday evening at the Lithuanian Hall.  When her children were older, Jeanne sang in several church and school choirs and ultimately joined Billy and his friends in their band, the Bel-Aires, performing at weddings and other events in the Hartford area.

Jeanne also became a longtime volunteer at Hartford Hospital. She was involved in numerous civic and political organizations over the years, including the Sisters of St. Joseph (Board Member), the Red Hat Society, the Young Italian Women's Club, the St. Theresa's Guild at Sacred Heart Church, and the Wethersfield Senior Center.

“While many people might know about my father’s public service, my mother was just as active in the community demonstrated by her volunteer work in a wide variety of civic organizations,” said John Ciotto. “This included the work she did for her church, the senior center, Hartford Hospital, as well as other organizations. Mom always made time for the causes and people she was passionate about and instilled this in her children.”

The fund has been established as a donor-advised fund with the Ciotto’s children and grandchildren serving as advisors on the fund’s annual grants that will focus on needs in the Hartford region including mental health issues, Italian heritage, and other programs that would have been of interest to Billy and Jeanne.

To donate to the Biagio “Billy” and Jeanne Ciotto Memorial Fund, follow this link.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $849 million since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

As a tribute to a Wethersfield couple who spent their lives committed to community, friends and family members gathered in Farmington to announce the establishment of the Biagio “Billy” and Jeanne Ciotto Memorial Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.   The fund was created to honor the life and legacy of longtime civic leaders Billy and Jeanne Ciotto.

“We are so proud that our parents legacy will be carried on through this fund,” said Joe Ciotto. “They both cared deeply about the communities and people who had helped them along the way and always taught us to think of others and give back to those that helped you along the way.  This fund is a great way to carry out their legacy.”

Billy Ciotto, who passed away at the age of 91 on March 20, 2021, dedicated seven decades of his life to public service.  Billy and Jeanne were married for 66 years, and, during the early years of their marriage, Billy often worked three jobs so that Jeanne could stay home with their five children.  Ciotto held various roles over his 42-year career in the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, including serving as a Deputy Commissioner.  He went on to serve as State Senator representing the 9^th Senate District (Wethersfield, Newington, Rocky Hill, Cromwell and Middletown) for six terms, chairing  the legislature’s Transportation Committee.

During his time at the State Capitol, Ciotto was renowned and respected for his unique ability to reach across the aisle and bring about common sense, bipartisan legislative solutions.  Following his time in the State Senate, he joined Congressman John Larson’s office to serve as the Congressman’s Ambassador-At-Large, a role he performed until shortly before his passing.

“Dad loved being a public servant,” said Maria Ciotto-Larose. “While he was a proud Democrat, my father didn’t care what party you were in and was willing to work with anyone to achieve progress for the residents of Connecticut. He was also grateful to continue his service to Connecticut through his work in Congressman Larson’s office.”

Jeanne Ciotto was raised in Hartford, graduated from Weaver High School and worked in Hartford before raising their family.  Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, as a young woman Jeanne sang with an 8-piece band every Friday evening at the Lithuanian Hall.  When her children were older, Jeanne sang in several church and school choirs and ultimately joined Billy and his friends in their band, the Bel-Aires, performing at weddings and other events in the Hartford area.

Jeanne also became a longtime volunteer at Hartford Hospital. She was involved in numerous civic and political organizations over the years, including the Sisters of St. Joseph (Board Member), the Red Hat Society, the Young Italian Women's Club, the St. Theresa's Guild at Sacred Heart Church, and the Wethersfield Senior Center.

“While many people might know about my father’s public service, my mother was just as active in the community demonstrated by her volunteer work in a wide variety of civic organizations,” said John Ciotto. “This included the work she did for her church, the senior center, Hartford Hospital, as well as other organizations. Mom always made time for the causes and people she was passionate about and instilled this in her children.”

The fund has been established as a donor-advised fund with the Ciotto’s children and grandchildren serving as advisors on the fund’s annual grants that will focus on needs in the Hartford region including mental health issues, Italian heritage, and other programs that would have been of interest to Billy and Jeanne.

To donate to the Biagio “Billy” and Jeanne Ciotto Memorial Fund, follow this link.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $849 million since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.