Giovanna Gentile Obituary

In Loving Memory of Giovanna Gentile (née Michelangelo) of East Haven Giovanna Gentile, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 89 years old. Giovanna was born on March 10, 1936, in the small village of Campo di Fano, in the province of L'Aquila, Italy. She grew up surrounded by the beauty and tradition of the Abruzzo region. As a young woman, she immigrated to the United States alongside her brother, Panfilo Michelangelo, seeking opportunity and a brighter future. She later returned to Italy to marry the love of her life, Fernando Gentile. After their marriage, Giovanna and Fernando made their home in East Haven, Connecticut, where they built a life centered around faith, family, and hard work. Together, they raised two devoted children, Anna Gentile Antonakis and Anthony Gentile. Giovanna worked tirelessly to provide for her family, always putting others before herself. Her sacrifices, determination, and boundless love shaped not just her immediate family, but everyone blessed to know her. Giovanna's pride and joy were her grandchildren - Erena Antonakis Borriello (married to Jarad Borriello), Jennie Antonakis Dean (married to Joel Dean), Alex Gentile, and Bennette Gentile - who brought light, laughter, and happiness into her life. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Giovanna, Sofia, Andoni, and Raphael, who added even more joy and love to her later years. Her love extended deeply to her son-in-law, Anthony Antonakis, and her daughter-in-law, Michelle Gentile, whom she embraced as her own. In her later years, Giovanna enjoyed traveling and sharing new experiences with her family. She made cherished trips to Greece, Italy, California, and New York, creating lasting memories with the people she loved most. She often said, with a warm smile, that she had lived "a good life" - a life full of love, family, and joy. Throughout her life, Giovanna was known for her resilience, her kindness, and her beautiful, radiant smile that could light up a room. Her motto, "Keep on going," captured her spirit - one of perseverance, hope, and deep-rooted strength that carried her through every challenge and triumph. Giovanna's legacy is one of love, sacrifice, and unshakable family bonds. She showed us all the meaning of true devotion - to work hard, to care deeply, and to never give up, no matter the obstacles. Her home was a place of comfort, laughter, and endless warmth, where everyone felt welcome and loved. Her strength, her compassion, and the memory of her beautiful smile will be carried forward by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though Giovanna has left this earth, the values she lived by - kindness, perseverance, humility, and unconditional love - remain forever with us. Her memory will be a blessing and a guide for all who were lucky enough to know her. Per Giovanna's wishes, no formal services will be held. She asked instead that all who knew her simply remember her warmly, keep her in their hearts, and, in her words, "keep on going." We will miss her dearly!