Sebastian "Babe" Annino

Sebastian “Babe” Annino

 1921 – 2025

Sebastian “Babe” Annino, 104, of Cromwell, CT, passed on February 18, 2025. 

Babe was born in Middletown, CT in 1921 to Santi Annino and Rose (Marchese) Annino.  He grew up on Hotchkiss Street in Middletown in a house his father, who was a mason, built.  He later raised his own children in that house before moving to Cromwell, CT in the early 1960’s.  Through his youth and his children’s youth, they attended Saint Sebastian’s Church in Middletown which was a replica of the Saint Sebastian’s Church in Melilli, Italy where his family originated from. 

Babe attended Middletown High School where he played football all four years, was elected Captain of the team and earned all-state honors in 1939.  In 1940 -1942 he played semiprofessional football for the North End Team, Sons of Italy and the Wallingford Walcos.  In 1996 he was inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame.  He was a sports enthusiast his whole life and an avid Yankees fan. 

He served in World War II from 1942 – 1946 in the Naval Service circumnavigating the globe as a Boatswain’s Mate Second Class on a cargo ship. 

In 1948 he met a beautiful young woman on a date arranged by her sister.  Claire June Pannone soon became his wife, and they would later have five children, RoseMarie, Doreen, Denise, Allen and David. 

Babe worked for a New York based garment company for several decades in Middletown, retiring at the age of 75.  He enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren play sports throughout their youth.  He enjoyed reading the newspaper every day and watching professional sports.  You could find him outside working in the yard most days, even up to 102 and he probably snuck out there a couple of times at 103 when no one was watching.  He was able to drive close to his 100th birthday, but it was not easy to take those keys away.  He could talk about sports or politics with understanding and conviction. 

His life was filled with his wife, their children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren, one of which he was elated to share a birthday with for the past 5 years. 

He leaves his wife of 76 years, (Claire) June Annino, daughter RoseMarie Libera and husband Lael, daughter Doreen Simons, daughter Denise Hills and husband Alan, son Allen Annino, and son David Annino and wife Roseann as well as 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his older sister, Carmela Tomassi and two of his younger sisters, Joan Hubeny and Doreen Bartolotta.

Along with his parents, Babe was predeceased by his son-in-law, Robert Simons, a brother Alfio Annino and his wife Ann; two sisters, Anna Annino and Victoria Pitruzzello and her husband Salvatore and three brothers-in-law, Michael Tomassi, Fran Hubeny and Carl Bartolotta.

Babe was blessed with being of sound mind and speaking of family history up to his last days.  He was a strong, honest, hardworking husband and father and the definition of resilient.  As we bid farewell, we honor his memory and all he gave to those he loved. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 1st at 11:00 am at the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell.  Burial will follow in Saint Sebastian Cemetery in Middlefield where full military honors will be accorded.  Family and friends may call on Saturday morning before the service at the funeral home from 10:00 to 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Babe’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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