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Emanuel DiNoia

Emanuel “Manny” DiNoia of Old Saybrook passed away on Nov. 17, 2022, at the age of 93. He was the son of Mary Giaccone DiNoia and Domenico DiNoia of Wallingford. Manny grew up in Wallingford with his sisters Ann and Margaret and his brother Rosario.

Manny was a proud father and grandfather. His beloved wife of 57 years passed away in 2015, and his daughter Barbara passed away in 2005. He is survived by his daughter Ruthanne Rothman and her husband Jay; son Greg DiNoia and his wife Karen; son Tim DiNoia; and his nine grandchildren: Alissa Rothman, Jack Rothman, Rosie Rothman, Jason Rothman, Ollie DiNoia, Bo Gabbard, Jamie DiNoia, Katie DiNoia, Tony DiNoia, Jon DiNoia, and Christian DiNoia.

He loved many things in his life and loved to share his stories. He was extremely proud of earning his degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he began many lifelong friendships. He also met the love of his life, Rita Kenney, while he was at RPI, and she was at Syracuse. They were married a few years after college, and for 57 years, until her passing in August 2015.

He served as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, where he tested weather balloons. While advancing his career at Aerotek, UOP Inc, Peerless Instruments, and exploring new markets, he, at one point, built eight boats with his close friends and colleagues at UOP and was able to keep one of them. He and his family spent many hours fishing, water skiing, and cruising the Hudson River and Long Island Sound. His love for boats and time spent on the water with family and friends continued throughout his life.

He founded Peerless Nuclear Corporation in Stamford in 1974 and moved to Greenwich in 1976, where he and his family lived for over 20 years. He had a passion for sailing, golf, and cookouts with family and friends at “Camp DiNoia,” and a good day for Manny included all three of these. He served as president of Burning Tree Country Club and president of St. Michael the Archangel Parish Council.

While living in Briarcliff Manor, New York, Rita and Manny and their kids would vacation every year in Old Saybrook, along with their close friends, Stanley and Ruth Biloon of Tarrytown, New York, and their children. Old Saybrook became a place where many happy memories were made as the families grew up together. In 2000, when their kids were grown, Rita and Manny returned permanently to their beloved Old Saybrook, where their daughter Ruthanne and her family had moved a few years earlier. Rita and Manny were very close with Ruthanne, Jay, and their children: Alissa, Jack, Sara Rose, and Jason. The Rothman kids can all recite more of Manny’s stories than anyone, and he was very proud to have preached the value of hard work while enjoying them as they grew to adults.

Manny loved people, and his friendships were permanent. His friends from his childhood in Wallingford, his friends from RPI, the Air Force, his friends from the Point Senasqua Rod and Reel Club in Ossining, his former colleagues, his friends from Burning Tree Country Club, his coffee buddies at the River Mart, his coffee group of fellow veterans and many others around Old Saybrook, all stayed his friend and were a great source of joy in his life. He was also grateful for the many caregivers who helped him through many joint replacement surgeries and recoveries. Their excellent care and dedication over the years helped him live a long and full life, and he considered himself lucky for the love and care he received. On Aug. 12, 2023, Manny would have been 94 years old. Every year on Aug. 12, the Perseids Meteor Shower provides us with a light show that Manny enjoyed every year, and many of you reading this enjoyed it with him. Nobody loved summer in Connecticut as much as Manny, and we hope you will remember him as you enjoy your summer. Donations in Manny’s memory can be made to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Connecticut Healthcare System) @ https://www.pay.gov/public/form/entry/102/52253675/.