Nicholas Rex Altomare

Nicholas (Rex) Altomare, 95, of Mansfield Center, was born on October 29th 1916 and passed away peacefully on August 21st 2012. Rex, his nickname from childhood, wore many different hats during his lifetime. A devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather who will truly be missed, especially by his loving wife of 66 years, Simone. Rex valued the concept of education as a better way of life and had a deep appreciation for the languages of French, Latin and Italian. His love of music encompassed the crooners to opera. Rex regaled his family with his enthusiastic playing of mandolin, guitar and harmonica. An avid photographer and painter he sought to capture nature in his work. His interests also included H.A.M radio. A master gardener, he loved growing vegetables for his family. Rex had a passion for the outdoors which manifested in the careers he pursued. In his early professional life he worked as a surveyor during the construction of the Merritt Parkway. Rex was also instrumental in the design and construction of the flood protection system in East Hartford. He worked as a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Upon his retirement from the Army Corp of Engineers, Rex worked for the State of Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection Office of Adjudications. In addition to his beloved wife of 66 years, Simone, he is survived by his children; Janine Lewis and her husband Walter of Mansfield Center, CT, William Altomare and his wife Betty of Higganum, CT, Pamela Altomare of Lancaster, NH, and Rex Altomare of North Franklin, CT. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Jean Altomare of Brooklyn, NY, Nathan Altomare of Pittstown, NJ, Richard Welch III of Lancaster, NH, Lorien Welch, also of Lancaster and Ariana Lewis of Mansfield Center, CT, his brother Ralph Altomare and his wife Dorothy of Stamford, CT and their son Ronald Altomare of Las Vegas, NV and his sister Florence Deluca, also of Stamford. Also surviving him are his his sister-in-law, Monique Fabre in France, brother-in-law Gilbert Benard and his wife Jacqueline, also in France, as well as many nieces and nephews in the United States and France. He was predeceased by his parents, Raffaelle and Mary (Andrea) Altomare and three sisters; Joan Gustaveson, Amelia Schuermann and Vera Mecca. His family would like to extend a special thanks to all the wonderful and compassionate caregivers over the last few years, especially, and most recently, the staff at Douglas Manor. Our fondest memory of Dad is of him concocting his special root beer floats on a summer afternoon. Even now, we know that Dad is looking down at us while enjoying his float from a window seat in heaven. His funeral service will be Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. There are no calling hours. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.