Joseph A. Bongiovanni, 80, of Manchester, beloved husband of Donna L. (Handfield) Bongiovanni, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Hartford Hospital. Born in Hartford, son of the late Sebastian and Mary (Paolitto) Bongiovanni, he lived in Manchester for many years. Joe served the state of Connecticut - as a proud union member - for almost 30 years, working in the State Office Building on Capitol Avenue in Hartford and later at the Judicial Department in Manchester. He relished his down time watching his New York teams, the Yankees and the Giants, and engaging in great conversations with his Dunkin' Donuts crew. Joe enjoyed working outdoors year round, getting his hands dirty gardening and landscaping. He also loved taking walks around Manchester, running errands, or just getting some exercise with Donna. He made friends easily throughout his travels with a quick earnest smile and a good sense of humor, even if it was at his own expense. Joe always looked forward to hosting holiday dinners and family events, never missing an opportunity to try and take credit for delicious meals that Donna always made, and always encouraging seconds and thirds and most often leading the way. Joe was both a masterful storyteller and listener, and relished discussing political issues. Joe was a true people person, and is greatly missed. In addition to his wife, Donna, he is survived by his daughter, Sarah Bongiovanni and her fiancé, Sean Kennedy, of Malvern, PA; his twin brother Carmen Bongiovanni and his son Billy; his sister Sophie Zaccaro and her children, Donna (Russ) Bedner, Nicholas Zaccaro, Patricia Tessman, and Lynn (Scott) Cerreta; his sister Theresa Wasielewski and her children, Edward (Erin) Wasielewski, Cara (Marc) Bartos, and Mark Wasielewski and his fiancée Katelyn Rice. Joe is also survived by his sister-in-law Gail Hill and her husband Paul, and their daughters Stacy and Christina Yuschalk; and sister-in-law Sheree Rondeau and her husband Paul, and their daughter Paula (Ryan) Gooslin. He is also survived by three great nephews, Angelo Leon, Evan Bartos, and Harley Yuschalk. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brother, Sebastian Jr., and his brother-in-law, Edward Wasielewski. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 6 at 10:15 am at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester, with a full mass celebrated at 11:00 am at the Church of the Assumption, 27 Adams Street South, Manchester. Burial will take place in Pennsylvania at the convenience of the family. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Thursday, October 5 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Oncology Department at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.