Anthony Joseph Notaro

Anthony “Poppy” Notaro

March 6, 1937 – July 11, 2025

Anthony Notaro was born in Hamden, Connecticut on March 6, 1937, the son of the late Angelo and Madeline Cuccaro Notaro. After completing high school, “Poppy” proudly served in the United States Navy as part of the Naval Construction Battalion, better known as the Navy Seabees, an experience he carried with deep pride throughout his life.

Following his honorable discharge, Poppy married the love of his life at the time, Phyllis. Together, they bought a home and began building their version of the American dream, raising a family with hard work and love.

His time in the Navy sparked a lifelong passion for mechanics, leading to his career as a mechanical foreman at the VA Hospital in West Haven. But Poppy was never one to stop at just one job, there were too many mouths to feed and too much drive in his heart. A true entrepreneur, he wore many hats: landlord of multi-family homes, owner of a side plumbing business, laundromat proprietor, and founder of what became a beloved family business, Side Street Grill in Hamden, which remains in the family to this day.

After the great loss of Phyllis in 2000, and many years of sorrow, Poppy found love and happiness again with Shirley. Together, Poppy and Shirley shared countless memorable trips and spent their winters in sunny Florida, along with their K9 companion "Bailey".

Poppy was a gifted gardener and a talented handyman who could fix anything. He was the kind of man everyone could count on—an unwavering source of strength, a hard-working provider, and the heart and soul of his family.

Above all, Poppy found his greatest joy in being surrounded by his loved ones, creating memories we will forever cherish. He was playful, kind, strong-willed, and full of quiet wisdom, a man with a golden heart and a legacy that will live on in all of us. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his devoted and longtime significant other, partner, and best friend, Shirley Krampitz of Wallingford; his loving children: daughters Carla Ullrich (Kieth) of Ft. Pierce, FL, and Lynette DeNicola (David) of Hamden; and sons Anthony Notaro II (Selma) of Wallingford, and Robert Notaro of Port St. Lucie, FL.

He also leaves behind his sister, Josephine Early (John) of North Haven, and his brother, Frank Notaro (Carol) of Wallingford.

Besides his parents, Poppy was predeceased by his beloved wife, Phyllis Florio Notaro, his siblings, Robert Notaro, Ralph Notaro, Rosemary Wahlstrom, and MaryAnne Buonasora and a granddaughter Jennifer Notaro.

Poppy’s legacy continues through his nine cherished grandchildren: Selma Alves (Rich), Anthony Notaro III (Ingrid), Krystle Andrew (Ryan), Allasondra Notaro, Kieth Ullrich (Lori), Robert Notaro (Faith), Stephanie Notaro (Justin), David DeNicola, and Nicholas Notaro.

He was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren, Arianna, Hunter, Keith, Kylie, Kolton, Storm, Dominic, Nico, Amelia, Everly, Emersyn, Santi, Hudson, Camden, and Brooklynn, as well as two beloved great-great-granddaughters, Addilynn and Briella

Family and friends may visit on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven, CT. A prayer service will be held at 12:00 noon, followed by a procession to the All Saints Cemetery, North Haven where a committal service with Military Honors will take place. washingtonmemorialfh.com

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