Matthew Gioco. S.F.O.

Matthew John Gioco, 45, of Middletown passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 18, at Middlesex Hospital Hospice surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his parents, Raymond and Roseanne (Mazzotta) Gioco, his beloved brother Anthony L . Gioco, and nieces Maria and Isabella Gioco, his spiritual director and friend Rev. Bradley Pierce, and many loved aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and his dog, "Buddy". He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents Anthony S. and Janie (Russo) Gioco and his maternal grandparents Louis and Lucy (Falbo) Mazzotta, his uncle Sebastian S. Mazzotta and aunt Enza M. Cubeta. Matthew was a graduate of Xavier High School and Middlesex Community College. He was employed at several health care facilities as therapeutic recreational director and co- director . Matthew was very devoted to his Roman Catholic faith and touched the lives of many people in a spiritual and personal way. He was a lifelong member of St. Sebastian Church. He was also a member of the Third Order Secular Franciscans at St . Pius X Church. The family would like to thank Bozena Sienko of Middlesex Hospital Homecare and all the staff of Middlesex Hospital who cared for him throughout the years. Special thanks to Doctors Peter Romeyn, Michael Johnson, Igor Samegulin, David Miner, and Linda Weiss. Upmost graditude to Dr. Myron Brand of Yale New Haven Hospital for his professional care and compassion for Matthew for 24 years. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church, 155 Washington St., Middletown. Burial will follow in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. Calling hours will be Friday from 4-7 at the D ' Angelo Funeral Home, 22 South Main St., Middletown. Memorial contributions may be made in Matthew's memory to St. Sebastian Church Renovation Fund, 155 Washington St. or St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield St., Middletown or Middlesex Hospital Weiss Hospice Unit, 28 Crescent St ., Middletown, Ct 06457 .