Lee Scarpetti, the affable former Republican state senator who Bill Finch defeated in 2000, passed away on Friday. Approachable, fun and caring, Scarpetti had many friends in politics, but could also mix it up as well. She was one of the vocal voices against the personal income tax Lowell Weicker shepherded through as governor in 1991.
Scarpetti first won office to the State Senate in 1984, the beneficiary of the Ronald Reagan presidential landslide when party levers allowed electors to vote an entire ticket with one pull, defeating Democratic incumbent Howard Owens. Two years later Owens defeated Scarpetti to regain his seat. Scarpetti came back in 1988 to defeat Owens. Scarpetti was a nice political fit for Connecticut’s 22nd Senate District that includes all of Trumbull and portions of Monroe and Bridgeport. She was particularly popular in Bridgeport’s North End during a period when Italian American households dominated the neighborhood.
In the 1990s she generally had an easy time winning reelection until Finch lost to her by a whisker in 1998. Two years later Finch defeated her handily in the presidential year George Bush defeated Al Gore in the electoral college. Her obituary follows:
Angelina “Lee” (Capozziello) Scarpetti age 85 of Trumbull, the beloved wife of the late Raymond D. Scarpetti Sr., entered into eternal rest on Friday March 22, 2013 in Bridgeport Hospital with her loving family by her side. Born in Faeto, Foggia, Italy on November 3, 1927 she was the daughter of the late Carmine and Jennie (Campanella) Capozziello, arrived at Ellis Island at the age of 3 and moved to Bridgeport. After she married, Lee moved to Trumbull and lived there most of her life. Lee was a 7 term State Senator for the 22nd District, Assistant Majority and Minority Leader, Chairwoman of Public Safety. She was a member of the Internship committee which was near and dear to her heart. Lee was a member of the Trumbull Town Council and Town Committee. She was the first woman and Trumbull resident to be Commissioner for the Greater Bridgeport Transit District (GBTD). Lee was a realtor for Century 21 and also an entrepreneur starting Casa Décor in Trumbull, Grinder City in Monroe and Faeto Pasta Shop and Pasta Fresca Restaurant in Newtown. She frequently visited schools to inspire young people especially girls to strive to be their best. She is survived by four children, Doreen Scarpetti-Weihing and husband Thomas, Raymond D. Scarpetti Jr. and wife Millie, Richard Scarpetti and wife Deborah, Darlene Scarpetti-Odegaard and husband Brandon; five grandchildren, Michael Stefani, Gina Scarpetti, David Scarpetti, Richard Scarpetti Jr., Victoria Odegaard; one sister, Josephine Kopec, niece Deborah Gintoli and nephew Teddy Kopec and several other nieces and nephew. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT. 06067 in memory of Lee. Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 10:30 AM DIRECTLY in St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull with a Mass of the Christian Burial. Interment in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call on Sunday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Parente-Lauro Funeral Home, 559 Washington Ave.
R.I.P. Lee.
Now there was one sassy dame. The best!!! Well done, Lee, be thou now at peace.
A wonderful lady and friend!
Sadly, her last campaign was fraught with early stage dementia. I remember seeing her fumble with fact sheets to debate Finch. Finch looked like the empty suit he is (all style and no substance) and Lee looked like an old bag lady. Oft-times politicians don’t know when to retire gracefully. She was an important and impartial senator for Bridgeport during her tenure.