John Peter Panigutti

John Peter Panigutti, age 80, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at the VA Medical Center in West Haven. Born in Bridgeport, the son of the late Louis Anthony Panigutti, Sr. and Mary (Poinelli) Panigutti, he graduated from Andrew Warde High School and entered the U.S. Army in 1964.  John proudly served in the Army Airborne Special Forces, Green Berets, in Vietnam achieving the rank of Sergeant.  Following his military service, he enrolled in Pilot School in New Haven and served as a flight instructor prior to flying for various regional airlines ultimately retiring from Midway Airlines.  He continued his career as a corporate pilot which brought him great joy.  John lived in Vermont for 20 plus years prior to relocating to his home on Pansy Road, where he enjoyed farming on the property in his later year.  He also enjoyed a side career as a carpenter specializing in classic covered bridge restoration projects.  John was a devoted parishioner for many years of Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel in Monroe. He loved to engage in conversation with whomever he met and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.  He is survived by three beloved children, Sean Panigutti of Fairfield, Tara Rufo and her husband Matt of Framingham, MA and Justin Panigutti of Nashville, TN; a cherished granddaughter, Samantha Rufo; two brothers, Louis Anthony Panigutti, Jr. and his wife Carol of Bushnell, FL and Raymond Joseph Panigutti of Bangkok, Thailand, two nieces, two nephews and many loving cousins.   In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Ronald Paul Panigutti and his former wife Sally L. O’Day.  A Tridentine Requiem Mass will be held Monday, February 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, 15 Pepper Street, Monroe.  The family will receive friends Monday at the Church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Interment with military honors will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield.  In lieu of flowers, friends may consider a donation in John’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation , 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.