Peter C. Grassilli, 81, of West Hartford, died on February 23, 2022, after a long battle with cardiac disease.

He was born April 30, 1940, in West Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of Carlo and Ida (Ferrante) Grassilli, and graduated from West Springfield High School, a member of the National Honor Society. He earned both a BS and an MS in Economics at the University of Massachusetts.

In 1963 he married his college sweetheart, Nancy, and after living in Massachusetts and New Jersey they settled in West Hartford where they raised their two daughters. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in November.

Peter left a successful business career in 1985 to pursue a lifelong dream of owning a hardware store and he spent 15 happy years there before retiring. Despite his health issues, he always had a smile and considered himself the luckiest - he loved spending time with his family, watching UConn Women’s Basketball, playing blackjack at the casinos and walking at the reservoir with his dog.

In addition to his wife, Nancy (Beaton), he is survived by his daughters Lora Grassilli and Amy Chaple, grandchildren Allegra, Isabelle, Chloe and Collin and great-grandson, Robbie. He is also survived by his brother John. His family is especially grateful to Dr. Steven Cohen and the caregivers at St. Francis Hospital.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022 from 4-7 pm at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 10:00 am at First Church of Christ Congregational Chapel, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the University of Massachusetts in his name. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com

Contributions in Peter's name can be mailed to University of Massachusetts Amherst, Attn: Gift Processing, 134 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003. For online giving, you may follow this link to the University of Massachusetts Amherst  umass.edu/give