Obituary of Natale Sestero

Sestero, Natale A. (Nat) Sestero, a former managing editor of The Hartford Times, died Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Hartford Hospital. He was 96 years old. He was the husband of the late Norma (Malnati) Sestero. Born in New York City, son of the late Guido and Ester Sestero, he had lived in Glastonbury since infancy. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Atlantic and Pacific aboard the destroyer John D. Henley, participating in several major naval campaigns, including the Battle of the Philippines Sea and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, earning five battle stars and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with battle star. He began his career with The Hartford Times in 1936 as a circulation delivery man. A year later he assumed the added duties of Glastonbury correspondent. He joined the city news staff in 1942, covering many of the Federal and State agencies involved in the war buildup until enlisting in the Navy in 1943. He returned to The Times' news staff in 1946. For the next 12 years he covered virtually every aspect of the news: Health and medicine, education, politics, several sessions of the State Senate, finance and police, winning a number of citations, including the first Greater Hartford Mental Health Society's public service award for a series on conditions in Connecticut's mental health hospitals. In 1958 he entered the executive ranks with his promotion to assistant city editor, followed by advancements to city editor in 1959, assistant managing editor in 1960 and managing editor in 1968. He edited the 150th anniversary edition of The Times in 1967. In 1969 he served as host chairman for the Associated Press Managing Editors' national convention in Hartford. He retired in 1975 as assistant editor for administration. He was a life member of The Nature Conservancy, Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library, South Glastonbury Public Library, a past president of the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce, a member of the American Legion, John Tom Hill Community Club, and a communicant of St. Dunstan Catholic Church, as well as several regional and national news organizations. He leaves a brother, Edward E. Sestero of South Glastonbury; a niece Sandra Brown of Colchester, two nephews, Harry J. Sestero of South Glastonbury and Eugene Sestero of Middletown and his good friend and companion Tito Anunciado and his wife Alma of Glastonbury. He was predeceased by a brother, Walter B. Sestero. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday Nov. 13 at10:00 in St. Dunstan Church, Glastonbury. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Augustine Cemetery, South Glastonbury. Friends may call at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury on Friday, Nov12, from 5 to 7pm. Contributions may be made to any of Glastonbury's three libraries or the donor's choice.