Obituary of Angelo Donato Ninivaggi

Dr. Angelo Michael Donato Ninivaggi, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, in New Canaan, Connecticut, at the age of 89. Angelo was born on December 16, 1936, in the Bronx, to Rafaela "Fannie" Nuzzi and Frank Ninivaggi - the youngest of six brothers. As a boy, a young Angelo sold hot dogs at the Bronx Zoo. Angelo was a proud graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School and St. John's University. He received a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a Master's Degree in Orthodontics from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Angelo served his country as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Upon completing his education, Angelo married the love of his life, Clara "Vicki" Ninivaggi. They enjoyed 58 wonderful years together until Vicki's passing in 2022. Angelo and Vicki first settled in the Bronx where they worked together to establish Angelo's dental practice and start a family. They built a home-office and were actively involved in their Bronx neighborhood. They cherished the Italian traditions of the Bronx and carried the traditions throughout their lives. In 1969, they moved their growing family to Closter, New Jersey where they raised four children. Angelo brought his love for community to Closter where he was a longtime parishioner of the Church of St. Mary and a proud member of the St. Mary Parish Council and the Closter Borough Council. He maintained a thriving orthodontics practice in northern New Jersey where he made his living giving people (including many extended family members) wonderful smiles, which gave him enormous pride. Angelo was an avid golfer and an active member of Rockland Country Club, where he claimed (with considerable exaggeration) to be the finest "long iron" player at the Club. His golf highlight was winning a first flight club championship. In later life, he spent many days playing golf with Vicki, who routinely out-drove him. Angelo was a lifelong Yankees and Giants fan (even in the difficult years) and could often be found arguing with the television as though the players might finally take his advice. Most fondly, Angelo will be remembered for his love and deep knowledge of opera (mostly Italian). To many he was known as an opera savant, able to identify act, scene, aria and singer within moments of hearing a few bars. He regaled his family with stories of "Old Met" performances with his father and then later, he was a season ticket holder at the "New Met". After retiring from his orthodontics practice, Angelo and Vicki moved to his happiest place of all, Sag Harbor, New York. Angelo loved his time in Sag Harbor surrounded by his children and (especially) his grandchildren. Angelo and Vicki wintered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where they hosted many family vacations. In both places, one could always find Angelo in his element — mixing a martini (olives on the side, of course) and eating copious amounts of oysters. Angelo spent his later years, after Vicki's passing, in New Canaan, Connecticut, to be closer to his family. He spent his time at The Inn at Waveny, which he often referred to as "the Club" and where he quickly became known as "Dr. Handsome". There, he built strong friendships and developed his talent for painting; he also hosted lectures with the other residents on current events and opera. He was deeply grateful to the wonderful staff at The Inn. To his family, Angelo was the embodiment of home — a constant source of comfort, warmth, and unconditional love. He had a remarkable way of making everyone around him feel safe and cared for, a true patriarch in every sense. His family will forever remember Angelo and Vicki dancing together in the kitchen, in restaurants, or anywhere music happened to be playing; the birthday phone calls where he would sing "Happy Birthday" without fail; and the steady love, humor, and joy he brought to every moment together. He was devoted to his wife, children, their spouses, and most of all, his grandchildren and great-granddaughter. "Poppi" was so proud of their many accomplishments and cherished his close relationships with them. Nothing made him happier. Angelo leaves behind many who loved and admired him. He is survived by his children, Daniel (Janis), Bernadette Gozdz (Edward), Angelo Jr. (Jennifer), and Michele; grandchildren, Olivia Gozdz, Caleb Ninivaggi, Anne Ninivaggi (Jared Outram), Matthew Ninivaggi (Zohreh Ahmad), Michael Ninivaggi (Hannah), Jane Ninivaggi (Peter Singhal), Edward Gozdz, Jr., John Ninivaggi, John Berenbaum, Isabella Ninivaggi; and his great granddaughter, Lila Ninivaggi. ? In Memoriam ? The family will receive family and friends from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday June 10, 2026, at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church (374 Middlesex Road, Darrien, CT 06820) on Thursday June 11, 2026, starting at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Fairfield. Please share your thoughts and memories with Angelo's family at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home tribute page. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Angelo's name to: The Inn at Waveny 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840 ATTN: Office of Development or St. Thomas More Romans Catholic Church 374 Middlesex Road Darrien Connecticut 06820