Maria Ercolano Astorino

Maria Ercolano Astorino, 98, passed away peacefully at Whitney Rehabilitation Care Center on November 30, 2025. Born in New Haven, CT on August 20, 1927, daughter of the late Joseph and Antoinette Ruggiero Ercolano. She was a graduate of Hillhouse High School Class of ‘45 and received her nursing degree from Greenville Hospital School of Nursing in Jersey City, NJ. Maria was the beloved wife of the late, Arthur L. Astorino, who she lovingly referred to as “Bub.” They were married 63 years before his death in 2013. Maria was a devoted nurse whose career spanned more than 50 years. Throughout her career she maintained the highest standards of her profession. Maria worked at the Hospital of St. Raphael, Southern Connecticut State University dormitory infirmaries, and with pediatrician Dr. Harry Conte, Jr. before joining Southern New England Telephone medical staff. During her time at SNET, Maria had the opportunity to provide medical coverage for the 1984 Olympic Torch relay team during their journey through Connecticut. She retired from SNET as the Executive Assistant to the Medical Director. Maria was a very giving and caring person who was proud of her extensive volunteer service at the Hospital of St. Raphael, Sacred Heart Manor, the Clelian Center, and the American Red Cross. Recently she was honored by the Connecticut Nurses Honor Guard for her many years of service as a Registered Nurse. Maria loved nothing more than spending time with her family. She was a devoted mother, and an adoring Mimi to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Maria will be lovingly missed by her daughters, Susan (Theodore) Heying and Helene (Jeffrey) Augustine; sister, Rita Santini; sister-in-law, Mary Ercolano; grandchildren, Lauren (Anthony Paquette) Astorino, Victoria Scheff, Stefanie (Ryan) Donohue, Andrew (Jessica) Scheff, and Sara (Joe) McDowell; 15 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Michael Arthur Astorino, and her siblings, Rose Ercolano, Genevieve Gaudio, Joseph Ercolano, and Florence Mattei.

The family would like to thank the management and staff at Whitney Rehabilitation Care Center and Connecticut Hospice for their excellent nursing care, compassion, and concern for Maria and her family.

Friends may visit with her family on Monday, December 8th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church followed by entombment in St. Lawrence Mausoleum.

Contributions in Maria’s memory may be made to the Ercolano-Astorino Fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, 70 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510 (cfgnh.org), or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (stjude.org). To send a condolence to her family, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.