Alfred H. Penovi
Alfred H. Penovi
Plumber And Philosopher
Alfred H. Penovi, 93, well-known plumber of the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, died January 17 at River Glen Health Care Center, Southbury. Mr Penovi was the husband of the late Dorothy (Newcomb) Penovi. He was born in Port Chester, N.Y, June 10, 1916, a son of Gertrude (Thomas) and Alfred Penovi.
Mr Penovi grew up in Port Chester, but he came to Sandy Hook during the summer to visit his grandparents, who had a cottage in the Riverside community. Eventually, his parents bought a summer cottage in the Riverside community as well, and when Mr Penovi was 22, his parents moved from New York to Sandy Hook.
Mr Penovi moved to Sandy Hook with his own family in 1939 and was ever after a resident. He served in the US Army during World War II with the 1258th Engineer Combat Battalion. His Plumbing and Heating Shop on Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook became a local landmark. It was well-known for the parts, materials, and plumbing advice that could be gotten there.
Al Penoviâs shop was within an old New England hay and cattle barn that his father, also a plumbing expert, converted for use as the business shortly after the family moved to Sandy Hook in the late 1920s.
Over the years, the property became a repository for plumbing fixtures of all kinds, including 120 colored toilet tank covers. It was the âgo toâ place for those seeking the difficult to find replacement bathroom fixture or plumbing part.
A 1997 Newtown Bee article noted that âthose who have frequented the establishment during its six decades of operation recognize it as a traditional oasis in a modern world. It is valued not only for its hard-to-find parts, but also for the 81-year-old licensed plumber who freely imparts advice â of both an instructional and philosophical nature.â His philosophy was clear in a quote from the same 1997 article: âI donât make a lot of money on this; I just do it to help people. There are a lot of people who have helped us, given us business, kept us going. Now I try to help them. Thatâs part of life, helping the other guy.â
A number of years ago, photos of familiar landmarks around Newtown were turned into âWelcome To Newtownâ postcards. There were views of Booth Library, the flagpole, different churches, the view from Castle Hill, and even one depicting Al Penoviâs Plumbing Shop on Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook. The postcard showing Mr Penoviâs shop was far and away the bestseller of all the available postcards.
He is survived by a daughter, Wendy Lee Craig of Sandy Hook; two grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a cousin.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 21, in the Honan Funeral Home, Newtown. Interment with military honors will take place in the spring at Newtown Village Cemetery.
Memorial contributions made to the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 344, Newtown CT 06470 will be appreciated.
To leave an online condolence go to honanfh.com.
The Newtown Bee       January 22, 2010