The family of Bryan Cirigliano, 51, is having a difficult time dealing with his violent death inside Hartford Distributors in Manchester.
Cirigliano was president of the local Teamsters union, which represents the drivers. He was in a meeting on Tuesday morning with Omar Thornton, for a hearing that ended with Thornton's resignation, and then gunfire.
Cirigliano worked at Hartford Distributors for 29 years, according to his older brother, Mike Cirigliano. Their father, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, worked for the company as well. Bryan Cirigliano was one of four brothers. His oldest daughter is a Hartford Police officer, according to Mike Cirigliano.
One of Cirigliano’s neighbors said he was a great man and neighbor, who was willing to help anyone.
“He was a real family man, his life centered around his wife and two girls,” former Newington police officer John DiNardi, told the Bristol Press. He lived next door to Cirigliano for about 25 years. “Just a terrific family person, an outstanding person. Who would ever expect something like this?”
Cirigliano was escorting Thornton from the building when police say Thornton pulled a gun from his lunchbox and began firing. In all, police said Thornton killed eight people before turning the gun on himself. Investigators officially released the names of the dead and injured Wednesday morning.
