Plainville, MA — Helen Ann Tuccillo, 77, of Prospect, Conn., died Jan. 19, 2022.

Mrs. Tuccillo was born Jan. 29, 1944, in Waterbury, Conn., a daughter of the late Harry and Gertrude (Tanner) Doner. Mrs. Tuccillo was the widow of her beloved husband of 57 years, Daniel Tuccillo.

After getting married and starting a family, Mrs. Tuccillo also worked tirelessly alongside her husband as they started and ran their successful businesses.

First came General Borings of Waterbury, which was a construction company that grew to serve industrial, commercial and residential needs. Then in 1976, the pair entered into harness racing and that turned into their lifelong passion.

Starting at fair tracks and then going on to race at pari-mutuel venues throughout New England, the Tuccillos, along with son Dan Jr., bred, trained and raced horses who won in excess of 200 races and earned $500,000 in purses up until Dan Sr. died in 2019. They raced almost exclusively at Plainridge Park in recent years.

When she wasn’t helping her husband in one business or the other, Mrs. Tuccillo was focused on her family by cooking Sunday dinners and making many treasured memories traveling together. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. But when she wasn’t with family, Mrs. Tuccillo enjoyed riding motorcycles, and even rode her own to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

Mrs. Tuccillo is survived by her son, Daniel; daughter, Bernadette Casson and her love John McCarthy; adoring grandchildren, Nicholas, Christina, Alyssa Casson and Brittney Casson; brother, Joseph Doner; and brother-in-law, Ralph (Marge). She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; brothers, Wesley, Vern, Robert, David and Harry; and sisters, Pearl and Grace.

Calling hours for friends and family are on Thursday (Jan. 27) from 5-7 p.m. at Prospect Memorial at the Palmerie Family Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Rd., Prospect, CT. A celebration of life service will take place on Friday (Jan. 28) at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow in Prospect Cemetery where Mrs. Tuccillo will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband.