December 7, 1979 – May 16, 2025
Tina Kinol
The brilliant flame of Tina Kinol left us too soon on Friday, May 16, 2025. Tina possessed a fire and spirit that may never be matched. She lit up every room with her beauty and vibrant personality. She excelled at anything she set her mind to, but her true gift was her ability to connect with people. She built strong emotional and personal relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and clients. Her knack for making everyone around her feel valued was a rare and precious gift. Perhaps it is fitting that she passed due to an enlarged heart.
Tina was a graduate of New Canaan High School, where she became captain of the cheerleading squad as a sophomore. After graduation, she joined the family business, where her ability to connect with people, combined with her tenacity and fearless personality, helped grow the company to a peak of 220 employees.
In 2016, Tina welcomed her son, Austin Daniel Kinol, into the world and left the business world behind to focus on motherhood. She showed the same fire and tenacity when she stayed by Austin’s side 24/7 for his first 10 days in the NICU, compelling nurses to allow her to nurture him herself. Seventeen months later, Tina welcomed her daughter and best friend, Riley Parker Kinol, and largely withdrew from public life to focus on raising her family. Tina was an exceptionally devoted mother, deeply attuned to her children’s physical and emotional needs. Last year, she displayed the same grit and passion when Austin required open-heart surgery, remaining by his side 24/7 from diagnosis through his full recovery.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tina was falsely accused of childcare-related claims, which were later proven to be a hoax. The Department of Children and Families withdrew all claims following their investigation, and the district attorney’s office dismissed the case after Tina agreed not to pursue legal action for their mishandling of the situation. This ordeal led Tina and her family to further withdraw from public life over the past five years.
In addition to her two young children, Tina is survived by her husband, Paxton B. Kinol, and her stepdaughter, Mackenzie L. Kinol. She is also survived by a large family anchored in New Canaan, Connecticut, including her grandmother Antoinette Lanni, her father Guido Mazzola, her mother Marie Mazzola, and her brother Guy Mazzola. Tina leaves behind dozens of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, she was especially close to Connie and Gino Lanni, Elena (Lanni) Donohue, and Maria (Lanni) Burton. Tina will be laid to rest near her aunt Linda Buzzeo and her great-grandmother Assunta Buzzeo in Lakeview Cemetery.
Public church services will be held for Tina at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, Connecticut. All are welcome. Burial services will be private.
For online condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com.
I am so deeply saddened reading about Tina’s passing. I am thinking about her family, wishing them strength to move forward.