Ernest J. "Corky" Collette

Waterbury-Ernest J. “Corky” Collette, age 98, husband of the late Tessie J. (Obidjenski) Collette, passed away on Friday June 17, 2016 at Glendale Center in Naugatuck.

Ernie was born in Waterbury, CT on October 2, 1917, son of the late Alphonse and Celanise (Lagasse) Collette.  A lifelong Waterbury resident, he was a graduate of St. Anne’s School.  He retired in 1979 from Lombard Brothers Trucking after 39 years of service.  He was a life member of the Franco American Club and a member of the Teamsters Local 677 Union.  During his youth, Ernie was an amateur boxer. He was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and was a member of St. Stanislaus Church Society.

He is survived by his sons, Kenneth Collette and his wife Cindy of Waterbury, and Brian Collette and his wife Betty of Naugatuck; his seven grandchildren; his 13great grandchildren; his one great great grandchild; and his longtime companion Helen Wilkowski of Waterbury.  Ernie was predeceased by his son, Daniel Collette; his brothers Louis, Henry and Thomas, and his sister Alice Jegela.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Glendale Health Center and VITAS for the kind and compassionate care given to Ernie during his illness.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday June 22, 2016 at 9a.m. from the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck, to St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 100 East Farm Street, Waterbury for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10a.m.  Entombment will follow in Calvary Queen of Peace Mausoleum, East Main Street, Waterbury. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday evening from 5-8p.m. at the funeral home.  To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com

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