All Obituaries

Naugatuck-John A. Hoyt, age 77, husband of the late Christine (Belenchia) Hoyt, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital VITAS Innovative Care Unit.   He was born on March 24, 1942.  John had lived in Naugatuck for the past 13 years and was a former construction worker and volunteer fireman.  He was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus Ojeda Council 33, and St. Vincent Ferrer Church, where he volunteered at countless events and activities.   John...

  Knights of Columbus Past State Deputy     Waterbury-Ralph A. Grandpre, age 72, passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 10, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital VITAS Innovative Care Unit.   Ralph was born November 26, 1946 in Waterbury,  son of Gustave J. (Chris) and Blanche E. (Cretella) Grandpre.  He lived most of his life in Waterbury and a short time in Thomaston.  He attended local schools, graduated from Blessed Sacrament School, Crosby High...

NAUGATUCK — Samuel Fernandes, age 30, passed away Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. Samuel was born February 28, 1989, in Aveiro, Portugal, the son of the late Bernadete Preta Fernandes and the late Joao Fernandes. After moving to the United States 5 years ago, Samuel had resided in Naugatuck and Waterbury. Samuel is survived by his sisters, Catarina Fernandes of Portugal, Sofia Fernandes of Netherlands, and Joao Andre Fernandes of Portugal, as well as many cousins, aunts, and uncles in both...

Naugatuck-Kenneth W. Secula, age 60, beloved husband of Kim (Krantz) Secula, passed away on Wednesday August 28, 2019 at the VITAS Innovative Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital.   He was born in Waterbury, CT on June 19, 1959, son of Mary (Manthey) Secula of Wolcott, and the late Thomas Secula.  A longtime resident of Naugatuck, Ken had worked at Model Garage in Waterbury as an auto mechanic for 28 years.  He was an active member of the community who enjoyed helping...

Naugatuck-Raymond B. Karaban, age 78, beloved husband of Lorraine (Belletti) Karaban, passed away on Saturday at St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by his family.   He was born in Waterbury, CT on November 8, 1940, son of the late Bronislaw and Frances (Plodzien) Karaban.  Ray was a longtime Naugatuck resident, and was owner of Beacon Falls Distributing and Mid Valley Sales in Seymour for many years.  He enjoyed playing softball, bowling, traveling to Jamaica and Atlantic...

Woodbury-Jean L. (Larson) Vensel, age 87, passed away on Saturday August 10, 2019 at Waterbury Hospital after a long illness.  She was the widow of Frank E. Vensel, Sr., who passed away in 2005.   She was born in New Britain, CT on January 1, 1932, daughter of the late Siegfried “Fred” and Gertrude (Anderson) Larson.  Jean was a graduate of New Britain High School and attended the University of Connecticut.   She was a longtime resident of Spruce Bank...

Proud, Decorated Vietnam Veteran   Naugatuck-Stephen John Ross, Jr., age 69, husband of Terri (Azukas) Ross, passed away on Friday August 9, 2019.  He was the youngest of five children.   Born in Waterbury, CT on September 10, 1949, he was son of the late Stephen John Ross and Natalie (Posick) Ross.  Stephen was a graduate of Naugatuck High School in 1967 and was drafted into the Army.  He became a Sargent and served our country fighting in Vietnam, where he was...

Waterbury-Phyllis Denton, age 80, passed away Friday August 9, 2019 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.   Born in Kingston, NY on September 7, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Henry M. and Laura (Crocetty) Denton.  She was a graduate of Wilby High School in 1956 and was a longtime resident of Waterbury.  She enjoyed music, watching old movies, and loved pizza.   Phyllis is survived by her niece, Katherine Smick of Waterbury; her nephews, Alexander Smick and his...

Naugatuck-Joaquim Esteves, age 90, husband of the late Elisa (Pereira) Esteves, passed away on Monday August 5, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital VITAS Innovative Care Unit surrounded by his family.   Mr. Esteves was born in Portugal on March 1, 1929, son of the late Joao and Maria (Pereira) Esteves.  He came to the United States in 1974 and settled in Naugatuck. Joaquim worked for many years at Naugatuck Glass before retiring.   He was a faithful parishioner of Our...

      Naugatuck-She always told us that she was sweet 16 and getting sweeter every year.  And so, at sweet 16 plus 80 years, Edna (Dubauskas) Rubertas died peacefully at her home on August 3, 2019.   After graduation from high school, Edna was employed as a telephone switchboard operator with SNET, a nurse’s aide at St. Mary’s Hospital and a Therapeutic Recreation Director at Medicare Pavilion in Waterbury.  When she reluctantly retired at age...