All Obituaries

New Haven-Arthur Gordon Batiste passed away on Thursday May 12, 2022.   He was born to parents Arthur R. Batiste (step-mom Janine) and Catherine Fairchilds on June 8, 1959 in Delhi, New York.   To know Gordon “Gordy” you knew he loved to cook just like his grandfather, his father and siblings.  As a young boy, he was an Altar Boy at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Delhi, New York.  Later in life, he was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in...

Waterbury-Jeanette Agnes (Zyblaski) Olschefski, age 97, entered into eternal rest at St. Mary’s Hospital VITAS Innovative Care Unit.  She was the wife of the late Theodore P. Olschefski Jr.   She was born in Waterbury, CT March 18, 1925, daughter of the late James and Agnes Zyblaski.  Jeanette was a graduate of Wilby High School, Post Junior College, and was a lifelong Waterbury resident.  She retired from the City of Waterbury Health Department/Nursing Division...

Beacon Falls, CT -John R. DeMello, age 86, beloved husband of Barbara (Long) DeMello, passed away on Monday May 9, 2022 at Waterbury Hospital in Waterbury, CT.   Born in Fall River, MA on March 14, 1936, he was son of the late Mary Souza.  He was a longtime resident of Portsmouth, RI before moving to Beacon Falls, CT one year ago.  John retired from JAM Construction in Newport after working there 25 years.  He most recently retired from SVF Foundation after 15 years of...

Naugatuck-Jean (Burke) Braley, age 76, beloved wife of the late Gary Braley, Sr., passed away on Friday April 8, 2022 peacefully at her home.   She was born in New Hampshire on June 25, 1945, daughter of the late Robert and Ruth (Fries) Burke.  She had lived in Naugatuck for over 20 years with her family.  Jean enjoyed CB radio, gardening, crocheting, quilting, and all kinds of crafts.  She loved her family dearly and especially time spent with her grandchildren and...

Naugatuck-Jack J. Balzano, age 31, passed away on Wednesday April 6, 2022.   Born in Guam on October 22, 1990, he was the son of John and Christina (Birch) Balzano.  Jack was a longtime resident of Naugatuck.  He was a gifted mechanic.  He enjoyed playing guitar, and listening to music, especially hard rock. Jack loved spending time with his children, and was always the fun one.   Besides his parents of New Hampshire, he leaves his daughters Aubree and Ellie...

      Naugatuck-William M. Birch, age 67, beloved husband of the late Ann “Theresa” (Bookless) Birch, passed away at Waterbury Hospital on Wednesday March 30, 2022.   Born in Waterbury, CT on May 24, 1954, he was the son of the late William L. and Eleanor (Sullivan) Birch.  He was a longtime resident of Naugatuck, and had worked at Waterbury Rolling Mills for 33 years.  He was known as “Mr. Fix It” and was an avid motorcycle...

  NAUGATUCK- John Edward Croce, 78, of Naugatuck, died Monday, March 28th, 2022 at Cheshire House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Waterbury after a long illness. John was born in Waterbury December 1st, 1943, son of the late John and Lucy DiLeo Croce. He and his family moved to Naugatuck in 1955. He was a graduate of Naugatuck High School, and became a meat cutter at Pats IGA in Wolcott until his retirement. He was a veteran of the United States National Guard.   John...

    Waterbury-Gilbert James Cronin, age 82, beloved husband of Deborah (Jacewicz) (Maringola) Cronin, passed away on Sunday March 27, 2022 at St. Mary’s Hospital with his family beside him.   Born in Waterbury, CT on January 12, 1940, he was the son of the late Simon Cronin and Frances (Plant) Cronin  He retired as foreman from Better Formed Metals in Waterbury after many years of service, where he also met his wife Deborah.    He was an active...

Wolcott-Diane (Nitowski) (Brown) Santopietro, age 74, beloved wife of the late John S. Santopietro, passed away at her home on Monday March, 21, 2022.   Born in Waterbury, CT on August 5, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Emily Nitowski Mrazik.  Diane was a longtime resident of Wolcott.  She grew up in Naugatuck and graduated from Naugatuck High School.  She went on to graduate from St. Mary’s School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse for...

Naugatuck-George Harper, age 88, husband of Barbara Ann (Kaczkowski) Harper, passed away on Saturday March 19, 2022 at Waterbury Hospital.   Born in New York City on October 8, 1933, he was son of the late Alvin Alexander and Theresa Frances (Trogy) Harper.  He was a longtime Naugatuck resident and worked for many years at the McIntyre Company.  He had also worked for the Republican American Newspaper until his retirement.  George was an avid reader and loyal fan of the...