July 2021

Anna Sbalcio, age 96 of Middletown, passed away on June 24, 2021. Anna was the beloved daughter of the late Sebastian and Lucy Sbalcio and was born and raised in Middletown, where she remained a lifelong resident. Anna was a long-time member of Saint Sebastian’s Church and played an integral role in the church group, Children of Mary.  She attended MacDonough School and Central School before graduating from Middletown High School. After high school, she accepted a position at the Travelers Insurance Company in Hartford working in the office on tasks such as IBM keypunching and training other staff members.  She remained with the company for close to 40 years. Anna eventually retired to care for her mother alongside her sister, Josie. Anna was kind, loving, and compassionate during the many years she provided full time care until her mother’s passing. In her early years, Anna enjoyed traveling with Josie and some of their closest friends. Together they became world travelers, visiting England, France, Italy, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany, Monte Carlo, and more. She also experienced the beaches of Hawaii and Bermuda, and always enjoyed a drive to the Connecticut shores for a picnic. Anna had many photo albums that held these memories to share with her family and friends. Although she never married, Anna had a large family to care for who loved her dearly. Those who were close to her knew her as Annie. She was always so happy to see you and would greet you with her infectious smile. She would giggle with the joy of being surrounded by her loved ones. Annie always enjoyed playing and being silly with her great nephews and nieces. She never missed making a phone call to say happy birthday or to wish you a safe and joyful trip if you were traveling. Anna resided with Josie on Grand Street in Middletown for close to 76 years until Josie needed more care in 2009. At that time, they made the move to One MacDonough Place, where Anna quickly made new friends and reconnected with some old childhood friends. It was here that she discovered her love and untapped talent for art, specifically painting. Her family has many of her beautiful paintings decorating the walls of their homes. She often enjoyed sitting on the porch during the warmer months, listening to music and enjoying a warm cup of tea and a sweet treat. When Anna herself needed more care, she moved to Wadsworth Glenn where she spent her final years. Anna leaves to mourn her passing her nephew Stephen Sbalcio and wife Dawn of Old Saybrook; her nephew David Sbalcio and wife Jennifer of California; her niece Susan Koulisis and her husband Alex of Stafford Springs; her nephew Sebastian Sbalcio and wife Lois of Rocky Hill; her nephew Thom Sbalcio of New Jersey; her niece Ronnie Brunker of New Jersey, great-nephews Matthew Sbalcio and his wife Nicole, Christopher Sbalcio, George Koulisis, and great-niece Stephanie Polzella and her husband Damon of Glastonbury. She was predeceased by her sister Josie Sbalcio, her brothers and sisters-in-law Salvatore Sbalcio and Marion, Joseph Sbalcio and Millie, Sebastian Sbalcio and Rose, and her niece Karen Gibbs. The funeral will be held on Thursday, July 1st at 9:30 a.m. at the Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High Street, Middletown, followed by a mass of Christian burial in St. Sebastian Church at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Anna would be honored if a donation was made to lustgarten.org (Lustgarten Foundation).

Orlando Casserino Jr., beloved son of Regina Binkowski Casserino and the late Orlando Casserino passed away on June 28, 2021. He was a Middletown native born on May 13, 1954.
He is survived by his sons, Orlando Casserino III and Michael Casserino. Sisters: Paula (Jack) Correll and Rosalie (Jim) Walsh. Brothers: Larry and Joe Casserino.  He was predeceased by a sister, Angela Casserino
Orlando loved the ocean and was an avid beach goer. He was passionate about baseball and loved the Yankees. One of his favorite accomplishments was being the winning pitcher for the 1965 Middletown Little League Championship. He was a great dancer and really enjoyed cooking. Orlando gained the love of many friends through all walks of life and will be dearly missed by all.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 3rd, at 8:30 a.m. from the Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High St, Middletown, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sebastian Church at 11 a.m.  Burial will be in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Emma Pegorer passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 30, at home in her favorite chair with her daughters by her side.
She was born in Melili, Sicily, on March 2, 1931.  In 1953, she married the love of her life, Antonio Pegorer and together they immigrated to America and made a new life for themselves. They spent 25 wonderful years together until Antonio lost his battle with cancer at the tender age of 50. Emma found the strength to carry on with the love and support of her daughters, Catherine and Rose, her grandson, Chris, and her numerous extended family.
Emma was a proud woman, an avid gardener, a great cook, financially savvy, and a terrific friend to everyone. She loved her family above all else and was always hosting parties and get-togethers. Emma was the consummate matriarch!
In later years, Emma was blessed with the second love of her life, her great grandson, Nico.
Emma will be dearly missed by all the lives she has touched. She leaves behind her devoted daughters, Cathy and Rose, her great grandson, her nieces and nephews, her great nieces and nephews and many friends. She was predeceased by her husband, grandson, and all her brothers and sisters.
Funeral and burial services will be private. In  lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr, Wallingford, CT, 06492.  The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High St, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.

Laurier "Larry" LaRochelle passed away May 2nd, 2021 at 1:20 p.m. Born in Saint-Prosper, Quebec, Canada, Larry was one of sixteen children. Larry moved to Middletown, CT in 1970 and lived happily with his loving wife Annette LaRochelle. Together they raised three sons. Larry worked in land clearing throughout Connecticut and New York for over thirty years. You can thank him for the highways you now drive on! He is survived by his three sons (Shawn, Ronnie and Andrew) and four granddaughters (Lily, Brianna, Sawyer and Raye). Around town Larry was know as "Frenchie" or the "Can Man". To pass the time during retirement, he loved recycling cans. Dad, thank you for teaching us how to be strong, kind and for showing us what true love is. You will be missed every day. May your memory live on through your children and grandchildren. Although our hearts are broken and we'll miss you terribly, we find comfort knowing you and your girl are finally reunited. 
We love you so much Dad "Pepere." 

Funeral services and burial will be private.  The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High St, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.

Kent Curtis Cartwright, 72, from Middletown, CT, passed away on May 18, 2021 after battling cancer. Born in New Britain, CT, he was the son of the late James and Lillian Cartwright. He was predeceased by his daughter Laura Cartwright.  He leaves behind his long time loving companion Barbara Stewart of Middletown.  He also leaves behind his brother Blaine Cartwright of Torrington, his son Kevin Cartwright of Middletown, and his daughter Dr. Jennifer Hernandez of Wethersfield, as well as his grandchildren Nathaniel Cartwright of Naugatuck, Katelyn Cartwright of East Hartford, Jessica Spence of Rocky Hill, Alysa Krajcik of Lebanon, and four amazing great grandchildren.

He was the owner of Down River Sports, Haddam, and US Building Services in Middletown. He was a great teacher of life. 

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 26th, at 11 a.m. in Miner Cemetery, Middletown.  The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High St, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.

Elizabeth Marie Scionti, 42, of Boynton Beach, Florida, daughter of Joyce (Scionti) Ferrauilo and the late Vittorio “Tony” Scionti, died unexpectedly of natural causes at her home, on Thursday, May 27, 2021.

Born in Middletown on July 12, 1978, Elizabeth was one of four children of Vittorio “Tony” and Joyce (Niedzwiecki) Scionti. She grew up and lived in Middletown until moving to Boynton Beach, Florida where she raised her daughter, Victoria Scionti Miller. Elizabeth worked in childcare and food services for the school system in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughter, Victoria Scionti Miller, of Boynton Beach, Florida; her mother, Joyce (Scionti) Ferrauilo and stepfather Donald Ferrauilo; her siblings, Angela Labbadia (Anthony) of Middletown, CT, Joseph Scionti (Jennifer) of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Alessandra Corvo (Andrew) of Middletown, CT, and step brothers, Dominic Ferrauilo of Rochester, NY, Mark Ferrauilo of Canada and step sister, Nicole Ferrauilo of North Carolina and many nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making a donation to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High Street, Middletown is in charge of arrangements.

Michael Donald Parks of Clinton, CT passed away on Friday March 12, 2021 at Middlesex Hospital, joining his beloved wife, the late Joanne Parks, who predeceased him in 2001. Born on August 4, 1961 in Meriden, CT to the late Donald R. Parks and the late Lois L. Parks, Mike graduated from H.C. Wilcox Technical High School in 1979. He was a proud member of the UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 777 for more than thirty-five years, retiring in 2017. He was also a member of the Wooster No. 79 A.F. & A.M Masonic Lodge since 1998. An avid angler, Mike was active in the Connecticut and Rhode Island saltwater fishing community for many years. Mike leaves behind his loving son and daughter-in-law, Michael Donald Parks Jr., and Amanda Goodheart Parks, as well as many dear friends. The burial will be private and a celebration of Mike’s life is planned for this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association Foundation, P.O. Box 1465 Coventry, RI 02816.

The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High St, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.

After a truly extraordinary lifetime of 93 years, Joseph Sebastian Carta, “Joe” to his family and friends, passed away peacefully March 20, 2021, with his beloved family at his side in the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit of Middlesex Hospital due to complications from a severe stroke. Like his parents Frank and Maria “Mary” Carta, Joe’s many passions in life were inspired by some of America’s most classic eras. Born October 13, 1927 in Middletown, CT, Joe grew up par-ticipating in the ethnic and traditional Americana pastimes of the depression-era graduating from Cheshire Academy, CT and later Santa Rosa College, CA.  As one of the Nation’s greatest generation, he first earned his right to the privileges that later came from the great sacrifices of him and his peers. Joe was a decorated war hero of a rare kind – he was both a Navy veteran of World War II, and later an Army veteran of the Korean War, beginning his first service tour in 1945, and his second in 1951. Ultimately, Joe was the recipient of 6 military medals and honors from his dual branch tours in those conflicts. After the wars, Joe married the love of his life Marie, who after 53 years of marriage pre-deceased him in 2011. A lifelong sportsman and avid golfer who was dedicated to physical fitness and personal discipline Joe played golf regularly, walking and carrying his bag well into his 80’s. The thrill of big time sports was always in Joe’s blood, and he attended many of our greatest sports spectacles: the Kentucky Derby, Superbowls, and World Series games were just a few of many he attended and was able to share with his son Frank. Beside his son Frank and daughter-in-law Amy C. Carta of CT, he is survived by a daughter Donna Carta-Adiletta of CT, and a granddaughter Taylor Adiletta of CT, as well as other extended family and friends. He was predeceased by a son-in-law Thomas Adiletta.Joe’s exceptionalism in life was only matched by his gracious humility and undeniable love for his family and friends. He will be sorely missed by those who knew how bright his love for others always shined.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Hospice and Palliative Care Unit for their committed compassion. And a special thank you to Joe’s personal caregiver Samuel Nyarko-Ware whose incredible 

loyalty and care was an amazing blessing.

Donations may be made in Joe Carta’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project or any charity of your choice.  A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, March 26 at 11 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Middletown.  Burial with full military honors will be in the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown.  The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High Street, Middletown is in charge of arrangements.

Sherry May Sanzaro, 56 of Middletown, Connecticut passed away unexpectedly in her home. 

Sherry is survived by her daughter and the center of her life, Bryana Sanzaro of Portland, CT.  Her parents, Sebastian P. Sanzaro of Hartford, CT, Dorothy V. Sanzaro of Middletown, CT. Additionally, her brothers Sebastian P. Sanzaro Jr, his wife Maryann Sanzaro of Glastonbury and Michael S. Sanzaro, his wife Kimberly Sanzaro of West Hartford. Her niece, Ashley Sanzaro, and nephews Sebastian P. Sanzaro III, Shane Sanzaro, Nicholas Sanzaro, Nathan Sanzaro and many cousins.

She was very smart, and competitive, and loved growing up with friends and cousins and summers at Black Point, Niantic, loved holidays and much laughter. She enjoyed motorcycles, ornate jewelry, music and dancing. She was once in the Miss CT Pageant, and a well sought after hairdresser.  She always had a funny mishap, and if it could happen it did happen. She was the type of person that made you smile, loved friendships and no matter what made “you” feel loved. Inside, she was a lovable, and carefree girl who made you laugh and even if she had nothing would give the shirt off her back. No matter what occurred, family and her daughter where the most important things to her. Life at times were certainly tough, but she always had a twinkle in her eye and would do anything for the ones she loved. She found out most recently she was going to be a grandma and this brought her so much happiness. 

Mommy: I am beyond blessed to be able to say this beautiful woman with such a beautiful soul was my mother; it’s always been us against the world. My mom was such a free spirited, social butterfly, she loved to talk to everyone. She could enter a room and walk out knowing everyone’s name. She was full of life and the life of the party. I will miss her silly, goofy snort when she laughed. I will miss your smile and how you loved telling jokes. I am forever your sweetheart and baby girl, you were my best friend, my protector, my rock and now my beautiful guardian angel.

We ask that you remember Sherry for the heart of gold she had the good times and memories that stay alive forever. Her time was cut short; she had a way about her that was so very forgiving and naïve.  As her mother called her, good bye “Doll Baby” and may you rest in peace. 

A walk through calling hours will be held Monday, March 29thin the Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High St., Middletown from 5 to 7 p.m. Services will begin at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in the family plot in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. 

Arthur Joseph Salvadori, 86, of Newington, Connecticut, beloved husband of Janice (Naples) Salvadori passed away Saturday, January 30th.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, son of the late Arthur and Rena Salvadori, he grew up in East Hartford before moving to Hartford where he attended Bulkeley High School and graduated in 1953. He later attended the Hartford Institute of Accounting where he received a degree in accounting in 1955. He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1963 where he trained at Fort Dix in New Jersey and was stationed abroad in France for a majority of his service.

After leaving the service he spent most of his career working as an accountant for the State of Connecticut Department of Labor until he retired in 1997. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his wife of 48 years, his sons, and his loving grandchildren. 

He leaves behind his wife Janice, sons and daughters-in-law Arthur and Jaime Salvadori of Newington and Richard and Tara Salvadori of Berlin, a sister and brother-in-law Joyce and Paul Benoit of Wethersfield, as well as many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his four grandchildren James, Jonathan, Alessandra and Liana Salvadori.  We will miss his smile.

The family would like to give special thanks to Paola, Grace, and Katelyn who helped take care of Arthur in the last months of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the AIM At Melanoma Foundation at www.aimatmelanoma.org.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, February 5th at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Spirit, 183 Church Street, Newington. Burial will be in the family plot with full military honors in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High Street, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.

Rose C. Daniels, 91, of Luther Ridge, passed away on January 2 at the Middlesex Hospital.  Rose was a lifelong resident of Middletown.  She was predeceased by her father Dario Cecchini, mother Bettina (Riccuiti) Cecchini and brothers Anthony, Nino, John, Joseph, David and sister Regina Sanders.  Rose is survived by son Marc,  Dtr-n-Law Laura, Grandson Kristopher, Grandson Bobby and his wife Alyssa and 2 great-granddaughters Aubrey and Amaya Daniels, nephews Ronnie Cecchini, Tom Sanders and niece Irene Paladino also several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.  She will be buried at Pine Grove Cemetery Middletown beside her Husband Archer Daniels.  The Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High Street, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.  There will not be any Graveside Services.

Lucy A. Bettencourt, 89, a lifelong Middletown resident, passed from this life on January 16th at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. She was born in Middletown on October 22, 1931 daughter of Emanuel and Lucy Zimmitti. She is survived by her son John W. Bettencourt and his wife Brenda of Bullhead City, AZ, and her daughter Cheryl B. Melkonian and her husband Michael of Wallingford. She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years John T. Bettencourt, her daughter, Linda Bettencourt, and her sisters Anne Deline and Theresa Houston. Lucy was a dedicated mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her love of athletics was represented in her career at Middletown Recreation Department and her involvement in American Legion baseball. She was a past commander of American Legion Post 75 Auxiliary, and a Director Emeritus of the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame. Lucy and John enjoyed Legion baseball at Palmer Field and traveling to the Legion World Series. Besides her children, she was fiercely dedicated to her grandchildren Aubry, Scott, Ethan, Kate, Alise and Michael, and her great-grandchildren Jackson, Tye, James, Olivia, Ethan Jr, Cora, Paisley, Finn, Eden, Chase, Bella, Mason and Theodore. Lucy cherished her friends and could be seen around town having breakfast or lunch weekly. A celebration of her life will be scheduled at a future time. Donations in Lucy's name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202, online at diabetes.org or by mail at P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.