Irene Susan Cognetta, 99, a lifelong Stamford resident, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Born on January 23, 1924 in Stamford, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Maria Giordano Angelastro.
Irene was best known for her 18 years spent as a waitress at the Lemon Tree Restaurant on Summer Street in Stamford. Her volunteerism includes St. Camillus Health Care Center since 1993, The Homeless Shelter since 2002, Covenant House since 2005, and Americares since 2006. Irene enjoyed cooking and caring for her family. She never missed a grandchild’s baseball or soccer game, Jazz or Ballet dance recital, and never missing her grandson’s gigs playing the drums for Summer Lost.
Noni, as Irene was referred to by her grandchildren, cooked and prepared College Care Packages for her grandchildren, which were enjoyed by them and their friends at school, also sending her traditional Christmas cookies and traditional Easter bread to her son Pasquale and her West Coast families.
Irene is survived by her son Ronald R. Cognetta and his wife Angel of Stamford, her daughter-in law Marci Scott-Cognetta of Seattle, Washington, her sister Lucy Monteleone of Stamford, her sisters-in-law Maryann Cognetta-Santora of Stamford and Mona Cognetta of Florida her grandchildren, Marisa Cognetta of Seattle, Washington, Adam Michael Cognetta of Stamford, Alexa Leigh Rae Cognetta of Stamford, and Madison Cognetta, as well as her great-grandchildren, Tajsa and Jamir, Aminah and Victoriah and several nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, Irene was predeceased by her loving husband Rafael (Jeff) Cognetta, her son Pasquale J. Cognetta, her brothers, Jerry, Frank, Vinnie and Sam Angelastro; and her sister, Theresa Lombardo and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
A Funeral Procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 at 9:15 AM on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St. Clement of Rome RC Church, 535 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, with her dear friend Father Carlos Rodrigues officiating. Interment will follow at Fairfield Memorial Park, Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, June 5, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Irene’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Haralambos “Bobby” Giangos, 74, of Stamford, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Haralambos was born in Karitsa, Greece on January 19, 1949 to the late Efthimios and Georgia Davarela Giangos.
Haralambos grew up in the village of Karitsa, Greece during difficult times and, from a young age, persevered with hard work and determination to provide for his family. In 1972, he immigrated to the United States, eventually making his way to Stamford, Connecticut, in search of greater opportunities and a better life. With very limited resources, in an unfamiliar land, he was driven to work hard for the betterment of his family, going on to hold several positions in different restaurants. In 1984, he married the love of his life Irini and they raised their two sons together. He went on and started his own successful handyman business.
He enjoyed being outdoors and activities such as hunting, fishing, gardening, and hosting gatherings for family and friends in his backyard. As a devout and avid member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, he volunteered countless hours and used his handyman skillset to complete many projects for the improvement of the church. He was a caring and loving man, who helped out anyone and everyone in need. Upon retirement, he enjoyed his annual trips to Greece, spending time with his family and friends, and getting to see his granddaughter. He will always be remembered as an amazing family man, who did anything and everything he could, to provide his family with a life of love and happiness. He will truly be missed.
Haralambos is survived by his sons; Anthony Giangos and his wife Karina, of Norwalk and Theodoros Giangos of Stamford, as well as his sister Evmorfia Giagkou of Greece and his sister-in-law Eleni Tournas of Stamford, his niece Angela Frazis and her husband Demetrios, his nephew Dimitri Tournas, his nieces Marella, Fotini, Georgia Karanatsiou and Georgia Giagkou. He is also survived by his granddaughter Irini and grand-nephew Mihali.
Besides his parents, Haralambos is predeceased by his wife Irini Giangos, brother-in-law Panagiotis Tournas, his sister Hariklia Karanatsiou, his brother Anthony Giagkou and his in-laws Theodoros and Grigoria Tournas.
Family and friends may call at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, with Father Evan Evangelidis officiating (Please park at St Cecilia’s next door). Interment will take place at Woodland Cemetery, Woodland Place, Stamford, CT. The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Haralambos’ memory to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Frank J. Colandro, 87, of Stamford, passed away peacefully at his home on May 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Frank was born in Port Chester, NY on December 3, 1935 to the late John and Margaret (Vasilo) Colandro.
Frank graduated from Port Chester High School then went on to join the U.S. Army where he became a sergeant. After leaving the Army, he went to work for his cousin at Stamford Box Lunch as a food truck caterer, eventually becoming sole proprietor of his own catering truck business. He was known around Springdale as the man in the coffee truck. His great passion was attending his sons’ and eventually his grandchildren’s sporting events. Frank was known for his gift of conversation and always full of advice. His motto was “everyone is a friend you haven’t met yet”.
Frank is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Elaine (Russo) Colandro and his sons; John Colandro, Frank Colandro Jr. and his wife Susan and Daniel Colandro and his wife Amy, all of Stamford. Also surviving are his sister Marge McGinnis and her husband Tom, of Monroe, as well as his cherished grandchildren; Frank III and his fiancée Kristina, Lindsey, Sam, Ellie and Leah.
Besides his parents, Frank is predeceased by his sisters JoAnna Anni and Marie Lovallo.
Family and friends may call at Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Clement RC Church, 535 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. Interment will private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Frank’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/donate.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Lucia (Lucy) Elena Mallozzi Ambrosecchio, 93, of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 20, 2023. She was born in Stamford on October 16, 1929 to the late Joseph and Concetta Pensiero Mallozzi.
Lucy (as she was known by all) was born, married, and lived her entire life in Stamford. She graduated from Stamford High School in 1947 and continued her education at Shorts Secretarial School and John Roberts Modeling School. Later in life she learned computer skills at Norwalk Community College.
Lucy believed in the rewards of hard work, and as soon as she was able to earn a paycheck she did so. She always allocated some to savings and some to her mother for groceries.
While in high school, Lucy worked in the kitchen at Stamford Hospital. At 16, she worked at the Yale Lock Manufacturing Company. During and after her time at Shorts School, she walked or took the bus to secretarial jobs at The Unique Balance Company, Stamford Division, Air Force Quality Control, and others. Her favorite and final office job was at Carroll Belknap & Associates.
In 1952, Lucy met her husband of 67 years, “Mikey” at an Italian Festival in the Bronx. On July 28, 1956, they married. In 1957, after the birth of their first child, Lucy took a night job waitressing at the Clam Box in Cos Cob. She stayed in that job for 28 years, until the Clam Box closed on September 29, 1985. She was a Clam Box “Superstar”!
Lucy is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Michael (Mikey) J. Ambrosecchio of Stamford, her loving daughters, Gail Lauridsen and her husband Peter of Cos Cob and Sandra Lane and her husband Kevin of Norwalk, as well as her brothers, Ottavio Mallozzi and his wife Andoneta of New Canaan and Rosario Mallozzi of Stamford. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Michael, Thomas and Joseph Buchanan, Sarah and Christiana Lauridsen and great grandchildren, Bryce and Jillian Buchanan.
Besides her parents, Lucy was also predeceased by her daughter, Renee Ambrosecchio Buchanan and her sisters, Betty Mikulsky, Jeanne Velez, Ellen Dagostino and Josephine Volpe.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Leo RC Church, 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at time 11:00 AM. There will be no calling hours. Entombment was held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Perrot Memorial Library, 90 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06870

Griffin, Barbara passed away on May 15th, 2023. Beloved mother and grandmother, Barbara was born in Hudson, NY the daughter of the late Louis and Jean DeLavalle. She is survived by her loving daughter, Dana Griffin, granddaughter, Alexa Griffin, and loving son, Terry Griffin, and granddaughter, Ashley Griffin, and sister, Marian Jordan.
Barbara held an Associate Degree from Norwalk Community College where she graduated Summa Com laude, won a scholarship to Sacred Heart University earning a Bachelor Degree, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Bridgeport.
Her business career included Personnel Manager at Intech in Stamford, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Newport News Catalog Company in New York City, and Personal Assistant to Retired Chairman of the Board of the Ford Motor Company in Stamford. Barbara was also a Justice of the Peace for the State of Connecticut.
Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Barbara Griffin to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory was honored to assist Barbara’s family with the arrangements. Please visit www.cognetta.com should you care to leave an online condolence message for the Griffin family.