Toula Vakos, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, February 17, 2023 with her family at her side. She was born in Kalamata, Greece on November 18, 1928 and was one of eight children born to the late Gregory and Maria Gianukakis Katsaros. Toula was 94 years old at the time of her passing.

Toula was devoted to her faith. She was a long time member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation and of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. She regularly volunteered her time at church and loved to spend her time tending to her garden and cooking traditional Greek meals. But above all else, Toula was most content spending time with her family and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones, and her memory will live eternal in their hearts.

Toula was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Vakos, in 2016 and is survived by her children Paul Vakos and wife Patricia of Branford, CT, Maria Bennett and husband Don of Warwick, RI, Vasso Pierne and husband Edward of North Haven, CT and Georgia Grasso and husband Paul of New Fairfield, CT; her nine grandchildren, Liana, Johnny, Debra, Brian, Ali, Michael, PJ, Nicki and Melanie; six great grandchildren; brothers, George and Jimmy Katsaros; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

In addition to her husband and parents Toula was preceded in death by her siblings Pete Katsaros, Joanna Michelis, Voula Moustaka, Angelica Panopoulos and Georgia Varotsis.

Friends and family may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Tuesday, February 21st from 4PM to 8PM with a Trisagion service to begin at 7PM. A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd at 10AM at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905. The Rev. Fr. Evan Evangelidis will preside over the services. The interment will immediately follow the service at Fairfield Memorial Park in Stamford.

In lieu of flowers donations in Toula’s memory are encouraged and may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com.

Joseph M.C. Kung (“Joe”), the Kung family stalwart and an ardent advocate for the persecuted underground Roman Catholic Church in China, passed away in the early morning hours of February 14, 2023. He was one month shy of his 91st birthday.

Born in Shanghai, China to a distinguished 6th generation Catholic family, he was the second of eight children of Dr. Vincent Kung, a surgeon, and Theresa Yao, a homemaker.

He lived a life of faith, courage, and principle. Always taking the long view, he fought for what was right and just for both his family and so many others.

At 18 years old in 1950 soon after the Communist took over China, he left Shanghai to be reunited with his father who had fled to Hong Kong months earlier. As the border closed soon after, he could not see his siblings and his mother again for almost 30 years. His father died two years later, leaving him penniless and alone. Joe’s family remains forever grateful to Shanghainese family friends who assisted Joe during this time.

Joe is a proud beneficiary of the Refugee Relief Act of 1953. As a recipient of one of 2,000 visas granted to Chinese refugees, he relocated in 1955 to Ohio and enrolled at John Carroll University. He worked full time throughout his entire four years to put himself through school, graduating in 1959. He continued his education culminating with 2 MBAs – one each from (Case) Western Reserve University and Wayne State University. He was a CPA by trade.

Eventually, he returned to Hong Kong where he married his future wife, Agnes, in 1968. They were blessed with the birth of his four surviving children. A lifelong fervent American patriot, Joe is forever grateful to the United States for his many opportunities including the relocation of his young family to Stamford, CT in 1979 to the home that he lived in for the remainder of his life.

Aside from his four children, Joe is most proud of three accomplishments. First, the joy of facilitating the immigration of his mother and six siblings along with their immediate families to the United States. Seeing them happily retired and the next generation blossoming in the land of freedom was one of his greatest joys.

Second, keeping alive the memory of then Bishop (now Cardinal) Kung and successfully fighting for his release in 1987 after 32 years of incarceration in China for his religious beliefs and leadership.

Third, establishing in 1992 the Cardinal Kung Foundation not only to promote the persecuted Roman Catholic Church in China, but also to champion the cause for Cardinal Kung’s canonization. Joe Kung testified to Congress on multiple occasions, convinced 54 members of Congress to sign a letter to China’s Premier pleading for Cardinal Kung’s release, served as an expert witness to gain asylum for over 30 individuals or families of verified persecuted underground Catholics, and supported hundreds of underground clergy and nuns in renowned European seminaries and universities. His dedication, supported by his Board of Directors, resulted in both awards and condemnation including the Cardinal Mindszenty Award and being named as the biggest enemy of the Chinese government approved Patriotic Association catholic church by one director of a major religious community.

Joe was also a hobbyist inventor, a founder of two companies, a lifelong lover of classical music, a connoisseur of sweets, and above all, a loving dedicated family man.

Joe was predeceased by his older sister Ming Zhu, his beloved parents Dr. Vincent Kung and Theresa Yao Kung, as well as his cherished uncle Ignatius Cardinal Kung. He is survived by his wife of 54 years (Agnes), four children and their spouses (Terese Kung & Tom Scally, John Kung, Francis Kung & Colleen Sharkey-Kung, and Mary Kung), and granddaughter Thea Kung; six siblings and their spouses (Min Sun & Hong Qi Kung, Margaret & Ignatius Chu, Michael and Amy Kung, Peter & Mary Kung, Margaret and David Pang, Martha Ming Kung & John C. Hung); nine nephews and nieces and their spouses, and eight grand nephews and nieces.

Friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 4:30-7:00 PM (with eulogy at 5:30pm). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, 279 Atlantic Street, Stamford. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Cardinal Kung Foundation www.cardinalkungfoundation.org

Julia T. Chalikis, 96, of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at Notre Dame Health and Rehabilitation Center of Norwalk. She was born in Stamford on April 14, 1926 to the late Anthony and Tillie Rose Scarpulla Perniciaro.
Julia was a lifelong resident of Stamford and graduated from Stamford High School and married her high school sweetheart Emmanuel “Chic” Chalikis in 1946. They were married for 56 years. Julia was employed in her early years at the Yale and Towne and was a homemaker. In her later years she worked at Food Fair, Pantry Pride and Syl May Drug Stores. Upon her retirement she focused solely on helping to raise her grandchildren – her “little angels”. They were the love of her life. She was a devout catholic and attended mass at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church until St. Bridget of Ireland Church opened, where she became an active parishioner. Julia never met a stranger – she was a loyal, kindhearted and loving friend to all.
Julia is survived by her loving children, Lou Ann Venezio and her husband Richard, Julie Czamanski and her husband Mark ”Butch”, both of Stamford, her seven grandchildren, Christine Chalikis, Jacob, Rachel, Jeremy, Zachary and Benjamin Czamanski and Justin Venezio. Also surviving is her great grandson, Stefano Venezio, her sister-in-laws and many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Julia was also predeceased by her husband, Emmanuel G. Chalikis, Sr., her son, Emmanuel G. Chalikis, Jr. and her siblings, Virginia Perrella, Peter and Andrew Perniciaro, Ann DeFinis and Josephine Fico.
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 AM at St. Bridget of Ireland RC Church, 278 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford. Interment is private. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 3:00-7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Julia’s memory to Notre Dame Health and Rehabilitation Center, 76 W. Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

As you all know, our dear friend Yoshitsugu Hayashi has passed away. May his soul rest in peace. We have arranged a farewell service for him, so that his friends can say their goodbye to him in person and remember him.
The farewell will be held on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023 between 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at
Cognetta Funeral Home
104 Myrtle Avenue,
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 658 7612
If you have any questions, please email yoshifarewell2023@outlook.com.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made for the farewell service, or to a charity of your choice.
We hope you can come in person to send off dear Yoshi with a proper goodbye. Even if you cannot come in person, we know you will be with him in spirit.

Myrtle L. Cameron, 95, of Stamford passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, February 6, 2023 at Stamford Hospital. She was born in Jamaica on April 6, 1927 to the late Hubert and Francella Sewell Shaw.
Myrtle was employed as a CNA at Smith House of Stamford for over 23 years before her retirement, and before that she worked at the Stamford Hospital.
She is survived by her loving children, Tyrone, Patrick, Angela, Donovan and Sandra Cameron and eight grandchildren, Primrose, Andrea, Antonisha, Adrian, Chantel, Chloe, Jasmin and Shawn, and one great grandchild, Devin. Also surviving is her sister, Melissa Gordon of England.
Besides her parents, Myrtle was also predeceased by her husband Gladstone Cameron in 2010, and her daughter Yvette Cameron.
Family and friends may call at Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 8:00-10:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Mary’s RC Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Woodland Place, Stamford.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Myrtle’s memory to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com