Virginia Vidovich of Stamford, Connecticut passed away on November 12, 2022 at Stamford Hospital, with her family by her side. Virginia was born on September 12, 1942 in New York, the daughter of the late Benjamin and Ruth Sheehan. Virginia graduated Stamford High School in 1960 and went on to enjoy several careers, but none more rewarding to her than her time as a fashion model. She enjoyed a love of travel and time spent with family and friends. She had a loving heart, brilliant mind, and a will of steel. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband John Vidovich and her stepson Jon Vidovich. Virginia is survived by her two daughters, Liz Jacobson (Haskell) and Sue Kelly (Alex), her stepson Jay Vidovich (Julie), her five grandchildren, Amanda, Alexis, Joey, Zoey and Tess, and her two great-grandchildren, Rocko and Veda. Additionally, Virginia is survived by her sister, Louise Glassman (Bob), her brother, Richard Sheehan (Elaine), her former husband, Joe DeRosa, and several nephews. Her family were her world and endless source of happiness and pride. Burial will be private.

Voula Benakis, 91, a longtime resident of Stamford passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at her home. Voula was born on the island of Imbros in Turkey on July 12, 1931, daughter of the late Stavros and Chrysanthe (nee Vlahides) Anastaselis.

Voula came to the United States in 1956 to join her family and there she met and married James Benakis in 1959. Together they raised their family in Brooklyn, NY. A devoted mother, wife and friend, her kitchen was always full of the smells of her home-made cooking and even unexpected guests would be welcomed with a laden table from her own hands. She lost her beloved husband James in 1990. A doting grandmother, she moved to Stamford in 2006 to be closer to her daughter’s family.

Voula is survived by her daughter Elaine Vlahakis and her husband Dennis of Stamford and her son George Benakis and his wife Erasmia of Manhattan, NY, as well as by her sister Sophia Mavroudis of Manchester, CT and cousin Anthony Vlahides of Sarasota, FL. Voula is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Charles Vlahakis and his wife Bridget, Georgia Adelson and her husband Alan, Evangelina, Juliana and James Benakis, and a great-grandson Aristotle Vlahakis.

Family and friends may call at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 9:00-10:00 AM with a funeral service to be celebrated at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Panagiotis D. Tournas, 74, of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Greenwich Hospital. He was born in Agios Konstantinos, Greece on May 5, 1948 to the late Dimitrios and Ageliki Tournas.

Panagiotis came to the United States in search of a better life. He settled in Stamford, CT where he met his wife Eleni and raised their family together. He went on to start his own painting business. Peter loved all facets of construction. He was a builder, hard worker and a perfectionist. He was never too busy or too tired to help people in need. He was an active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church including his time on the parish council. He sacrificed everything to make sure his family was taken care of.
During his retirement he devoted his time to taking care of his beloved mother-in-law & grandson, gardening, meeting with friends and spending time with his family.
He always had a smile on his face, no matter the circumstance. He was a battler, a great husband, the best father and an amazing grandfather. He will be incredibly missed but has left those closest to him with amazing memories that they will always cherish.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Eleni Tournas, his loving children, Angela Frazis and her husband Demetrios and Dimitri Tournas, all of Stamford and his grandson Mihali Frazis. Also surviving is his brother, Nikolaos Tournas & family of Greece, his sister Maria Mann of Stamford, nephews, Anthony Giangos and his wife Karina of Norwalk, Theodoros Giangos of Stamford and brother in law, Haralambos Giangos of Stamford.
Family and friends may call at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 9:00-11:00 AM with a funeral service to be celebrated at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Woodland Place, Stamford.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Panagiotis’ memory to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Judith Montecalvo,74, of Norwalk, formerly of Stamford, passed away surrounded by her loving family at Danbury Hospital, on Monday, October 31, 2022. Judy, as she was affectionately known, was born on March 31, 1948, in Stamford, CT, and was one of four children born to the late, Francis and Muriel (Allen) Pirro.
Judy leaves behind her loving husband, Michael L. Montecalvo; her children, Sean Montecalvo, Jaime Lagasse and husband Benjamin, and Danielle Montecalvo. She also leaves behind her precious grandchildren, Micah, Remi and Sage Lagasse, and her sister Patricia D’Amico. She was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Marion Rupp and husband Ed, a brother, Frank “Butchy” Pirro and a brother-in-law, Phil D’Amico.
Judy and Mike were true soulmates. They grew up together from birth as their parents were lifelong friends. They began dating at sixteen years old and in 1968 they were married. Not long after their wedding day Mike left for Vietnam. Upon his return from the service they started their family. In 1972 their son Sean was born, followed by their daughter Danielle in 1974, and daughter Jaime in 1976. While raising three children, Judy managed to work for her family business and volunteer as the PTA president for Kendall Elementary School where her children attended.
Judy was always a natural caregiver and dreamed of becoming a Registered Nurse. She pursued her love of medicine and went to nursing school while simultaneously raising a family and taking great care of her mother and sister who were both terminally ill at the time. Judy’s hard work and dedication to others earned her a prestigious award given by the U.S. Army for persevering under tremendously strenuous times. Her career as an RN began at Honey Hill Care Center in Norwalk, CT, and as she advanced in her education she also advanced in her career path, going on to work as an Emergency Room nurse at St Joe’s Hospital in Stamford, Norwalk Hospital and Bridgeport Hospital. Judy continued working with Dr. Babulis, Long Ridge Diagnostic, and was part of the surgical team at Wilton Surgical. She most recently worked at Split Rock Surgery Center in Wilton.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 from 4:00-8:00 PM, with a funeral service celebrating Judy’s life to begin at 7:30 PM.
Judy’s love for life was unmatched, and she was always up for an adventure. She loved waterskiing, snow skiing, and skydiving. Judy and Mike shared their love of motorcycles and took many road trips to wonderful places and enjoyed many adventures together over the years. She loved riding her “Shadow”, but a favorite memory of hers was when Mike taught her how to ride his Harley.
Judy really loved life and everyone in it. She cared for and helped so many people in her lifetime. She was artistic, a captivating storyteller, a great dancer, a wonderful cook, loved music and always seemed to be the funniest person in the room. She had an incredible love of animals and adored all of her beloved dogs; Snoopy, Ralphie, Zorba, Maddie and Sammy. She leaves behind her precious rescue pup Little Ricky. Amongst her varied talents, Judy knew sign language, loved bocce and bowling and adored decorating her home for the holidays. But above all else, Judy loved her family; her grandchildren Micah, Remi and Sage are the loves of her life. She loved to watch them play their favorite sports on Saturdays, take them shopping and cook them their favorite meals. Her life was lived for her kids and grandkids, and she loved nothing more than having everyone at her house for family dinners filled with love and laughter. She loved her family and her friends and if you were lucky enough to be a part of her life you know what a special woman she was and how dearly she will be missed.
In keeping with Judy’s respect for U.S. Veterans, memorial donations may be made to the veteran’s charity of your choice.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com.

Angelina “Lee” Mattioli, 90, a longtime resident of Stamford passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Lee was born on May 29, 1932, in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of the late Pasquale and Maria Cassano Lillo. She was a graduate of New Utrecht High School and worked in the secretarial field prior to having children.
In 1957, she married John R. Mattioli, they settled in Stamford, CT and were together for 64 years until his death in 2021. They founded LeJo Construction Corp. which they owned and operated until retirement. In addition to being an invaluable business partner, Lee was a wonderful homemaker and was devoted to her immediate and extended family. She was always available with kind support for her loved ones, and enjoyed hosting traditional holiday feasts as well as summer pool parties that friends and family anticipated with delight. After retirement, they resided in Ft. Lauderdale for 25 years where they entertained family and friends swimming, boating and grilling the day’s catch. She enjoyed traveling with John and friends. Lee remained strong in her faith and was active with her local churches. She will be remembered as warm, fun-loving and generous. She will be greatly missed!
Lee is survived by her daughters Lynn and her husband Mark Forrest of Stamford, Susan and her husband Ray Higgins of Mahopac, NY, son Mark Mattioli and his wife Cindy of Sandy Hook, CT, and daughter-in-law Laurie Mattioli of Woburn, MA. Lee is survived by her adoring grandchildren Lexi, Dana and Chelsea Forrest, Angelina, Juliana and Sophia Higgins, John Mattioli III, Anna Mattioli, and great-grandson Stryker Forrest, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Beside her parents, Angelina was predeceased by her beloved husband John R. Mattioli, their son, John Mattioli, Jr., grandson, James Radley Mattioli, and her siblings, Anne Sanzone, Peter Lillo and Clara Carrozzo.

Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Friday, October 28, 2022 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 10:30AM St. Maurice RC Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, A procession will follow mass to St. John’s Cemetery where a committal service will be held.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Angelina “Lee” Mattioli’s memory to seeingeye.org or a charity of your choice.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com.