Obituaries & Tributes

Vinod Kurup, 58, passed away unexpectedly on April 8, 2024, in Riverside, Connecticut. Vinod was a loving father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He was the son of the late Mr. N.V. Kurup and the late Mrs. Radha Kurup. He is survived by his wife, Meera Ayyampully, and children, Rohini and Prathit Kurup. The funeral service will be held on April 13.

Anthony D. Masciarelli, of Stamford, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Stamford Hospital at the age of 84. He was born in Yonkers, NY on August 18, 1939, to the late Mary Masciarelli (nee Vozzella). Anthony graduated from Saunders Technical High School in Yonkers, NY and went on to the University of Cincinnati, graduating with a degree in Architecture. After earning his college degree, Anthony returned home, married his wife Regina, and moved to the Turn-of-River area of Stamford, CT in the mid-1960s. Over the course of his career as an Architect, Anthony’s most notable designs were the Turn-of-River Hardware building and the main Fire Department House in downtown Stamford, as well as working on many local residences in the area. Anthony was a parishioner of St. Leo’s Parish, where he served as a Lector, a regular golfer and swimmer, enjoyed gardening, an avid fan of Women’s Collegiate Basketball, crossword puzzles, a talented artist using watercolors, and a decades long fan of the New York Giants football team. Anthony leaves behind his beloved wife of nearly 61 years, Regina Lois Masciarelli (nee Morvant), his sons Kevin and Gary, and his grandson Marcello Dante. A wake for Anthony will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 17th at St. Leo R.C. Church, 24 Roxbury Rd., Stamford, CT 06902. The service will be at 11:00am. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/donate. To leave a condolence message online please visit www.cognetta.com.

Lisa Marie Hoyt, aged 58, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2024 at Greenwich Hospital with her husband of 32 years, Doug, by her side. Lisa was born on July 14, 1965, in Stamford, to James and Rose Marie Queening. Lisa was a lifelong resident of Stamford where she attended Stamford High School and graduated in 1983. She married Doug Hoyt on April 26, 1992, in Stamford. Together they had two children, Joseph and Jacquelyn. Lisa was very outgoing and loved to throw parties. Her family and friends were her two biggest passions and she loved to get everyone together. Lisa always had the ability to make anyone smile. Lisa is survived by her husband, Doug; a son, Joseph; a daughter, Jacquelyn; two grandchildren, Emma and Adam; her Mother-in-Law, Ilene; an older brother, John Queening and his wife Salve; her two nieces, Amanda and Ashley; her aunt Kathy Dolan along with her husband, Mark; her cousins, Mikey and Krista; her lifelong friend, Denise (Plank) Seccurra, who was more like a sister to her, along with her husband Frank; her godson, Franky Seccurra and his sister Jennifer (Seccurra) Arcano; and all of the close friends who she considered family along the way. A funeral procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 9:40 AM and proceed to St. Mary’s RC Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, April 15, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Angelos Aravides, 91, of Greenwich passed away peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2024 after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in the Pontus region of Russia on March 25, 1933 to the late George and Eudoxia Aravides. Angelos and his wife moved to the US in 1964 shortly after getting married in Litohoro, Greece. They sailed across the Atlantic, settling in Greenwich in pursuit of the American dream. Angelos was a deeply beloved father, uncle, brother, friend, and papou(grandfather). Many will remember him as the short order cook at the Greenwich Drug Store on Greenwich Ave. He was very passionate about fishing, an avid gardener, and enjoyed the outdoors walking around town with a smile on his face. He enjoyed cooking for his family and friends, and always had something going in the kitchen on the stove. His grandchildren were the light of his life. He was very proud of his children and his Greek heritage. He was a longtime parishioner of the Archangels Greek Orthodox Church. Angelos is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Konstantia(Dena) Nikas Aravides of Greenwich, his loving children, George Aravides and his wife Jennifer, Evie Hayes and her husband Scott, and Maria Clark and her husband Rick, as well as six grandchildren, Andrew, Scott and Matthew Hayes, Alexandra and Nicholas Aravides, and Annie Clark. Also surviving are many extended family members in Greece. Family and friends may call at the Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 1527 Bedford Street, Stamford on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 AM with a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Putnam Cemetery, Parsonage Road, Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Angelos’ memory to Saint Basil Academy in Garrison, NY. For those unable to attend the funeral, there will be a live stream at: http://www.youtube.com/@ArchangelsGreekOrthodoxChurch To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Valentina “Val” Lionetti, lovingly known as "Dolly," 94, passed peacefully on the evening of April 6, 2024 at the Waveny Care Center in New Canaan , Connecticut. Valentina will be lovingly welcomed and reunited with her husband Lou, her mother and father, Lena and Santillo Uva, and her many friends that she cherished throughout her life. Valentina was born on April 1, 1930, to Lena and Santillo in Stamford, Connecticut. She attended Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford, Connecticut. She always remained active in the Catholic community and loved her time as a candy striper at the local hospital. Valentina pursued her passion for helping others working as a phlebotomist. She also loved music. Valentina learned to read music and play beautiful piano, which her family cherished the chance to enjoy on holidays and special occasions. Dolly met the love of her life, Lou Lionetti in the late 1940’s. They were married on June 16, 1951, at St. Mary’s Church in Stamford, Connecticut and were later blessed with three beautiful sons, Mark, David and Brian. As a devoted wife and mother, Val embraced life’s moments with an infectious enthusiasm that touched the lives of not just her family, but of all that knew her. She was a beacon of light, shining with warmth, laughter, and love wherever she went. Her grandchildren held a special place in their hearts for their beloved “Gammy,” who was ever ready for adventure in her legendary convertible – be it for a spontaneous shopping spree, a dash to Friendly’s for ice cream, or simply tackle her daily word challenge for a surprise. After many years of preparing delicious meals and hosting family gatherings and dinner parties, Val became a connoisseur of good food - and, of course, her prosecco - savoring every moment of indulgence with her family and friends by her side. Valentina had an insatiable zest for living and she loved to travel with her beloved, Lou. Together, they took in many incredible destinations, bringing their curiosity and passion for culture, antiques, and cuisine to each one. When Lou passed away in 1992, Val honored his memory by carrying on the tradition of travel and antiquing with her girlfriends throughout her life. The Sunshine State had a special place in Val’s heart, and she found pure bliss in living on the water, embracing the vibrant nightlife, and sampling the wonderful restaurants of the Palm Beaches. Val was the life of the party, always glamorous, with a smile that could light up a room. Her presence was magnetic, drawing people in and creating unforgettable memories for all that will be cherished for generations to come. She will always be remembered as a loving mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Valentina is survived by her brother, Richard, and sister-in- law, Carol, her three sons and their wives, Mark (Kelli), David (Monique) and Brian (Rosemary), her eleven grandchildren Lindsay (Dan), Ashley, Michael (Ashley) Stephanie (Brett), David (Niki), Alex (Melissa), Ryan (Denise), Lucio (Amanda), Jacki, Isla, Robbie and Alex, and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral mass celebrating Valentina’s life will take place on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. Cecilia Church, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Patricia Rose D’Agostino, 83, a former resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at Cambridge Health of Fairfield. She was born in Stamford on August 27, 1940 to the late Joseph and Mary Marco Coppola. A graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford, Pat worked at numerous companies over the years as a secretary. She enjoyed games and shopping and never left the house unless she was impeccably put together. She got the most joy however, from her kids, grandchildren, and her great grandson. Pat also left this earth the same day she welcomed her great grandson, August James. Patricia is survived by her loving children, Catherine M. DeFilippo of Milford, Thomas J. D’Agostino, Jr. and his wife Christine of Stamford, Robert L. D’Agostino and his wife Danielle of Trumbull, as well as her brother, Joseph Coppola and his wife Shirley of Shelton. Also surviving are her six grandchildren, Drew (Elizabeth) Gary(Emily) and Jack (Rachel) DeFilippo, Casey (Drew), Thomas J. D’Agostino III and Matthew D’Agostino and great grandsons, Jack DeFilippo Jr. and August DeFilippo. Besides her parents, Patricia was also predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. D’Agostino, Sr. (TDag) A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. There will be no calling hours. To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Davide Conte, aged 92, from Darien, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 4, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. David was born on March 3, 1932, in Minturno, Italy, to the late Tommaso and Maria Mazzuca Conte. David moved to America in 1960 with his wife, Eugenia, and started a family. He spent many hours working in the construction field and finished his career working for the local International Laborer's Union 146 alongside his own masonry business. He loved gardening, playing bocce with friends, and watching soccer and boxing on TV. He was very proud of his Italian heritage. David is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Eugenia Ciccarelli Conte, of Darien, his children Tommaso (Tom) Conte and his wife Collette of Darien, Joanna Annuzzi and her husband Gary of Fairfield, and Maria Conte of Darien. He is also survived by his four beloved grandchildren: Jon, Nicholas, Christopher & Madeleine. Besides his parents, David is predeceased by his son David Conte, his brothers Dominic and Antonio, and his sisters Maria and Linda. A funeral procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and proceed to St. John's RC Church of Darien, 1986 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 AM. Entombment will follow at St. John's Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in David's memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101, or online at www.stjude.org/donate. To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Evagelia Koulogianis passed peacefully into everlasting life at home on April 1, 2024. Eva was born to Leonidas and Ioanna Tsotsos in Skura, Greece on January 16, 1938 and emigrated to the United States in 1966 where she married and started a family. Eva was a compassionate and soft-spoken woman who always saw the best in everyone. She was deeply passionate about her family, cooking, sewing, gardening, and being involved in the church- but above all else, Eva enjoyed spreading joy wherever she could. As a talented seamstress, she spent her retirement sewing for the Greek community in Stamford. You could always find her cooking and baking dishes for her friends, family, and neighbors. Her loving kindness will live on in the countless lives she touched. Eva is survived by her sons Peter Koulogianis (Kathy) and Leonidas (Debi), her grandchildren Kayla, Conor and Hanna, her sister Kostadina Chagaris, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband George Koulogianis and her siblings Thothoraki, Peter and Stavros. Family and friends may call at the Church of the Archangels, 1527 Bedford Street, Stamford on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 AM directly followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Evagelia’s memory to the Church of the Archangels Philoptochos Society, 1527 Bedford Street, Stamford, CT 06905 or to the Annunciation Greek Church Capital Fund, 1230 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905 To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com