Obituaries & Tributes

Trinidad Gutierrez Mateus from Stamford sadly left us on Thursday, April 18, 2024. She was born on April 15, 1940, in Puente Nacional, Colombia to parents Alfredo and Concepcion Gutierrez and moved to the United States in 1967. She worked as a nanny and housekeeper for local families before working at St. Joseph's Hospital where she retired after decades of service. In her best years, she thought only of others, and less of herself and her needs. She dedicated her time to family, serving God, and traveling. She has a very large family and was preceded in death by her sisters Amparo Gutierrez, Reinelda Gutierrez, Consuelo Gutierrez, and brothers Norberto Gutierrez and Lucas Gutierrez. Trini is survived by her sisters Maria Giribaldo (Stamford), Abeling Martinez (Stamford) Margarita Gutierrez (Stamford), Sormira Poulter (Oklahoma), Maria Elba Gutierrez (Oklahoma), Beatriz Giller (Oklahoma), and brothers Efrain Gutierrez (Stamford), Nestor Gutierrez (Norwalk), Danilo Gutierrez (Colombia), Dario Gutierrez (Milford), Jonson Gutierrez (Florida), Justo Gutierrez (Colombia) and many nieces, nephews, and God children. Her departure comes as a great shock and deep pain that is felt throughout our entire family and extended circles. She left her kind impression on so many souls. We are left with the memories of her beautiful loving and generous spirit that will live in our hearts forever. Please honor her memory by accompanying us this Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Cognetta Funeral Home 104 Myrtle Ave from 830 – 1030am. Followed by an 11 am Mass at St Benedict's Church located at 1 St Benedict Circle. If you are inclined to make a contribution, please do so at Ever Loved in lieu of flowers.

Dorothy (Dottie) Loften, 94, a lifelong resident of Stamford passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Dorothy was born in Stamford on March 14, 1930, daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy Wood Greene. Dottie was a devout Christian who found joy in playing the organ at her church for more than 30 years. In addition to her musical talents, Dottie was an avid gardener and spent countless hours tending to her garden. She also worked for St. Joseph's Hospital in Stamford for over 20 years. Above all, she deeply loved her family and dedicated her life to caring for those around her. Her warmth and kindness touched the hearts of all who knew her. Dorothy is survived by her loving grandchildren, Kristina Danehower and her husband Dave of Round Pond, ME. Megan Duffy and her husband, John of Stamford, CT and Michael Vaughan and his fiancé Allison Kozma of Stamford, CT. Great-grandchildren Anya Vaughan-Wood of Brooklyn, NY and John and Kiera Duffy of Stamford, CT; along with her son-in-law Richard Vaughan of Stratford, CT. Besides her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved husband Dudley Loften, Jr., and their daughter Cathy Vaughan. Dorothy's family would like to thank the staff and caregivers from Waveny Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County for their compassionate and loving care. Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home at 11:00AM. A procession will follow to Long Ridge Union Cemetery, Erskine Road, Stamford, where a burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Dorothy Loften to the American Cancer Society. To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com

Joseph “Peppino” Zinicola, 98 of Stamford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024. He was born in Santa Maria Infante, Minturno, Italy on July 18th, 1925 to Benny Zinicola and Vincenza Valente. Joseph entered the Naval College at Venice in 1943 in the Royal Italian Navy. He was captured by the German forces after the Italian Armistice and was then transferred through several prison camps in central Europe before escaping back to Venice. During this time, he served on a firefighting vessel in Venice, while also smuggling weapons to partisans fighting the Nazi occupiers. He was discharged from the Italian Navy in 1948, and took up work as a truck driver helping to rebuild his country. He also spent much time riding his motorbike up and down the Italian coast. He immigrated to the United States after he married the love of his life, Josephine Mallozzi Zinicola, on August 18, 1952, in Minturno, Italy. He worked a variety of jobs in Brooklyn before moving to Stamford in 1955. He worked for the Stamford Housing Authority for nearly 30 years as a boiler mechanic, where he took pride in providing heat at the Myano Lane buildings and Southfield Village. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Maurice Church and the oldest living member of the Minturnese Club. He loved to attend his grandchildren’s sporting events, fixing just about anything in his workshop and was a lover of dogs. He is survived by his loving sons, Anthony (Lily) and Joseph (Norma), as well as his four grandchildren, Sophia, Joshua, Christina, and Michael. Also surviving is a nephew, John Zinicola (Anna), niece Maria Zinicola, and great nieces and nephews, Paul, Patricia Anthony, AnnMarie, and Susy. In addition to his parents, Joseph was predeceased by his loving wife of 66 years, Josephine Mallozzi Zinicola, his siblings, Nicola, Caterina, and Antonio Zinicola, his sister-in-law Assunta Mallozzi Zinicola, and mother-in-law, Antonia Trionfo Mallozzi. A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 9:15 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St. Maurice RC Church,358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford. Entombment will follow at ST. John’s Mausoleum, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 3:00-6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Joseph's memory to Lucky Dog Refuge CT, 36 Pulaski St, Stamford, CT 0690 To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

John Joseph, 93, a lifelong resident of Stamford, passed away after a brief illness on April 12th at Stamford Hospital. He was born in Stamford on November 28, 1930 to the late Joseph and Constantina D'Amato Giagnorio. John ran Saxony Wood Products, a custom kitchen and cabinet business in Byram, CT for over 40 years. He served in the Army during the Korean War. In his retirement, he volunteered as an ombudsman for local nursing homes. He is survived by his children, Jeannie Ruel and her husband, Kenny of CT, John Jr. and his wife Helen of ME, William of NJ, Joseph and his wife Linda of CT, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving is his friend and companion, Claire Orshalik. John was predeceased by his loving wife, Janet, a son, James and sister, Lucy Scofield. A graveside service at St. John's Cemetery, Darien will be held for close friends and immediate family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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

Joseph Peter Valentine, Jr., 76 of Darien, CT passed away on February 13th. Born in Stamford, CT on May 21, 1947 to the late Joseph and Grace (Scalise) Valentine. Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia (Barosky) Valentine, his brother Bobby Valentine (Junko) of Stamford, his children, Tricia of Norwalk, Joe (Kim) of Lafayette Hill, PA, Anthony (Jennifer) of Avon, Brian (Lisa) of Greenwich, his grandchildren, Samantha, Jessica, Jake, Connor, and Alissa, his brothers-in-law, Stanley Barosky (d. Angela) and Robert Barosky (Lori). Joe is also survived by several nephews and extended family. Joe grew up in Stamford, where he attended J.M. Wright Technical School. He was the star catcher on the baseball team and the king of his senior prom. After graduating as a Tool and Die Maker, he served six years as part of the National Guard-Battery C 2nd Battalion 192nd Division. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Patricia, they settled in Darien to start a family. He then opened his own business, Joe Valentine Machine Company. Joe worked there with his wife for 47 years. Joe was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 41 in Stamford. When he wasn’t working, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, attending sporting events, school plays, and dance recitals. His motto was always family first. He enjoyed many vacations spent with family and friends. When he wasn’t napping on his favorite couch with remote in hand, he enjoyed watching baseball, Blue Bloods or Law and Order. He was a Mets season ticket holder for more than 20 years but wasn’t a true fan until his brother became the manager. Joe will be remembered for his kindness and generosity along with his willingness to help others. One of his greatest attributes was making friendships that would last a lifetime. Family and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, February 20th from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at 10:00 AM at St. John Catholic Church, 1986 Post Rd, in Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers the family asks you donate to either St. Jude’s or Shriners Hospital. To leave a condolence message online please visit www.cognetta.com.

Carmela Tortorello, affectionately known as Auntie or AC passed away peacefully on December 14, 2023. She was 92 years young. Carmela grew up in NJ and spent the last 6 years living with her brother in Westport, CT. She was born in Newark, NJ to Sam and Lucy Tortorello on February 1, 1931. Carmela was raised in Newark and Scotch Plains, where she graduated from Scotch Plains High School in 1948. She worked for Prudential, beginning as a key punch operator, working her way up to the secretary of the President of Prudential. She retired in 1986 and moved to Toms River, NJ, where she spent time traveling and visiting with friends and family. Over the years, Carmela enjoyed reading, singing, dancing, traveling, organizing, collecting Hummel figures and angels, cooking, eating Hors d’oeuvres (especially shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers), and she was an avid Yankee fan. Her New Year’s parties were second to none, always planning a wonderful menu and lots of family fun! Carmela is predeceased by her parents, Sam & Lucy and her sister-in-law, Mary Lou. She is survived by her brother, Vincent, and her nephew and nieces, David (Maryellen), Marylou (Jeff) and Donna (Jim); her great nieces and nephew, Sarah (Jake), Willie (Megan), Ali (Blake), and Jewels; and her five great-great nieces and nephews, Cambridge, Tucker, Dean, Chloe, and Tess; along with many cousins. Memorial Mass will be Celebrated on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 11:00AM at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport, CT