Obituaries & Tributes

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.

Joyce Marilyn Mitchell, age 92, of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Bethel Healthcare Center, Bethel, CT. She was born in Stamford on March 20, 1931 to the late Walter M. and Grace Scott Mitchell. She attended Danbury Teachers College and then Columbia University Teachers College to attain her teaching degrees. Joyce was a beloved elementary school teacher for 35 years with the Town of Darien before her retirement. She also taught Sunday school at the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, where she was a church elder. A talented painter and craftswoman, Joyce also enjoyed visiting different states, indulging her passion for U.S. history. Joyce is survived by her dear friends, Patricia K. Ashcroft of Bethel, Wendy Rosenblum of Stamford, and her beloved “Cobban Clan” cousins of New Hampshire. Besides her parents, Joyce was predeceased by her brother, Walter E. Mitchell. Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with a prayer service to be celebrated during calling hours with The Rev. Dr. David R. VanDyke officiating. Interment will be held at Fairfield Memorial Park, Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Joyce’s memory to Outreach to Pets in Need (OPIN Stamford), 1747 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06905 or to the Sierra Club CT Chapter, 30 Arbor St, Hartford, CT 06106. 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.

Josephine K. Markiewicz, 99 years and 4 months, a lifelong resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2023, in North Branford, CT after wonderful care from the Evergreen Woods staff over the past several years. Josephine (Jo) was born in Stamford, on January 21, 1924, daughter of the late Philip and Mary Chrusch Krouchuk. Jo was educated in the Stamford School System, went on to Danbury State Teacher’s College (now Western Connecticut State University) and was a career long teacher of Sixth and her favorite, Second grade at Julia A.Stark School. She was active with the Glenbrook and Belltown Fire Departments often calling Bingo at their functions. Jo loved to bowl and was a member of a Stamford Senior League. Jo and Mark traveled extensively by car across the country and Canada visiting family and friends. Jo loved to collect rocks on their journeys, and Mark was a careful filter of extras during rest stops. Jo loved being with her entire family, especially her granddaughters and most recently her great granddaughter. She always had a story, phrase, or song (often repeated) that brought a smile and chuckle to us all. She will be dearly missed. Jo is survived by her loving son Tom and his wife Beth of Guilford, CT, her cherished granddaughters, Kelly Markiewicz of Essex, CT, and Jennifer Hanrahan (Markiewicz) and her husband Steven of Killingworth, CT., and her wonderful great-granddaughter Mairin Hanrahan. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Jo was predeceased by her husband Julius M. Markiewicz and her sisters, Ann Hoffman, and Pauline Clark. Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM with a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:00 AM at St. Maurice R.C. Church, 358 Glenbrook Rd, Stamford. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Kellie Duggan Foundation at https://kellieduggan.org/ 7 Cornfield Lane Guilford, CT 06437 To leave a message of condolence online please visit the family guest book at www.cognetta.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/NicholasFCognettaFuneralHomeCrematory.

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

Betty Arancia Vitti, a resident of Boynton Beach, Florida and formerly of Stamford and Trumbull, CT, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 4, 2023. She was born on March 3, 1936, to the late Joseph and Sally (Arena) Arancia. Betty attended Stamford schools and graduated from Stamford High School in 1953. She then graduated from J.M. Wright Tech in 1955 with a degree in Beauty Culture. Betty was married to retired Stamford Fire Chief Joseph J. Vitti Sr. on September 2, 1957, until his passing in 2005. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her in-laws, Charles and Helen Vitti, her sister Marie Gavel, and daughter-in-law Christine Vitti. While in Stamford, Betty was an active member of St. Mary Church, volunteering tirelessly at the feast each year. In Trumbull, Betty continued her church activism as a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena and in Boynton Beach as a parishioner of St. Thomas More. Betty is survived by her 4 children, retired Stamford Fire Captain Joe Jr. (Maria), Mickey (Lynn), Richie (Nicole), and Ronnie (Lainey). Affectionately known as Nana, she was the biggest cheerleader to her 8 grandchildren, Michael Jr., Joseph III, Zachary, Sara, Ellie, Jake, Stephanie and Nicholas and her great-grandsons, Jay, Anthony IV, and Noah. Betty is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides raising her 4 boys, Betty enjoyed knitting, cooking, camping, hosting family and friends for holidays and other special occasions, everywhere she resided. A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 104 Myrtle Avenue in Stamford, on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:45AM for a mass of Christian burial at 11AM at St. Mary Church, 566 Elm Street, in Stamford. Visitation at the funeral home will be held prior to mass from 9AM to 10:30AM. The inurnment will follow mass at St. John Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, Betty had requested that donations to be made to the Stamford Burn Foundation, 629 Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902. To leave messages of condolence online, please visit the family guestbook hosted on www.cognetta.com.

Anne Mish Pettus, age 98, slipped away peacefully on March 14, 2023, in the comfort of her home at Sunrise of Stamford. She was not alone, which was very important to her. Anne was born on November 23, 1924, in Jersey City, New Jersey and moved to Stamford, as a preschooler where her father, Peter Shawinsky was a deacon and choir master for the Ukrainian church. Her mother Anastasia Korda Shawinsky was a loving mother of five, Anne being the youngest of siblings Joseph, Peter, Teresa and Rose Shawinsky. Anne married her teenage sweetheart, John Mish, upon his return from WWII in 1945. They were married for 60 years before he predeceased her. In 2006 she married Robert Pettus of (Rowayton, CT) who passed away in 2015. Anne is best known for her love of people and her caring nature. She had an exciting and successful career in the Western Union telegraph office during the war, and later also as a Cracker Jack sales representative for Visa credit cards. However, her number one job was always that of a loving caregiver. First, while just a teenager during the Great Depression, she helped to raise her nephew, then tended to two ailing parents, raised two children, spread love and joy to her two grandchildren and cared for her two beloved husbands. She loved the beach and spent many happy hours beachcombing and collecting sea glass on Long Island Sound and shells on Sanibel Island, Florida. Anne spent the last years of her life at Sunrise of Stamford, where she was an ambassador for new residents. She is survived by her two children, John B. Mish, Jr. of New Milford, Connecticut, and Laurie Anne Manos of Harpswell, Maine and her two grandsons, Nicholas John Manos and Andreas George Manos. Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, April 1, 2023, a funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. in St Mary’s Catholic Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to St. Mary’s Church in Stamford, or to the Ukrainian Red Cross.