Sarah Montaine

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Sarah Lawlor Montaine, born August 30, 1970 in Manhattan, NY to Dr. Francis Lawlor and Dr. Elizabeth Phelan Lawlor, passed away at 5:17pm, Monday, December 4, 2023, under the excellent and top of the line care from the one and only Yale University Hospital, New Haven, CT.
Sarah is predeceased by her mother, Dr. Elizabeth Phelan Lawlor, affectionately known as Liz-bit. On the one-year anniversary of her mother’s passing, Liz-bit took Sarah home to God to rest in eternal peace. Sarah grew up in Shippan, Stamford, CT and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Greenwich, CT. She was employed by the Gartner Group and Stamford Health. Sarah was mostly known and beloved as a local bartender in the City of Stamford. The bar community in that great city will miss her, reminisce about her, and laugh at all the fun times had and embrace her memory for decades to come.
Sarah is survived by her father; Dr. Francis Lawlor, her husband; Mark Montaine, her two daughters; Kelly Lawlor (Son in law Thomas Randolph III), Morgan Jane Vossler, and her newly born grandson Thomas IV. She is also survived by her aunt and uncle; Andy and Rita Lawlor, many Phelan/Lawlor cousins and their wonderful children.
A city girl at heart, Sarah inherited the love of camping from her parents, Liz-bit and Frank. In her final years she and her husband frequented many weekends in a campground in Niantic, CT. Sarah’s heart was at peace being around a campfire enjoying the blissful crackle of a fire. “Lite a fire, raise a drink and remember my wife. You are my pal forever. I love you, Mark.”
To leave a condolence message online you may visit the family guestbook hosted on www.cognetta.com.

Dorothy Mullins

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Dorothy Gronau Mullins, 89, of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2023,
with her loving family by her side. Dorothy was born in Germany on November 20, 1934, to the late Paul and Charlotte Gronau.

At 18 years old, Dorothy met her husband and the love of her life, the late Gerald E. “Moon” Mullins while he served as a Paratrooper in the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Germany. It was a match made in heaven, and after his discharge, Gerald arranged for Dorothy’s passage to America. They were married by the Justice of the Peace in Stamford, CT in 1955, and sons Gerry and Bryan came along in quick succession (Irish Twins) while they resided in the Cove. They left the Cove and moved into the family homestead in North Stamford, and when her son, Patrick, came along in 1964, the family was complete. Gerald and Dorothy grew a real estate portfolio of investment properties in and around the Stamford area, and when the major re-development of downtown Stamford began in the 1980s, they did very well for themselves. Their golden years found them traveling to Europe frequently and visiting family and friends in Germany, Ireland, England and France as well as many trips to Pensacola, FL to visit her mother, Charlotte, and time spent in Cape Cod with family and friends. With her competitive nature, Dorothy was a highly sought after bridge player and partner and enjoyed hosting weekly bridge games in her home with friends for many years. She enjoyed playing tennis and was very active in the Woman’s Club of Greenwich, where she held various leadership positions over the years. She was a talented artist and loved to gift her artwork to family and friends. Dorothy also enjoyed doting on her grandchildren and hosting her German family members and friends who came to visit her in CT. After 60 years of a beautiful marriage and a true partnership, Gerald predeceased Dorothy in 2015. Dorothy enjoyed puttering around her house, taking great pride in maintaining a beautifully appointed home, a beautifully landscaped property, and she enjoyed all manner of wildlife and birdlife who often came to visit her. The family wishes to express our deepest gratitude to Mina Phillip who provided loving, compassionate care for Dorothy and kept her safe and comfortable in her home for the last 18 months of her life.

Dorothy is survived by her three sons; Gerry Mullins Jr. (Patty Ann Kirk) of Stamford, Bryan Mullins (Maureen Polotaye) of Stamford, Patrick Mullins (Patricia Nemchek) of Sandy Hook, CT, her nine grandchildren; Jerry III, Erin, Casey, Samantha, Sean, Bryan Jr., Jamie, Patrick Jr., and Shannon Mullins, her 7 great grandchildren; Leah, Gerry IV, Charlotte, Ryan, Grace, Addison, and Connor, her brothers; Volkmar Gronau and Detlef Gronau of Germany and Hans Gronau of Collingswood, NJ, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, various relatives, and friends who also survive.

Family and friends may call at Cognetta’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 12, from 4:00PM-8:00PM. A funeral service will be held at Cognetta’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 13, at 10:30AM, with interment to follow at Fairfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org., or consider making a donation on Dorothy’s behalf to any local animal shelter or canine rescue operation of your choice. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.cognetta.com

Rosemary LoRusso

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Rosemary LoRusso, 94, of Stamford, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, December 1, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Rosemary was born in Greenwich, CT on May 13, 1929 to the late Joseph and Rosina Forte Ross.
Rosemary “Honey” Ross LoRusso lived her single life in Greenwich, CT prior to marrying. After marriage, she moved to Stamford, CT with her husband, John, and raised three sons. She started her working career at Royal Typewriter before children and then worked in the Human Resources Department at General Electric Capital for more than three decades.
She was one of the kindest and most sincere individuals you could ever meet. Greatly loved by all her friends and family and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Rosemary is survived by her sons; John LoRusso, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Westport, Jeffery LoRusso and his wife Lynne of New Canaan and Richard LoRusso and his wife Lisa of Stamford, her brother Joe Ross and his wife Linda and her sisters Dolores Labbadia and Helena Corrigan. Rosemary’s beloved grandchildren; Matthew and his wife Regan, Daniel, Andrew, Christopher and his wife Krista, Jason and his wife Kelly, Nicole and Joey. Three cherished great-grandchildren; Chase, Ella and Lainey also survive.
Besides her parents, Rosemary is predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, John LoRusso, Sr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Cecilia R.C. Church, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Darien. There will be no calling hours.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the LoRusso family with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Rosemary’s memory to Catholic Charities, 839-841 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105-2801 .
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Dominick DiMarino

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Dominick DiMarino, 87, of Stamford passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, December 1, 2023. He was born in Port Chester, NY on June 14, 1936 to the late John and Rose Cosenza DiMarino.
Dominick was a Barber for over 60 years and ran a successful Barber Shop business in Stamford called Fairlawn Hairstyling. He later worked for many years with his twin brother Frank at the Razors Edge in Wilton, CT, which is the same name they went by when they first became Barbers and worked side by side on Greenwich Avenue.
Even after Dom retired, he continued to give out haircuts. Not only was he a Barber, but he was also very handy, and many people called on him to fix a washer, toilet or anything else that was broken. He was a special individual with a unique personality. To know him was to love him.
Dominick is survived by lifelong partner, Rose Sarvas, his loving children, David DiMarino and Debra Ann Loverci and her husband Peter as well as his grandchildren, John and Matthew Loverci. Also surviving are his siblings, John DiMarino and his wife Linda, Joe DiMarino and Silvia Guth and her husband Terry and his stepmother, Filomena DiMarino.
Besides his parents, Dominick was also predeceased by his twin brother, Frank DiMarino, his sister, Carmella Crupi and his nephew, Erik DiMarino.
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 7, 2023 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart RC Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford. Interment will follow at St. John’s RC Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 from 3:00-7:00 PM.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Antonietta Casale

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Malcolm McNiven

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Malcolm A. McNiven, 93, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully in his home on October 19th, 2023.

Malcolm was born in Oceanside, NY to William and Hazel McNiven on December 8, 1929 and older brother William II. He spent most of his childhood in Long Beach, NY which he always described with happy memories. He attended Denison University where he studied psychology and met his wife, Elaine Vellacott. They were married June 12, 1954.

After graduating from Denison, Malcolm earned his Master’s Degree at Ohio University and his PhD at Penn State University in Experimental Psychology. He began his career as a teacher with Penn State and then with the University of Maryland teaching military personnel overseas based in Europe. He later served as Adjunct Associate Professor at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Visiting Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. He transitioned to corporate Market Research when he accepted a position with The Dupont Co. in 1957. There he pioneered groundbreaking advertising research that was foundational to the rest of his career. He went on to lead Marketing departments for The Coca Cola Company, Pillsbury, IMS International, and Bank of America. He returned to academia in 1988 as the Director of the Center for Marketing Studies at the University of Georgia, where he retired in 1998.

Malcolm was active in many professional organizations. He was a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, served as Director of the Association of National Advertisers and The Audit Bureau of Circulation, and as a Trustee of the Marketing Science Institute. His text, How Much to Spend for Advertising, for which he was both editor and author, remained for years an often-cited work in the field. He is noted in Who’s Who as a Marketing Educator. He also dedicated himself to Denison University serving on the Board of Trustees and other roles for decades, earning the title of life Trustee.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed sailing with his family and friends, playing with his dog Polo, and working on classic sports cars such as his favorite TR3.

Malcolm is survived by his wife Elaine, and children Geoff McNiven, Sue Reville and Jane Thompson, and grandchildren Sean, Scott and Maggie Reville and Eric Thompson.

Memorials may be given to First Congregational Church of Greenwich.

Patricia Sanseverino

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Patricia Moughty Sanseverino, a lifelong resident of Stamford, CT passed away on November 28, 2023. Patricia was born on June 1, 1936 in Stamford, CT, the daughter of the late Bernard “Pat” Moughty and Catherine Daly Moughty.

She graduated from Saint John’s Parochial School and Sacred Heart Academy, class of 1954. She was a communicant of Saint Mary’s Parish for over 60 years.

She met the love of her life and best friend when she was just 16 years old, Domenick A. Sanseverino and enjoyed over 50 years with him.

Tish will always be remembered for her dry wit and always had a twinkle in her eye. Her family came first, then her home where she hosted many Sunday dinners and summer parties and holidays, quickly followed by the many dogs she had in her lifetime and her love of all God’s creatures.

She is survived by her son, Scott G. Sanseverino; her daughter, Jane Sanseverino Schwartz and her husband, David; her grandson, Christopher Schwartz. Her brother, Brian J. Moughty and his wife Donna; her sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Sanseverino and Carol Lalli and her husband Michael as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins also survive her.

Besides her parents and husband, her brother-in-law, Alfred C. Sanseverino and sister-in-law, Anne C. Perna and her husband Frank predeceased her.

The family would also like to thank Patricia’s longtime caregivers, Joan Francis Martin and Millicent Edwards.

Family and friends may call on Tish’s family at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave, Stamford, CT 06902 on Sunday, December 3rd from 2 p.m.- 6p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Patricia at St. Mary of Stamford R.C. Church, 566 Elm St., in Stamford on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11am. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Fairfield County, 22 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 or The Connecticut Humane Society, 455 Post Road E. Westport, CT 06880

Barbara Punzi

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Barbara Ann Punzi, 59, of Norwalk, CT, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Norwalk Hospital, after a brief fight with cancer. Barb was born on July 14, 1964 in White Plains, NY and was one of three children born to the late Frank, Sr. and Camille (DiGirolamo) Punzi.

She leaves behind her life partner John Travis and her beloved scrappy. She is also survived by her sister Susan Crowell and brother-in-law Mike; her brother Frank Punzi, Jr. and sister-in-law Jodi; uncle Tony DiGirolamo and his wife Vita; aunt Laura DiGirolamo Simoes; nephews Shawn Crowell, Sam Punzi and wife Devon and Anthony Digirolamo, Jr.; nieces Sunni Joseph and husband Karl and Alyson Punzi; grandniece Lois Punzi; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is predeceased by her parents Frank and Camille Punzi, nephew Frank Punzi, III and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Barbara loved to follow the NY Yankees and go to the beach. Her smile truly lit up any room she walked into. Barb was active with the Ski Bears Club in Norwalk and went to school in Stamford where she grew up.

Family & friends may call on Barb’s family at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Cognetta Funeral Home on Friday, December 1st, at 11 am. The interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery in Stamford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barb’s name are encouraged and may be made to Animal Nation by visiting www.animalnation.org/donate.

The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to assist the Punzi family with the funeral arrangements. To leave a message of condolence for the family visit www.cognetta.com.

Irene Chalikis

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Irene Chalikis, age 100 of Stamford, CT passed away peacefully at her home on November 22, 2023. Irene was born in Newark, NJ on November 30, 1922 to parents Pelagia and Fotis Bartis. Irene is survived by her loving son George Chalikis and wife Thea; daughter, Pamela Poulos and husband Michael; grandsons George Poulos and wife Jenna; Dr. Constantine Poulos and wife Potoula; granddaughter Kathryne Shomali and husband Essam; and great grandchildren, Ryan and Claire. She is also survived by her sisters Nefelle Hasiotis and Demetra Bartis.
Irene was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Constantine Chalikis and her sisters Penelope Caruso and Ellie Bartis.
Irene’s family moved to Stamford when she was child. She married her husband in 1946 and worked as payroll administrator in a local company. Later, together with her husband, owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Stratford, CT for over 25 years.
She was an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels in Stamford, CT and a supporter of the Philoptochos Society. Irene enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and traveling to distant locations in her retirement years.
Public visitation will be held at Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 1527 Bedford St., Stamford, CT on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service and procession to Fairfield Memorial Park, 230 Oaklawn Avenue, Stamford, CT. Makaria catered luncheon will follow at Madonia Restaurant, 1297 Long Ridge Road in Stamford, CT, in memory of Irene, after the interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene’s memory to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels in Stamford, CT.
She will be truly missed by her family and friends.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Philip Panzeca

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Professor Philip J. Panzeca, 92, of Ridgefield, CT, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Born in Brooklyn, New York to John Panzeca and Mary (Montalbano) Panzeca; pre-deceased by his wife Jane (Quinn) Panzeca and siblings Anthony Panzeca (Julie) and Marie LeKanides (John), he was a devoted son, husband, cherished father to his three daughters, role model to his two grandsons, affectionate brother to his two siblings and a caring brother-in-law, uncle, and cousin.

Philip was proud of the fact he never missed a day of school and graduated from the prestigious Brooklyn Tech High School in 1949. After high school, he enlisted during the Korean War and served in the first Marine division, fifth battalion as Sergeant. Philip received the Korean Service Medal and UN Service Medal and was honorably discharged in 1953.

Married to Jane in 1955, he resided on Long Island until 1996, thereafter relocating to Florida. He graduated from Hofstra University on the G.I. Bill in 1957, received an M.B.A. in 1964 and an M.S. in 1970 from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, now known as the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Philip obtained several national science, mathematics and engineering honor society distinctions and was also awarded an Industrial Engineering fellowship through the National Science Foundation. A full professor of Computer Science and Industrial Engineering at Hofstra University for forty years, he remained Professor Emeritus until his death. He was a natural in the classroom and loved teaching his undergraduate and graduate students. At Hofstra University, he served as Computer Science Department Chair for Graduate Studies; Assistant Dean for Computer Studies at the University College for Continuing Education; and In-House Consultant: University Space, Energy and Telecommunication Studies.

He was a lifelong teacher in other areas, too, with eager apprentices learning how to ride a bike, put a worm on a hook, swim, pack the trunk of the car, mow the lawn, convert fractions into decimals, drive (“don’t follow too closely”), paint, lay a stone patio, plant a tree, tinker in the garage and all things sports related. The family will always cherish annual lakeside vacations surrounded by relatives in adjoining cabins, as well as the frequent road trips to Florida.

Philip enjoyed golf and was a single digit handicap for many years and was thrilled hitting a “hole in one” more than a couple of times. He often cited those years of walking and playing golf for contributing to his later stamina and strength. In addition to golf, Philip was happiest being with family, where he shared the awe and wonder of space shuttle launches, frequent trips to Disney and the comfort of delicious homemade meals followed by card games and puzzles around the dining room table.

A resident of Ridgefield since 2016, where he lived with his daughter, Ellen, and grandson Phil, he became a neighborhood fixture sitting on the front porch, waving to dog walkers and people passing by. Throughout the years, he remained an avid sports fan of the Giants, Yankees, and women’s collegiate sports, especially the UCONN women’s basketball team. His love of sports continues as a legacy to those who loved him.
Philip is survived by his three daughters: Mary Beth Wright, of Enfield, CT; Ellen Panzeca, of Ridgefield, CT; and Rev. Dr. Jane Cloutier of Stamford, CT. In addition, two grandsons survive him: Matthew Cloutier and Philip Panzeca, II. The family is grateful to the physicians, nurses and office staff who provided compassionate and extraordinary care to Philip as well as providing comfort to the family, with special mention to: Kirsten Hohmann, MD; Evelyn Cusack, MD; Alex Ortega, MD; Brenda Chan, MD and Anne Hyson, MD.

Friends, family, former students, colleagues, and the community are invited to a memorial service to celebrate Philip’s life at St. Paul’s on The Green Church in Norwalk, CT at 12PM on Saturday, November 18th. The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Prof. Philip J. Panzeca Professional Engineering Review Program Endowed Scholarship at Hofstra University at http://www.hofstra.edu/panzeca; or, contact Hope Motreuil, Director for Annual Giving and Stewardship at: 516-463-6336 or via email, at: mailto:hope.motreuil@hofstra.edu.

To offer online condolences and to share memories, please visit: http:///www.cognetta.com.