Richard T. Nowlin passed away on the morning of April 21, 2020 due to complications from COVID-19, with a caring and devoted medical staff by his side. We would like to thank Stamford Hospital for their dedication to Richard.

Born on June 16, 1944, to Evelyn M. and Terry W. Nowlin. Rick was a lifelong Stamford resident, who always cherished all the opportunities life had to offer. Rick attended Willard Elementary School, Burdick Junior High, graduated from Rippowam High School in 1963 and shortly after graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

Rick always had many interests and passions, especially when it came to horses, becoming an excellent equestrian at an early age, thanks to his parents. Rick was also a third-generation volunteer fire fighter at the Turn of River Fire department following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather (Willis T. Nowlin), and also had a love and passion for hunting. But his interests didn’t stop there. As time went on, his love and passion for automobiles and motorcycles took over, whether it was driving them or rebuilding them. He was also an avid fan of Country and Western music (but only the old artists, as he would say) and couldn’t understand how they called today’s new music Country at all!

Rick will always be remembered for having the biggest heart, for being a good kind man, always putting everyone else’s needs before himself and of course he had the most infectious laugh and smile. We will always thank God for having him in our lives.

Rick leaves this world as loving his two sons, Peter Nowlin (Donna) and Michael Nowlin (Terri), his grandchildren, Amanda Beschle (Adam) and Alexa Bitzer, his great-grandchild, Kiya Beschle and a new great-grandchild, Baby Beschle, arriving in June. He also will be sadly missed by his former spouse, Theresa Charkales, who remained his lifelong friend and a constant in his life; his sisters, Barbra Nowlin Bernini (Skip), Valerie Nowlin Mascaro and Traci Nowlin Rotante (Paul), His Aunt and Godmother, Ruth Valenzano. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great niece and nephew and cousins.

Due to the current health crisis in our state, no wake or funeral services will take place. A graveside service and the inurnment will be held at a later date along with a celebration of his life. Arrangements are being graciously attended to by The Nicholas Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory in Stamford, CT.

Kenneth Brian Geriak, 73, passed away on June 14th, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gail (Galuski) Geriak; his children, Jennifer Geriak of Norwalk, CT; Kenneth Geriak Jr. and wife Hannah of Fairfield, CT and Joel Geriak of Stamford, CT.
He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Bryana, TJ and Xenia Coleman, and Kyle, Tyler and Ella Geriak; his older brother, Stephen Geriak, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. In addition to his parents, Stephen and Florence (Komanski) Geriak, Ken was also predeceased by his siblings Robert Geriak and Sandra Spillane.
Ken graduated from Rippowam High School in Stamford, CT in 1968. He was a starter on the 1967 State Football Championship team that was ranked #1 in the state at the time. He went on to play football in college at the University of Tulsa. Ken was an auto mechanic by trade and shared a repair/gas station with his father on Tokeneke Rd. in Darien, CT for over 30 years. After the Darien shop closed he had a repair shop in Norwalk for over 5 years and finished his career in the auto industry in Stamford, retiring at the age of 62.
Ken was well known in the Norwalk, CT community where he was active in the NAA. He coached baseball for the Babe Ruth Bambino league in West Norwalk and for Babe Ruth baseball. He was active in Pop Warner youth football, and coached football at Central Catholic High School in Norwalk. He enjoyed coaching so much that after Central Catholic closed he went on to coach at Staples High school in Westport, where he was on staff for a few years.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, June 24th, from 1-3 pm at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902. All guests are welcome, and we look forward to seeing everyone to honor and celebrate the life of Ken Geriak.
To leave online condolences please visit www.cognetta.com.

Elizabeth Malizia Coppola, 91, a former resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the Carolton of Fairfield. She was born on August 15, 1931 in Stamford to the late Samuel and Fannie Monda Malizia.
Elizabeth was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She attended Stamford High School. On April 19th, 1952 she married the love of her life, Rocco Coppola with whom she enjoyed 55 years of marriage. On May 10, 1956 she welcomed Roxann, her one and only daughter, who was the most important part of her life.
Elizabeth enjoyed cooking, playing cards, listening to Frank Sinatra and trying her luck at the casino. She was an avid Yankees fan but most of all, she was at her happiest when she was spending time with her family. Elizabeth enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. Her kind and caring heart will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who were blessed to know her.
Elizabeth is survived by her loving Daughter, Roxann Coppola Morris, her husband Colin Morris of Stratford and her granddaughter Kelly Elizabeth Russo of Dillon Colorado and four great grandchildren, Sofia, Stella, Antonio and Jaeden.
Besides her parents, Elizabeth was also predeceased by her husband, Rocco Coppola, her grandson, Steven R. Russo and two brothers, Richard and Samuel Malizia.
A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, Ct. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the Coppola family requests that donations be made in Elizabeth’s memory to St. Jude Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Saint Cecilia’s Church 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905.
Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to handle the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Richard M. Strizver, age 78, passed away at Stamford Hospital after a full, productive life. He was the beloved husband of Meg Strizver. Richard was born on October 7th in Brooklyn, NY to Leonard Roy and Gertrude (Zehngut) Strizver.

Richard was a passionate and fearless founder of Frame & Save (1975), and the founder of Creative Framing (1996). Richard especially enjoyed the opportunity to connect with his customers, often on a personal level.

In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by his sons Erik (and his wife, Kristin), Jason (and his wife, Lisa), Sam, his grandchildren Claire, Emily, Katelyn, Alexander and Matthew, as well as his sister Ilene Strizver, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A celebration of Richard’s life will take place on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 4pm to 6pm, at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, in Stamford, CT.

Marie A. Marino Congelosi, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 7, at the age of 101. Marie was born in Greenwich, CT, to the late Dominic Marino and Frances Minnitti Marino.
After graduating from Greenwich High School, Marie began a long and storied career path by working as a placement associate for an employment agency in White Plains, NY, for several years. She was introduced to her adoring husband, Joseph Congelosi, when she agreed to go on a blind date that was arranged by one of Joe’s cousins. The two married in 1955 and settled in Stamford, CT. They remained married for nearly 65 years, until Joe’s passing in 2020.
Marie was a devoted mother to her daughter, Joanne, and was extremely proud of her beloved granddaughter, Michelle, who was the light of her life.
Marie worked for more than 30 years at Waldenbooks’ corporate headquarters in Stamford. She loved her time at Waldenbooks, and referred to her colleagues as her Waldenbooks family. Marie was considered a mother figure to many and she treasured the friendships she made while working there.
Upon retirement, Marie volunteered at a local preschool, the Stamford Jewish Center and Meals on Wheels. She also was a devoted caregiver to Joe for many years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
In addition to her parents and husband, Marie was predeceased by her brothers, Anthony Marino, Pasqual (Pat) Marino, Dominic (Doc) Marino, Jr., and Frank Marino; and her sisters, Dominica (Minnie) Marino and Jane Tullo.
Marie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Norton Kaplan; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Michelle and Edgar Kaplan-Vigil; her brother Stephen Marino and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 9-10 a.m. A funeral procession will be leaving the funeral home on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 914 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Interment will follow at St. John RC Cemetery, 25 Camp Avenue, Darien.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a gift in Marie’s memory to Catholic Charities of Fairfield County Senior Nutrition program (https://www.ccfairfield.org/project/senior-nutrition-program/) or to Bethany Health Care Center(https://www.bethanyhealthcare.org/).