Iryna Hohosha

Iryna Hohosha, 85, passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at the Stamford Hospital. Iryna was born on February 23, 1937, in Ukraine, daughter of the late John Balitski and Paraskeviya Seh.

She grew up in a small village in Lviv, Ukraine, under the guidance of her caring grandmother Rosalia. She moved to the city and worked as secretary where she met her late husband Volodymyr Hohosha. Iryna gave birth to a beautiful daughter who later moved to the United States. She followed her there but always missed her home back in Lviv which she would occasionally visit.

Iryna always had a love for gardening and taking care of animals. You could always find her in the garden tending to her flowers or feeding the birds and her precious little cat. It brought her a lot of joy to take care of the things she loved.

During the holidays, she would help her daughter prepare traditional Ukrainian food and on Easter she would bake Paska for her family and friends. She treated her grandkids like they were her own children and taught them to work hard like her. Everyone knew her as a caring and selfless woman who would do anything to help the ones she loved.

Iryna is survived by her loving daughter Oksana Ozymko of Norwalk, CT and Oksana’s partner, Chris Jankowski. She was cherished by her grandchildren Anna and Yuriy Ozymko, as well as Chris’s daughter Sophia Janowski.
Besides her parents Iryna was predeceased by her beloved husband Volodymyr Hohosha.

Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT, on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 2:00PM to 6:00PM
After the visitation a funeral service will be held at the St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Catholic, 24 Wenzel Terrace, Stamford, CT at 7:00PM

Vincent Felicella

Vincent “Vinnie” Felicella” loving husband to Joan, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on June 10, 2022. At 15:58, visibility was 10 miles, winds 13 mph NW: a perfect afternoon for flying.

Vincent was born July 1, 1933 in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn to Amelia (née Nappo) and Sebastiano Felicella, both from Naples, Italy. He was the third of five tight-knit siblings raised in Brooklyn and in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He remembered his early years fondly and remained close with childhood friends all his life. In 1951, he graduated from the High School of Industrial Arts in Manhattan and later enlisted in the US Air Force as a mechanic.

In the early 1960’s, he began a long and rewarding career as a commercial airline pilot, initially for TransCaribbean and later for American Airlines, where he remained until his retirement. He loved his work. He first met his wife, Joan (née Malishak), a flight attendant at the time, in Puerto Rico. After a courtship that traversed the globe, they married in 1966 and settled in Port Washington, New York. In 1974, they moved to Old Greenwich where they raised four children. They have been active parishioners at St. Clement of Rome Church and members of the Rocky Point Club for many years. After retirement, Vincent owned and maintained a small plane with a good friend at Bridgeport Airport. He was still flying well into his 80’s.

Vincent was a man of few words who expressed himself through gestures rather than proclamations. Stated simply, he was kind and accepting and on good terms with all. In addition to aviation, he was a skilled carpenter and mechanic. During stormy blackouts, he made the rounds with a small generator to keep neighbors’ basements dry. And to the delight of his young children, he created the wooden “Pumpkin Patch” sign that today still makes an appearance in Old Greenwich each fall, almost 50 Octobers later. The various repairs and projects he undertook at school, church and throughout town are a quiet testament to his talents and generosity of spirit. Later in life, he took joy and pride in winding and adjusting the chimes at Tod’s Point. “Keeper of Time” was an apt role for a man of such enduringly patient manner and character.

Vincent is survived by a loving and ever-grateful family which includes his devoted wife Joan and their four children: Jill of Marblehead, MA; Vincent and Cindy (née LaPenna) of New Canaan; Carol Felicella Miller of New Canaan; Elizabeth and partner George Stolz of Manhattan. He will always be “Papa” to four beautiful grandchildren: Jaimie Miller and her partner, Risten Clarke, Annie Miller, Christopher Miller and Amelia Felicella. He shared a special closeness – and a lifetime of laughter – with his siblings, Consiglia, Roe, Donald, his late sister Chickie and all their spouses. On his side of the family, Vincent was “Uncle Vinnie” to thirteen adored and adoring nieces and nephews and to their children. His sense of family extended to cousins of several generations – he was loved by so many. Vincent will also be dearly remembered and missed by his sister-in-law, Janet Gold of Old Greenwich and his nephew Todd Gold and wife Tara, of Weston, CT; as well as by his sister-in-law, Nancy Abreu, and her children, Joseph and Michelle, of San Diego, CA.

The family would like to thank the individuals who made it possible for Joan to care for her husband at home over the last two years, particularly: Lia, Miguel, Teona, Nana, and Andrea; as well as the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals working with Greenwich Hospital and Visiting Nurses of Fairfield; and finally the hospice team at Constellation that so compassionately guided his peaceful and dignified passing at home.

Funeral services and interment at St Mary’s cemetery were private. A mass will be said for Vincent later this summer at which time the family looks forward to welcoming friends; details to follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Greenwich Scholarship Association where a need-based scholarship will be established in his honor. Checks can be sent directly to the “Greenwich Scholarship Association” PO Box 4627, Greenwich Ct, 06831 with “Vincent Felicella” noted on the memo line.

Liana Gaico

Liana Gaico, of Florida and formerly of Stamford, passed away peacefully in Delray, Florida on June 10, 2022. She was born in Bucharest, Romania on January 3, 1943.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Dan M. Gaico and her loving son, Michael Gaico.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 PM with a funeral service to be celebrated at 6:30 PM. A graveside service will be held at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, Connecticut on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 12 noon.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Salvatore Vitanza

Salvatore E. “Sal” Vitanza, CLU, 92, of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Sal was born on November 11, 1929 in Cold Spring, NY to the late Ignazio T. and Angelina Arigo Vitanza.
Sal was an award-winning insurance salesman who built a 33-year career with Prudential Insurance, where he rose through the ranks from agent to a regional sales manager. Over the course of his career, Sal was a proud recipient of many national awards for his job performance. In his leisure time Sal enjoyed time with his family and coaching local baseball and football teams in the 1970’s and 80’s.
In his retirement, Sal enjoyed winter months at “Casa Seville”, his home away from home in Venice, FL. While in Florida Sal liked to play golf and attending Yankee spring training games. Sal and Dolores met many new friends at Casa Seville and really enjoyed the time spent there. While in Venice, he also attended Epiphany Cathedral Catholic Church.
Sal is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Dolores Angelo Vitanza, his sons Thomas A. Vitanza and his wife Rebecca L. Stevens and Michael J. Vitanza and his wife Robin, his daughter-in-law Michele Vitanza-Berlingo as well as his loving grandchildren; Michael C. Vitanza and his wife Courtney, Nicholas J. Vitanza, Victoria M. Vitanza and Michael R. Berlingo.
Besides his parents Sal is predeceased by his son, Timothy E. Vitanza, and sisters, Kay Perpetua and Mary Perpetua.
A funeral procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM and proceed to St. Gabriel R.C. Church, 914 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sal’s memory to one of the following charities: American Cancer Society (https://donate3.cancer.org/), St. Jude Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate) or the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org).
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

George Rothwell

George Eugene Rothwell, 92, a longtime resident of Stamford passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. George was born on January 23, 1930, in Herminie, PA., son of the late William and Charlotte Seabury Rothwell.
George served in the United States Navy, during the Korean War. George is survived by his devoted wife Phyllis Gruner Rothwell of Stamford, and their son Jeremy Rothwell and his wife Monica of Stamford. A cherished granddaughter Daniella Rothwell also survives, along with his dog he called “Ringo.” Besides his parents George was predeceased by his 14 brothers and sisters.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT, on Wednesday, June 15th from 4PM to 8PM. A funeral service will be held at 10AM on Thursday, June 16th, at the funeral home, followed by a procession to Fairfield Memorial Park where the committal service and interment will be held.
If you care to leave a message of condolence online, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Felicia Miller

Felicia Wozniak Miller, age 84, passed away peacefully at Stamford Hospital on Thursday, June 9, 2022. She was born to the late Stanley and Mary Misterka Wozniak on December 18, 1937, in Baltimore, MD. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Obediah R. ‘Bud’ Miller. Prior to moving to Stamford, Bud and Felicia lived in Florida and Texas. Felicia resided in Stamford for 50 years and was a devoted parishioner of Church of St. Cecilia, where she was one of the first Eucharistic Ministers and a member of the Rosary Altar Society. She happily ministered to the homebound bringing them Holy Communion, prayer and fellowship. She made many lifelong friends through her involvement and, in her later years, she enjoyed the company of fellow knitters at the church.
Felicia took great pride in maintaining her home and gardens. She enjoyed entertaining, especially during the holidays, reading and playing tennis and bridge. Over the years, she created many beautiful needlework pieces that exhibited her great eye for detail and were gifted to family and friends. Joining Bud on Saturdays to treasure hunt at estate sales was a beloved pastime. She loved her neighbors and the kindness and generosity extended to her, especially after Bud passed away in 2014.
Felicia is survived by three daughters, Celeste (Michael) Bouton of Wilmington, NC, Valerie (Kevin) Parrella of Banner Elk, NC, Michelle (James) Winthrop of Norwalk, CT, and five grandchildren, Ryan Bouton, Jeffrey Bouton, Kathryn Parrella, Meghan Parrella and Christopher Winthrop. She is also survived by her sisters Theresa Proffitt, Lynn (Richard) Spirko, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brother Bernard Wozniak and her sister Natalie Steigerwald.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at 10:30am at Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. There will be no calling hours and interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Felicia’s memory to New Covenant Center, 174 Richmond Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT, 06902.
The family is very grateful for the compassionate care Felicia received from the doctors and nurses at Stamford Hospital, the hospice care team at Constellation Health Services and the assistance provided by Sterling Care.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to handle the arrangements for the family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Debra Pandone

John Joseph Pandone, 66 a longtime resident of Stamford passed away peacefully at the Stamford Hospital on June 1, 2022. John was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 30, 1955, son of the late Anne N. Guarino.
Debra Ann Pandone, 58, a lifelong resident of Stamford passed away peacefully at the Stamford Hospital on June 3, 2022. Debra was born on July 21, 1963, daughter of the late Joseph Patrick Tomczyk and Lucille Grace Loglisci.
John graduated from Stamford High School in 1974. He was employed with the City of Stamford for over 30 years.
Debbie graduated from Rippowam High School in 1981 and Katharine Gibbs College. She worked at D.W. Van Dyke & Company for over 30 years.
John and Debbie were known for enjoying the simple things in life, such as their family and friends as well as baseball. They loved watching their son Anthony as he developed his game from Little League through High School. Their favorite team was the Yankees. John always enjoyed talking about baseball (whether it was an update on Anthony or how the Yankees were doing) while visiting his second home at Belltown Superette. It was his love of baseball that started his involvement with the Stamford Youth Umpires. John and Debbie also obtained great joy from watching their daughter Tori perform. Whether it was going from one dance competition to another or heading to cheerleading, watching her just made them smile from ear to ear.
While their passing is incredibly difficult to bear, John and Debbie are no longer suffering from any illness and we can only trust that they will rest together in eternal peace & may God bless them.
Mr.& Mrs. Pandone are survived by their loving children Anthony and Tori Pandone both of Stamford. Debra is survived by her siblings, Joseph Tomczyk Jr., of Stamford, Mary-Jo Amato of Darien, and Mark Tomczyk of Stamford along with nieces and nephews and their canine companion “Cash”. John is also survived by his cousin, who was more like a sister to him, Rose Marie Gallace.
Family and Friends may call for both John and Debra at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM, a prayer service will be held at 1PM with Deacon Ernie Jeffers officiating. Interment will follow at St. John’s RC Cemetery, Darien, CT.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com

John Pandone

John Joseph Pandone, 66 a longtime resident of Stamford passed away peacefully at the Stamford Hospital on June 1, 2022. John was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 30, 1955, son of the late Anne N. Guarino.
Debra Ann Pandone, 58, a lifelong resident of Stamford passed away peacefully at the Stamford Hospital on June 3, 2022. Debra was born on July 21, 1963, daughter of the late Joseph Patrick Tomczyk and Lucille Grace Loglisci.
John graduated from Stamford High School in 1974. He was employed with the City of Stamford for over 30 years.
Debbie graduated from Rippowam High School in 1981 and Katharine Gibbs College. She worked at D.W. Van Dyke & Company for over 30 years.
John and Debbie were known for enjoying the simple things in life, such as their family and friends as well as baseball. They loved watching their son Anthony as he developed his game from Little League through High School. Their favorite team was the Yankees. John always enjoyed talking about baseball (whether it was an update on Anthony or how the Yankees were doing) while visiting his second home at Belltown Superette. It was his love of baseball that started his involvement with the Stamford Youth Umpires. John and Debbie also obtained great joy from watching their daughter Tori perform. Whether it was going from one dance competition to another or heading to cheerleading, watching her just made them smile from ear to ear.
While their passing is incredibly difficult to bear, John and Debbie are no longer suffering from any illness and we can only trust that they will rest together in eternal peace & may God bless them.
Mr.& Mrs. Pandone are survived by their loving children Anthony and Tori Pandone both of Stamford. Debra is survived by her siblings, Joseph Tomczyk Jr., of Stamford, Mary-Jo Amato of Darien, and Mark Tomczyk of Stamford along with nieces and nephews and their canine companion “Cash”. John is also survived by his cousin, who was more like a sister to him, Rose Marie Gallace.
Family and Friends may call for both John and Debra at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM, a prayer service will be held at 1PM with Deacon Ernie Jeffers officiating. Interment will follow at St. John’s RC Cemetery, Darien, CT.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com

Laura Richardson

On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Laura Jean Richardson, RN, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 85.
Laura was born on October 29, 1936 in St. Albans, New York to Milton and Anna (née Bachmeyer) Olivet. She received Nursing degrees from Queensborough Community and St. Joseph’s Colleges. Laura was a born caregiver who practiced nursing for 25+ years in New York and Connecticut. On November 10, 1962, she married Antonio Carmine Caracciolo, Sr. (known to all as “Sonny”) and together they raised four children, Tony, Charles, Michael, and Cathy. After years of darkness following Sonny’s death, she found a new light with Jack Richardson and they were married on March 28, 2016.
Laura had a passionate, can-do spirit and was always deeply involved in various communities and organizations. She coached girls softball and won a title in her first season; she played the accordion (to the chagrin of ALL her children); she marched as a chaperone in many rain-soaked parades alongside the North Eastern States Championship-winning Drum & Bugle Corps from St. Ann’s School; she learned how to ice skate in her 30s, having never donned a pair of skates before; she was behind the wheel of our wood-wagon on countless family road trips across the byways of 1970s America, pointing out scenic vistas to her uninterested children; she founded the award-winning FISH Community Volunteer Program at St. Ann’s Church, a phone-and-driver-relay organization which helped parishioners who needed rides to medical appointments; she completed countless school projects for her lazy children the night before they were due and didn’t even bother to disguise her handwriting to fool the teachers; she braved many an embittered winter Sunday in Section 332, Row 23, Seats 21-25 at Rutherford, New Jersey’s Giants Stadium, rooting on Big Blue teams that were either terrible or amazing, and nowhere in between; she returned to college to study Nursing in her 50s (her 50s?!) and, after bragging incessantly to the author of this obituary that her 4.0 GPA dwarfed his feeble GPA, began her career as a Nurse at Flushing Hospital; she would scream on rollercoasters as if her central nervous system was coming completely unraveled; she taught Bible Study at her church well into her 80s; she had a soft spot for neglected children and often took on the role of surrogate mom to the close friends of her children; she counseled her children to not feel sorry for themselves, but instead, to “keep putting one foot in front of the other” and soldier on through whatever obstacles life placed in their way.
Laura is survived by her loving husband, Jack, who was an absolute tower of strength and devotion during their time together; her children, Tony, Charles, Michael, and Cathy; her grandchildren, Chelsea, Claudia, Antonio, Sonny, Thomas, Sophia and Isabella; many nieces and nephews; and the legions of people whose lives were lucky enough to be touched by her and to feel the indelible impact she could have on a person.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 from 4:00-8:00 PM. A funeral service will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 9:30 AM at Turn of River Church, Turn of River Road, Stamford. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Laura’s memory to a charity of own’s choice.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Rose Giuliani

Rose M. Giuliani, a lifelong resident of Stamford, CT, passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2022, with her beloved family at her side. Rose was born in Stamford on February 17, 1935 and was one of four children born to the late Ralph and Florence (Lupinacci) Maiolo. Rose was 87 years old at the time of her passing.

Rose is survived by her beloved husband of 65 years Salvatore “Sam” Giuliani; her loving children, son Salvatore Giuliani, Jr. (Debra); daughter Roseanne Giuliani (Hank); former daughter-in-law Kathy Giuliani; grandchildren John Morrison Jr. (Marianne); Joseph Morrison (Victoria); Vincent Russell; Anthony Russell (Natalia); Rena Giuliani (Jason); Matthew Giuliani; Mark Mastandrea; Corrine Saliba, great grandchildren Hannah, Claire, Magdalena, Mason, Liam and siblings Frank Maiolo (Eleanor); Michelina Kobani; Ralph Maiolo (Audrey); and many nieces and nephews.
Rose was a kind, compassionate and generous person whose door was always open. She will be best remembered in the kitchen cooking, and for her selfless spirit that helped all in need. A devoted wife and grandmother, she loved her family and friends and had regular pop-ins at home, feeding everyone who came in whatever time of day. She loved knitting and crocheting and made thousands of hats and scarves to give to charity. A long-time parishioner and volunteer at Sacred Heart Church, she belonged to the Rosary Society and was inspired to help others with her faith by praying the rosary. She was also a past member of the Columbiettes Council #41 St. Augustine K of C., and was a long-time volunteer at Sacred Heart School where her children attended.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Rose’s memory to the charity of your choice.

Family and friends may offer their sympathy and condolences at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, in Stamford, CT on Monday, June 6nd from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, June 7rd at 10:30am at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT. Private interment will immediately follow mass at St. John Cemetery in Darien.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.