Obituaries & Tributes

Michael J. DeLeo, a lifelong resident of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully at Stamford Hospital on September 19, 2023, with his family at his side. He was born on April 1, 1968, and is one of three children born to Joseph and Sandra (Chicatell) DeLeo, Jr. Michael was 55 years old at the time of his passing. Mickey loved his family and friends. His contagious laugh and energy would always bring joy, fun and love for everyone around him. He would always be willing to help anyone at any time. His love of his favorite sports teams (Steelers, Red Sox and Islanders) was bar none and would religiously watch and root for them no matter what. He had a heart bigger than life itself and would give you his shirt off his back. He was a loving son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and friend and will be missed dearly. In addition to his parents, Joe and Sandra, Michael is survived by his siblings, JD DeLeo, of Naples, FL and Kelley DeLeo of Stamford; his aunts, Barbara Robinson of Bluffton, SC and Pat Wade and husband Michael of Chester, NJ; nephew and niece, Zakary and Arianna DeLeo of Naples, FL; and many cousins, extended family and close friends. He was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, Joseph F. DeLeo, Sr. and Jean (Johnston) DeLeo, Dante and Madeline (Frate) Chicatell; aunt Laurie Jan DeLeo, uncle, Robert DeLeo; and cousin, Ronnie DeLeo. Friends and family may offer their sympathy to the family on the morning of Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM, at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT 06902. A mass of Christian burial will immediately follow the hour of visitation at 10:00 AM at St. John Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. The inurnment will follow mass at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers donations in Michael’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting www.StJude.org To leave online condolences you may visit the family guestbook hosted on www.cognetta.com.

Elaine Virginia Guiliani, 94, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born in New Haven, CT on July 12, 1929, and was the only child of the late Anna (Harris) and John Kiggins. Elaine, also affectionately known as Dutch, was generous and kindhearted. She loved to welcome family and friends for a home cooked meal. She was a devoted mother to her four children, two grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. She worked for many years as a paraeducator at Stillmeadow Elementary School. She was an avid bowler and a fierce bingo player. Elaine also loved animals and will be dearly missed by her dog Coco. Elaine was loved and will be missed by her family. She is survived by her children, Anthony Guiliani and Kathleen LaPointe; her grandchildren, Kristin O’Neill and her husband Thomas Hermes and Michael O’Neill and his wife Megan; great grandchildren, Grace and Charlie Hermes, and Deacon and Preston O’Neill; in-laws, Victoria Pensiero and Sam Giuliani; and nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her husband, Achilles Guiliani, and her beloved sons, Ricky and Thomas Guiliani. Friends and family may offer their sympathy to Elaine’s family from 2 PM to 6 PM on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT 06902. A mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 25 at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Ave., Stamford, CT 06902. The interment will follow mass at Queen of Peace Cemetery in Stamford. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society. Elaine’s family would like to especially thank Mary Brennan for her help caring for Elaine with such kindness and compassion. To leave online condolences you may visit the family guestbook hosted on www.cognetta.com

Alexandra “Sandie” DeLeo peacefully returned home to her Lord on September 16th, 2023 with her daughters by her side. She is predeceased by her parents Paul and Margaret Tirpack, brother Paul Tirpack Jr. and fiancée Tony Olive. She is survived by her children Craig Boutin, Lisa DeLeo, and Tina Carlucci and grandchildren Kaylin & Cody Boutin and Mason Carlucci. She was a loving, compassionate and generous friend, mother, and grandmother who shared her optimism and encouragement. Wherever Sandie went, she brought love and joy with her. Sandie was a devout and active Catholic. At St Mary’s Parish she was a member of the Ladies Guild. At St. Benedict's Parish she was Parish Council & Ladies Guild President, a member of the Entertainment committee and served as a Eucharistic Minister. At St. Maurice Parish she was active in the Social Activities Committee, Prayer Shawl Ministry, The Liturgy Group, the Choir, Walking with Purpose Bible Study, The Stations of the Cross Ministry and served as a Eucharistic Minister. At St. Bridget’s Parish she was a member of The Ladies Guild and The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy Group. She had a servant’s heart and volunteered for organizations including The Special Olympics, Kids Our Future tutoring, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Give2TheTroops, the Disabled Veterans and Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart University and the Education for Parish Services. Her career included working as a Purchasing Specialist for Pitney Bowes in Stamford and for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Westport. She is a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. Sandie excelled at staying true to her God and her family. She deeply loved her family and friends unconditionally and knew exactly how to make you feel appreciated, supported, loved, and inspired whether it was by listening without judgment, giving kind advice, keeping you in her prayers, sharing a delicious meal, giving you the perfect gift, or just being silly together. She was the kind of personal cheerleader everyone needs at some point in their life. She made you believe there was nothing you couldn’t achieve and that you deserved all the rewards. Her boundless heart, generosity, optimism and commitment to gratitude, selfless service, kindness, and grace lives on as our inspiration. She will live on in every beat of all our hearts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Maurice RC Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT. Calling hours will be for one hour starting at 9:00 AM before the Mass at the Church. Interment will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sandie's memory to St. Maurice RC Church CAPITAL EXPENSE FUND and mailed to: St. Maurice RC Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT 06906. To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Marie (Gesullo) DiNapoli, 95, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born in Stamford, CT on December 23, 1927, the youngest of five children of Italian immigrants, the late Maria (Scaperotta) and Michael Gesullo. Marie was a lifelong Stamford resident. She grew up on Park Street and in later years the family moved to Elm Street. She was a 1946 graduate of Stamford High School and married her high school sweetheart, Alphonse William DiNapoli, in 1948. They raised four children together, built their home on MacGregor Drive in Stamford and enjoyed winters at their Condo in Delray Beach, Florida. Marie loved both her homes in Connecticut and Florida. She was a homemaker with a flair for decorating who enjoyed spending time with her family, hosting parties and ballroom dancing with her husband Al. She was well known for her sense of fashion and as the woman who always wore a hat. At the age of 46, Marie entered the workforce. She was employed by General Electric's Puritan Insurance Company for 8 years, rising to Supervisor. In 1977, Marie and Al purchased the Westport Dairy Queen which they owned for 22 years. Marie always had a strong passion for Real Estate. In 1986, she inquired about a receptionist job at Juner Properties in Stamford, where she happily worked part-time until well into her late 80's. Marie's family was her universe; she enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the DiNapoli and Gesullo nieces and nephews. She also shared fond memories of holidays past with her husband Al, her siblings, and their spouses; Jack (Lucy), Joe (Josephine), Flo (John), Jennie and her in-laws; Mary and Pat DiNapoli, Margaret (DiNapoli) and Tony Abbazia and Carmella (DiNapoli) and Pete Cantavero, all predeceased. Marie is loved and will be missed by her family and friends; her children, Rocco DiNapoli (Tina Wignall), Michael DiNapoli Sr. (Diane DiNapoli), Maria Camomilli (Theodore Ogonek) and Alphonse (Billy) DiNapoli Jr. (Tammy Schroeder), grandchildren; Michael, Christopher (Stephanie), Joseph (Jessica), Paul (Wenwen), Stephanie and Jeffrey (Nicole), great-grandchildren, Rocco and Cal, many nieces and nephews and lifelong family friend Frank (Buddy) Gallo. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, Alphonse William DiNapoli Sr., in 2010, and her siblings; Joseph Gesullo, Sr., Cresenzo (Jack) Gesullo, Jennie Gesullo Faraynaiz and Raffaella (Flo) Gesullo Bujalos. A mass of Christian burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 18th at St. Leo Parish, 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT 06902. The entombment will follow mass at St. Mary Cemetery in Greenwich. The Family of Marie G. DiNapoli would like to thank Elizabeth Williams from Waveny Home Care of New Canaan and the many healthcare professionals at Edgehill of Stamford for their excellent and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making a memorial donation to a charity of your choice. To leave online condolences you may visit the family guestbook hosted on www.cognetta.com.

Vites Conetta, 95, of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 8, 2023. She was born in Stamford on November 11, 1927, and was one of six daughters born to the late Vito and Mary Sabato Gerardi. Vites was a social butterfly who knew everyone and could make conversation with anyone. She loved people and surrounded herself with her sisters, family and friends. Always an active member of her community, Vites was a crossing guard for Hoyt/Northeast School on High Ridge Road and a familiar face at the polls. Filled with boundless energy, she spent more than 20 years greeting and chatting with customers of the F.W. Woolworth’s, keeping up with all the happenings of Stamford from her post in the cafe.  Dressed to the nines, she and Pete loved to go to dinner with friends and family, always running into folks they knew around town. An avid bowler herself, Vites was her sons’ and grandchildren’s biggest sports fan, always on the sidelines watching them play basketball, baseball, softball, and tennis. She enjoyed the simple things in life – a hot cup of coffee, catching up with a friend while riding the bus, and a chocolatey dessert at the end of the day. One of the friendliest people you could ever meet, Vites’ outgoing and vibrant spirit is greatly missed.  Vites is survived by her loving son, Dennis Conetta and his wife, M’Liss, her daughter-in-law, Lynn Conetta, and her grandchildren, Kevin, Kaitlin, Jen (Tommy), Casey, Chris and Dennis, as well as her great-grandchildren, Margot and Peter. She is also survived by her sister, Anna Arena of Florida and many nieces and nephews. Vites was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Peter S. Conetta. Vites was also predeceased by her son, Peter M. Conetta, and her sisters, Josephine (Josie) Ippolito, Mildred (Mickey) Ursone, Donata (Nettie) Messina, and Roslin Gerardi. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Sacred Heart R.C. Church on Wednesday, September 13 at 10:30 AM.  Friends and family may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on the evening of Tuesday, September 12 from 5:00-8:00 PM.  The interment will be held privately. A special thank you to her “Angels” and caregivers, Monica Rosales and Monica Osei Addo, and to all those who have cared for her over the years, including the caregivers from VITAS Hospice and Jewish Family Services of Fairfield County.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Vites to the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford at www.bgcastamford.org/donate or Person to Person at www.p2phelps.org. 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.

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.

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.

Adeline “Lee” Hogan, 86 years old, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, December 11, 2022, with her family by her side. Born on July 9th, 1936, in Stamford, CT, Lee was the oldest of five daughters born to Salvatore “Bibs” and Helen Milano. Lee graduated from Stamford High School in 1955 and was first employed at Pitney Bowes in Stamford. She went on to work as a receptionist for Haims and Company before finishing her working career at Sunrise Assisted Living in Stamford. On February 7th, 1959, she married the love of her life, Daniel F. Hogan. She embarked on a 63-year journey, raising three children, forging lasting and meaningful friendships, and doting over her eight grandchildren. Her grandkids were truly her greatest joy. She and Dan were present for every event in their lives, no matter how big or small, with unconditional love and support. Besides unwavering love, their greatest gift was their annual beach vacation spent on the shores of Long Beach Island, NJ. For 30 years it provided a lifetime’s worth of memories that only a vacation filled with sun, sand, ocean, games, family, friends, and of course Nana’s home cooked meals out on the deck overlooking the ocean could bring. Her love of cooking is a legacy passed on to her children and grandchildren. Some of the happiest nights were grandkid sleepovers where Nana would teach them how to make homemade meatballs and her world-famous Anisette cookies. Her cooking legacy was cemented through the Christmas Eve feasts she prepared for family and friends at her beautifully decorated home for over 45 years. Her love of music was also evident any time you walked into her home. On any given day she could be heard playing Sinatra, Rod Stewart, The Beatles, Willie Nelson and everyone in between. Often times breaking into a dance with her beloved husband, Dan. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Daniel F. Hogan, Sr., her three sons Brian (MaryJane Benke), Daniel (Maureen McNamara), and Kevin (Mary Beth Welch), and her eight grandchildren Hannah, Olivia, Darby, Bailey, Danny, Kasey, John, and Jordan. She is also survived by her four sisters, Carly Niewinski, MaryAnne Carlucci, Barbara Milano, and Sally Macaluso, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brothers-in-law Anthony Carlucci and Henry Niewinski, and her nephew Peter Carlucci. She will be sorely missed by anyone who ever knew her. The Hogan Family would like to give special thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff of the Stamford Health System that cared for and nurtured mom as she navigated through difficult times. Their professionalism and dedication cannot be overstated. A celebration of Lee’s life will be held shortly after the New Year. An official announcement will be forthcoming. The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to assist the Hogan family during these difficult times. To leave a message of condolence online please visit www.cognetta.com.