George B. Gozda, 79, of Meriden, passed away on February 12, 2021 after a hard fought battle due to complications from Covid-19. He is survived by his daughters: Deanne O'Leary and her husband Daniel of Ashford, CT, Anita Gozda of Meriden, and Marlene Christopher and her husband Jason of Wallingford; grandsons: Jeremy Gozda and Travis Christopher; and long-time companion Carol Yaskaski of Wallingford. Having been a carpenter by trade, he was a member of Carpenters Local 24. His passion for carpentry led him to projects for family, friends, and many others. His favorite hobby was fishing, whether with family or friends. Another pastime was playing cards. But most of all, George loved...

Allison Vanessa Morgan, 50, of Meriden, loving wife of John Small, passed away on February 11, 2021 at Midstate Medical Center. Born in Meriden on June 14, 1970, a daughter of the late Charles and Mary Alice Vaughn Jones, she is survived by her children; Travaughn Morgan, and Akevis, Quanessa, and Diantee Duncan, brothers; Matthew Morgan and Donald Jones and his wife Garnett, grandchildren Zhymere Kelly and Londyn Morgan, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her sisters, Heather Morgan and Bonnie Jones. Allison was a graduate of Maloney High School and a lifelong resident of Meriden. Although a private person, she touched the lives of many...

William E. Trella, age 68, son of the late Edward F. Trella and Mildred E. (Hansen) Trella, passed away February 6, 2021, after a hard fought battle during the pandemic. A lifelong resident of Meriden, Bill met the love of his life, Deborah (Bell) Trella as a teenager. He was a graduate of Wilcox Technical High School in Meriden. Bill worked at Joseph T. Ryerson & Son in Wallingford for 28 years before spending the balance of his career as a slitter operator at Atlantic Steele in Waterbury. In addition to his loving wife of 50 years, he is survived by his three sons, Peter E. Trella and wife Susan of Meriden; Brandon J. Trella and wife Wendy of Middletown; Justin W. Trella and his wife...

Simone Chambers Vitkus entered into eternal rest on February 3, 2021 at CT Hospice after a long illness. Born in Smyrna, Maine, November 10, 1937 to Whitney and Opal (Condon) Chambers, Simone raised her family in Wallingford. She is survived by daughter Opal (David) Berardesca, son Craig (Lori) Worcester, and daughter Melissa Horsfall (Dawn Way). She leaves her grandchildren Natalie (Rosie) Berardesca, Christopher Horsfall, Jessica Lary, Joji Fillmore, Alani (Amanda) Schaperow, and Kerry Schaperow, 10 great-grandchildren, her brother Terry Chambers, and many nieces and nephews. Simone was predeceased by her beloved sons, Gordon and Mark, and her sister, Jeanette. She was a parishioner of...

Martha Oquendo-Pabon, 58, passed away on January 29, 2021 at MidState Medical Center. She was the beloved wife of Miguel Pabon. Martha was born in Meriden on March 13, 1962, daughter of Marina (Serrano) Oquendo and the late Valentin Oquendo. Along with her husband Miguel, she is survived by her children Jonathan Pabon, and Carol Pabon; siblings Maria Oquendo and Jose Oquendo; granddaughter Isabella Pabon; and nephew Noah Oquendo. She is also survived by many cousins and extended family members. Martha was a devoted wife and a loving mother, grandmother, sister and daughter. She was a lifetime warrior, courageously battling respiratory disease for over 18 years. Relatives and friends...

Lilija Regina Strazinskis, 83, of Meriden, passed away on January 13, 2021 at Midstate Medical Center, Meriden. She was born in Riga, Latvia on November 30, 1937, a daughter of the late Konstantin Strazinskis and Elizabeth Strazinskis Johnson. She is survived by her sister Silvija Colavito of Middletown, and step-brother Sven Johnson and his wife Neysa of Jewett City. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her step-father V. Christian Johnson and brother-in-law Anthony Colavito. After graduating from Meriden High School, Lilija went on to work for Meriden Trust Company for over 40 years until her retirement. She was a long time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Meriden. She was also...

Virginia Vera Hastings joined the Holy Spirit on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at home with her family by her side. Virginia was born on May 5, 1924 in Avella, PA. The daughter of the late Onofrei and Olga Marunuk Samtzevich, she was raised in Gilman, CT, whilst enjoying the rural life. Virginia graduated from the Norwich Free Academy, then moved to Hartford and into a position in Engineering at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford. There she met the love of her life, William Hastings, whom she married in 1956. Returning from additional work in aerospace in California, Ginny and Bill settled in Meriden and raised a family. She later found a career with the State of Connecticut...

Elena Gonzalez Alonso, 96, loving wife of the late Luis Alonso, passed away on December 14, 2020 at her home in Meriden. Born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba on August 18, 1924, a daughter of the late Bartolome and Dominga Carid Gonzalez, she is survived by her daughter Maria Sullivan and her husband Paul, son Angel Alonso and his partner Ruben Garcia, grandchildren; Robert, Alexander, and David Martinez, and great-grandchildren; Brianna, Eli, Norah, Gabriella, and Benjamin Martinez. Elena's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Sandra Martinez and Eureka Dominguez for the special care they showed Elena before her passing. A graveside service will be held on Friday,...

Robert L. Wells, Sr., a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels, entered in to the Dear Lord's loving grace on Sunday, November 22, 2020, his 45th Wedding Anniversary, at home in the presence of his devoted family. Robert was born in Meriden, the son of the late Phyllis Mary Fox and Henry Wallace Wells, Sr. He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Andrews, and his brother, Henry Jr. He is survived by his dedicated and loving family, wife Sandy, their daughter Mary Elizabeth Nelson (Ryan), and their son Robert Jr. "Bobby;" as well as 2 grandchildren, Tyler Carballo and Emily Nelson. Robert is also survived by his 2 sisters, Doreen Ryan and Sandi Wells, his one and only brother-in-law,...

Adeline Barbara Ozycz, 101, of Meriden, a daughter of the late Stanislaus and Anna (Labut) Gura, and sister of the late Joseph Gora, John Gura, and Lydia Tupay, passed away on November 20, 2020 at The Bradley Home. She was the wife of the late Victor Ozycz; and the mother of Paul M. Ozyck and Joanne C. Santos. Two of her children, Thaddeus P. Ozyck and Anna Mae Salvatore, predeceased her. Grandmother of Jeanna Ozyck, Sarah Ozyck (Micheal Rau), Amelia Ozyck, Carter Thadeaus (Laura Viscomi) Ozyck; Michele Salvatore, Anne (Jason) Epstein, Christopher (Rosemary) Ozyck, Stephen (Andrea) Ozyck, and Victoria (Robert) Gribko; and great-grandmother of Zachary Thomas and Linsay Taylor Ozyck, Rosemary...

Pastor Doris Ann Robinson-Rivers, 66, unexpectedly passed away and gained her eternal wings on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at MidState Medical Center. Pastor Rivers was born on October 1, 1954 in Hartsville, SC, to the late Mr. Elijah and Mrs. Louisa Bacote Robinson, Sr. She graduated in 1972 from Butler High School in Hartsville, SC. She relocated to Meriden to pursue her career, where she resided for the majority of her life. Pastor Rivers was united in Holy matrimony to her loving husband, the late Stephen R. Rivers, Sr. The love they shared was unconditional. The Lord blessed her with three wonderful sons; Stephen R. Rivers, who preceded her in death, Elijah A. Rivers, and Jonathan...

Stephen A. Filo, 65, passed away on November 8, 2020. He was born in Meriden on June 10, 1955, son of the late Louis and Helen (Basa) Filo. Stephen spent many years as a taxi driver but most recently worked as a security guard at Honeywell in Northford. He was a member of the American Legion Post 45 in Meriden. Stephen is survived by his sister Carol Lamb and her husband Donald of Meriden; and nephews Bob and Michael Lamb. Relatives and friends are invited to a graveside committal service for Stephen on Friday, November 13 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meriden. Masks and social distancing measures will be observed. Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home is in care of the...

Betty Wieland, 98, lifelong resident of Meriden, passed away on October 31, 2020 at MidState Medical Center. She was born in Meriden on April 2, 1922 to the late George and Mary Barbour Chance. For 15 years, Betty worked for the Meriden Board of Education as a clerk before her retirement in 1979. She had been an active member of Rachel Rebecca Lodge #2 Oddfellows, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, AARP #4644, the Meriden Senior Center, Meriden Historical Society, and Friends of the Meriden Library. She was quite well known for her beautiful handwork and won many awards for her crochet work, needlepoint, knitting, and weaving. Betty leaves to remember and cherish her memory...

Robert Conrad Langner, Sr., age 95, of Wallingford, formerly of Hamden, passed away at Masonicare in Wallingford on September 2, 2020. Born in Ansonia on May 25, 1925, he was the son of the late Conrad and Mary Smallman Langner. A devoted family man, Robert is survived by his 5 children; Robert C. Langner, Jr., (Gail) of Guntown, MS, Thomas Langner (Maria) of Parrish, FL, Kathryn Langner of Wallingford, Curtis Langner (Sally) of Wallingford, and Marsha Langner (Dennis Scianalepore) of Wallingford, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his wife, Ann Walker Langner, his son, Lawrence Langner, his younger brother Carl Langner (Jean), and one...

Lucille Riddle Ray, of Meriden, unexpectedly fell asleep in death at MidState Medical Center on Saturday, August 15, 2020. She was 86 years young. It's with heavy hearts that we say "rest for now" to our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, spiritual sister and friend. In her early years Lucille was a nurse's aide at Westfield Manor Nursing Home and a former Residential Counselor for the Rushford Center Safe Home. On February 22, 1986 she symbolized her dedication by being baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. As a member of the Meriden North Congregation, she served as a pioneer for 8 1/2 years. During the quarantine she continued to reach out via letter writing and phone...

Richard Sulima, 61, of Meriden, went home to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ on Friday, August 7, 2020 at Midstate Medical Center, Meriden. He was born in Hartford on November 18, 1958, a son of the late Edward and Marian Roberts Sulima. He is survived by his siblings; Ralph and Edward Sulima and Cheryl Mainhood. He is also survived by his nieces Marion, Ashley, Alyssa, Sarah, and Willow. He will be missed by all who knew him and will be remembered by his caring spirit and great sense of humor. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 12 at 11 a.m. in Walnut Grove Cemetery, 817 Old Colony Rd., Meriden. For on-line condolences, please see Richard's obituary...

Carmel Pulaski, 77, of Meriden, passed away on August 5, 2020 at Midstate Medical Center. She was born in New Haven, CT, on February 9, 1943, a daughter of the late Caspar and Raffaella Giudice Cacioppo. Carmel is survived by her children Lori and Eric Pulaski and his wife Emily, both of Meriden, and grandchildren Timothy Dargan, Eric Pulaski, Jr., and Peyton Pulaski, all whom she loved spending time with. Services are being privately held at the convenience of her family. For online condolences, please see Carmel's obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.

Jorge A. Sanchez, 86, of Meriden, passed away on August 5, 2020 at Miller Memorial Community. Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on May 3, 1934, a son of the late Manuel Acevedo and Adela Sanchez; he is survived by his son Jorge Acevedo and his wife Elizabeth of Meriden, daughter Wanda Lopez and her husband Eliud of Meriden, grandchildren Elizabeth and Naomi Acevedo, Jorge Acevedo, Jr. and his wife Carmen, Stephanie Cardona and her husband David Sanchez, and Ivelisse Cardona, and 19 great-grandchildren. Jorge honorably served in the U.S. Army. Friends are invited to visit with Jorge's family on Saturday, August 8, from 12-1 p.m., in Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave.,...

Elizabeth D. DuBois, 97, a life-long Meriden resident and loving wife of 60 precious years to the late Leon DuBois, passed away on July 22, 2020 at Coccomo Healthcare, Meriden. She was born in Hastings on the Hudson, NY, on July 23, 1922, a daughter of the late Lynn and Sadie (Peck) Webber. She graduated from Meriden High School in 1940, and then went on to graduate from one of the first Nurse's Aide classes under the direction of Mrs. H. Freeman Pennington at Meriden Hospital in 1942. She then went on to work for Harry Israel's Inc. in Meriden for 34 years until her retirement. In her free time she was an active member of the Meriden Humane Society where she was instrumental, along with the...

Matthew Thomas Bonk, Sr., 62, of Meriden, passed away at home on June 22, 2020. He was born in New Britain on April 21, 1958 a son of the late Stanley and Mary (Lee) Bonk. Matthew is survived by his wife Kimberly (LaComb) Bonk, his daughters Danielle and Laura Bonk of Meriden, his son Matthew Bonk, Jr., of Southington, his eight grandchildren, and brothers; Stanley and Thomas Bonk. He was predeceased by his brother Patrick Bonk. Services are being privately held under the direction of Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, Meriden. www.beecherandbennet.com

Virginia Grace Sireno, 77, of Meriden, passed away at home on Wednesday June 17, 2020. Born in Meriden on October 18, 1942 a daughter of the late Robert and Elizabeth Beckwith, she is survived by her children; Donna DeStefano and Peter Sireno, siblings; Joyce King and Robert Beckwith, his wife Joan, and grandsons; Derek and Kevin DeStefano. Private services are being held under the direction of Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, Meriden. www.beecherandbennett.com