Newington Memorial Funeral Home

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Virginia Bilodeau, 92, of Newington, CT, who left us peacefully on March 8, 2025. Virginia Bilodeau was born on May 10, 1932 in Kingman, Me. She graduated with distinct honors, received numerous awards, and was employed by the State of Connecticut for years before retiring. Known for her kindness and dedication, Virginia was a loving Mother and Grandparent who cherished time with her family. After retiring, she was particularly devoted to supporting her grandchildren, especially in their education. She always put the needs of those around her before her own, be they friends or family. Virginia was the one person that everyone turned to for...

Sister Mary Esther (Teresa Nowel), 86, a member of the Daughters of Mary of the Immaculate Conception, died February 26, at Monsignor Bojnowski Manor in New Britain. Born in Lomza, Poland, Sister was the daughter of the late Marcin and Apolonia (Warakomski) Nowel. She was also predeceased by her brother, Waciaw Nowel. Sister Esther entered the Daughters of Mary on March 15, 1968 and professed perpetual vows on August 15, 1970. She led a life of faithful service to God and commitment to the Community for 56 years. A graduate of Central Connecticut State College, she spent most of her religious life in the ministry of caring for young children both at Our Lady of Rose Hill Day Care Center...

Sharon L. (McNary) Imbert, 61, of Newington, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025. She was the beloved wife of James T. Imbert for 37 years. Born in Hartford, daughter of Ann (Sudal) McNary of AL and the late John Thomas McNary. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, February 26th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Her funeral service will begin on Thursday, February 27th at 9:00 a.m. at Newington Memorial, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit. She will be laid to rest in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. In lieu of flowers donations can be made...

John A. Russo, Jr., 91, of Old Lyme, formerly of Newington, passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Janssen) Russo. Born and raised in Bronx, New York, son of the late John A. Russo, Sr. and Alva (Hodges) Russo. John met Barbara in Tucson, AZ and then they moved to CT where they raised their family in Newington. John honorably served the country in the U.S. Army. John received a BS degree in Meteorology from City College NY and a Masters in Meteorology from University of AZ and an MBA degree in Business from UConn. He began his working career as a Meteorologist, statistician and researcher for The Travelers Research Center Inc....

Betty (Kohnle) Sheehan, 68, of Newington passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025. Born in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Kenneth and Shirley Kohnle she moved to Glastonbury in 1972. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University and went on to be a commercial underwriter for Travelers for over 20 years. Betty was a board member of the Old Wethersfield Historical Society and ran a grief share program for widowers. Betty was a cat lover, she would annually donate to many different charities to help stray cats. She was a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and loved to do many different craft projects. Betty leaves behind her significant other, Dennis Dudley, her brother Kenneth Kohnle,...

Zofia (Stoj) Rozanski, 80, of Southington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Florida, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Born in Poland, daughter of the late Jozef and Anna (Ryczek) Stoj, she came to the U.S. in 1973 and resided in New Britain, where she was the parishioner of Holy Cross Church. Zofia retired from Corbin Russwin after 27 years to embrace a more rewarding role?caring for her grandchildren. Along with her husband, she leaves her son, Peter and daughter-in-law Michelle of Winter Springs, FL, her daughter Margaret Wirtes and son-in-law Eli of Southington, and her four cherished grandchildren, Alexandra Rozanski of Massachusetts, Nicole Rozanski...

Richard "Dick" Dembishack, 81, of Prospect, formerly of New Britain, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 18, 2025, with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Christine (Pacyna) Dembishack for 54 years. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 23rd, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Burritt Hill, 332 Burritt St., New Britain, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. at Holy Cross Church, New Britain. He will be laid to rest following the mass in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. To view the full obituary, please...

Renata, 58, passed away unexpectedly on January 13, 2025. A beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was a cherished presence in the lives of all who knew her. Renata was known for her vibrant personality and boundless passion for life. She had a rare gift for bringing people together, effortlessly lighting up any room with her infectious energy, laughter, and spirit. Her enthusiasm and warmth made her the life of the party, and her presence was a constant source of comfort, joy, and love to everyone around her. Renata's love for life was reflected in everything she did. From her deep commitment to family and friends, to her zest for new experiences. She touched the hearts of...

Hania(Anna)Gawlik- Wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend, has met Jesus and has joined her husband Jozef Gawlik in heaven. Her soul is at rest and she is no longer in pain. Predeceased by her sisters, brother, mother, father and many other family members and friends; they were all there to greet her. We love you and will miss you, and our hearts will be lonely without you, but we know we will see you again. Relatives and friends are invited toa Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, January 14th at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 158 Broad St., New Britain. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 662 Burritt St., New Britain. To share a memory please visit us at...

Ann (Muller) Gacek, 92, of New Britain passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024. She was the daughter to Jacob and Minnie Muller. Ann grew up on Old Kelsey Point in Westbrook, CT. After graduating from Morgan School class of 1950, she began working for the insurance industry, then having the toughest job of them all as a stay-at-home mother raising the four "Gacek Boys". Later, she worked and retired from Stanley Works. Ann was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church and its' Ladies Guild. Ann was an avid hardcover book reader, loved traveling anywhere there was a beach and seafood was on the menu, enjoyed watching UConn Basketball and her Boston Red Sox. Ann was...

Duane passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, in Newington Connecticut. Duane was born in Petoskey, Michigan, on May 6, 1937. "The day the Hindenburg blew up" he would always say. He was born to Stuart and Evelyn (Fletcher) Swenor. Duane was raised in Petoskey and graduated from Petoskey High School. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he was a courier from 1957 to 1960. His job was to hand deliver classified and confidential documents between Washington, D.C. and the Pentagon. He also served a tour in Guam. Upon his return to Petoskey, he met Juanita Glaze and they were married in 1962. Duane and Juanita made their home in Petoskey where they...

Cecilia A. Brzozowa Obituary Cecilia A. (Ceil) Brzozowa, 92, passed away on Friday, December 20, 2024 after a short illness. Born in New Britain, daughter of the late Alexander W. and Caroline Bajek Brzozowy, she was a lifelong resident and a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church. Besides her parents, Ceil was predeceased by her sister Irene in 2005, her brother Alexander in 2014 and her nephew David in 2024. She was employed by the State of Connecticut, in the Health Department, for many years in the Licensing Division, and retired from the WIC Compliance and Enforcement Division at age 55. Ceil enjoyed every day of her long, full, and productive retirement. Aunt Ceil is survived by...

It is with heavy hearts and deep love that we announce the peaceful passing of Sabina Bojarska, of New Britain, on Friday, December 20th, aged 80, while surrounded by family at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. She will be remembered for her kindness, love, and generosity; Sabina brought immense joy into the lives of everyone she touched . Her passions in life included gardening, singing, being a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, and raising her six children. Born on February 28th 1944 in Szla, Poland, she was the daughter of Janina (Dabrowska) Sokolowska and Wincenty Sokolowski. The youngest of six children, Sabina participated in her family's agricultural business. Later, she...

Stanislawa Szylobryt, 91 of New Britain, beloved wife of the late Zygmunt Szylobryt, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Hospital of Central CT in New Britain. Born in Poland, daughter of the late Bronislaw and Apolonia Krejer, she came to the US in 1964 and was a member of Sacred Heart Church and Sacred Heart Church Ladies Guild. She loved to sew. Also, she loved to spend her time gardening and baking. She will be missed by many. A loving mother, sister and aunt, she is survived by her daughter Monika, brother Janek and many nephews and nieces in the US and Poland. She was predeceased by her husband Zygmunt, daughter Barbara and brother Jozef. Relatives and friends are...

Leokadia Bucholska, 89 of New Britain, beloved wife of the late Eugeniusz Bucholski, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024 at the Hospital of Central CT. Born in Brzozowy Kat, Poland, daughters of the late Franciszek and Stefania (Polomka) Cichy, she came to the US on February 2, 1972 and was a member of Sacred Heart Church. Leokadia loved flowers and spending her time gardening. She loved to be in the comfort of her home and to take care of her grandchildren. Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and sister, she is survived by her daughters: Barbara and Henryk Gadomski, Grace Kruszniewski and Dorothy and Janusz Waszczuk; her grandchildren: Christopher...

Jan Laczewski, 84 of Tolland, beloved husband of Cecylia (Swieszkowski) Laczewski passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at home. Born in Ilowo, Poland, son of the late Jan and Kunegunda (Orzechowska) Laczewski, Jan came from Poland in 1964 and was a member of Sacred Heart Church in New Britain. Beloved husband, father and grandfather he is survived by his wife Cecylia; his son, John Mark and Sarah Laczewski; his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Emily and Charlotte Laczewski; and his brother-in-law, Edmund Gorski. He was predeceased by his son George Laczewski; his sisters: Irena and Edmund Kaminski, Barbara and Benedykt Krajewski and Anna Gorska; and his grandson, George Quentin...

Michael Paul Cass, age 68 of Berlin, CT and Dennisport, MA, entered into eternal rest on November 25, 2024, with the valiant, enduring, fighting warrior spirit for which he was known. He passed from this earth cradled in the loving arms of his devoted wife and caregiver Rebecca "Becky" and his adoring children Sean and Briana at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Michael, was born on February 29, 1956 to William and Marjorie Cass. He attended St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, and ultimately transferred to Kenmore West High School in Buffalo, NY, where he became a NY Regent Scholar. He developed a lifelong passion for space and the aeronautical industry and planned to pursue...

Marilyn Eve Weksner, 67, of New Britain, passed away unexpectedly on November 18, 2024. She was born on March 29, 1957 to Eileen (Beloin) Weksner and the late Chester Weksner. A lifelong New Britain resident, Marilyn graduated from Pulaski High School, Class of 1975. She was a faithful communicant of St. Jerome Church, New Britain where she was a choir member for over 40 years, up until 2019. Marilyn happily worked at Allstate Insurance, as a secretary at the Farmington branch for her entire career. Marilyn's ambition was to travel and vacation in all 50 states. She loved visiting Ireland and exploring destinations on numerous cruises. Marilyn was generous to many charities. She had a...

Arlene M. (Fregoe) Hurley, 88, of Newington, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. She was the beloved wife of John "Jack" Hurley for 68 years. Arlene was born and raised in Louisville, NY, daughter of the late Harvey and Helena (Fregoe) Sauve. Arlene graduated from Massena Central High School in 1953. She and Jack were married on July 14, 1956 at Sacred Heart Church in Massena, NY, and then settled in Newington to raise their family. She was a kind, caring person, a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. In her earlier years, Arlene was employed with Hartford National Bank. When she had her children, she decided to dedicate herself as a homemaker. She was a parishioner...

Katarzyna Orzel, 89, of New Britain passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024. She was beloved wife of the late Ignacy Orzel. Born in Poland, daughter of the late Stanislaw and Stefania (Keder) Dudek, she was a devoted parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in New Britain. She is survived by her children: Mary Rybka, Anna Waluk (Kazimierz), Elizabeth Grala (Stanley), John Orze? (Kristen), Kathy Muller (Michael), her grandchildren, her great grandchildren and many family members and cousins in the US and Poland. She was predeceased by her son Stanley Orze? and granddaughter Nicole Rybka. Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Wednesday, November 13 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Duksa...

Joseph Julius Luzietti, 82 of Plainville, beloved husband of Vera (Tschaplinsky) Luzietti, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2024. Relatives and friends are invited to come on Monday, November 18, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Burritt Hill, 332 Burritt St., New Britain, followed by burial with military honors at 12:00 p.m. at the CT State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Ln, Middletown, CT 06457. To share a memory with his family, please visit us at www.duksa.net.