Gildea, Beverly Jean "Bev" (Caruso)
Beverly Jean “Bev” Gildea, 76, of Suffield, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at Hartford Hospital. Born in New York City, NY on October 23, 1944, daughter of the late Charles Joseph and Adele Yolanda (DelDebbio) Caruso, she was raised in New York City and moved with her family to Wallingford, CT as a young girl. Bev graduated from Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford with the Class of 1962 and was voted Ms. Wallingford in 1963. She later continued her education at the University of Hartford where she earned an Associates Degree in Accounting. Bev worked for several private companies in the accounting department and for the last 14 years she had worked at Carmon Funeral Home in Windsor. A born dancer, Bev loved to have a good time and could always be counted on to plan a party or a social gathering. She owned two dance studios as a young woman and also was the singer in a band for many years. Bev loved to shop and was “dressed to the nines” everywhere she went. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling and visiting friends, taking trips to the casino, and caring for her dogs who she affectionately referred to as her “fur babies.” She was a member of the Moose Lodge in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, she bowled in a league for many years, and played setback with her friends on Wednesday nights. A devout Catholic throughout her life, Bev was a parishioner of St. Raymond of Penafort Parish - St. Adalbert Church in Enfield where she enjoyed attending weekly Masses. A very giving and generous person, Bev loved to help others and for years volunteered at many local community events with her co-workers at Carmon Funeral Home. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, Bev loved to help others in need and coordinated donating food and gifts to local charities. She leaves five nephews; two nieces; her close friends, Cindy Martinez of Enfield, Rose Daigle of Stafford Springs, and Jane Merrill of Suffield; her beloved dog, Bailey; and her many coworkers and friends at Carmon Funeral Home. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by brother, Anthony Caruso; a sister, Lucille Benigni; and her beloved fur buddy of many years, Jasper. Family and friends may gather on Tuesday, March 9, 9-10:30 a.m., at the Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St., Suffield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m., at St. Raymond of Penafort Parish – St. Adalbert Church, Enfield. Burial will be private in St. Edward Cemetery, Stafford. Memorial donations in memory of Bev may be made to the Enfield Food Shelf, P.O. Box 699, Enfield, CT 06083. For online condolences please visit, www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
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Stephen A. Kerelejza, 76, of the Plantsville section of Southington passed away on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the Midstate Medical Center. He was the loving husband of Barbara (D’Agostino) Kerelejza.
He was born February 8, 1945 in New Britain and was the son of the late Stephen and Catherine (Kotyk) Kerelejza. Steve served in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed on several submarines. He was employed by ATT Wireless for many years until his retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, play golf and ride his motorcycle. He was a member of the New Britain Elks Club, Bristol Fish & Game, I.P.I.C of Berlin and The Timberland Country Club.
In addition to his wife he leaves his children, Jacqueline Dingle and husband John, Stephen Kerelejza, Chad Boudreau and Ryan Boudreau; a sister Mary Ann Dolling and husband Ulf; nine grandchildren who he adored, Alia, Josalin, Justin, Grace, John, Trent, Luke, McKenzie and Chase and a great-grandchild Aspen, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 27th at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Cemetery. Burial with military honors will follow. The DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington has been entrusted with the arrangements. For online condolences and directions please visit, www.dellavecchiasouthington.com
Nancy Rolick Powell, MD died peacefully at home on Tuesday February 23 at the age of 89. She was a longtime Wethersfield resident and worked for more than 30 years caring for the veterans of the State of CT at the Rocky Hill Veterans Home & Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband Orlo (Bill) Powell, her parents John and Esther Rolick, her brothers Micheal and Alex, and her sister Nina.
She is survived by her 3 children Allen, John (Laura), and Mary (Tom), 8 grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Nancy was the daughter of immigrants from Galicia and was raised in Rocky Hill close to the Rocky Hill Ferry. She grew up with a passion for learning and loved nature, plants, and gardening. She graduated valedictorian of Wethersfield High School in 1950, attended Hartford Hospital School of Nursing to earn her RN degree, then worked as a nurse to help fund her BS degree from UCONN. She went on to attend medical school at Yale, where she met her husband Bill, and graduated from Yale with her MD in 1960. She was board-certified in Anesthesia but negotiated a career with a heart, faithfully serving the veterans in the State of CT. She flawlessly balanced medical practice and family life, raising three children, and was always present for sporting and club activities for her kids. Nancy was an advocate for higher education and was an inspiration to her three children who followed in her footsteps to the field of medicine.
Her early love of the outdoors extended through her adulthood. Nancy loved a lively backyard picnic, a chat with her neighbors at the stonewall, or enjoying the blooms in her gardens. Nancy enjoyed sight-seeing during her travels but was especially fond of the CT shoreline and Harkness State Park.
The family would like to express thanks to her recent caregivers Pam, Patience, Jill, and Esme from Visiting Angels, and especially to her longtime neighbors and friends Tim and Franca. Burial will be private. A picnic and celebration of Nancy's life will be held later this year. Memorial donations may be made to Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park, Inc. PO Box 10 Waterford, CT 06385, garden and greenhouse renovation fund, or at harkness.org