Victor Bartolucci
Waterford — Victor “Duke” Bartolucci, 86, longtime resident of Waterford, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, in Huntington Beach, Calif. Born Oct. 3, 1935, Mr. Bartolucci is predeceased by his parents, Viola Bonanno and Guido Bartolucci.
Duke grew up in the “Fort” Trumbull, New London, a very special place that helped shape the man that he became. He graduated from Chapman Technical High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953, proudly serving his country. Upon returning from the service, he met the love of his life, Arlene H. Sizer. They were married May 7, 1960.
His memory will live on with his three children, Joseph Bartolucci and his wife Tammy of Quaker Hill, David Bartolucci and his wife Karen of Kennesaw,
Ga., and Vicki Malone and her husband Keith of Huntington Beach, Calif. He was also the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, whom he loved spending time with. He was the best “Nunu” any grandchild could have. Duke has four loving siblings: Paula Jessuck of Waterford, Susan Richardson of Niantic, and predeceased by Linda Boushell, and Thomas Bonnano.
He was an amazing dad, husband, coach and friend. He worked long hours as a ship supervisor at Electric Boat for over 30 years, but his passion was coaching. He coached pee wee football, little league baseball, and led the Waterford little league girls’ softball team to the world series in Kalamazoo, Mich. He always put his heart and soul into his players and helped every kid achieve his best on the field. He also loved the town of Waterford, which was his family’s home for half a century even serving on the RTM for six years. A lifelong Yankee fan, some of his fondest memories were watching his team in The Bronx.
Later in life, he would split his time between Connecticut, and Florida, where he once again made dear friends and companions whom he cared for deeply. Everyone who met Duke knew he was special. We will miss him dearly, but we will never forget him.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Paul Church, 170 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at the Thomas l. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. To leave the family an online condolence, please visit www. neilanfuneralhome.com. In leu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to The Cactus Jack Foundation, P.O. Box 145, Waterford, CT 06385.