Joan Cerniglia

Mystic — Joan Marie (Gorges) Cerniglia, 75, of Mystic passed away unexpectedly May 16, 2022, with her sons, Richard and Jason at her side.

Joan was born March 30, 1947, in Yonkers, N.Y., daughter of the late Marie Veronica (Brennan) Gorges and George Michael Gorges. She grew up in Cold Spring, N.Y., later worked as a nurse at Vassar Brothers Hospital, where she met her loving husband of 54 years, Dr. Richard P. “Dick” Cerniglia. Dick and Joan resided in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Hyde Park, N.Y., before moving to Mystic in 1980.

Joan was active in the community as a member of the Mystic Junior Women’s Club, the Stonington Country Club, and as the chairperson for several years for the annual Sunshine Kids Fundraiser Golf Tournament sponsored by Berkshire-Hathaway Real Estate, where she was employed as an office manager. Joan could also frequently be found at the local athletic fields cheering for her sons and grandsons and their teammates in a variety of sports. Joan was an active traveler, but also enjoyed spending time in her garden at home.

In addition to her husband, Dick, Joan is survived by her sister Marianne Darcy, formerly of West Palm Beach, Fla., and lately of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; her brother Charles Gorges of Cold Spring (Garrison), N.Y.; her sons, Richard Cerniglia of Gales Ferry, and Jason Cerniglia of Mystic,; their wives, Eileen (Higgins) Cerniglia and Jennifer Horrigan-Cerniglia; her two grandsons, Conner and Ryan Cerniglia; numerous nieces and nephews, and more dear friends than can be counted.

Her family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m. Monday, May 23, at St. Patrick Church, 32 East Main Street in Mystic. Her burial will be held privately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations on Joan’s behalf to the following charities: Parkinson’s foundation, www.parkinson.org, or The Autism Project, www. autismproject.org, or the charity of your choice.