John Nunzio Durso
John Nunzio Durso, 97, a 62-year resident of North Stamford, CT passed away peacefully on January 13th, 2023 with his family at his side.
John was born on March 25th, 1925 at the home of his parents, John and Theodora Durso, in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He also did graduate work at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. John was enrolled in the Navy program while at Columbia and served in the US Navy as an Ensign aboard a Yard Mine Sweeper, the YMS-116, in 1945-1946. After the war, he attained the rank of Lt. Junior Grade with the US Navy Reserve, where he served for 17 years.
John had a successful and distinguished career as an Electrical Engineer, specializing in power distribution and backup systems. His last position was Senior Associate for Rose, Beaton and Rose, an Architect and Engineering firm based in New York, and was head of their Electrical Engineering department before retiring in 1980.
John had many interests. He rowed crew while at Columbia, and enjoyed bowling and golf. He was also a founding and charter member of the Stamford Senior Men’s Club. His years in the Navy sparked a love of the sea as he enjoyed sailing on Long Island Sound and clamming off the bays on the south shore of Long Island.
John was actively involved in many volunteer activities. He repaired wheelchairs at Smith House and at Stamford Hospital and helped run Blood Drives for the Red Cross. He was a docent aboard the SoundWaters research vessel and later at the Norwalk Aquarium, logging over 7500 volunteer hours. He received numerous commendations and was featured in many TV and newspaper articles for his work at the Aquarium. Both children and their appreciative parents marveled at his depth of knowledge of the marine life of the Long Island Sound.
John is survived by his wife of 73 years, Antonina. He is also survived by his five children Dr. Carol Sarokhan and her husband Dr. Alan Sarokhan; John Durso and his wife Gail Schmidt Durso; Robert Durso and his wife Patricia Coleman; Dr. Janet Durso and her husband Ray Schnittker; and Thomas Durso and his wife Dr. Patricia Keefe Durso. John also was extremely proud of and took enormous joy in his 11 grandchildren Lisa Dietrick, Leslie Durso, John Durso, Julie Durso, Joseph Sarokhan, Emily Sarokhan Truss, Dr. Alison Sarokhan Lavery, Sarah Durso, Evan Durso, Madeline Durso and Isabelle Durso; and seven great-grandchildren Johnny Durso, Hank Durso, Amy Durso, Mitch Durso, Hudson Truss, Logan Truss and Tyler Lavery.
John was predeceased by his beloved sister Rosalina Termini and her husband Dr. Joseph Termini.
Calling hours for John will be held at Lacerenza Funeral Home in Stamford, CT on Tuesday, January 17th between 4:00PM and 8:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 18th at 10:30AM at the Church of the Holy Spirit located at Scofieldtown Road in Stamford, CT. Burial will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery.
To leave an online condolence, please visit www. lacerenzafh.com