TV host shares thoughts on sons’ deaths
BRANFORD — Robert and Anthony Dudchik were blossoming ahead of their tragic deaths last week, their father said Saturday, overcoming strife early in their lives to find their passions.
Anthony was a skilled photographer, finishing up his freshman year in college, Tom Dudchik said in an interview. Robert had “found his calling” as a flight attendant at Tweed New Haven Airport, taking on the responsibility to care for people and secure their rescue if required.
They, along with Megan Nicole Povilaitis, 17, of East Haven, were found dead after a crash off Hosley Avenue on Thursday morning, according to Branford police.
Povilaitis’ mother, Teresa Gagliardi, described her daughter as someone who made an impact on many people’s lives. She said her daughter enjoyed playing tennis, had a style all her own and was studying to be a tattoo artist, Gagliardi said Saturday.
“Megan loved life and lived it her way,” Gagliardi said. “She was so strong. I envy her for that. She sacrificed a lot of her childhood to aid me in raising her niece, who she loved so much and would do anything for.”
Tom Dudchik said he and his wife were unable to have children on their own. In 2007, the couple adopted Robert, then 7, and Anthony, then 4, from the state Department of Children and Families. In their mid 40s, they looked around, seeing peers and their children experience through the milestones of life, and sought to create a family of their own, he said.
Robert and Anthony had been together in a safe home for about six months prior, Dudchik said. Robert was there for Anthony, his younger brother, through that time, as he was throughout life. Upon meeting them, their soon-to-be parents quickly “knew they would be special young men.”
“Everyone whose lives they touched loved my boys,” said Dudchik, a former state lawmaker, the host of WTNH News 8’s “Capitol Report” and a wellknown news aggregation site with the same name.
As a young student, Robert was the type to help a classmate up after they fell, offering kindness in a moment of pain, his father said. After becoming a flight attendant, he was “deeply proud” of his training.
Robert traveled to Florida to learn how to bail out of a plane if required, Dudchik said. Through that challenging experience, he automatically had his co-workers’ backs. He was the kind of person to call if you needed something done, Dudchik said, or if you wanted to get in touch with “a wonderful human being.”
Anthony overcame difficulty to make it through his first year at school, his father said. Dudchik said he and his brother improved their lives and were blessings.
“My sons made us better people,” said Dudchik.
Dudchik said he and his wife were leaning on their extended support networks in this time of grief — his wife has a large family.
He urged people to consider adoption. There are children across the state, some quite young, some on the cusp of adulthood, in need of a a family to offer love and support, he said — all young people deserve such a foundation in life, and the chance to “bestow their gifts” on this world.
“Every child should have a forever home. Every child should be loved,” Dudchik said. “If this tragedy in some small way ... (compels a person to adopt), then their lives wouldn’t be gone for nothing. That’s what I’d like people to know about their lives — they’re good boys.”
Branford police said the crash was discovered around 6:35 a.m. Thursday.
Police said the preliminary investigation indicates that Povilaitis was driving and “failed to negotiate a curve in the road while traveling at an excessive speed.” Area residents told NBC Connecticut the road has a number of potholes and motorists often drive quickly nearby.
The police department is encouraging anyone who may need counseling services to reach out to their police social worker, Danielle Suraci, at 203-481-4241.
The Branford Police Department and the South Central Regional Traffic Squad are investigating the crash. Anyone with information related to this incident can contact Sgt. Christopher Romanello at 203-4814241.
“We recognize the impact a loss of this magnitude will have on families, friends and our community now and in the future,” the police department said in a statement Thursday. “Members of the Branford police and fire departments and the First Selectman’s Office extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those involved.”
A number of officials have offered their support in the wake of Anthony and Robert’s deaths, including Gov. Ned Lamont and U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal.
“Our hearts go out to the Dudchik & Povilaitis families,” Blumenthal said in a tweet. “There are no words — we’re all with you.”