Obituary of Anthony Pesanelli

PROSPECT " Anthony T. Pesanelli, 68, of 15 Old Schoolhouse Road, peacefully passed away at his home on Thursday, October 15, 2009. He suffered for 5 years with Parkinsonism and Lewy Body Dementia and still maintained his hopeful and optimistic outlook. Anthony was born in Waterbury, CT on March 31, 1941. He was the cherished son of Catherine (Dunn) Pesanelli who died in 2006 and Michael Pesanelli of Naugatuck. He was the loving husband of Barbara (Ward) Pesanelli for 25 years. He was truly devoted to his family and will be missed greatly by his five daughters and 14 grandchildren, Leigh Ann Hodorski and her husband Raymond and children Joshua, Alexia and Drew of Land O'Lakes; Florida; Kelley Coffey and her husband Thomas and children Tyler, Grace and Jackson, of Tampa, Florida; Tracy Theroux and her husband Joseph and children Jordan, Jacob and Kayleigh of Prospect, He was predeceased by his baby grandson Kyle Theroux , Kathleen Lawton and son Jaxson of Mulberry, Florida; Elizabeth Donovan and husband Shawn and children Katelyn and Chelsea of Prospect, Granddaughter Madalyn Lawton of Norwalk;and Granddaughter Julia Lawton of Prospect who made her home with Barbara and Anthony for the last 7 years. He was a resident of Naugatuck for 58 years and after 8 years in sunny Florida he chose to return home to New England. Anthony was a 1958 graduate of Cheshire Academy and attended Central Connecticut University. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army Security Agency with duty in Florida and Turkey. Anthony took his civic duties seriously and in the 1970's he volunteered to serve on the Naugatuck Wetlands Commission, the Zoning Commission and also served for five years as Chairman of the Planning Commission. He was hired as the Town Planner of Naugatuck in 1981 and held that position for 17 years. He was seated on the Board of Education from 1981 to 1987. He was a member of the Economic Development Commission for more than 20 years and was the chairman when he retired. He spent more than 10 years as the President of the Civil Service Employees Union, Chapter 90 actively helping members to maintain a safe and productive workplace. In addition to serving two years on the New England Stormwater Managers Association he was the co-chairman of the New Haven County Soil and Conservation District. When he retired to Florida he chose to work as an associate for Bank of America in West Palm Beach and then worked at the Delray Beach County Court House for 3 years as Security Supervisor. He was involved with the Connecticut Special Olympics, he coached Girl's Softball for many years, and loved to play golf. Anthony would proudly cheer for the UCONN Women's Basketball team, Notre Dame Football and the Red Sox and had attended many NASCAR Races. He had a zest for life and his boundless curiosity led him to places he loved such as Maine, Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach, Bermuda and the place he was most connected to, Ireland, where he will be laid to rest. He was a wonderful, loving, and sensitive person who will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew him. His funeral will be held on Monday Oct. 26th at 10:15 am from the Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 So. Main St. and proceed to St. Anthony's Church, 4 Union City Rd., Prospect for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will in Kilarney, County Kerry, Ireland at a later date. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 to 6 pm If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 1579 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, 06762.