Obituary of Raymond Legenza

NAUGATUCK- Mr. Raymond A. Legenza, 80, of Hamden Hills Dr., Hamden and a former longtime Naugatuck resident, died early Sunday morning Sept. 23, 2007 at his home. He was the husband of the late Ruth (Kopp) Legenza for over 44 years until her death in 2001. Mr. Legenza was born in Enfield Nov. 30, 1926, a son of the late John and Amelia (Waraska) Legenza and was a graduate of the University of Conn. in 1950 with his major in Physical Education and a minor in Mathematics. He received his Masters Degree from Springfield College, and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Coach Legenza spent over 40 years at Naugatuck High School, beginning in 1953 where he coached Baseball and Football and served as Athletic Director. In 1975 he was named an Assistant Principal, serving in that position until his retirement in 1993. He had lived in Naugatuck for over 45 years, moving to West Falmouth, MA following his retirement. In 2001 he moved to Hamden. While a Naugatuck resident, he was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church and prior to his retirement, he was active with the Conn. Umpires and Referees Assoc. and a former member of American Legion Post 17, Naugatuck. He leaves one son, Raymond A. Legenza, Jr. of Boston, MA; three daughters, Sharon Legenza of Oakland, CA., Laurie Somers, of Leawood, KS, and Jan Oestreicher of North Haven; one sister, Statia Zawada of Enfield and 4 grandchildren. His funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. Friends are asked to meet directly at church prior to the mass. Burial will be in Grove Cemetery, Naugatuck. There are no calling hours. The Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Raymond A. Legenza, Sr. Scholarship Fund, c/o Naugatuck High School Alumni Assoc., Inc., P.O. Box 474, Naugatuck, 06770-0474.