Obituary of Anthony P. Copertino

Anthony Paul Copertino, Jr., age 77, of Milford, most beloved husband of Phyllis Benedetto Copertino, passed away at Milford Hospital on Saturday, August 17, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Bridgeport on November 11, 1935, Anthony was the youngest son of the late Antonio and Caterina Desiderioscioli Copertino of Bridgeport, CT. Tony was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and brother, who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. As a young sportsman, Tony was a member of the Orcutt Boys Club in Bridgeport, played baseball in the National Junior Baseball League and basketball in the St. Ambrose CYO program. A 1953 graduate of Fairfield Prep, Tony received a B.S.S. in 1957 from Fairfield University and his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1960. After law school, Tony entered the Judge Advocates General (JAG) Corps of the U.S. Army where he served as defense counsel for Military Affairs. He received an Army commendation medal for his work preparing and executing wills for the First Infantry Division during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon leaving the JAG Corps, Tony engaged in the practice of law in Bridgeport from 1960 through 2009. From 1971-1975, he was the Stratford Town Attorney and from 1975-1977, he served as Town Attorney for the Stratford Board of Education. During his long legal career, Tony was privileged to argue twice before the Connecticut Supreme Court. Among many other activities, Tony was the co-founder and charter member of the Fairfield University Stags Booster Club from 1965-1980, was a longstanding member of the Knights of Columbus (Mother Cabrini Council), and was active at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Stratford as President of the Mens Society, a lector and a member of the Lay Advisory Council. In 1969, Tony co-authored and published the book Fratelli. In addition to his wife, Phyllis, of 54 years, survivors include his five daughters, Gina Bolduc and her husband Lucien, of South Windsor, Carla Copertino, of Milford, Dia M. Ruskay and her husband Paul, of Trumbull, Licia LaMonica and her husband Michael, of Stratford, and Monica Copertino Chioffi and her husband Mark, of Easton; his grandchildren, Lucien, Matthew, Douglas, Jocelyn, and Curtis Bolduc, ToniMichelle Copertino, Stephen and Samantha Ruskay, Angelina and Michael LaMonica IV, and Olivia and Gabriella Chioffi; two brothers, Leonard Copertino and his wife Mae (Kiki), of Monroe, and Paul Copertino and his wife Phyllis, of Milford, as well as many nieces and nephews. Tony was pre-deceased by his sister, Rosa Delacey. Funeral Information Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday afternoon from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.