Carl Michael Paternoster, 78, of Sandy Hook peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on February 20, 2025.

Carl was born in Bridgeport, where he met the love of his life, his high school sweetheart and his “honey” of 64 years, Lynn (Gabriel) Paternoster. After graduating from Bridgeport Central High School together in 1964, they were wed in July of 1965 and had two children together, Carl J. Paternoster (of Oxford) and Lisa M. (Paternoster) Katz of Newtown.

A highly skilled welder and craftsman, he dedicated over 40 years of service to New England Building Products, where he rose from a field worker to office manager. His greatest loves in life came outside of work. In Bridgeport he loved his pastries and bread from Altieri’s Bakery and a hot dog with “the works” from the Merritt Canteen, singing doo-wop and driving his 1966 black-on-black Ford Mustang. Outside of Bridgeport he loved hiking in Acadia, Maine, hunting trips to Jay Peak mountain, NASCAR racing, family-wide tailgates for West Point football games, and was a 50-year member of the NRA.

But above all he loved his family, he was a loving husband to his honey, both a caring son and brother, a godfather, and an uncle to many nieces and nephews. As time went on, he became a guiding father-in-law to Teresa J. (Belmont) Paternoster and Gary F. Katz. He then gained his favorite title “Pop” to his three grandchildren, Marie L. Paternoster of Milford, Anthony M. Paternoster of Plymouth, and Alyssa M. (Katz) Ambrogio of Newtown. He gained additional grandchildren with the wedding of his grandson to Rachel E. Paternoster and the wedding of his granddaughter to Stephen Ambrogio. His final title was great-grandfather to Gabriel A. Ambrogio.

Carl put God, family, and his country first. A pillar of a man and a true patriot to his country.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Disabled American Veterans Charity.

Visitation will be Friday, February 28, from 9 to 10:15 am, in the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am at St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road in Newtown. Interment will be at St Rose Cemetery in the spring.