Thomas John Stella, 81, of Danbury died June 8 at Bethel Healthcare Center. He was the husband of the late Mary Ann (Schoen) Stella. He was born January 23, 1933, in Scranton, Penn., the son of Anna (Mahalik) and Thomas U. Stella.

His two daughters, JoAnn S. Larnerd, and her husband Ray, of Sandy Hook and Kathy LeClair of Danbury; his two sons, John T. Stella, and his wife Susan, of Gridley, Ill., and Jeffrey A. Stella of Southbury; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews survive Mr Stella.

A resident of Danbury for more than 70 years, he was a graduate of St Joseph Grammar School and Henry Abbott Technical School.

Mr Stella was a US Navy veteran and was employed as a milk deliveryman with Marcus Dairy for 17 years. He later worked with the R.J. Gallagher Co. as a truck driver, until the time of his retirement.

He was a parishioner of St Joseph Church, and in his spare time enjoyed both duckpin and ten pin bowling, as well as golf.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am, Thursday, June 12, in St Joseph Church, 8 Robinson Avenue, Danbury. Burial with military honors will be in St Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

The family will receive friends at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, Wednesday, June 11, from 5 to 8 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 38 Richards Avenue, Norwalk CT 06854.