Sam Vernuccio

Sam Vernuccio, 78, of Bridgeport, died on July 2 in Lord Chamberlain Health Care, Stratford.

 Born in Bridgeport on June 28, 1922, he was the son of the late Antonio and Guiseppina (Rubito) Vernuccio.

He was the father of Dianna Villafana of Sandy Hook.

Mr Vernuccio was a US Army veteran of WWII, receiving three battle stars, in France, the Ardennes, and at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of VFW Post 145. He retired after 30 years with the Heppenstall Company of Bridgeport, then worked for the City of Bridgeport at the registrar’s office and on the voting machines for 11 years. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and rode into his 70s. He was a member of the Golden Follies and the Merry Makers.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 59 years, Antoinette (Gentile) Vernuccio; another daughter, Marie Saksa and her husband Bob, of Shelton; four grandchildren, Darrin Villafana of Deep River, Tina Smeriglio of Bridgeport, Robert Saksa of Shelton, and JoAnne Saksa of Bridgeport; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Francis Feroleto of Bridgeport; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Girolamo, Joseph, and Anthony Vernuccio, and one sister, Lillian Ryan.

 The funeral was held on July 6 in St Lawrence Church, in the Huntington section of Shelton. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

The Parente Lauro Funeral Home, 559 Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, was in charge of the arrangements.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 607 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851.

The Newtown Bee         July 7, 2000