James Joseph Buccellato, 78, a resident of New Milford, and former Newtown teacher, died September 24 at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of Katherine (Fallman) Buccellato. He was born February 16, 1937, in Brewster, N.Y., and was a son of the late Antoinette (Bennett) and James V. Buccellato.

Mr Buccellato was a 1955 graduate of Brewster High School, and served in the US Army from 1955 to 1958.

He received a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Connecticut State University in 1963, and a master’s degree in 1971. Mr Buccellato was a teacher in the Newtown Public School System for more than 35 years before retiring in 1995 from Head O’ Meadow School. He was affectionately known as “Mr B.”

He enjoyed painting, fishing, hunting, and growing his vegetable garden. He loved to cook, having the ability to make anything taste good.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, three sons, Michael Lee Buccellato of Bantam, Mark David Buccellato, and his wife Dinha, of New Milford, and James Joseph Buccellato, Jr, and his wife Divine, of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter, Joni Marie Prew, and her husband Terry, of Huntersville, N.C.; a brother, Ronald Buccellato of Brewster; three sisters, Maryann Bates of Brewster, and Joyce Kraiza and Alice Zeh, both of Florida; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive Mr Buccellato.

A memorial gathering will take place at 358 Wellsville Avenue, New Milford, from 1 until 6 pm, Tuesday, September 29.