August 2023

Claire Anne Cannata of Middletown, CT passed away peacefully on August 29, 2023. She was born on November 22, 1944 in Pottsville, PA.

She was extremely dedicated to caring for her family. She was a second mother to her nieces and nephew. She was diligent and selfless in caring for her parents and grandparents. Claire adored her great nieces and nephews and followed their lives as would any proud parent. She was a great friend to all, but especially her best friend of over fifty years, Susan Farwell. Claire loved taking road trips and attending the theater and symphony, and loved doing puzzles. She worked as a bookkeeper and worked at CBT Bank of Hartford for many years. Claire started her own business with her good friend Ron Darna and continued to grow the company with her business partner, Scott Darna. She was also a dedicated member of Trinity Episcopal Church in  Portland, CT. Claire was a truly caring person who always thought of others before herself. She appreciated many of the staff at One MacDonough Place and the Village at South Farms of Middletown, CT.

Claire is survived by her niece Julia Contaxis and her husband Bill and their three children, Victoria Contaxis, William Contaxis and Jonathan Contaxis. She is also survived by her niece Tonya Moyles and her partner Allan Greco and her three children, Jennifer Foxwell, Sean Foxwell and Abigail Moyles. She is also survived by  her nephew, John H. Robinson. She is also survived by cherished cousins, nieces and nephews in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Claire is predeceased by her sister Angela Robinson, and her brother Michael Cannata, and her parents Sebastian and Helen Cannata, and her grandparents Isadore and Josephine Cycan. 

If anyone would like to make a donation, feel free to donate to a charity of your choice in her name.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, September 8th at 10:30 a.m. in Swedish Cemetery, Portland.  There are no calling hours.  The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, is in charge of arrangements. 

David Morse, a man of mordant wit, artistry and a devoted friend of Bill W., died on August 17. He was 77. 

He was born in Brattleboro, VT on July 10, 1946 to Marjorie Adams Morse and Stratton Morse. He grew up in Spofford, NH until he moved with his parents to Glastonbury, CT. Connecticut remained his home from then on. 

Crucial to his development, David’s stepfather and uncle, Kenneth Morse introduced him to New York City and financed a solo circumnavigation of the United States when he was still a teenager. 

David graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in English.

David had many occupations, but flourished when he was able to use his broad artistic talents. He designed and built theatrical sets for area community theatres. He did interior painting with self-designed borders, practiced playing organ on any instrument he could get his hands on, and took both studio and nature photographs for the cards he sent to his large set of friends. 

Every Christmas, David elaborately decorated the Church of the Holy Trinity, where many rooms showed evidence of his hand. 

In “the rooms” he was a devoted and active member of the Tenth Leper Group. David had 42 years of sobriety and was a friend to many others in recovery, passing on his knowledge and encouragement. 

At Coccomo  Apple Rehabilitation Center in Meriden, where he lived for the past several years, he played piano for as long as he was able, ranging from Bach to Gershwin to the Beatles. His visiting friends saw that he enjoyed interacting with the staff, who returned his affection. 

Mr. Morse is survived by a brother, Robert Morse, of El Cerito, CA, his sister Martha Gehring (Donald) of Wilmington, VT and their children, Heidi Fleming (Thomas) of Kauai, HW, Heather Gehring Plotkin (Ian) of Plainfield, NJ, Daniel Gehring of Dummerston, VT and Abigail Gehring Lawrence (Timothy) of Marlboro, VT 

David’s memory will be honored and celebrated at a service to be held at Trinity Church, 345 Main Street, Portland at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 16. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be sent to Planned Parenthood. The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, is in charge of arrangements.

The family of Larry Ackley, husband of Joan (Snyder) Ackley, of Portland, CT, announce his peaceful death at home the evening of August 17, 2023. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph and Anna (Secor) Ackley, on November 3, 1926, and was the last survivor of 11 siblings. He was a graduate of Manhattan High School of Aviation. Surviving him is Joan, his wife of 72 years. 

Larry and Joan were married on February 3, 1951, and set up their home in Syosset, N.Y. where they lived until 1997. Here they raised their six children: Michael (Margaret) Ackley, Beth Rocco, Peter (Deb) Morse- Ackley, Mary Looney (deceased 2022), John (Laura) Ackley and Margaret Ackley. Also left behind are 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Close family members Mike Looney and Joan Ackley Tata have always been supportive.

In his younger days, Larry first followed his father and brothers into the printing industry in NYC, followed by work as a chemical and lacquer salesman. He last worked as a tool and die maker. Other activities included baseball coach, schoolyard monitor, and numerous yard activities, lasting even into his 90’s. 

Larry and Joan moved to Portland, CT in 1997, after his retirement, to be closer to family. Larry loved to visit various town people, always ready with a new joke. He loved chatting outside with his neighbors. He had a lifelong interest in golf and horseracing; he loved desserts! In later years he enjoyed reading, old movies, and game shows on TV. 

There will be no wake, but a service is planned at St. Mary’s Church, 45 Freestone Avenue, Portland, CT on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11:00 AM. Reception, for all, to follow at the church. The family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.

Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland,  is in charge of arrangements. 

Nicholas Pini, 79, of Portland, CT, passed away Monday, August 14th in Middlesex Hospital, with his family by his side.  He was born July 11, 1944, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to the late Nicholas and Delia Pini.  In 1957, the family emigrated to the United States, settling in Baltimore, MD.  After graduating high school, Nick joined the US Army and served three years in the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry. His first marriage produced two sons, Alexander and James.

In 1977 he married Mary Lou Bagadinski, and they resided in Portland with their children Dale and David Benoit.  Nick spent time coaching Little League, announcing football games, and projects around the house.  He was a long-time employee of Standard Knapp, as a packaging engineer, designing equipment to package goods for shipments.  He retired in 2018.  Nick supported the Green Bay Packers and was thrilled when Argentina won the World Cup in 2022!

Nick is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Lou; his children, Alexander and his wife Kim, of Ocala, FL, and James and his wife Michelle of Middletown, CT; Dale and his wife Terri, and David, both of Portland, CT.  Nick is also survived by his brother Eduardo (Eddie) and his wife, Jane. Nick loved being a grandparent and will be remembered by his many grandchildren: Kate, Nick, Josh, Kyle, Shelby, Hana, Mia, Nick, Sophia, Layla, and Jameson.

Calling hours to honor Nick will be held at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, on Friday, August 25th, from 5-7 p.m.  Burial with military honors will be held at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, on Saturday, August 26th, at 10 a.m. 

It is not necessary to provide flowers or gifts for the services, however, if you wish to contribute, please consider supporting Nick's widow at the following: Nick Pini Memorial Fund on Gofundme: https://gofund.me/d8c32c29

John K. Coman of Portland passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 1st at the age of 59 after a valiant fight against cancer. John was born February 7, 1964, son of the late Herbert W. Coman Jr. and Nancy (Brink) Coman. 

  John was a 1982 graduate of Portland High School. He enlisted in the CT Army National Guard at age 17, and commissioned as an officer at age 20. During his time of duty he served in C Company 169th Infantry Regiment in Middletown followed by C Company 1-102d Infantry Battalion in Bristol CT. He attended The University of Connecticut under the GI bill earning his BA in political science in 1986. It was at Uconn where he met his wife of 34 years, Sandra (Zubeckis) Coman -who was from “Cromwell”. You see, one of John’s proudest moments was winning the Class S State Basketball Championship when he was a senior in high school (Cromwell was their biggest rival). If you knew John, you knew this. He was also an avid fisherman and huge sports fan. He loved golfing in the Thursday night men’s league at Quarry Ridge and had yearly season tickets to the UCONN men’s basketball games with his friend Tom. He was also a fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and the New York Mets. 

  John was a successful salesman employed in the commercial truck leasing

Industry. He began his career at Ryder, followed by EDART where he was recognized many times for his outstanding accomplishments achieving over $1,000,000 in yearly sales. At the time of his passing, John worked at Gabrielli Truck Sales.

  John was a devoted father to his two sons Thomas John Coman (fiancé Emily Rose Juliano), and Nicholas Scott Coman.

John was predeceased by his parents Herb and Nancy Coman, father in law John Zubeckis, half brother Herbert W. Coman III, brother Scott Charles Coman, cousin Dana Sweet, and niece Katie Rau. 

He is survived by sister Elizabeth Ann (Coman) Rau and husband Dennis, sister Deborah Marie( Coman) Rooth, brother Mark John Coman and wife Ilene, brother Mathew James Coman, brother in law John Zubeckis and his wife Stephanie Lango, long time friend (“brother from another mother”) Thomas Peter Cichon, and many other aunts uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

  Calling hours will be at Portland Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, CT Friday August 11 from 5-7pm

and a funeral service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church August 12 at 11 am. A private burial with full military honors will be held at The Coman Cemetery at a later date.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert J. Levy and the Connecticut Oncology Group and Hartford Healthcare Home Hospice for their wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or an organization of your choice.