September 2023

On September 24, 2023, Joseph James Lastrina Sr, son of the late Angelo and Helen (Capsalis) Lastrina and husband of Maureen (Manchester) Lastrina passed away peacefully after a long illness with family at his side. 

Joe was “dad” to seven children and “Popie” and “Pops” to twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who he adored and loved unconditionally. Joe grew up with a passion for baseball and Tennis and won championship games as a young athlete.  As a young man he worked alongside his dad in the family flower business, Lastrina’s Flowers. Joe began a family of six at a young age and found it necessary to pursue higher education classes at Hillyar College in Hartford before he became a manager at Wonder Bread and worked in Canada as a lineman.  Growing up in a family-owned business he always had the entrepreneurial gene which eventually led him to owning his own business, Jet Home Improvement in Portland, CT. Before he was ready to retire, he joined his cousin and best friend, Vinny Nanfito and worked at V. Nanfito, Inc. as a top salesman.

He loved listening to Frank Sinatra and coincidently became a diehard New York Yankees fan.  He would often watch his rival team, the Boston Red Sox, so he could talk smack with his grandchildren who love the game as much as he did. He was an avid gardener and shared the fruits of his gardens with everyone he knew and gave the knowledge and gift of gardening to his children. He will be smiling to know his fig trees will continue to grow and be taken care of by his grandchildren. His heart will always have a place at the beach.  His love of family vacations on the CT shoreline and Cape Cod were the best times especially with a big bowl of steamers and all the lobsters he could eat. Sunday picnics in East Hampton were always a family favorite and will always be cherished memories. 

Joe was born in Portland, CT and is survived by his wife Maureen of 49 years and their daughter, Nicole Lastrina of Plantsville, his daughters, Lin Oakliff of Portland, Annette Lastrina-Aitken of Westbrook, Lori (Robert) Branciforte of Portland and his sons, Joseph J. Lastrina, Jr. of Portland, and Angelo (Eileen) Lastrina of Portland. His grandchildren who he loved dearly, Joseph J. Lastrina III, Justin (Anna) Oakliff, Kristina Oakliff, Angelo (Arielle) Lastrina, Melanie (Eric) Hayes, Joseph Aitken, Kyle Aitken, Mariah Lastrina, Isabelle Lastrina, Robert (Jessica) Branciforte, Jonathan (Nicole) Branciforte, Anthony Branciforte and eight great-grandchildren, Camryn, Emma, Scarlett, Angelo, Michael, Madeline, Brooklyn, and Elliana Rose.  He is also survived by his sister, Sandi (Robert) Mintzer of Kansas and several nieces and nephews.

Joe was also predeceased by his loving son Michael Anthony Lastrina and beloved Grandson, Brendon Paul Lastrina both who meant the world to him, his sister, Ann “Lou” Young and her husband Richard “Pete” Young of Texas and his son-in-law Richard “Scott” Oakliff. 

Our deepest appreciation to the staff and physical therapy group who cared for our dad and husband at the Summit in Plantsville. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the GBS-CIDP Foundation. 

Gbs-cidp.org

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 5th from 5-7 p.m. at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland. A memorial service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be private in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland.

Edward Charles Kuskey, 54, of Portland passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, at home surrounded by his loving family after a battle with cancer. Eddie graduated from the Vinal Technical High School Carpentry Program in 1987, but soon after found his love for the automotive industry where he worked as a mechanic and service advisor. He had the friendly grin everyone loved to see whether you were a patron at Primary (Bud’s) Café, or a loyal customer of Hometown Garage where he spent more than 20 years making lifelong friendships. Throughout Eddie’s life he was very strong on the importance of family and togetherness, with the light of his life being his two sons Kevin and Tyler Kuskey of Middletown. Eddie loved nothing more than being a father to his boys. Eddie is survived by his parents Robert and Nancy Kuskey of Portland, Susanne and Michael Bain of Bath, PA. He leaves behind his older sister, best friend, and caregiver Jaclyn Breece of Portland as well as brother-in-law Warren Breece of Portland; his two younger sisters Paige (Andrew) Bain of Bethlehem, PA and Cary Macdonald of Middlefield; Eddie also leaves behind his five nieces and nephews who were all his favorites: Olivia, Taylor, and Matthew Breece of Portland, Alysa Macdonald and Hunter Gionfriddo of Middlefield; He leaves behind a life-long best friend Pam Porter, Uncle Butch (Candy) Kuskey of Portland, Aunt Jackie Alexander of WA, as well as many cousins from all over. He was predeceased by his Grandmothers Ruth Kuskey and Ruth Warley, Great-Uncle Kermit Kuskey, Great Aunts Ethel and Marjorie Kuskey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in memory of Edward Charles Kuskey to the Middlesex Health Hospice Program. Calling hours will be held at Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, on Monday, October 2nd, from 5-7. Burial services will be private to family and close friends.   

Karen Ann Chadsey passed away on September 13, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones at Middlesex Hospital.  Karen was born on September 10, 1942, in Danbury, CT to Merton Reynolds and Helen Flynn Reynolds.  Karen graduated from Danbury High School and continued her education to receive a BS in Nursing from Grace-New Haven School of Nursing in 1964.  She worked at Whiting Forensic Institute in Middletown CT until her retirement.
Karen married Edwin Charles Chadsey II in 1964 and settled in Portland CT to raise their two children.  She was a long-time member of the Church of St. Mary and their Ladies Guild in Portland, CT.   Her passions were spending time with family, friends & pets.  She enjoyed cooking, reading romance novels, bingo with family and QVC/HSN on-line shopping.

She is survived by her daughter, Christine Chadsey, of Newington CT; son, Edwin C. Chadsey III of Portland, CT and three grandchildren – Edwin C. Chadsey IV of Middletown, CT; Angela L. Chadsey, of New Britain, CT; and Diamond Indino, of Middletown, CT.  She is also survived by her sister & brother-in-law, Janet & James Wetherell of Livermore Falls, ME; her best friends, Kathy Scovill and Lou Sorchiotti both of Cromwell, CT, as well as many more loving relatives and friends.  She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, Merton & Alan, and sister, Marsha.  We would like to thank the staff at South 7 of Middlesex, especially Dori and Chris for her care in her last moments.

At her request, there will be no funeral or memorial service.  She will be cremated and interred at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portland CT at a later date in a private family service.  Anyone wishing to remember Karen in a special way may make a contribution in her memory to the Connecticut Humane Society.  The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, is in charge of arrangements.

Theodore (Ted) P. Clark, 85, of Portland, CT passed September 1 from natural causes.  He was pre-deceased by his brother Fred.  He leaves behind his wife of 44 years Kathy, his daughter Cynthia and her husband Jim, his son Chris and his wife Mandy, his son Jeremy and his wife Eileen and grandchildren Rebecca, Nick, Jamison, Sawyer, Benton, Ava Jane, Natalie, Noah and Ava.  His niece Lori and her husband Kurt provided immeasurable support.  Ted grew up in Wethersfield.  After HS graduation he joined the Air Force and later graduated from The University of Hartford.  He retired after over 30 years with Uarco.  He excelled as an athlete in many sports, playing softball into his 40s, skiing into his 70s and golfing and hunting into his 80s. He was a die-hard Red Sox and NY Giants fan.  Ted and Kathy enjoyed travelling, helping others and spending time with their family.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or ourherosfund.org.

Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, on Friday, September 8th from 5-7 p.m.  Funeral services and burial will be private.