All Obituaries

Eufstratia Niki Papadopoulos, 82, of Clearwater Beach, FL, passed away peacefully at her home in Woodbridge, CT on November 30, 2023. Born July 2, 1941 to Stamatios & Christina Lahaniatis, she was raised in Uncasville, CT. It was at Norwich Free Academy (class of 1959) where her passion for art developed. Niki met Nick, her beloved husband of 61 years, at her parent’s egg business, Trading Cove Poultry Farm. On October 25, 1959 Nick and Niki were married at Holy Trinity Greek...

Brian Caldwell DeBowes Sr, 71, of New Haven, passed away peacefully November 29, 2023, at his home after a long illness. He was the husband, for 47 years, of Ellen Duffy DeBowes. Born in New Haven May 26, 1952, a son of the late James Jr. and Noreen Dunleavy DeBowes Brian graduated from the CT School of Electronics and Albertus Magnus College and retired from the IT department of the State of CT Judicial Branch. His favorite memories include driving to Florida for spring vacation, summer...

Haralambos (Bobby) Bertsos, 69, of Branford, passed away on November 7, 2023. Bobby was the beloved husband of Aspasia (Patti) Bertsos. Loving father of Leonidas (Leo) and Marta Eleni and grandfather of Lela. He is survived by his sister and two brothers and many nieces and nephews. Born in Makrisia, Greece, he immigrated to the United States in 1968 with his family. He was the son of the late Leonidas and Margarita Bertsos. His love was his family, soccer, and his restaurant. Until this...

Dr. David B. Melchinger, a well-known New Haven internist, died Tuesday, 7 November 2023 after a long illness. He was 83.  A graduate of Harvard, with honours,1962, and Yale Medical School class of 1966, also with honours, he married Christine Madison in 1965. He fulfilled his Public Service with the CDC/World Health Smallpox Eradication / Measles Control program in several of the 18 participating West African countries while based in Accra, Ghana. Dave’s son,...

Joseph A. Vitelli, 73, of Hamden and Boca Raton, FL passed away peacefully October 22, 2023. He was born in New Haven January 23, 1950, a son of the late Albert and Antonette Scilipote Vitelli. Joe worked as a painter for many years until his retirement. He is survived by his brother Albert Vitelli Jr., his  children, Joseph D. Vitelli and Jennifer Radcliffe,  and his grandchildren Michael, Harley, and Saxon. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother William...

Andrea Jackson-Brooks passed away peacefully Oct. 15, 2023. She was born in Newport, RI and eventually moved to New Haven. Andrea was a Nurse and a Certified Public Manager. More recently she was the Executive Assistant to Mayor John DeStefano. She was extremely involved in organizations and activities that aimed to better the lives of New Haven residents and improve the image of the city. She served as the President of the Hill Health Center here in New Haven, which provided low cost health...

  Denise Françoise Curkan of Branford passed away on October 9, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born in 1927 in Liège, Belgium to Jean Nöel Charlier and Henriette (Leboulle) Charlier. She married her husband Michael Curkan in 1948 and moved to the United States in 1956. Even though Denise was not Ukrainian by nationality, she embraced her husband’s Ukrainian heritage and culture. She enjoyed making Ukrainian dishes for him, and ...

Basil “Bill” George Chaltas, Sr., 91, of Branford, CT, died October 4, 2023, at home by the marsh in Branford, CT, with his beloved wife and family by his side. A true gentleman, mentor, and quiet leader, he exuded grace and dignity as a role model for all. Our family and community were so lucky to have had him in our lives. He had a voice that was kind, calm and supportive to all who knew him. A loving yet requiring father, grandfather, uncle and godfather, Bill was the...

Anthony “Tony” Marnerakis, 91, husband of Maria Simos Marnerakis of West Haven for 60 years,passed peacefully on October 3, 2023. Anthony was born in Chania-Crete, Greece and came to the United States in 1953. He worked hard in the restaurant business, spending most of his career as head chef of the 95 House in North Haven, before owning  his own business, Jerri’s Luncheonette , in West Haven. Besides his love of cooking, Anthony enjoyed spending time in his garden,...

Joan Greco (Erff), 82, of West Haven, passed away on Wednesday, September 27th, surrounded by loved ones, after a long and full life. Joan was born on December 25, 1940 in New Haven, CT. She spent many years treating patients as a nurse at Saint Raphael’s Hospital in several units. In her younger years, Joan loved skiing with her friends and rollerblading with her grandchildren. She especially loved spending time with her family whenever possible. Joan is survived by her loving...