Obituary of William R. Venezia

William R. Venezia, age 55, of Stratford, died on Friday, June 3, 2005 at his residence. Born in Bridgeport in 1949 and raised in Fairfield, he resided in Stratford for the past 19 years.

He was the beloved husband and best friend of Lynn Gerber Venezia, the devoted son of Stephen Venezia and Emma McCray Venezia of Fairfield. He is also survived by his sister, Stephanie Carlson of Ocala, Florida, cherished niece, Sheri Carlson of Fairfield, sister, Diana Flynn and her husband, Skip of Jupiter, Florida, step-son, Charles Gerber and his wife, Sophia and his little man, Christopher of Hallandale, Florida, mother-in-law, Annette Kalafus, brother-in-law, Chris Kalafus and his wife, Lisa and very special nieces, Caitlin, Carly and Cori and many cousins, aunts, uncles and many special friends.

Bill was a graduate of McKinley Grammar School, Andrew Warde High School and Southern Connecticut State University. He was assistant director of Trade Practices for the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection in Hartford, employed for 33 years. Bill loved his work and it showed by the many awards he received including the Governors Outstanding Service Award. He was proud of his work and his many accomplishments. Bill will always be remembered for his kind and generous ways. He was always lending a hand or researching something for someone. He loved his Wednesday night card cames with the Geffert Brothers and Pop, going to the beach, traveling, spending time with his family, taking his nieces to the movies and his casino trips with cousins, Steve and Ralph. Bills family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St. Vincents Medical Center, Lord Chamberlain, VNS and Hospice of Connecticut for the wonderful care he was given. 

Funeral services will take place on Monday, June 6, 2005 at 9:00 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Theresa Church, Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Sunday from 3-7 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at Home, 765 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604.