Obituary of Gabriel J. Zeffiro

Gabriel J. Zeffiro, age 83, of Shelton, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2009 in St. Vincents Medical Center. The son of the late Lucian and Consalata Zeffiro, he was born in Bridgeport on November 13, 1925, where he lived for many years before moving to Shelton in 1976.

As a World War II Veteran, he proudly served as a Marine in the Battle of Okinawa. Known to many as Gabe, he worked for the Town of Trumbull before retiring. His years in Shelton offered leisure time to raise a vegetable garden and care for a yard which he greatly enjoyed. He was an avid sports fan; a loyal fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants. He also enjoyed supporting local teams, notably UCONN Womens and Mens basketball teams, and the Shelton High School football team. Gabriel enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He was the devoted husband of 60 years of Grace (DeGruttola) Zeffiro, the beloved father of Sandra Novack and her husband Richard and Marilyn Butanowicz and her husband Peter, and grandfather to four grandsons, Richard Novack, Jr., Mark Novack, Ryan Butanowicz and he was pre-deceased by his beloved grandson Peter Gabriel Butanowicz. In addition he was also pre-deceased by his two brothers, Anthony and Joseph Zeffiro and two sisters, Angie Aurilio and Lil Cox. Gabriel also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will take place on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church, Shelton for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Peter Butanowicz Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Joseph A. Foran High School, 80 Foran Road, Milford, CT 06460.