Obituary of Genevieve Spata

Genevieve (Jean) Angelica Soares Spata, age 83, of Stratford, beloved wife of Victor John Spata Sr., passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Born in Bridgeport on September 20, 1941, she was a daughter of the late Nicholas V. Soares Sr. and Theresa Bilardo Soares. 

In 1967, Genevieve married the love of her life Victor and they built a wonderful life together.  She knew from their very first date that they would be married. When they say opposites attract, they were probably talking about Jean and Vic.  Her an avid reader and legal secretary and him a factory worker who is happiest working with his hands, they were bound together by love for each other, their belief in God and in the importance of family.  From beginning to end they were partners supporting each other in whatever endeavors they chose.  They enjoyed vacationing in Pennsylvania, attending dances and functions at the Knights of Columbus, and just spending time together on their front porch while saying hello to neighbors that walked by.      

They started their family in 1972 with the birth of their son Victor Jr. and the family was complete in 1975 with the birth of their second son Gino.  The only thing that took priority over being Victor Sr's wife, was being a mother to her boys.  She volunteered as a scout leader when they were in Cub Scouts at St. James Parish in Stratford and was a Team Mother through little league years at Park City Little League in Bridgeport.  She was always supportive and would give whatever she had to her boys.   

Genevieve loved being a grandmother to Gabriella, the little girl she never had, and Benjamin, a reminder of raising her own two boys.  She cherished the time with them, whether it was showing Gabby how to bake, dressed in the cooking apron and hat she made for her, playing catch and wiffle ball in the yard with Ben, or just being silly with both of them.  She took pride in all their accomplishments and would get emotional whenever she saw them.  Though her memory was fleeting late in life, somehow, she would always remember an event or appointment they had and was looking for an update on how it went.

In addition to her beloved husband of 57 years, Victor Sr., survivors include her two loving sons, Victor Spata Jr. and his wife Jennifer and Gino Spata and his wife Erin, two adored grandchildren, Gabriella and Benjamin; a brother, Joseph Soares and his wife Maureen, sister-in-law, Viola Soares, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four sisters, Maria Pavone, Filomena DiCosmo, Margaret Minotti and Virginia Soares, and a brother, Nicholas Soares Jr.  As the youngest, her family meant the world to her and she missed them dearly as they left us.  Her happiest memories were of everyone being together and enjoying each other's company and cooking. 

Genevieve showed her love for everyone through her baking and cooking.  A summer picnic was not the same without her famous fruit cup.  Her Christmas cookies were staples for anyone who saw her around the holidays.  Though borrowed from her niece Barbara, her pignoli cookies became a most requested favorite and she was happy to oblige.  Additionally, she was a voracious reader and enjoyed needlepoint and embroidery.  Earlier in life she loved bowling and bowled in many local leagues over the years. She loved doing cross word puzzles and listening to her favorites from Tony Bennet and Mel Torme among many others over the years.  

She was a devoted and active parishioner of St. Ann’s Church, Milford. She was a proud member of The St. Ann's Church Choir which gave her an outlet for her passion for singing.  Never wanting to be the center of attention, she was happy using her beautiful voice as part of the soprano section, blending with her other choir members to make amazing music during church services and concerts. 

Genevieve was a retired legal secretary and notary public having worked for many area law firms before her retirement. 

In lieu of flowers, please help us to honor her by making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. directly in St. Ann Church, 501 Naugatuck Ave, Milford.  Interment will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Stratford. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Wednesday from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.abriola.com