Obituary of Patricia A. Maresca
Patricia Ann (Bucci) Maresca, 85, of Stratford, Connecticut, passed away on July 9, 2026, at Cambridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Fairfield. She was born in Bridgeport on August 20, 1940, to Frank and Katherine Bucci. After graduating from Bassick High School in 1958, she married her high school sweetheart, Donald Cox, and was blessed with two children, Lisa and Donald Jr. Following an amicable separation, she pursued the dream she had carried since childhood. From the time she was a little girl, Pat knew she wanted to become a nurse. She enrolled at Bullard Haven School of Nursing, where she earned her nursing credentials. One of her proudest accomplishments was becoming the first Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to work in the emergency room at the "Old St. V's." While working at St V's, she met the love of her life and best friend, Jack Maresca. They married on April 30, 1972, and together built a life centered on love, laughter, and friendship, later welcoming their daughter, Kari.
After retiring from nursing, Pat discovered a new passion: golf. She quickly fell in love with the game and, before long, was happily obsessed. Some of her most cherished memories were made on the course with "her girls." Whether golfing at Oronoque Country Club, where she and Jack later made their home, or enjoying rounds during their winters in Florida, the game brought them closer together, often celebrating milestones along the way, like her first hole-in-one and the day she finally broke 100. True to her character, Pat never accepted a "gimme." Every putt was earned! As chronic pain gradually limited her mobility, Pat eventually had to put away her clubs and say goodbye to a game she loved. But she found a new hobby alongside Jack at the casino, where the two spent countless hours together; Jack in the Poker Room and Pat happily testing her luck on the nickel slot machines. She later enjoyed playing games on her iPad, cheering on her New York Yankees, watching professional golf, completing puzzles, spoiling her cat, Chootsie, and surrounding herself with flamingos, glitter, and anything that sparkled. Pat had the heart of a lion and lived life on her own terms. She was fiercely independent, loyal, and never took any nonsense from anyone. In her beloved emergency room, she'd stand up to the doctors if she felt something wasn't right, always advocating for those in her care. Pat disliked cooking but loved keeping an immaculate home. As a grandmother, she wasn't the type to bake cookies or sit in a chair to knit. Instead, she loved her family and inspired us in her own unique way, encouraging us to follow our dreams and reminding us to live life to the beat of our own drum. Fittingly, one dream remained on her bucket list: riding on the back of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Above all, Pat's faith remained constant throughout her life. She loved God deeply and found great comfort in attending Mass.
Pat is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Jack Maresca; her daughter, Lisa Cox and her husband, Kevin Sprague, of Wallingford, CT; her son, Donald Cox Jr. and his wife, Marlene, of Trumbull, CT; and her daughter, Kari Maresca Stocks of Bradford, MA. She was the proud grandmother of Lindsay Donaldson, Chelsey Donaldson, Nicholas Cox, Donald Cox III, Ian Cox, Sydney Stocks, and Luke Stocks. She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Frank Bucci Jr., and Anthony Bucci; and her son-in-law, Todd Stocks.
Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that she is no longer limited by pain. We imagine her being reunited with the loved ones who went before her, watching over the family she loved so fiercely, enjoying a perfect day on Heaven's golf course and finally taking that long-awaited ride on the back of a Harley. Rest easy, Pat. You took care of all of us. Now it's time for God to take care of you. In keeping with Pat's wishes, a private funeral service was held with her immediate family. Those wishing to honor her memory may donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in her name. Arrangements entrusted to the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com.