Born in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Gasper and Anna Ponzo, he served as chief pharmacist's mate in the U.S. Navy during WWII, attached to the submarine fleet in the Pacific Theatre. He subsequently attended New York University and Manhattan College. He moved to Fairfield in 1947, and began his business, Federal Fabrics, in Bridgeport, which he operated for many years. He was an avid boater and was a longtime member of Fitness 4000 in Bridgeport. He was also a parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption Church. In his later life, he was a resident of the Watermark 3030 Park.
He is survived by his daughter, Catherine Ann Vitrella and her husband, Thomas Benvenuto of Norwalk; two grandsons, David of Houston, Texas, and John of Jacksonville, Florida; and six great-grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to attend a mass of Christian burial on Wednesday at 11 a.m. directly at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Fairfield. A military honor presentation will take place immediately following the service. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home in Fairfield has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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