Police In Western Mass Mourn Loss Of Comfort Dog Winston Before His Second Birthday Police In Western Mass Mourn Loss Of Comfort Dog Winston Before His Second Birthday
Police In Western Mass Mourn Loss Of Comfort Dog Winston Before His Second Birthday The Amherst Police Department is mourning the loss of their Comfort Dog Winston, who died after being diagnosed with lymphoma and leukemia last weekend, the department said on Facebook. "This progressed so aggressively that his handler, Officer Laramee, had to make the heartbreaking decision to end his pain and let him pass peacefully," on Wednesday, June 15, police said. Winston was just about to celebrate his second birthday.  "Officer Laramee had a vision for a comfort dog program here in Amherst and he was greeted with the perfectly tempered, incredibly happy, very sleepy, Winston," po…
CT Woman Killed In Tractor-Trailer Crash At 37 Remembered For 'Heart Of Gold' CT Woman Killed In Tractor-Trailer Crash At 37 Remembered For 'Heart Of Gold'
CT Woman Killed In Tractor-Trailer Crash At 37 Remembered For 'Heart Of Gold' Loved ones are mourning the loss of a Connecticut woman who was killed in a tractor-trailer crash in Vermont.  New Haven County native Nicole Ende, of Milford, died Thursday, June 2, at the age of 37 when the truck she was riding in lost control and drove off an Orange County highway before flipping onto its roof, according to WCAX in Vermont. Investigators believe mechanical failure may have been to blame, as witnesses told police the tractor-trailer's brakes were smoking just moments before the crash, Vermont State Police said.  Ende was pronounced dead at the scene while …
Fairfield County Native Shot To Death At Age 35 Remembered As 'Kind, Gentle Person' Fairfield County Native Shot To Death At Age 35 Remembered As 'Kind, Gentle Person'
Fairfield County Native Shot To Death At Age 35 Remembered As 'Kind, Gentle Person' Family and friends are remembering a Connecticut man who was shot to death at his home. New Haven County resident Justin Spray, of Milford, died at the age of 35 on Wednesday, May 25, after he was shot “by a mentally ill person with a gun at his home,” his obituary said. Police had been called to his home on Edgefield Avenue just before 1 p.m. with reports of a fight and possible gunfire, according to Milford Police. Officers found Spray lying in the yard with a gunshot wound to his upper body, police said. He later died at Yale New Haven Hospital.  Witnesses held the alleged gunman,…
CT Man Killed In Crash Remembered As ‘Loyal Friend' CT Man Killed In Crash Remembered As ‘Loyal Friend'
CT Man Killed In Crash Remembered As ‘Loyal Friend' Support is on the rise for the widow and two children left behind by a Fairfield County native killed in a crash. Stephen Pease died October 23, 2021 at the age of 34 when his motorcycle crashed on a highway in Garden City, South Carolina, according to police. Pease’s motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the wreck, police said. Family and friends gathered at St. Ann Church in Bridgeport Sunday, June 5, for a celebration of life for the “accomplished athlete and skilled entrepreneur,” according to his obituary. Born in New Haven, Pease was raised in Fairfield, where he was an avid…
CT Man Who Worked As Marketing Director Dies At Age 41 CT Man Who Worked As Marketing Director Dies At Age 41
CT Man Who Worked As Marketing Director Dies At Age 41 A marketing director who grew up in the Hudson Valley has died at the age of 41. Connecticut resident Thomas Tavino, of West Hartford, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, June 4, according to his obituary. Tavino was born in Putnam County, in the town of Carmel, and was a graduate of Brewster High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Marist College and went on to work as senior director of marketing for Takeda Pharmaceuticals, his obituary said.  "He was an avid Mets fan, he had a passion for cooking, and enjoyed golf and blackjack," his obituary reads. Tavino is survived…
19-Year-Old UMass College Lacrosse Player Remembered For 'Infectious Smile' 19-Year-Old UMass College Lacrosse Player Remembered For 'Infectious Smile'
19-Year-Old UMass College Lacrosse Player Remembered For 'Infectious Smile' A college lacrosse player from the region who died suddenly over the Memorial Day weekend is being remembered for his "infectious smile," and his love of his family and friends. Long Island resident Aidan James Kaminska, age 19, of Port Jefferson, died unexpectedly on the morning of Monday, May 30, according to his obituary. A lifelong resident of Port Jefferson, Kaminska attended the Port Jefferson School District, graduating in 2020.  He went on to be a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in communications, and was a member of the Minutemen's Division I mens’ la…
Woman Killed In Crash In Region Remembered For 'Contagious Laughter' Woman Killed In Crash In Region Remembered For 'Contagious Laughter'
Woman Killed In Crash In Region Remembered For 'Contagious Laughter' A college student killed in a crash on I-87 is being remembered for her "contagious laughter." Saratoga County resident Katryn R. Fisher, of Ballston Spa, was age 22. The crash happened on the Northway stretch of I-87 at around 9:55 p.m. Saturday, May 28 on the northbound side in Albany County in the town of Colonie. Known as Katie, "she was a shining bright light, with an unbelievable smile," according to her obituary. "She had such a hysterical sense of humor and her contagious laughter brought joy to everyone around her.  "Katie was such an incredibly responsible and safety-c…
Beloved 7-Year-Old CT Girl Remembered For Her Fighting Spirit Beloved 7-Year-Old CT Girl Remembered For Her Fighting Spirit
Beloved 7-Year-Old CT Girl Remembered For Her Fighting Spirit A Connecticut girl who died at the age of 7 is being remembered for her kindness and her fighting spirit when faced with serious illness. New Haven County resident Jeilany Vega Rivera, of Ansonia, died on Saturday, May 28, according to her obituary. Jeilany was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an aggressive brain tumor, in March of 2021, according to a fundraiser set up to support her family. The fundraiser has received $3,585 of its $10,000 goal as of Wednesday, June 1. "Sweet little Jeilany has put up a tremendous fight, but on Saturday, May 28th, Jeilany's body entered …
Broadcasting Pioneer William O’Shaughnessy Dies At His Home In Litchfield Broadcasting Pioneer William O’Shaughnessy Dies At His Home In Litchfield
Broadcasting Pioneer William O’Shaughnessy Dies At His Home In Litchfield William O’Shaughnessy, a broadcasting pioneer in New York, died at his home in Connecticut on Saturday, May 28. He was 84. O'Shaughnessy was owner and president of Whitney Radio, which owns and operates WVOX in Westchester County. A 1999 New York Times profile described O'Shaughnessy as "a flamboyant figure, a tall man with bright silver hair and a penchant for London-made suits and Corvette convertibles." He was born April 7, 1938 to William Mac O’Shaughnessy of Elmira and Catherine Pauline Tucker of Waverly, according to his obituary. As president and editorial director, he presided for…
Beloved Owner Of Popular Pizzeria In Region Dies Beloved Owner Of Popular Pizzeria In Region Dies
Beloved Owner Of Popular Pizzeria In Region Dies The beloved owner of a popular Western Massachusetts pizzeria that has become an institution has died. Domenic Sarno, the owner of Red Rose Pizzeria in Springfield, died this week. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno issued a statement on his death saying Caputo "brought a hard family work ethic to start with a small family pizza shop to then create the legendary and iconic Red Rose Pizzeria." Caputo opened Red Rose in 1963 along with his wife Edda.  The mayor went on to say: "Nick being always the gentleman, never strayed from his values of family, quality food, and customer service. Yo…
'Goodfellas' Actor With Deep Roots In Region, Ray Liotta, Age 67, Dies Suddenly 'Goodfellas' Actor With Deep Roots In Region, Ray Liotta, Age 67, Dies Suddenly
'Goodfellas' Actor With Deep Roots In Region, Ray Liotta, Age 67, Dies Suddenly Nationally renowned actor Ray Liotta has died at the age of 67, according to multiple media outlets.  EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Ray Liotta Has Died. He Was 67. R.I.P. https://t.co/WsskKD7qUE — TMZ (@TMZ) May 26, 2022 Liotta's roots to the Northeast run deep. He was born in New Jersey at St. Michael's Hospital in Newark in 1954 and spent his first six months at an orphanage there before he was adopted by a couple from Union Township. His father owned an auto parts store and his mom was a municipal clerk. Liotta got his BFA from Miami University before moving to New York City, where he took wo…
Slain CT Prep School Student Remembered As 'Wonderfully Happy Person' Slain CT Prep School Student Remembered As 'Wonderfully Happy Person'
Slain CT Prep School Student Remembered As 'Wonderfully Happy Person' A 17-year-old prep school student-athlete in Fairfield County who was stabbed to death by another teen is being described as a "wonderfully happy person," with a big heart. James "Jimmy" McGrath, of the village of Huntington in the town of Shelton, died on Sunday, May 15 after being stabbed during an altercation at a Shelton home by a 16-year-old New Haven County teen. McGrath, who was a junior at Fairfield Prep, was the son of Margaret and Kevin McGrath and was the "sunshine of their life," his obituary said. He also had a sister Rose, described as his best friend and confidant. Many des…