Obituary: Lew Sirico, 83, Of Danbury

Information and Photo Courtesy Green Funeral Home

DANBURY, CT — Lew Sirico, 83, passed away early Saturday morning, Feb. 24, 2024 at Danbury Hospital after a long and valiant battle. He was the husband of Gail (Friedman) Sirico.

Lew was born in New Haven, son of Albert J. Sirico and Anastasia (DelPrincipe) Sirico.He was also predeceased by his first wife, Antoinette (Socci) Sirico.

In addition to his beloved wife of 48 years, Lew is survived by his loving daughters: Mykel Sirico Milligan and Anita Sirico (Len) Emmans. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jacob, Callie, and Daniel.

Lew grew up in New Haven, where he first made his mark. He was president of each of his high school classes, a star on the high school football team, and played a leading role in almost all of the school’s musical theater productions. After many years of operatic training, Lew had a singing career where he performed in the Catskills’ Borscht Belt, Off Broadway, The Oakdale Theatre, Canada, and other venues up and down the East Coast. He was active in New Haven’s budding music production scene and was part of the group Four Jacks and a Jill for a time. He wrote and recorded music as well.

Marriage and fatherhood set Lew on a new path in sales and marketing. At the passing of his young wife, left with an infant daughter, Anita, his path was set.

Lew’s second marriage began on August 3, 1975. A year after meeting Gail, they married and they transferred to North Carolina, where Lew had an international executive position with Liggett and Myers. It was there, in North Carolina, that their second daughter, Mykel, was born.

Unhappy with southern living, the family of four, returned to Connecticut, via Virginia, to finish out their years. Lew was always involved in public school matters. He was president of Rogers Park PTO and very active in creating school musical productions when each of his daughters attended. This helped to unify the diverse population and created school spirit not seen for many years at that grade level.

Through it all, Lew was the most supportive and loving husband, father, and grandfather (Papa). He loved people and took joy in every moment he lived and in each person he met. His greatest joy was attending the baseball games of his youngest grandson, Jake, and cheering him on. Lew had a great sense of humor and a smile that lit up every room he entered. He was kind, patient, and caring — a great friend, and warm to everyone he met.

Even in his last weeks, which were painful, difficult and at times torturous, the doctors, nurses, and residents who treated him always remarked what a kind, sweet, good man he was.

A Period of Mourning will be observed on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. and on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 4:00 - 6:00pm at the Milligan Residence, Danbury.

A Memorial Gathering for Lew will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, followed by a prayer service at 2:30 p.m.

Interment will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Connecticut Humane Society, 455 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, two organizations that moved Lew’s heart.