Andrew Apuzzo, The East Haven Man Who Needed A Miracle, Has Died

EAST HAVEN, CT — When we met Andrew Apuzzo, then 34, in November 2020, the man born with the very rare Prader Willi Syndrome, had been hospitalized for a year.

And barring a miracle that would save his life, all he wanted was Christmas cards. He received thousands after his sister posted to the Good Things About East Haven community Facebook page and a Patch story.

Andrew died May 3.

Here is his obituary from Porto Funeral Homes.

Prader Willi Syndrome is characterized by abnormal body growth, weak muscles at birth, insatiable hunger, and intellectual disability. Andrew had the heart of a 10-year-old his sister Shelly Slater told Patch at the time.

In late 2020, he'd been in the hospital for more than 10 months as he'd developed myriad complications from the disease. He was bedridden, had had a tracheotomy and was dependent on a ventilator. Shelly was devoted to her brother. She was with him at Yale New Haven Hospital when she spoke to a reporter.

From the November 2020 story:

"I can't believe a small post I made has blown up and gotten so big," Shelly told Patch. "My heart is so happy and I've been crying happy tears for days! Its amazing how many people have stepped up all over the world to make my baby brother's Christmas special this year. I am eternally thankful to each and every one of you." And while we cannot make the miracle they need, we can help brighten up his holiday. And since he likes shopping on eBay and Amazon, though Shelly didn't ask, maybe for those who can afford it, a Christmas gift card might be nice."

Andrew's obituary details:

Andrew M. Apuzzo, 35, of New Haven passed away May 3, 2022 in Yale New Haven Hospital. Beloved son of Catherine Torre Ellison of New Haven and the late Bruce A. Apuzzo, Sr. Loving brother of Bruce A. Apuzzo, Jr. and fiancee’ Felicia Palumbo of Wallingford and Michele Slater of East Haven.

His funeral procession will leave the PORTO FUNERAL HOME, 234 Foxon Rd. Rte 80) East Haven Tuesday morning May 10th at 10:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at Our Lady of Pompeii Church at 11:00. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may call TUESDAY MORNING from 8:30-10:30.

Patch sends sincere condolences to Andrew's family and hopes it's always Christmas in Heaven, just for Andrew.