Obituary: Edward R. Mitola, 88, Of Fairfield

The following obituary is from Spear-Miller Funeral Home:

Edward R. Mitola, age 88 and a 58-year resident of Fairfield, CT, passed away at Cambridge Health and Rehabilitation Center on June 10, 2023 after a brief stay.

Ed was born in Bridgeport, CT to Edward and Verna Mitola on July 13, 1934. He was raised in Bridgeport and Stratford and graduated from Stratford High School in 1952. From 1953 to 1955, Ed served in the Army and was stationed in Korea. Upon his return, he married his high school sweetheart Joan V. Brown on August 18, 1956 and together they raised three children. After marriage, Ed was employed at Sikorsky Aircraft as an accountant and earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport while working full time with a family and attending classes in the evening. Thereafter, Ed began a 35-year teaching career in the Fairfield Public Schools during which he earned a Master’s in Education from Fairfield University. Ed taught eighth grade Social Studies, first at McKinley School and for most of his career at Fairfield Woods Middle School, retiring in 1996. Ed was instrumental in starting and organizing the student eighth grade field trip program each spring to Washington D.C. Those trips were the highlight for many students’ eighth grade year. He also coached the Fairfield Woods basketball team for many years. Ed’s positive impact on the lives of the thousands of students he taught will always be remembered. He was an outstanding educator, as attested to by students and his peers.

In addition to spending time with his family and his beloved wife, Ed’s favorite things were playing golf, watching the New York Mets and UConn basketball, and trips to Italy, California, and Hawaii. He was an avid reader, never without a book. He also loved musical theater, attending many shows in New York and Connecticut over the years with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law.
Ed is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Joan; his daughter Laurie and her husband, Gregory Carroll; his son James and his wife, Joya; his son John and his wife, Michele. His grandchildren were very special to Ed, and he became “Papa” to them all: Ryan Carroll and his wife, Courtney; James Carroll and his wife, Megan; Michael Mitola, Nell Mitola, William Mitola, and Charles Mitola. Ed also was blessed with four great grandchildren: Owen and Henry Carroll, and Hazel and Russell Carroll.

His family would like to thank the staff at Cambridge for the attentive care Ed received during his stay and also thank Olena Karayanidi, a longtime family friend, for the care and assistance she provided during this difficult time.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 10:00 to 12:00 at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, CT, with a service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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