Lawmaker Kevin DelGobbo Dead at 53 [UPDATED]

All photos above taken by Gary Rosengrant when Mr. DelGobbo was a member of the Naugatuck Community Choir

Naugatuck, CT – Former state legislator and longtime public servant Kevin M. DelGobbo died Monday at the age of 53. The Republican-American reported that Mr. DelGobbo’s family said Tuesday the cause of his death is unknown and they are waiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause.

Mr. DelGobbo, a Republican, served 12 years as the state representative from Naugatuck, including 10 years as ranking member of the energy committee. Following this service, he went on to work at PURA for three years, then began a chief adviser to Waterbury mayor Neil M. O'Leary. In 2015, Mr. DelGobbo became the director of revenue requirements for Eversource Energy in its Berlin office.

Gov. Malloy & Lt. Gov. Wyman Issued Statements on the Passing of Former PURA Chairman and State Representative Kevin DelGobbo on Wednesday.

The Naugatuck Republican Town Committee released a statement Tuesday honoring DelGobbo’s life:

"It is with a heavy heart I make this post. We have lost a great man and public servant to God's eternal care. His accomplishments and contributions to the community of Naugatuck and the State of Connecticut are countless and we will always carry his memory in our hearts and he will still be mentoring us in giving back from above. We will miss you Kevin DelGobbo."

Paul Singley, the former editor of the Naugatuck and Oxford Patch sites and a former reporter for the Republican-American, posted this tribute on Facebook:

Kathy Mancini McPadden, Paul Singley and Kevin DelGobbo Photo by Sandy Lee

"In an era where too many politicians avoid the media like the plague, there are those who realize they have an obligation to answer questions their constituents may have. Kevin DelGobbo always picked up the phone, no matter what the question, and always provided a well-thought out response to any question I threw his way, even if he didn't want to answer it. - In an era where too many politicians join boards to pad their resumes, Kevin DelGobbo actually did the hard work day in and day out (notice the photo here of him at a United way dinner - nobody worked harder for the local UW). - And in an era where people want kudos for everything they do, Kevin DelGobbo quietly helped people behind the scenes on many occasions that I know about and probably many more that I don't. - Naugatuck lost a strong advocate and a good person. Rest In Peace, Kevin."

Former Naugatuck mayor, longtime state representative and burgess Ron San Angelo posted a heartfelt tribute to a man that he referred to as his brother.

"Leading out of Love………………..Kevin M. DelGobbo

A young man full of enthusiasm had a simple mission in life. He quoted it in the following words that I will never forget. He said he wanted to make Naugatuck a great place to work, live, and raise a family. To many people this is a campaign slogan. To Kevin this was a mission. He so loved our town that he always put it first. In all the years I knew him he never thought very much about himself, but was intensely focused on other people. How he could make a difference in the lives of others was something that was extremely important to him.
At one point in our lives we talked about 20 times a day. It was about the news of the day or things that we were working on together. I cannot begin to explain how much he taught me over the years, or how amazed I was over the things that he accomplished. He was one of the smartest, most caring person I have ever met. I used to tease that he was a communist spy because he was the only person I knew who could speak Russian. He would tell me about his days in China and how much he has learned about the country and loved its history. He went to Poland to help Lech Walesa campaign and to help teach its leaders about the creation of local government. Once he called me from a castle in Italy when he was working on projects for the Council on Foreign Affairs. He never seemed very impressed with what he did, but I would listen in amazement. He was a local boy who had an impact on the world.
Wherever he was, home was where his heart was. When you became Kevin’s friend you became part of his family. Nancy, Barry, Jeff, and Christina were part of the package. He so loved them and wanted to make them so proud of the man he had become. Kevin you accomplished that goal. Not only did you make them proud, but you made everyone around you proud to call you a friend and to have known you. You were an important part of our lives and each of us is better for it.
You have left a legacy in Naugatuck that will never be forgotten. That is of a man who led through love. You demonstrated that politicians with compassion and integrity could leave a mark on our community and touch us in the deepest part of our souls through hard work, dedication, and commitment to something more that themselves.
God has indeed found a passionate Angel. Try not to change the place too much. One day we will see you again. In the meantime tell Nancy and Jeff we said hello.
You will be missed by so many. Rest in Peace my friend."

While he was a state representative, Mr. DelGobbo visited Naugatuck schools to speak to students about the borough that he loved. Because he also loved to sing, he made a cameo appearance in a performance of 'Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.' at Maple Hill Elementary School. He joined Mayor Joan B. Taf's grandson Matthew Jackson for the number "I'm Just a Bill," a musical explanation of how a bill becomes a law. He also agreed to join me to perform the song during a celebration of Constitution Day at Maple Hill. I will always remember his kindness.

Mr. DelGobbo also appeared in a beautiful production of 'Love Letters' at Phoenix Stage Company when it was located in Naugatuck under the direction of his dear friend Agnes Dann.

Mr. DelGobbo is survived by his father, Barry, his sister, Christina, brother-in-law Greg, niece Maggie and nephew J.T. He is predeceased by his mother, Nancy Stiber, and brother, Jeffrey DelGobbo.

Hartford Courant article by Christopher Keating