Obituary: Anthony L. Purcaro Jr., 80, of Naugatuck

Obituary courtesy of Alderson-Ford Funeral Home

NAUGATUCK - Anthony L. Purcaro Jr., 80, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022, at VITAS at St. Mary's Hospital. He was the husband of the late Elaine Marie (Boucher) Purcaro who passed away in 2013.

Mr. Purcaro was born July 24, 1941, in Waterbury, the son of the late Anthony and Carmela (Marano) Purcaro. He was raised in Waterbury and graduated from Croft High School, class of 1960. He continued his education at Ward School of Electronics in Hartford.

A Naugatuck resident since 1972, he had worked for Spino's TV in Waterbury and in 1973, opened his own business on the corner of Spring and Bridge Streets in Naugatuck. Soon there-after, Purcaro TV and Video became a well-known landmark at 933 Rubber Avenue. He was a long-time communicant of St. Mary's Church where he was a Eucharistic Minister, served for many years as Parish Council President, and ran the weekly well-loved Monday night BINGO.

Most recently, he returned to his childhood parish of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Waterbury where he was a member of the Knight of Columbus Council #36. As a man of strong faith, he spent many years behind the camera, assisting with the production of the daily Mass at the Office of Radio and TV. Mr. Purcaro was the best floor director for musicians volunteering to perform for the TV Mass, counting them in to the top of the broadcast and cuing them for the rest of their songs.

An active member of the Naugatuck community, he was a Videographer filming many weddings and events in the Naugatuck area. He was a member of the Naugatuck B.P.O.E. Lodge of Elks #967, the Naugatuck Rotary serving as their President, TELSA, UNICO CT Chapter 1 in Waterbury, and served on the Cable Board in Seymour.

Mr. Purcaro is survived by his children Karen Purcaro-Kudzma (Bud), Susanne Daly (William), Anthony Purcaro (Kate); his grandchildren Alyson Edgecomb (Anthony), Sara Rioux (Dustin), Madison Daly (Dylan Hovey), William and Jillian Daly, Aiden and Cali Purcaro; great grandchildren Natalie, Adam and Paige Rioux, and Zoe and Reese Edgecomb. In addition to his wife and parents, he is predeceased by his oldest son Kenneth.

Anthony, known as “Tony” to many, was well-loved and greeted by friends where-ever he went. He was known to be an honest and hard-working business man, friend and family-man who would selflessly give his time to do whatever he could for others. His smile, wit and knack for storytelling will be held in the hearts and memories of all that had the pleasure of knowing him!

Arrangements – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Rd. Friends are asked to meet directly at church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery and there are no calling hours. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Waterbury UNICO, P.O. Box 933, Waterbury, CT 06721.