Obituary: Julio R. Duque, 54, of Naugatuck

Information via Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home

Julio R. Duque, 54, the husband of Laura (DaFonte) Duque, died peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2016 in the VITAS Hospice Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with esophageal cancer.

Julio was born on January 29, 1962 in Seara Velha, Chaves, Portugal a son of the late Manuel Armando and Teresa (Rua) Duque and had lived in Naugatuck for the past 40 years. Julio was a construction worker who worked with Elmer F. Laydon Construction Company of New Haven and also with William M. Laydon Construction Company of North Haven and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima Church.

In addition to Laura, his loving wife of 34 years, Julio leaves his son, Michael Duque and his wife Amy of Naugatuck; his daughter, Melissa Duque and her fiancé Anthony Parente of Naugatuck; his grandchildren, Dom Parente, Reilly Duque and Michael Julio “MJ” Duque; his brothers, Jose Duque and his wife of Watertown, Francisco Duque and his wife of Portugal, Joaquim Duque and his wife of France, and Joao Duque and his wife of Naugatuck; his sisters, Gloria Cruz and her husband and Maria Teresa Rua and her husband all of Naugatuck and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Julio was predeceased by his sister, Lourdes Lavaredas.

Julio’s family would like to thank Dr. Victor Chang, Dr. Michael Savarese, Dr. Richard Silverman and all of the healthcare professionals who cared for Julio for the outstanding care and support they provided.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 10:00am at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin Street, Waterbury. Burial will follow in Grove Cemetery, Naugatuck. Calling hours are Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. To honor Julio’s memory, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 2071 Baldwin Street, Waterbury, CT 06706 or to the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, 1075 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708.