Rocky Hill Obituary: Hon. Michael DellaFera, 87

The Honorable Michael A. DellaFera, 87 of Rocky Hill, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at St. Francis Hospital.

Born on December 21, 1928 in Hartford, he was the son of the late Albert and Evelyn (Drake) DellaFera. He grew up in the Clay Hill neighborhood in Hartford and attended St. Patrick School and Hartford Public High School. After graduating high school, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. where he served from 1946 to 1948.

After completing his military service, he enrolled in college and worked for the United States Postal Service where he met Marion Fantone, the love of his life. He graduated with a liberal arts degree from the University of Connecticut in 1953 and the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1956. He worked in private law practice for over 40 years, including the law firm of Hurwitz, Berman and DellaFera, and the law firm of Later and DellaFera. He was a member of the American, Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations.

Mike was an active member of the Wethersfield Democratic Town Committee and served as district captain and treasurer. He was elected the first Judge of Probate of the Newington Probate District in 1974 and served as the District’s judge for 16 years. He referred to his court as a family court, and it was important to him that people feel at home. He was known to perform his judicial functions with sensitivity, understanding, compassion and patience.

He was a long time parishioner of the Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield, where he played a vital role during the formative years and later served as an elected member of the parish council from 1975 to 1981 and council president in 1979. He helped organize a booster club to provide sports programs for the young people of the parish.
He was a long-time member of the Wethersfield-Rocky Hill Elks Lodge and Wethersfield-Rocky Hill Knights of Columbus. He was active in youth baseball programs. He served as coach for C.Y.O., J.C. Courant and Wethersfield Junior and Senior League Baseball Teams for a number of years.

Mike received a number of awards during his career. In 1977, he was awarded the Italian American Home of Hartford Gold Medal which honors Italian-Americans in the state who have distinguished themselves in their personal, business or professional life. In 1979, he was selected Elk of the Year by his lodge members for his loyal and meritorious service.

Mike worked hard but also knew how to enjoy life. He cherished the times spent with his family and especially enjoyed Christmas. He was a loyal friend and enjoyed gathering with his classmates from law school, grammar school and the post office. He made many close friends at the Elks and enjoyed planning the dances. In recent years, he became “hooked on the Saybrook Fish House” where he met great friends who became his extended family. His love of sports was seen throughout his life whether he was playing, coaching, or watching his grandchildren or favorite teams. He was often heard cheering for the Red Sox, Patriots, and UConn Women’s and Men’s Basketball Teams.

Mike was a life-long resident of Hartford until 1957 when he and his family moved to Wethersfield. He moved to Rocky Hill in 2010. He spent his winters in Juno Beach, FL where he and Marion enjoyed entertaining friends and family, watching the sunrises from his porch and going out to dinner.

He was predeceased by his wife Marion DellaFera (Fantone) after 53 years of marriage.

He is survived by eight children: Michael DellaFera of Ashford; Thomas DellaFera and his wife Carole of Manassas, VA; Linda Poniatoski and her husband RJ of Torrington; Susan Morin and her husband George of Pawcatuck; Marjorie Wieczorek and her husband John of Bolton; Mark DellaFera of Rocky Hill; Albert DellaFera and his wife Carolynn of Wethersfield; Josephine (Jody) Donofrio and her husband Daniel of Glastonbury; Mike also is survived by 19 cherished grandchildren: Laura and Karen DellaFera formerly of Ashford; Thomas, Timothy and Andrew DellaFera of Manassas; Lauren and Kevin Poniatoski formerly of Torrington; Jacob and Kaitlyn Morin of Pawcatuck; Ryan and Jillian Wieczorek of Bolton; Zachary, Joshua, Austin, Tyler, Jeremy and Shane DellaFera of Wethersfield; and Megan and Emily Donofrio of Glastonbury. Mike is survived by his sister, Carol Bottaro and her husband Jake of Trumbull, sister in law Trina DellaFera of Hartford, brother in law Robert Fantone of Hartford, and sister in law Marjorie Fantone of Hartford as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, John DellaFera. Mike’s friendly smile and big heart will be missed by all.

Funeral service will be Friday, April 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. The burial with full military honors will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Calling hours are Thursday, April 28 from 4-8 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel.

Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Jeremy DellaFera Autism Care Fund @Webster Bank, 1039 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT. 06109.

For online expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com.