Love Story: Husband and Wife Pass Away Within 2 Days of Each Other

Like a scene from The Notebook, a beloved husband and wife passed away just two days apart.

Josephine M. Merto, 94 of Southbury, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2016. Her husband Stephen C. Merto, 94, died two days later on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. The Danbury couple first met while Josephine was working the third shift at the Sponge Rubber Company in Shelton where she made goggles for WW II flyers.

Josephine and Steve married on October 5, 1946 and recently renewed their vows in October of 2015 in celebration of their 69th wedding anniversary together.

Josephine and Steve raised their family in Bethel where they lived for 50 years. Joint calling hours were held for the couple on February 5, 2016.

Obituaries courtesy of Jowdy-Kane funeral home

Josephine M. Merto

Josephine M. Merto, 94 of Southbury CT., passed on to heaven peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 31, 2016. She was the loving wife of Stephen C. Merto. Mrs. Merto was born in Danbury April 17, 1921. She is predeceased by her parents, Michael and Adeline Mastrianni, her brother Vincent Mastrianni and her sister Arlene Owens all of Danbury.

She was recently post-deceased by her husband Steve on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. She is survived by her cherished family: Son, Stephen “Sky” Merto of New Milford, two daughters, Joanne Baxter and her husband David, of Columbus, IN and Maureen DiComo and her husband Joe of Danbury, CT., three loving grandchildren, Adam Baxter and his finance’ Mary Almedia of Berlin, CT., Gregory and his wife Maria Baxter of Stamford and Trevor DiComo of Danbury, her brother Mark Mastrianni and his wife Anne of Danbury, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Josephine grew up in Danbury and attended Danbury Schools. Josephine was working the third shift at the Sponge Rubber Company in Shelton CT., where she had made goggles for WW II flyers when she met her husband to be Stephen Merto. Josephine and Steve married on October 5, 1946. They just renewed their vows this past October in celebration of their 69th wedding anniversary together.

Josephine and Steve raised their family in Bethel CT. where they made their home for 50 years. She retired from American Cyanamid, in Danbury after working in the sterile room for 26 years. Josephine was a dedicated care giver for her mother, two aunts and her uncle. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, reading, home shopping, gardening, and big band music. During her life, she liked to travel, including trips to Hawaii and Italy. She continued to travel well into her 80’s with Steve making trips across the country representing the CT chapter of the CBI Basha, at national reunions of the CBI Organization– China, Burma, India.

She will be sadly missed by all and we are grateful to have shared her love all these years. Thoughts and prayers can be shared at: http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/newstimes/josephine-merto-condolences/177549381?cid=fullThoughts. In lieu of flowers, the family requests sending a donation to the Recreation Dept. of the Lutheran Home of Southbury, 990 Main Street N. Southbury, CT 06488. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 386 Main St., Danbury. Interment will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

Merto, Stephen C.

Stephen C. Merto, 94, loving husband and father passed away, peacefully on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. Mr. Merto was born in New Haven, CT on September 11, 1921.He was predeceased: by his wife Josephine Merto, Parents Joseph and Josephine Merto of Derby, CT. His two sisters Theresa Gillotti of Danbury, and Mary Merto, of Derby and his brother John Merto, of Shelton, CT. He is survived, by his two sisters, Angie Krouch of Florida, and Anna Bonadies, and her husband Joseph of Branford, CT. His son Stephen “Sky” Merto of New Milford, CT, his two daughters, Joanne Baxter and her husband David of Columbus, IN, and Maureen Di Como her husband Joe of Danbury. Stephen leaves behind three wonderful Grandchildren: Adam Baxter and his fiancee’ Mary Almedia, of Berlin, CT., Gregory Baxter and wife Maria, of Stamford, CT and Trevor DiComo. of Danbury, CT., as well as, many loving nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

He served in World War II – as a US Sargent for the 10th Army Airborne in the China Burma India theatre. Stephen is one of the Original Flying Tigers from Chennault’s command. He received an Honorable discharge, and remained in the Reserves. After the war he met his love of his life and bride to be Jo Jo while working at the Sponge Rubber Company In Shelton, CT. The couple married on October 5,1946 and were together for 69 years.

Stephen worked for several companies, throughout his career retiring from Dual-Lite in Newtown, CT. After his retirement, he worked part time for Green Tree Toyota for 20 years. Steve and Josephine raised their family in Bethel CT. where they made their home for 50 years. Stephen was very active in local organizations and longtime parishioner of Saint Mary’ Church, Bethel, CT serving as the President of Holy Name Society, Nocturnal Adoration and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He traveled with the Choir Boys, Little Singer of the Wooden Cross. In addition, he was the President of the Mens Bowling league, and the Vice President of the Western Ct. Junior Golf League. One of his proudest accomplishments was being a co-founder and Commander of The Yankee Ct. Basha CBI Organization.

Steve and Josephine made trips well into their 80’s all across the country representing the CT chapter of the CBI Basha, at national reunions of the CBI Organization– China, Burma, India. Stephen was an avid golfer, bowler, and enjoyed fishing, and spending time with family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests, a donation be made to the Recreational Department of the Lutheran Home, 990 Main Street North, Southbury, CT. 06488. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 386 Main St., Danbury.