Obituary: Roger J. Ignazio, Sr., 75, Lifelong Resident of Windsor Locks

Roger J. Ignazio, Sr., 75, lifelong resident of Windsor Locks, husband of Elaine (Agey) Ignazio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home.

Roger was born October 12, 1938, the son of Italian immigrants the late Albert and Palmina (Recchia) Ignazio. He attended the Windsor Locks school system and proudly served in the United States Army National Guard and Reserves. He took a position at Bradley Airfield as an Airport Crash and Rescue Firefighter and Security Detail.

Roger retired from Bradley Airfield in 1993 after 22 years as a Captain of the Department. He loved his town of Windsor Locks and was very civic minded and was extremely involved in his beloved town.

He was a proud member of the Windsor Locks Lions Club for 44 years and served as past president. He was also a member of the Windsor Locks Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years.

Roger was also a member of the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department. He instituted the EMS for the Windsor Locks Ambulance. Roger was a member of the Interstate Police Association for over 40 years. He was a past member and past Chief of the Windsor Locks Lions Ambulance and a former Director of Emergency Management and Civil Preparedness for 18 years.

Roger was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary Church of Windsor Locks and life member of the Mt. Carmel Society in Enfield. He was very proud of his Italian heritage and enjoyed traveling with his family or spending time at their second home in the Berkshires.

Everyone who knew Roger knew he had a passion for vino and was famous as the 3R Wine Makers which included, Roger, Rick, Richard and their silent partner Tony. Roger will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

In addition to his wife, Elaine, to whom he was married 54 years, he is also survived by their three children, Gina Rossi of Suffield, Roger Ignazio, Jr. of Windsor Locks and Glenn Ignazio and his wife, Sookie of Sunnyvale, Calif.; his grandchildren, Nathan, Kimberly and Sarah Rossi, Nicholas Ignazio, Angela Nelson and her husband, Tony, Roger Ignazio, III and his fiancée, Sarah Olson; his great granddaughter, Tara Nelson; his twin brother, Vito Ignazio and his wife, Carol of Colchester; a former daughter-in-law, Eileen Ignazio of Peoria, Az. and several nieces, nephews and many friends.

Roger was predeceased by a brother, Albert Ignazio, a sister, Rosalie DeMay and a son-in-law, James Rossi.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join Roger’s family during visiting hours on Friday, June 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Windsor Locks Funeral Home, 441 Spring St., Windsor Locks.

A funeral procession will gather at 9 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday, June 14, for a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

Roger’s family would like thank the nurses and staff at VITAS for the wonderful and compassionate care he received. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Roger may be made to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 628 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, CT 06033.