John Anthony D’Auria, age 96, longtime resident of Milford and beloved husband to the late Rose Chipello D’Auria, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Middelsex Hospital.
Born on March 20, 1918 in Bridgeport, CT, he was the son of the late Dominico and Filomena DeStefano D’Auria.
He was a Second Officer in the Merchant Marines during World War II; on each of two missions his was torpedoed and sunk. As one of a few survivors, in July of 1992, he received a service medal from the Ambassador of the Russian Federation. After returning from the war, he became a supervisor at International Harvester and later Dyna Truck. Upon retirement, he was a custodian at Orchard Hills School in Milford. John also worked at both Bridgeport and Milford Jai Alai into his early eighties.
John and his wife Rose enjoyed numerous trips to Florida, Vermont, Las Vegas, and Italy; but their true joy was spending time with their loving family. John was a great husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather who will be truly missed by all who knew him.
John is survived by his two children, John J. D’Auria (Jaclyn) of Milford and Denise G. Odell (John) of Kensington; six grandchildren, Michael Cody, Robert Cody, and Kathryn Cody D’Auria, Jennifer Rose Broderick (Ryan), Stephanie Jo Bolstridge (James), and Matthew John Odell; and three great grandchildren, Lucas James, Timothy John, and Emily Rose.
In addition to his wife Rose, John was predeceased by his great granddaughter Allison Rose.
Family and friends will be departing the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford, CT at 9:45 AM for A Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, November 12th at Christ the Redeemer Church, 325 Oronoque Rd, Milford CT at 10:30 AM. Burial will immediately follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave, Milford with full military honors. Visiting hours will be Tuesday, November 11th, from 4-7 PM at Cody-White Funeral Home, Milford, CT.
Friends who so desire may send memorial donations in John’s name to Middlesex Hospice, Office of Philanthropy, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457.
To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com.