Alphonse Mario Pia

Alphonse Mario Pia, age 93 of Huntington, formerly of Stamford, beloved husband of 67 years of the late Theresa M. Pia, passed away peacefully Monday, February 1, 2016 at Griffin Hospital. Born in Stamford, the son of the late Jerry and Angelina Gulla, he had been a lifelong Stamford resident prior to relocating to Huntington in 1983. A graduate of Stamford High School, he proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the War, he graduated from design school in New York City and began his long career as a tailor; first working for his father along with his brother Tom at Jerry A. Pia & Sons in Stamford. He later continued the business as Pia Personal Tailoring until his retirement. He and his brother Tom were proud to have designed the first space suit used by NASA, and he was also given the honor of tailoring the first flag to be placed and fly on the moon. For this feat he was honored by the late President Richard M. Nixon. Mr. Pia was a member of VFW Post 9617 in Stamford and served as Chairman of Stamford's Patriotic and Special Events Commission. In this capacity he tirelessly devoted his time ensuring every veteran's graves in Stamford were marked with an American flag for each Memorial and Veteran's Day. He was still researching records up to three months prior to his passing. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Stamford and recently awarded hi 60 year pin in June of 2015. Above all else, Mr. Pia delighted in time spent with his cherished family. Survivors include two devoted daughters, Noreen Fodiman and her husband Bruce of Huntington and Patricia Pia-Krupnik and her husband Stan of Stamford; and a devoted and cherished grandson, Brett Fodiman and his fiancée Meaghen Moy of Boston. He was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas A. and Michael A. Pia and a sister, Theresa Pia Daugherty. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 13th, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Ave., Huntington. Military honors will be rendered following the service. Interment will be held in the spring in Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Friday, February 12, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Rd., Fairfield. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 38 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com