Antoinette M. (Ritzzo) Redican

On May 18, after a very long illness, Antoinette (Ann) Redican, beloved mother of Ruth Redican and Linda McDonald, passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side.  She was pre-deceased by her parents, Rafaella and Michaelangelo Ritzzo, her first husband Harold Rasmussen, who was killed in action in World War II shortly after their marriage, by Lester Redican, her husband of 64 years, and her very dear mother and father-in-law Ruth and Edward Redican.  Antoinette was also pre-deceased by her sisters Rose Mola and Angelina Cassavecchi, step sister Angelina Ciliberto, step brothers Frank and Anthony Bonaddio, brothers-in-law Steven Mola, Frank Casavecchi, Michael Marotto Sr., and Robert Redican Sr., and sisters-in-law Adele Redican, and Anna Bonaddio.

Antoinette is survived by her sisters Concetta Marotto, Marie Rizzo Fenn and her husband Mark, brother Michael Ritzzo Jr. and his wife Gail, sister-in-law Maria Bonaddio, step brother Joseph Bonaddio and his wife Wendy and brother-in-law Sal Ciliberto.  She is also survived by her daughters, son-in-law James McDonald, grandsons and their wives Wyatt and Angeliki Bissell, and Brian and Jennifer Bissell, great-grandchildren Michaela and Henry Bissell, and 11 nieces and nephews and their families.

Antoinette was born in Norwalk, Ct. and graduated from Norwalk schools.  She was energetic and very intelligent, pursuing a more than forty-year career in banking and rising to the level of Assistant Treasurer of Central Bank for Savings in Meriden, Ct. in a time when women were rarely promoted beyond entry level positions in the banking industry.  Antoinette was noted for her smile, her logical, practical, calm approach to problem solving in both daily life and in business, and her kindness to others. Antoinette and Lester made a wonderful life together and were the ultimate example of partnership in raising a family. They traveled extensively, making friends wherever they went, supporting each other’s careers and collaborated to rise above strife and illness.  Antoinette and Lester were avid Boston Red Sox fans and even in later years, Antoinette would often sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. Antoinette’s family finds comfort in knowing that they are reunited in God’s grace.

Antoinette’s family is most grateful for the decades of internal medicine care provided by Dr. Kristophe Jakubowski, and the home-based medical care provided by Dr. Lee Forest, permitting Antoinette to remain at home with her family during the last years of her life.

A private funeral was arranged by Spear Miller Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, graveside services by Most Holy Trinity Church, and interment in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden.  Antoinette’s family gratefully requests that contributions be made to the Glory of God and in Antoinette’s memory to St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield, Ct., 068254, or Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 North Colony St. Wallingford, Ct. 06492, or the charity of choice.