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Aldo Louis Pecco Jr.
Jan 05, 2025
LAKEVILLE — Aldo Louis Pecco, Jr., 81, of Southfield, Massachusetts, formerly of Lakeville, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Pecco was the Director of Maintenance at Camp Sloane in Lakeville for 15 years and later worked in the maintenance department at Lone Oaks Campsites in Canaan, for 10 years.
Born on Oct. 28, 1943, in Waterbury, he was the son of the late Aldo L. Pecco, Sr. and Florence (Murano) Pecco. On June 23, 1962 in Thomaston, he married Patricia Hock who survives at home after 62 years of marriage. Mr. Pecco loved the outdoors and camping. He was an avid ice fisherman.
In addition to his loving wife, Mr. Pecco is survived by a daughter, Gina A. Gates and her husband, Samuel, of Canaan, and a sister, Gloria Pecco of Florida. He is also survived by four grandchildren; Giavonna and Aaron Pecco, Gregory and Zachary Labshere; and a great granddaughter, Willow Pecco. Besides his parents, Mr. Pecco was predeceased by two sons, Ronald Aldo Pecco and Steven Louis Pecco and four sisters.
Graveside services and burial will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at Mountain View Cemetery, 80 Sand Road, Canaan, CT. Contributions in memory of Mr. Pecco should be made to: Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018.
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Charles R. Johnson, a Korean war veteran who died in combat in 1953, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Friday, Jan. 3.
Photo provided
Following years of local and regional efforts, PFC Charles R. Johnson of Millbrook was posthumously recognized for valor, receiving the Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony on Friday, Jan. 3. The medal was one of seven presented by President Joseph Biden.
Of the seven medals awarded, five were posthumously awarded to Korean War casualties and the remaining two honored Vietnam veterans, one of whom had perished in battle.
The third of six children, Johnson was born Aug. 11, 1932, in Millbrook to Robert and Pearl Johnson. He excelled in athletics and was a gifted musician. He attended Millbrook High School for three years before transferring to Arlington High School in Poughkeepsie, where he was co-captain of the football team and won election as class vice-president.
Johnson attended Howard University briefly before being drafted in 1952 into the U.S. Army, assigned to Company B, 3rd Infantry. He was killed in June, 1953 demonstrating extraordinary bravery, although mortally wounded himself, to save the lives of ten of his fellow infantrymen..
More than 70 years later, and efforts in recent years to upgrade Johnson’s Silver Star to the Medal of Honor, Johnson’s valor was officially recognized at The White House, where the medal was accepted by Johnson’s sister, Juanita.
Commentary provided after the ceremony by U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan described the process that resulted in the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Johnson.
In May of 2024, Congressman Ryan continued ongoing regional efforts to upgrade the Silver Star that had been awarded in 2011 to the Medal of Honor by calling on President Biden to approve the change.
Ryan’s action capped 20 years of efforts by Johnson’s family, friends, Arlington High School administrators and schoolmates, along with the men whose lives he saved to honor his bravery and sacrifice.
Among the wide-reaching efforts was an exhaustive study of Johnson and his story conducted by Arlington Middle School students who presented their research at Memorial Day ceremonies in Poughkeepsie in 2001.
In 2010, Arlington High School dedicated Johnson Hall and the Wall of Remembrance, honoring former students who perished while serving in the military. During that dedication ceremony, a statue was presented depicting Johnson’s bravery in battle, citing seven traits of character that helped to define Johnson: loyalty, selflessness, courage, compassion, responsibility, patriotism, and integrity.
Johnson is buried in Millbrook at Nine Partners Cemetery on Church Street.Keep ReadingShow less
Eileen M. Mulligan
Jan 02, 2025
SALISBURY — Eileen M. Mulligan, 77, of Salisbury, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
She was born in Bridgeport to Edward and Margaret Mulligan. Eileen graduated from St. Ann’s School and Notre Dame High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Quinnipiac College and dedicated 45 years to serving the elderly as the Administrator at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. Known for her kindness, generosity, and impeccable taste, Eileen was an avid traveler and reader. She had a great appreciation for fine jewelry and was a fan of Tom Selleck. Eileen resided at the Mozaic Jewish Home in Bridgeport and previously lived in Salisbury and Naples, Florida.
She is survived by her siblings; Margaret M. Mulligan of Mora, New Mexico, Joseph L. Mulligan of Salisbury, Christine M. Mulligan Firella of Bridgeport, and Edward M. Mulligan of Bridgeport. She is also survived by Catherine M. Trichka and Scott Trichka of Bridgeport, numerous nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog, Teddy.
Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Margaret Mulligan.
A Funeral Mass for Eileen will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, located at 76 Sharon Road, Lakeville, Connecticut. The burial will follow immediately afterward at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Salisbury, Connecticut. For travel directions or to sign Eileen’s online guest register, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.
The family expresses their deep gratitude for the staff of the Katie Grace House at Mozaic Jewish Home for the love and care they showed Eileen over the past 4 years. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Eileen can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service https://www.salisburyambulance.org/gifts.
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