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Obituaries

November 1, 2023 By whvoice

The Rev. Ernest Bodenweber, former 1st Church pastor, succumbs

ERNEST BODENWEBER

Rev. Ernest Bodenweber passed away peacefully after a short illness on October 17. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1925. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1943, from Denison University in 1947, and from Anderson Newton Theological School in 1953. He also did graduate study at Boston University School of Theology and Harvard Divinity School. After serving three pastorates in Massachusetts, he was called to the First Congregational United Church of Christ in West Haven, Connecticut, from which he retired in 1988. During his active ministry he served on the Boards of the Alumni of Andover Newton Theological School, the Seaman’s Friend Society of Boston, the Mission Committee of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the United Ministry of Higher Education in Connecticut. He also served as moderator of the New Haven Association of the United Church of Christ. In retirement, he did volunteer activity with the Marshall Lane Manor Convalescent Hospital of Derby, the Foundation for the Community Encouragement, the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, and Yale New Haven Hospital. He was an active participant in both the First Presbyterian Church of New Haven and the Shalom United Church of Christ, also of New Haven. He was a devotee of music and sang in several choruses including the New Haven Community Chorus, the University Glee Club, and the New Haven Oratorio Choir. He reveled in the musical richness at Yale and attended countless concerts there.

He is pre-deceased by his first wife Dorothy Tekel Bodenweber and survived by his wife, Muriel Beck Bodenweber; two daughters, Jennifer Bodenweber and Joanna Bodenweber; son-in-law, Geoffry Fried; five stepchildren, Cynthia Love, Donald Beck, David Beck, Daniel Beck and Katherine Beck; step daughters-in-law Stephanie Beck and Debbie Sherman; step son-in-law Mark Love; eight step-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will take place on Sunday November 5, 2023, at 3 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, New Haven. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Andover Newton Theological School at Yale University or Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT. To leave an online message for the Bodenweber family, please visit www.westhavenfuneral.com.

Joan M. Petitti

JOAN PETITTI

Joan Marie Petitti, age 73, of Florida, formerly of West Haven, passed away on October 22, 2023 after a long battle with cancer.  For 47 years, she was the loving wife of Michael Petitti.  Joan was born in New Haven, daughter of the late Salvatore and Ann Cirasuolo Malinconico.  In addition to her husband, she is also survived by her devoted children, Andrea Copela and her husband Nick of West Haven, Michael S. Petitti of Wallingford, her cherished grandchildren, Nicholas and Joseph Copela and Michael and Vincenzo Petitti, and her siblings Judy Williams, Tom Malinconico (Mary Ann) all of Florida.  She also leaves many other relatives and friends.

Joan and her husband Mike have been enjoying their retirement the past 12 years in Florida where they played golf and danced many nights at their community clubhouse, with all of their friends. 

She loved life, her family, her friends, dancing to Motown hits, going to the beach or pool, shopping, cooking delicious Italian meals and going to the casino.   

Joan had such a big heart and enjoyed making sure everyone around her was happy.  She touched so many lives and will be deeply missed. 

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on November 11, 2023 at 10am in St. John Vianney Church, St. John XXIII Parish.  Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.

Filed Under: 110223, Column, Obituary

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