Arthur A. Civitelli, Sr.

Arthur A. Civitelli, 89, loving husband of Dorothy Larson Civitelli of 77 Quarry Village Rd., Cheshire died at his home on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. He was born in New Haven on October 27, 1926, a son of the late Anthony and Theresa Longo Civitelli. Arthur joined the US Navy Amphibious Forces in 1944 at 17 years old after being signed in by his sister due to his age. He became a Gunner's Mate (a person who checks, repairs, and fires readied guns, 50 cal., 44 & 20 mm). The ship to which he was assigned was hit in the invasion of Okinawa during WWII by Suicide Planes, ordering the crew to abandon ship. Arthur was one out of just 25 men to come out alive out of the 125-man crew. He was listed as missing and was later found on an island. He was sent to a Naval Hospital in Honolulu with shrapnel wounds, then later sent home to a Naval Hospital in Seattle, Washington. After being there for a month he was flown to Chelsea, Mass., and medically discharged after serving 3 of his 4 enlisted years. He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. After his time in the service, he worked as an Engraver and Printer at Lehman Bros. New Haven for 50 years. During his retirement, he worked part-time at Elim Park Baptist Home in Cheshire. He had previously been a member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church, where he served as Head Usher, and had been attending Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church since 1997, where he also served as an usher. He was a great gardener and he loved playing with his grandchildren. Beloved father of sons; Arthur Civitelli Jr. and is wife Lynn of Meriden, David Civitelli and his wife Beth of Mobile, AL , and the late Robert Civitelli. Loving grandfather of Krysten, Katelyn, Jonathan, Caren, Mary Ashlynn, Marissa, and the late Kimberly Civitelli. Arthur was also predeceased by 2 brothers and 7 sisters. Friends may visit with his family from 3-5 PM on Sunday, December 6 at BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden followed by a prayer service at 5 PM. Burial in Walnut Grove Cemetery will be private.