Obituary of John W. Bevacqua Sr.

John W. Bevacqua, Sr., age 90, of Stratford, passed away peacefully on Saturday July 4, 2015 at Bishop Wicke Health Care Center to join his loving wife Mary Ruotolo Bevacqua, who went to heaven in 2010. Born in Bridgeport on November 17, 1924, he was a son of the late Vincent and Theresa Paola Bevacqua. He attended St. Mary's School and Harding High School before graduating in 1942. In May of 1943 he entered the U.S. Army, proudly serving in the medical corps under the command of General Patton. He was involved in four major campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp, for which he received the Meritorius Service Award. He was discharged as a First Sergeant on December 24, 1945. He was very active at St. Mark Church as a trustee, head usher and volunteer maintenance worker. He received the St. Augustine Medal from Bishop Lori for his dedication and work at St. Mark Church. He loved to sing and took part in many of the shows put on by Msgr. McMahon and the St. Mark Players. He was the featured vocalist with the Frankie Bay Orchestra. John founded Imperial Metal Finishing Inc. of Stratford in 1969 and was proud to have worked alongside his family for many years. The company is still run by the Bevacqua Family today. In addition to his parents and loving wife of 62 years, he was predeceased by three brothers, Anthony and Joseph Bevacqua and Nicholas Bevans and a sister, Rosa Bevacqua. Survivors include his three loving sons, Vincent Bevacqua and his wife Kathleen, John Bevacqua, Jr. and his wife Nancy, Frank Bevacqua and his wife Cheryl, all of Stratford, a brother William Bevacqua of Trumbull, seven grandchildren, Mary Thomas and her husband Roger, Dr. Frank, Matthew, Daniel, Elizabeth, Meghan and Tyler, two great grandchildren, Roger and Alyssa as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday July 7, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mark Church, Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment with military honors will follow in St. Michael Garden Mausoleum, Stratford. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Monday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark building fund, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford 06614.