Obituary of Matthew Mirto Jr.

Matthew Mirto Jr., age 77, of Shelton, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 1, 2024. Born in Bridgeport on December 30, 1946, he was the son of the late Matthew Mirto Sr. and Anna Dragone Mirto.

Matt graduated from Stratford High School in 1964 and earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science Engineering Technology-Mechanical (Metallurgical Option) from Norwalk State Technical Institute. He started his career as a draftsman at Sikorsky and W.S. Rockwell Company of Fairfield, CT where he worked his way up to Sales Manager, Plant Manager and Vice President and held a U.S. patent for a tide gate for the town of Fairfield wetlands. He served our country as Sargent of the motor pool in the U.S. Army Reserves for 6 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Bridgeport in Science and Mathematics and later bought and owned the Coldwell Wilcox Company Division of W.S. Rockwell. He ended his career in Sales at ABC Sign Corp. of Bridgeport, CT where he was proud and happy to work. Matt loved baseball, enjoyed watching the New York Yankees and UConn Huskies basketball and going to the casino. He truly loved attending his grandchildren's various sports including, baseball, softball, football, soccer and swimming. He played softball for many years where he made many life-long friends and coached many of his son's and granddaughter's baseball and softball teams throughout his life which gave him great joy.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Lorraine King Mirto of Shelton who he loved dearly, his daughter, Wendy Ann Hiltz and her husband Michael Hiltz and son, Matthew Mirto III and his wife Jennifer Tobin Mirto, a granddaughter, Sarah Ann Hiltz and grandsons, Peter Michael Hiltz, Matthew John Mirto and Jack Thomas Mirto of whom he was proud to be their Papa, a brother, Michael Repko of Stratford, brother-in-Law Rex King and favorite niece Kelly King Eavey of North Carolina. He is also survived by Uncles whom he considered brothers, Joseph Dragone and favorite Aunt Debbie, Vito Dragone and Donna and Aunt Ernestine Dragone Maiolo, special cousins, Anthony Dragone and Danielle, Samuel Torreso and Pat, Anthony Burdo and Jan, Marie Ariano, Edith Standish, Debbie and John Becker, Gina Rosinski and Dale, Vito (Buddy) Dragone and Jen and many more. Friends forever, Mary Repko, Joseph Bossio and Sally McCallister. He was pre-deceased by his brothers John Mirto and Kenneth McCallister, cousins Carmella Errico, Joseph Burdo and John Mirto.

Special thanks to Dr. Michael Cohenuram, his buddy who gave him five extra years, Dr. Bedford and Dr. Tortorello and to the nurses at Smilow and doctors and nurses of Intervention Radiology who he considered to be family. Also, to Greg and Brian Desanty who supported him even in his final days.

Friends are invited to meet at St. James Church, 2070 Main Street, Stratford, CT at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Interment will follow at Lawn Cemetery Shelton, CT. Family and friends may call on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org

Or to Smilow Cancer Hospital Closer to Free Fund, PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508 or at www.givetoynhh.org