Louis C. Villamana obituary

#MiddleburyCT #Obituary

Educator, beloved husband, father and grandfather

Louis C. Villamana of Middlebury, 88, devoted husband of Carol (Martoccio) Villamana, passed away on August 13, 2024. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., on December 4, 1935, Lou was the son of the late Carmen and Cecilia (Traficante) Villamana. At the early age of 7, Lou lost his father and grew close to his grandfather, Anthony Traficante, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing. He spent many summers with his family and cousins in Boiceville, N.Y., where fond memories were made at his grandfather’s country home.

Lou earned a full scholarship to attend Regis High School in New York City and graduated in 1953. He received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Fordham University in 1957 and earned a master’s degree in secondary education from Hofstra University in 1962.

He began his career as a math teacher at Hicksville Junior and Senior High School in Hicksville, N.Y. He then moved his family to Ridgefield, Conn., where he assumed an assistant principal position at East Ridge Junior High School. Eight years later, he became principal of Newtown Middle School in Newtown, Conn., where he served for over 19 years.

Lou made national headlines when he banned limousines and extravagant attire including strapless gowns and tuxedos for the Newtown Conn. Middle School annual eighth grade dance. A crusader for the parents, he took the initiative to ban extravagances so that all could afford to attend the dance.

At age 58, Lou decided to retire but kept active working for the University of Bridgeport, where he evaluated student teachers and interns. He also negotiated contracts on behalf of the Connecticut Federation of School Administrators.

In his retirement, he also loved spending summers for over 20 years at his second home at Ocean Edge Resort in Cape Cod, Mass. He served on the Board of the Ocean Edge Condominium Association and loved living on the signature hole of the golf course.

A fitness enthusiast, Lou was an avid daily runner, and continued this well into his 80’s. He was a devoted NY Yankees and Giants sports fan. He also followed professional boxing and was excited to meet world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson while attending a live Mike Tyson heavyweight championship boxing match. Smart, ambitious, and hardworking, Lou was a planner who always set goals and worked to achieve them.

Above all, Lou was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was always present for events, shows, and performances of his sons and grandchildren. In addition to Carol, his beloved wife of 65 years, Lou is survived by his sons, Edward Villamana and his wife, Linda, of Bethel, Conn. and James Villamana and his wife, Mary, of Newtown, Conn.; and his grandchildren Lisa (Villamana) Kilcourse and her husband, Greg, and Kristina, Matthew, Colin, and Lauren Villamana. He also leaves several generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas Villamana.

Lou’s funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 12 p.m. at St. Mary Church at 26 Dodgingtown Road in Bethel, Connecticut. A calling hour will be held at the church Tuesday morning from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Burial will follow in Newtown Village Cemetery in Newtown. There are no calling hours at the funeral home.

Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Lou’s favorite color was red. In his honor, his family encourages everyone to wear something red to his services. Maiorano Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements.

Memorial contributions in Lou’s name may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memorials Processing, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or online at www.stjude.org.

For more information, to sign the online guestbook or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.