#MiddleburyCT #Obituary
Devoted to family, education and community service
Richard Spierto, a longtime resident of Middlebury, passed away Friday, January 31, 2025, surrounded by his wife and family. He was the devoted husband of Ann (Vaccarelli) Spierto.
Born in Waterbury on December 5, 1934, Richard was the son of the late Anthony and Grace (Galasso) Spierto. A graduate of Leavenworth High School Class of 1952, Richard attended the Teacher’s College of Connecticut, which is today known as Central Connecticut State University. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1956.
After graduation, Richard served in the United States Army, 8th Division, during the Cold War. He was stationed in Germany and honorably discharged for his service in 1959.
Richard taught industrial arts in the Waterbury School System for more than 35 years. His focus in teaching was woodshop and he was extremely popular with all of his students. Safety glasses were always a must in his shop! Richard was known for the variety of projects that came from the woodshop, such as whale plaques, cutting boards, lamps, and other furniture.
He was an active member of the community who served on the Middlebury Board of Finance for 25 years and the Middlebury Land Preservation Committee. He recently retired from the Region 15 Board of Education after serving for more than 15 years. As an active member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Richard served as a eucharistic minister and volunteered in many other different roles for more than 30 years. He received the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation from the Archdiocese of Hartford in recognition for his work in the parish.
Richard was a dedicated fan of the New York Mets and the New York Giants and enjoyed many hours watching the games on television. This passion was one he shared with his grandchildren.
In addition to his devoted wife of 63 years, Ann, Richard is survived by his daughter, Susan Spierto of Middlebury, and his son, Richard Spierto, and his wife, Maureen, of Northfield. He was the proud grandfather of four: Lauren McGaughan and her fiancé, Jason Morosky; Thomas Spierto; Michael McGaughan; and Mary Spierto. He also leaves behind his sister, Rita Poulter of Naples, Fla., and Waterbury as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Richard’s funeral will be held Thursday, February 6, at 10 a.m. from Maiorano Funeral Home at 95 Willow St. in Waterbury to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Burial in Middlebury Cemetery will be at a later date still to be determined. Calling hours for Richard will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Middlebury Food Bank C/O Middlebury Senior Center, 1172 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury, CT 06762. For more information, to sign the online guestbook or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.
