Obituary of Patrick Tedesco

Patrick (Pasquale) Leon Tedesco went to be with our Lord on June 24, 2014 after a brief period of declining health. Pat was born in Norwich, CT on December 13, 1922 to Nunzio and Suzanne Piat Tedesco. After the death of his mother at a very young age, Pat was lovingly raised by his stepmother, Maria Schnable Tedesco. He was educated in Norwich, CT and received his Master's degree in education from Columbia University. He taught at elementary schools in Hampton, Essex, Ivoryton, and Lyme for thirty years before retiring and still kept in contact with many of his former students. During summer vacations, he worked at R.W. Camp's men's clothing store in Essex and continued there after his retirement. It was there that Pat developed his flair for colorful attire, which he maintained well into his elder years. When his contemporaries were wearing distinguished gray and navy slacks, Pat insisted that his caregivers dress him in his beloved madras plaid pants, pastel polo shirts, and Leatherman belts.Pat was devoted to the town of Essex and faithful to his church, Our Lady of Sorrows, where he was a Eucharistic minister and altar server for many years. Despite having never married, Pat surrounded himself with a circle of devoted family and friends. He is survived by one sister, Raffaella Gabbert of West VA, her seven children, and many nieces and nephews who all cared deeply for "Uncle Pat." He is also survived by his godchild, Deborah Roy of Maine, and an extended loving family in Maine and Seattle. Pat's family and friends would like to extend sincere thanks to the many brave individuals who helped care for Pat in his later years at his beloved house in Essex, at Apple Rehab in Old Saybrook, and at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. Beneath that often gruff exterior was a generous and loving spirit with a keen sense of humor and love of witty banter or a good joke. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, June 30th at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Essex, followed by a short graveside service at Riverview Cemetery. Contributions in Pat's memory may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows or the Animal Refuge League. To share a memory of Pat please visit rwwfh.com. Arrangement by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook.