Obituary of Joseph J. Formica

OBITUARIES Dr. Joseph J. Formica, 80, a prominent retired New Britain surgeon, died after a brief battle with cancer at his summer home in Mystic, CT. on September 28, 2007. Born in Hartford, he lived most of his life in New Britain and resided in West Palm Beach, Florida and Mystic, CT upon retirement. During World War II, he served in the Army as an interpreter for Japanese prisoners of war. A summa cum laude graduate of Holy Cross College in 1951, he then graduated cum laude from Tufts Medical School, and was in private practice in New Britain from 1960 thru 1990 as a principal in the New Britain Surgical Group on Cedar St. During his retirement, he volunteered his medical and surgical expertise to serve immigrant workers at the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach Florida and volunteered as a tutor to fifth grade students in the Palm Beach County School System. He also served as a Eucharistic Minister at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens, FL and at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Edmunds Retreat, Enders Island, CT. Dr. Formica is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lorraine (Negrola) Formica, a daughter Elizabeth and her husband R. Timothy Thaler of So. Burlington, VT, two sons, Dr. Nicholas and his wife Paula Formica of New Britain, and Rev. Robert and his wife Karen Formica of Cape Coral, FL, and son in law Peter Bertolini of Huntington, CT. He also leaves his ten devoted grandchildren, Peter J. Bertolini and his wife Carmen, Lisa Bertolini, Lorraine Bertolini, Jacob Thaler, Teresa Thaler, Joseph Formica, Prima Formica, Carolyn Formica, Marie Formica, and Ariana Formica, and great grandchild Mia Linda Bertolini, plus many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Linda Bertolini. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 A.M. on Monday, October 1, 2007 at St. Mary's Church, 69 Groton Long Pt. Road, Groton, CT followed by a reception at St. Edmund's Retreat, Enders Island, Mystic, CT. A private family burial will follow in Rocky Hill, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut 179 Gallivan Lane P.O. Box 902, Uncasville, CT 06382-0902 or to St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The Farrell Funeral Home, New Britain is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to www.FarrellFuneralHome.com.