Carol M. (Esposito) Gillispie, 64, of West Spring St., West Haven, CT, beloved sister, wife, aunt, and friend, died Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Smilow Cancer Hospital following complications after a long struggle with Lymphatic Leukemia. She was the wife of the late George “Buck” Gillispie, a WW II veteran. She attended Oak Hill School for the Blind and Wilbur Cross High School. She received a B.A. from Albertus Magnus College in 1970 followed by a Master’s degree from SCSU. Carol was the first blind person in New Haven to attend the public schools. She was diagnosed with and blinded by retinoblastoma as a one year – old, and dedicated much of her life to persons with disabilities and her community. She worked as a Rehabilitation Teacher for the blind, Visual Impairment Services Coordinator for the VA in West Haven, and as an employee for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. She volunteered and advocated for many organizations including.. the Bureau of Education and Service for the Blind, the New Haven Para Transit System, the Agency Consumer Advisory Committee, and the Lions Clubs of New Haven and Branford where she worked her way up to President. Carol was on the board for the CT Radio Information Service, and on the Advisory Committee of the Library of the Blind and Physically Handicapped. She was also a lector at St. Paul’s Catholic Church and the VA for over twenty-five years. Carol was honored by Mayor Borer in 2000 for her public service and received the Public Service Award from the State in 2003. Carol was an avid Yankees fan and loved summertime fishing trips, swimming in her pool, playing the organ, and all kinds of music. She was devoted to her family and friends. Surviving her are her two step children, George Gillispie, Jr. of VT and Carol Ann Molyneaux of PA; two step-grandchildren; three brothers, Cosmo “Buddy” and his wife Anne, Michael and his wife Peggy, and Robert Esposito; one niece and three nephews; six great-nieces and nephews; and her darling dog, Rascal. Two nephews predeceased her. She was the daughter of the late Eugenia and Louis Esposito of New Haven, CT. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Smilow and Apple Rehabilitation.
Her funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Friday morning at 9:00. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Therese Church, North Haven at 9:30. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. Donations in Carol’s memory are encouraged to any of the previously mentioned organizations.