Paul J. Reutenauer, Jr., 77, of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Carmel Street, Hamden, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2012 at The Villages Hospice House, FL. He was the husband of Concetta (Angelini) Reutenauer. Born in Hamden on January 29, 1935; son of the late Ret. Hamden Police Captain Paul J. Reutenauer, Sr. and Ethel Prior Reutenauer. Paul was a Hamden Firefighter before his retirement in 1993; having begun his career at the age of 16 as a volunteer. He then enlisted in the US Navy where he served his country (’53-’57) aboard the USS William M. Wood (DD-715). When he returned home he continued his career as a paid firefighter for 36 years. He had a love for woodworking and carpentry and loved spending time with his family, especially vacations on Cape Cod. Paul was a long time member of the Sleeping Giant Golfing Community, was a former member of the Hamden Elks, the Knights of Columbus, Carmel Council and was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Hamden. He also was a lifelong, faithful, loyal member of Redsox Nation, and loved his NY Giants. Paul enjoyed spending his last years in The Villages where he loved life with Connie with the warm weather, golfing and getting together with the many great friends they made. While there, he was a member of the Connecticut Club and the Irish-American Club. Paul leaves behind his devoted family to cherish his memory; Paul J. (Tina) Reutenauer III of East Lyme, Kathleen “Kate” (John) Jensen and Maureen “Molly” (Larry) McKenna all of North Haven, Daniel “Danny” Reutenauer of Hamden and Sheila (Michael) DeChello of Wallingford, William “Bill” R. (Joan) Angelini, Jr., of Westbrook, Thomas “Thom” Angelini of New Haven and Paul (Amy) Angelini of North Branford. He was a proud grandfather to Paul & Kevin Reutenauer, Danny & Megan Sutfin, Casey & J.J. Jensen, Michael & Patrick McKenna, Brendan & Brian Murphy, Matthew & Melissa DeChello, Christopher & Sara Angelini , Julia Angelini and Lulu Angelini. He was brother of Robert (Kris) Reutenauer of The Villages, FL and Richard (Jan) Reutenauer of Wallingford, both retired from the Hamden Police Dept. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Paul is predeceased by his first wife, of 42 years, Mary Lou Vining Reutenauer.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue on Friday morning at 10:30. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 11:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Hamden. The visiting hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852 or the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford, CT 06492.