Lewis Robert Paternoster, 63, of Northford, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 6, 2020 at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was the beloved husband of 37 years to Betty Jo Sibley Paternoster. Lewis was born in Bridgeport on February 1, 1957 and was the son of the late Robert and Muriel Alain Paternoster. Lewis had a varied working career that included Sikorsky Aircraft and life insurance sales. He settled into the home fashions industry in the late 80’s where he worked in sales for F Schumacher & Company of NYC and most recently at Thibaut of New Jersey. Lew has connections locally and regionally -throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions with co-workers and customers of both companies that span 30 years. Lewis was a member of the North Branford Town Counsel, a previous Board of Education member, a one-time Justice of the Peace and currently a part-time employee of the North Branford Parks & Recreation Department. Lew’s family would especially like to thank the North Branford Town Council by approving the building of a new high school with Lew’s yes vote in abstentia. Lew volunteered for many town-wide activities over the years with a big focus on the Town’s annual Potato Fest Event. #POCOParkingCrew. He enjoyed coaching basketball, soccer, and baseball for various youth teams in North Branford the entire time his children attended school. Lew also continued to coach, umpire and referee the same sports for many additional years. He and his wife spent time finding homes for many animals and would even foster them if needed. Lewis is an organ donor with the New England Organ Bank where we hope we will be able to recognize Lew in others. Lewis is survived by his children, Brittany, Nicholas and Hailey Paternoster. He is brother of Lisa Kiley and the late Donna D’Amico, stepbrother of Scott Glum, Jessica Brown and the late Cindy LaFountaine. He is also survived by his stepmother Lynn Paternoster. Lew has many of cousins, nieces, and nephews across the nation with one of his favorites, Joel D’Amico, always working to keep him laughing.
The visiting hours will be on Friday Nov. 13th from 4 to 8 PM at the The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to North Branford Education Foundation/NBHS Building Project, P.O. Box 504, Northford, CT 06472.
Lou, thank you for always having the backs of the kids of north Branford. You will truly be missed. My heart goes out to your family
Lew was loved by the community, his family, and his friends . ….he will be missed by many
He was a great guy! A true gentleman who truly will be missed. RIP and condolences to his family and friends.
Lou, you were the best and you will truly be missed.
Lou was always there for us. We will miss him. God bless
Lou was an amazing man and always had our back. He will be missed.
Sincerely, Kelly McGuill
I only had the pleasure of knowing lou for a couple of years, such a great guy! He will be missed. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace Lou.
My deepest sympathies
What a great guy…
funny
warm hearted
reliable
an old school human being
I will miss him
Sincerely
Peter Robbin
Lew was our sales rep for many years and we could not have asked for better representation. He was responsive and diligent, a great example to all. He will be greatly missed.
My funny friend and reliable colleague…he was the best and I miss Lou so very much. We always shared stories about our families and he was so very proud of his. I send you all my deepest sympathies and prayers that your memories offer you comfort and grace as you mourn this dear, sweet man.
Lou was always a welcome sight, always made us laugh, and always helped in every way he could. Our hearts are heavy and he will be sorely missed.
Lou was a very thoughtful person. He was concerned for the well-being of the people of North Branford/Northford. Lou is resting in peace and is now helping the people of the world.
We had a wonderful relationship with Lou for over the past 30 years. He was a great rep always there to help when we needed him. It is so difficult to believe that he is no longer with us. May your family remember all the beautiful memories that you shared. He will be greatly missed.
I knew Lou as my sales rep for many years. Always a sweetheart and super helpful. My condolences to his family. RIP
I’m just heartbroken. Lou was larger than life! I so enjoyed having him as my Thibaut rep. He always told it like it was. My thoughts certainly go out to his family at this time. Sounds like he was a beloved member of his family and community.
My deepest condolences to Lou’s family and friends. It was always a pleasure to hear from Lou, and have him stop by the shop as my Thibaut rep. He will be greatly missed. ~ Laurie Long
I met Lou a few years ago when I joined the senior center. Initially I did some Bus Trips. Afterword I joined the fitness room. Lou was always very pleasant as I walked in the building. I am very sorry for your loss. May he Rest In Peace.
I worked with Lou at Sikorsky back in the early 80’s on the S76 program. He was a really fun guy to work with and he knew his stuff. I remember his smile and laugh well. Rest in Peace
Lou was the most reliable, most dependable person I have had the pleasure to know and work with in the designer fabric world. He will be missed by us at Weatherly and no doubt a host of his other clients. Reading of all his other accomplishments and remembering his truly loving stories of his family (including the dogs!) – well, we have all lost a special man. My sincere sympathy to his wife and children … How lucky you were to have him in your life.
We lost a beloved member of the North Branford Park & Rec and Senior Center family but heaven gained a Shining Star. Everyone will miss Lou’s friendly greeting at the front desk of the STW Community Center.
I only met Lou a couple of times, but liked him right off as a person of character. I’m deeply saddened by his passing. He was a legend in our town for his commitment to others, from his youth coaching to his service on the town council to his many other community activities. This is a loss to all of us.
So very sorry to read of your loss. Sending you deepest sympathies from all of CT Shoreline Indivisible