Angelica, Criscitelli, Gowdy, Newport, Pollard, Wells: Recent Death Notices From Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — Here are some recent death notices from Enfield.

Gary Angelica, 73, of East Hampton, formerly of Enfield, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was a proud graduate of Enfield High School, Class of 1970. From a young age, Gary had a deep love for the guitar, which he played passionately throughout his life. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. Gary had a long and accomplished career as a computer programmer, most recently working at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) in Providence, Rhode Island, where he retired after 23 years of dedicated service.

Ronald Criscitelli, 67, died June 20, 2025, at home. Even in the face of his own tragedy, losing his battle to liver cancer, Ron remained a steadfast friend and confidant to everyone who knew him. He was fortunate enough to be given some time before returning to his Lord and filled his last months with extra family time and loved ones. He was able to go out on the ocean one last time to feel the waves and the salty breeze in his face. He did love to tell his stories, but his favorite story was the one about the love of his life. Ron fell deeply in love and married his doting wife, Virginia “Dusty” L. (Zukas) Criscitelli, on Dec. 2, 1983, in the middle of a blizzard. Together, they bought a small home in the Shaker Pines section of Enfield, before building their home on land his parents gave him next door to them, where they created over 40 years of treasured memories.

Frank Gowdy Jr., 86, a longtime mathematics teacher at East Windsor High School and beloved husband of 43 years to Diane, died last week in the house he built in Melrose. Born in Enfield, Frank and his sister, Betty, grew up on a potato and tobacco farm. He attended the one-room Wallop School, but it was on the farm that he acquired his green thumb and his knack for fixing just about anything. He narrowly escaped a brush with disaster at the age of 5 when he survived the Hartford circus fire. He served on the East Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission for many years.

Francis Newport, 87, passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Fran grew up on a small farm raising cows, pigs, and chickens, which sparked his lifelong love of agriculture and the outdoors. In high school, he was an active member and President of the FFA (Future Farmers of America), earning awards for his prize chickens. He also played baseball for the Hazardville Powder Kegs and graduated from Enfield High School, Class of 1956. Fran worked as an auto mechanic at Fineman’s Garage and later became the service manager at Artioli Dodge in Enfield. Fran served his country as a medic in the U.S. Army beginning in 1960 and later joined the Air National Guard.

Elayne (Zwarick) Pollard, beloved wife of the late Theodore (Teddy) Pollard, passed away peacefully at her home on June 14, four days shy of her 90th birthday. Elayne and Teddy moved to their home in Enfield in 1958, where she lived for 67 years. As a stay-at-home mom for many years, she eventually began her career at Reddington Counters in Windsor before retiring from Casual Corner. Elayne and Ted enjoyed many happy years camping with their special group of family and friends. After retirement, they loved traveling the country in their motor home and spending winters in Arizona. A devoted and loving mother, grandmother, nana and GG, her family was her pride and joy.

John Wells, 66, father, brother, husband of Cindy, and friend, has joined his parents and a sister in the Afterlife. He passed peacefully in his home on June 16, 2025. Working as a cowboy on a ranch, working in management for a cable company, working as a carpenter, or eventually working until retirement as a corrections officer, John feared little in this world and was exceptional in his career. He always taught his daughters, "it doesn't matter what you do, just always do your best. If you're a CEO, be the best CEO. If you're a janitor, be the best janitor." This was a lesson he taught by example as well.