Barbara J. Bergonzi

Barbara J. “Barb” (Koritkoski) Bergonzi, 87, of Chester, passed away peacefully at Fairview Nursing Home in Groton on April 24, 2025, surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. Born in Deep River on April 27, 1937, beloved daughter of the late Louis and Katherine (Shumbo) Koritkoski. She graduated from Valley Regional High School in Deep River. Barb grew up in Ivoryton and moved to Chester where she met the love of her life and beloved husband of 56 years, Joseph “Joe” Bergonzi. She was a parishioner of Saint Joseph’s Church.

Barb was a secretary at John Zanardi Oil Company (Chester). She attended Middlesex Community College where she completed courses in Real Estate and Business Management. She then continued to work for Bonfanti Real Estate Agency (Chester) and Johnson Real Estate Agency (Deep River). She was a Receptionist at IPC Technologies (Chester). She worked as a Customer Service Representative at Sage Allen (Old Saybrook). Barb finished her career working at Middlesex VNA (Clinton).

After retirement, she enjoyed vacationing in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL, with her husband and family. She enjoyed bike riding at Hammonasset State Park, watching her grandchildren participate in sporting events, and attending many ceremonies. With her great love for basketball, Barb was an avid follower of the UConn Women’s Huskies. Her love for cooking showed through her spaghetti dinners as well as many other dishes she cooked for her family. As a member of the Chester Garden Club, she devoted her time to taking care of the community’s plants. Barb enjoyed listening to music, sewing, spending time at the beach, completing puzzles, and playing BINGO where she was always a winner!

Her courage and strength have left a legacy that will live on forever. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, mentor and friend. Barb leaves her loving sister, Betty French; her loving children Kimberly (Frank) Sauro and Kelly (Matthew) Duda; her four loving grandchildren Adam and Alex Duda and Ryan and Rachel Duda; nephew and godchild Michael French; godchildren James Grzybowski and Michael Platt. She was predeceased by her nephew, Mark French.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Groton, Hartford Healthcare Hospice, and longtime caregiver Jeannette Stevenson for their outstanding care, friendship, and love Barb received. Visitation will be held from 5:00PM to 7:00PM on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, in Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10:00AM at Saint Joseph’s Church, 48 Middlesex Avenue in Chester. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairview Recreation, 235 Lestertown Rd, Groton, CT 06340. To share a memory of Barb or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com.