Felix J. Guiffra, Sr. died peacefully at The Nathaniel Witherell in Greenwich on Sunday, Dec. 13. He was 92 years old.
Born on Feb. 1, 1923 in Naugatuck to the late William “Philip” Guiffra and Christine Nardello Guiffra, he moved to Greenwich as a baby with his family, and later attended St. Mary’s and St. Roch’s elementary schools and Greenwich High School.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from January 1943 to February 1946. After completing his basic training, he served 16 months in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations for the Battery D 840th Anti-Aircraft Artillery AW Battalion. He was promoted to sergeant, and as an anti-aircraft artillery non-commissioned officer, he was placed in charge of 15 men who he supervised and directed in and out of action.
He was employed by Bestever Cleaners in Greenwich for 30 years. He retired in 1972 to join his son in the start up of Seal-Rite Company, where he continued to work on a part-time basis, up until quite recently.
Throughout his life he had a passion for golf. He continued to enjoy teaming up with his grandsons at the Griffith E. Harris Golf Course, especially to play in community fundraising tournaments. He had a great love of all sports and was a pioneer of Midget League football in town. He was an integral part of the coaching team for the original Armstrong Court Red Devils, and led them to the state championship in 1964.
In later years, he went on to assist the Glenville Mavericks’ coaches. When he wasn’t coaching, he could always be seen—and heard—either on the sidelines or in the stands at all of his grandsons’ sports games, whether football, baseball, hockey, lacrosse or rugby. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him; he was a friend to all.
He is survived by his son, Felix J. Guiffra, Jr. and his wife Ellie, and his daughter, Mary Schacter and her husband, John. He also leaves his five grandsons, Felix J. Guiffra III (Christine), Philip D. Schacter (Laura), Michael R. Schacter (Lisa), William D. Schacter (Lyndsay), Paul J. Schacter (fiancée, Kate Donnarummo) and granddaughter, Kristin Guiffra Velazquez (Luis), as well as two great-grandsons, Louie A. Velazquez and Felix “Joey” Guiffra IV, and one great-granddaughter, Lily Beth Schacter.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, William Guiffra, and his wife of nearly 60 years, Margaret “Maggie” Guiffra.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to Dr. Francis Walsh, Dr. Merlin Lee, all the doctors and nurses at Greenwich Hospital, as well as the excellent and compassionate care provided to Felix by all the staff at Nathaniel Witherell. A special thanks to Nancy Lefflbine for her support and friendship over the years.
Visitation was held yesterday at Castiglione Funeral Home in Greenwich. A funeral Mass will be held this morning—Friday, Dec. 18—at 10 a.m. at St. Roch’s Church, 10 St. Roch’s Ave., Greenwich. Internment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, 399 North Street, Greenwich
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory either to the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, 4 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830; or to The Nathaniel Witherell, 70 Parsonage Road, Greenwich, CT 06830.
