Obituary of John Hellrigel

HELLRIGEL- John Peter Hellrigel, age 81, beloved husband of Reletta Petretti Hellrigel of Shelton, a former longtime resident of Easton, died March 25, 2009 in Griffin Hospital. He is predeceased by his parents Adolph and Mary Kerwin Hellrigel and brothers Robert, George and Edward Hellrigel. He served his country well in the US Navy during WW II on the destroyer escort ship USS DeLong. He is a retired Bridgeport Police Department Sergeant, who was instrumental in starting the first K-9 Corp and the department's pistol team. Upon retirement he continued to voluntarily train dogs for several local police departments. Mr. Hellrigel is a former president of the Easton Exchange Club and a former Assistant Director of the National Exchange Club. He is a member of the VFW post 10273, American Legion Post0160, Police Assoc. of CT, Police Benevolent Assoc., Germania Schwaben Club and the Bridgeport Elks Lodge # 36. In addition to his wife of 58 years, Mr. Hellrigel is survived by daughters, Gayl Thomas and her husband, Kenneth of Sparks, NV and Donna Smith and Mark Fiorini, with whom he shared a lifetime of joys and tears and unending devotion. Also, five grandchildren, Candace Linnen and her husband, Todd, Brian Smith and his wife, Lyndi, Kristy Reletta-Marie Brown and her husband, John, Cheryl Birk and Charles Carrieri and his wife Kaitlin; four great-grandchildren who gave him countless hours of love and happiness, Amanda, Kylie, Madison, John Robert IV, his fifth great-granddaughter, Jillian, is soon to be born. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to call on Sunday, March 29, 2009, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. Funeral services will take place on Monday, March 30, 2009, at 9:15 AM from the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Stephen Church, 6948 Main St., Trumbull at 10:00 AM. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. John's Cemetery, Monroe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bridgeport Police K-9 Corp. or the Bridgeport Police PBA, c/o Bridgeport Police Dept., 1354 State St., Bridgeport, CT 06604. On line condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.