Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home

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Wethersfield, CT
Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home

A family owned funeral home that cares about the people we serve. The Baxter family is here to support families in their time of a loss of a loved one.

The Dillon Funeral Home in Hartford was originally established in 1880 by Charles J. Dillon, a well known businessman and community leader. As one of the largest Funeral homes in the area, Gerald S. Baxter, Sr. began working for the firm in 1963. Seeing the need for a more modern facility, Mr. Baxter built the current funeral home in 1978-1979, allowing handicap access (all one level) and a large parking area. He also recognized the importance of having a centrally-located facility. After moving to Wethersfield, Gerald Baxter carried on the tradition of care compassion and quality . He has since instilled those ethics and values into his son Gerald S. Baxter, Jr. who grew up in the business and started as a licensed funeral director in 1986.

01/15/2026

Joyce G. Finnegan, 86, of Rocky Hill, CT, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 13, 2025, at Maple View Health & Rehab in Rocky Hill. She was the cherished wife of Joseph Finnegan for 54 years. Born in Hartford, CT, Joyce was the daughter of the late Bert and Doris (Nelson) Gustafson. Joyce is survived by her husband Joseph and their five children: Debbie Andrews and her husband Steven, Jay Walsh and his wife Ann Marie, Paul Walsh and his wife Leslie, Donna Hogan, and Christian Finnegan with his wife Vanessa. Joyce was also a devoted stepmother to Brian Finnegan and his wife Karen, as well as Darren Finnegan and his wife Sonia. Her legacy includes ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Bert Gustafson, Jr. and Raymond Gustafson, and her sister Donna Miller. Joyce took immense pride in being a “Mom of 7 children,” which she considered her greatest achievement.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Maple View Health and Rehabilitation—especially Linda and Pam—for their kindness and support to Joyce and her loved ones.

Funeral service for Joyce will be held Monday, January 19, 2026 at 12pm at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Monday from 10am to 12pm. To share a memory of Joyce, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

01/14/2026

Robert Fitch, 79, of South Lyme, CT, beloved husband of Mariann (Kamerer) Fitch, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and a recent acute illness. He spent his final days surrounded by the family he loved so dearly. Born in Hartford, CT, Rob was the son of the late Elton and Evelyn (Bennett) Fitch. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who would drop everything at a moment’s notice to lend a hand. His easy-going nature made him a joy to be around; he was always happy to go along with whatever Mariann had planned, maintaining his calm and gentle spirit even as he navigated the challenges of his illness. As an avid sports fan, Rob spent many happy hours cheering for the New York Yankees and UConn basketball. In his younger years, he found peace on the water sailing, a passion that evolved into a love for travel—especially his trips to visit his daughter in New Orleans and his son’s family in Georgia. Closer to home, he cherished playing cards with friends, but his greatest joy was his family. He was happiest during summers at Point O’ Woods, surrounded by his children, his extended family, and especially his five grandchildren, creating a lifetime of cherished memories.

Besides his wife Mariann, Rob is survived by his children: Steven Thibodeau and wife Rachel of Moodus, CT, Mark Thibodeau and wife Megan of Richmond Hill, GA, and Kristin Fitch of New Orleans, LA. He was the proud grandfather of Mattingly, Lleyton, Myla, Zachary, and Benjamin Thibodeau. He also leaves his brother, Donald Fitch, and sister-in-law Susan Bookman and husband Alan. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to his niece, Tracy Smith, whose support was a blessing to Rob and Mariann over the last several years. He is further survived by his many other nieces, nephew, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Janet Pulver.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00pm. Burial will be private. A private Celebration of Life will follow on Sunday, January 18, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org). These gifts support the search for a cure and provide critical resources for other families affected by the disease. To share a memory of Rob, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

01/14/2026

Lawrence I. Marren, Jr., 84, of Newington, CT beloved husband of Anita (Hawley) Marren, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026 at home. Lawrence was born in Hartford, CT and was the son of the late Lawrence, Sr. and Mary (McRory) Marren. Larry was a born entrepreneur, always pursuing new ideas and brave ventures, but the greatest passion of his life was his family. To Larry, family wasn’t just important, it was everything. He led by example, teaching those he loved that family comes first, always. He created countless memories, taking his family on adventures ranging from Corvette races to a six-week cross-country journey in a camper, filling their lives with excitement, laughter, and stories they will forever cherish. His love for racing became a shared bond with his sons, spending countless weekends at motocross tracks—much to their mother’s amused resignation—and creating moments of joy, pride, and connection. Larry began his career as a steamfitter with Local 218/777 before taking over the family business from his father, continuing a legacy built on hard work and dedication. He later founded International Fabricators, producing intricate parts for projects used in oil fields in the Middle East & chemical feed tanks for Navy destroyers. Larry bought into the then struggling Corvette Center and built a state of the art building for the business. He also fulfilled his creative spirit by building custom homes.

Besides his wife Anita, Lawrence is survived by his two sons Brian Marren and his wife Nancy and Kevin Marren his, longtime companion Michele Asaro, his four grandchildren that he adored Megan, Jenna, Kaylee, his best buddy Sean and his brother-in-law Bob Hawley, who was like a son.

Funeral service for Lawrence will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 10am at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St., Berlin, CT. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill, CT. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT has charge of arrangements. There are no calling hours. To share a memory of Larry, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

01/12/2026

Julia Felix Hernandez a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, and great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2026 at the age of 93 at Hartford Hospital. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico on March 8, 1932 to the late Nicolasa Ocasio and Emilio Felix. Julia will always be remembered for her unconditional love, patience, warm generosity and strength. She dedicated her life to raise her children, including her first born grandchild, Wanda Rios. Mami Gorda as she was often referred to by her grandchildren, was always ready to give and receive blessings, love and warm embrace. She enjoyed going out dancing with her late partner, Ismael Mejias and loved attending her favorite Senior Center in which she was a very active participant for many years. She enjoyed the special activities, listening to music and dancing, shopping and truly enjoyed socializing with the other seniors. All in all, Julia was the life of family gatherings, just like the real Matriarch she truly was. No family gathering was complete without her same old jokes and laughter. In fact, weeks before her passing, she was joking and laughing at her same old jokes. All we ask is that God receives our so dearly departed mami into His Loving and Holy Arms, His kingdom and give her everlasting peace. Thank you everyone for loving our dear mom and all of your prayers and support and accompanying us during these very difficult times in our lives.

Julia is survived by her four daughters; Susy Colon, Rosa Perez, Carmen Julie Hernandez and Nitza Nieves. Also 20+ grandchildren, many great-grands many, many great-great-grandkids, too many to mention by names. She had very close adult grandchildren that were very much involved and a big part of her life. Even though Julia was suffering from dementia, she never forgot not one of her close grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters; Emilia Felix and Juanita Rivera., among many nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by her beloved daughter Maria Torres and special needs son Ricky Hernandez who was also very much loved. Also her long time partner of 40+ years Ismael Mejias; she loved and missed them all. Our mom loved everyone equally and took all her daughter’s childhood friends and described them as having them without labor pains. She especially adored all her in-laws; Maria Diaz (Moya) Edgardo Torres and Steven Nieves. She always said she loved them as if they were her own kids.

Funeral service for Julia will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 12pm at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Wednesday from 10am to 12pm. To share a memory of Julia, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

01/04/2026

Georgios Mangafas, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on January 2, 2026, surrounded by his beloved family. Georgios was born in Paradisi, Rhodes, Greece, where his values of hard work, humility, and devotion to family were deeply rooted. Those values guided him throughout his life and across continents, shaping the man so many loved and respected. He was the devoted husband of Christina Mangafas, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage, partnership, and unwavering love. Together they built a life centered on family, perseverance, and care for others.
Georgios was the proud father of Vaya Handras (husband Thanasi Handras) and Kyriakos Mangafas (wife Terry Mangafas). He was an adoring grandfather to his four grandchildren—Christina, Katerina, Georgios, and Christina—who brought him immense joy and pride.
He was preceded in death by his sister Marietta and is survived by his sisters Loukia, Kiki, and Evangelia. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law Tharanos (wife Kathy) and Vasilios, along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews who will remember him fondly.
An entrepreneur and restauranteur, Georgios worked tirelessly throughout his life. He was a quiet, gentle man whose strength was shown not in words, but in action. He expressed love through providing, through consistency, and most of all through food—feeding others was one of his greatest joys. No one ever left his presence hungry, whether for a meal or for care.
Above all else, Georgios was devoted to his family. He was the best father, grandfather, father-in-law, and uncle—steady, kind, and selfless. His presence was calm, his love constant, and his legacy lives on in the family he nurtured and the values he passed down.
Georgios will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
The wake will be Thursday, January 8, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Hartford, followed by a Funeral Liturgy at 11:00 am with the Rev. Dr. George Zugravu, Dean officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Memorial Contributions can be made Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave. Hartford, CT 06114. To share a memory with the family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

12/22/2025

Marcos Antonio Cruz, 52, of Hartford, CT beloved husband of Aida Bonilla Cruz passed away Saturday, December 20, 2025 at home. Marcos was born in Hartford, CT and was the son of Carlos and Nereida (Burgos) Cruz. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather whose life was defined by hard work, strength, and devotion to his family. As a provider and guide, he gave selflessly and loved deeply. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Besides his wife Aida, Marcos is survived by his children Marcus Cruz, Carlos Cruz, Markeith Cruz, Daynaisha Cruz, Eduardo Gonzalez and Jose Gonzalez. His sister Sandra Burgos, his grandchildren Aaliyah Cruz, Dominic Gonzalez, Amari Gonzalez, Kairi Gonzalez, Amarielyz Gonzalez, Kelliannie Gonzalez and Arianna Gonzalez. Marcos was predeceased by his brother Jose Burgos.

Funeral service for Marcos will be held Monday, December 29, 2025 at 12pm at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Monday from 10am to 12pm. To share a memory of Marcos, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

12/22/2025

Angel Manuel Crespo, 71, of Hartford, CT beloved husband of Beryl (Sukhlall) Crespo, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Hartford Hospital. He was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, and was the son of the late Alfonso and Benita (Mercado) Crespo. Angel came to the United States in 1969, where he worked in the to***co fields at Camp Windsor in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Over the years, he held various jobs and lived in several places before settling in Hartford, where he built a life with his wife Beryl and worked at Mosey’s Inc. Angel had a passion for collecting rare dollar bills and coins, especially bills with star markings. He loved science fiction movies and television shows and was a devoted fan of both DC and Marvel, with Superman being his favorite superhero. During the holidays, Angel was known for baking the most delicious cakes and pies, a tradition cherished by family and friends. Angel was a kind, generous, and selfless man. He was always willing to help others and never hesitated to give to those in need. If someone needed him, Angel would drop everything to be there.

In addition to his wife Beryl, Angel is survived by his daughter Crystal Crespo of Hartford; his three sisters, Aida Crespo, Amparo Crespo, and Carmen Crespo, all of Cayey, Puerto Rico; and his brother-in-law Harrinerine Sukhlall. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his mother-in-law Kalawati Sukhlall of Hartford, CT whom he adored dearly. Angel will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT 06109, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Friday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. To share a memory of Angel, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

12/15/2025

Arrie Pearl Floyd, 98, of Middletown, CT passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at home. Arrie was born in Lafayette, Alabama and was the daughter of the late John and Lavada (Jennings) Askew. She was known for her kindness. Arrie worked at Hartford Jai-Lai from the day it opened until the day it closed. She loved a good game of Spades in her spare time. Her unwavering faith was something to be admired.

Arrie is survived by her son, Louis; grandchildren: Marlon (Aretha), Salena (Johnnie) also caretakers, Greg (Amy), Kim (Carlos), John Lee, Michelle, James Jr; 17 great grandchildren; great-great granddaughter, Evelyn Pearl as well as multiple close nieces, nephews & cousins in Buffalo, NY and Alabama. She spent a lot of time with her daughter-in-law, Mary. Arrie was predeceased by her husband, John Lee; sons James, Howard & Albert; daughter Annie Jo; grandsons, Matthew & Ronald; as well as a multitude of siblings, nieces & nephews.

Funeral service and burial will be private. The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT has charge of arrangements. There are no calling hours. To share a memory of Arrie, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

12/10/2025

Panagiotis S. “Peter” “Max” Maheras, 90, of Torrington, CT passed away Monday, December 8, 2025 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bridgeport. Panagiotis was born in Greece and was the son of the late Spyridon and Georgia Maheras. Panagiotis arrived in the USA at the age of 33 and spent most of his life as owner/operator of many Max Pizza Restraurants.

Panagiotis will now be reunited with his parents as well as his siblings, Dionesia, Aristomene, Dionisios, Andreas and Kostantinos. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss him dearly.

Funeral service for Panagiotis will be held Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 11am at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 433 Fairfield Ave., Hartford. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Wednesday from 10am to 11am. To share a memory of Panagiotis, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

12/09/2025

Eddie Velez, 56, passed away on December 2, 2025, at Hartford Hospital. He was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico, on December 23, 1968, to Elba and Felix Velez. Eddie worked as a machinist and was known for being handy.

He loved fishing and watching wrestling, and he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Eddie also loved good food. He was protective of his family and always made sure to provide for them. People knew him for his appreciation of classic music and movies.

Eddie is survived by his beloved wife, Lenny Ann Velez of Hartford; his father, Feliz Velez; his mother, Elba Velez; his daughters, Celesny Ann Velez, Lenny Cecilia Velez, Eddiana lee Velez and Eleny Elise Velez; and his son, Eddie Velez Jr. He also leaves behind his siblings: Abigail Velez, Felix Javier Velez, Nancy Velez, Vanessa Velez, Clara Velez, Edgardo Velez, Jose Francisco Velez, and Felix Angel Velez, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.

A funeral service for Eddie will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford. Family and friends are welcome to visit at the funeral home on Friday from 10 am to 12 pm. To share a memory of Eddie, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com.

12/05/2025

Robert (Bobby) W. Scully, Jr. 68, of Bloomfield, CT, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Bobby was born in Hartford, CT and grew up in West Hartford. He was the son of the late Robert W. Scully Sr. and Evelyn (Burdick) Scully.

Bobby loved spending time outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He owned a bait and tackle shop in New Hartford for several years where he loved sharing his knowledge and love of fishing with his customers. In his younger years, Bobby worked alongside his dad and brother at Northeastern Turf Corporation in Simsbury, where they grew many acres of sod.

Bobby’s friendly, outgoing personality and wonderful sense of humor endeared him to many friends over the years. He was fearlessly authentic and will be dearly missed by all those lucky enough to have known him.

Bobby will be forever missed by his brother and sisters: Timothy Scully and his wife Janet of Simsbury, CT, Suzanne and her husband Jeff Locke of Nashua, NH, Paula Scully and her husband Chris Genthner of Easton, PA, Melissa Scully and her husband Nathan White of Manchester, CT, and Cassandra Scully of Knoxville, TN.

He had a lifelong love of animals and cared for a wide variety of pets throughout his life. Nothing brought him more joy than sharing that love with others, and he especially cherished passing it on to his family.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all of the staff at Touchpoints of Bloomfield, CT for the years of compassionate care and support they provided to Bobby. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111.

A wake open to all those who would like to celebrate Bobby will be on Friday, December 12, 2025 from 3 to 6 pm at the Dillion-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Turnpike Wethersfield, CT 06109.

Private services at the discretion of the family. To share a memory of Bobby, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

12/01/2025

Ramona P. Colon, 75, of Hartford, CT, beloved wife of the late Robert Colon, Sr. passed away Friday, November 21, 2025 at St. Francis Hospital. Ramona was born in Utuado, PR and was the daughter of the late Jose and Juanita (Duran Ortiz) Plaza.
Honoring the Legacy, Love, and Spirit of Ramona “Monin” Colon
Today, we gather to celebrate and honor the remarkable life of Ramona “Monin” Colón—a woman whose strength, love, and perseverance touched everyone who knew her. While her passing brings sorrow to our hearts, we choose to honor her by reflecting on the joy, wisdom, and unconditional love she shared throughout her life. Monin, the oldest of 17 children, was born on April 30, 1950, in Utuado, Puerto Rico to José Plaza and Juanita Durán Ortiz. As the eldest, she learned responsibility, compassion, and leadership at an early age—qualities that would define her entire life. After moving to Connecticut, Monin married the late Roberto Colón Sr., and together they built a beautiful and loving family. She became the proud mother of three children.
She is survived by two sons, Robert Colón Jr. and Carlos Colón, and is preceded in death by her daughter, the late Jaslynn Colón. She was also blessed with eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom were the light of her life. Monin’s life was a true testament to strength, sacrifice, and perseverance. After the devastating loss of her husband, she faced life as a widow with courage and unwavering determination. Though she never worked outside the home or held a traditional job, she worked endlessly in the most meaningful way—raising her children, nurturing her family, and creating a home rooted in love. With limited resources but limitless faith and dedication, she successfully raised strong, loving children and watched with pride as her legacy continued through her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her life was a tapestry woven with compassion, resilience, and unwavering generosity. Whether she was lending a helping hand, offering kind words, or cooking a warm home-cooked meal in her kitchen, Monin had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and loved. Her home was a place of comfort, laughter, and refuge. Monin’s dedication to her loved ones was evident in every holiday gathering, birthday celebration, thoughtful gesture, and heartfelt conversation. Many will forever remember her welcoming smile, her ability to turn any ordinary moment into a celebration, and the peace she brought simply by being present. Whether she was cooking for her family, playing dominoes with her sons or going to the casino, she poured her whole heart into everything. Her strength in the face of life’s hardships taught us resilience. Her love taught us how to care deeply. And her life taught us the true meaning of sacrifice, devotion, and unconditional love. Though she is no longer with us, Ramona “Monin” Colón’s spirit lives on in every life she touched. Her legacy will continue through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know her.
She will be deeply missed, eternally loved, and forever remembered.

Funeral service for Ramona will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Saturday from 9am to 10:30am. To share a memory of Ramona, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

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1276 Berlin Turnpike
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06109

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