The Life of Pasquale (Pat) Battaglia

Pat (Pasquale) Battaglia, 99 year old life-long resident of Ansonia, passed away at his home on August 21, 2015 just two months short of his 100th birthday. He was born on Oct 18, 1915 son of Italian immigrants Luigi and Angelina (Imburgia) Battaglia of Collesano, Italy. Husband of 50 years to his beloved wife Anne Rudenko. Pat and Anne traveled all over the world as well as in the US. Pat lived during times that most can only read about in history books. At the age of 7 he worked in the family grocery store at 116 Central Street, Ansonia & managed the store until he was drafted to serve in WWll. While in the Army Air Corps (1945-1946) he was stationed in Germany, France, Poland, Switzerland and Italy and served under General Arnold. While overseas he was always happy when he ran into other soldiers from Ansonia. He earned the Army of Occupation Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and WWII Victory Medal. After his military service, Pat attended the CT School of Electronics & received an AA degree under the GI Bill. While in school, Pat & his father sold vegetables out of their truck in Ansonia. He is best remembered as the “TV man”, proprietor of Pat’s TV on Beaver St. in Ansonia for 50 years. He knew everyone from Ansonia. No matter where Pat went people recognized him & greeted him. If he started talking to someone as a stranger they were friends by end of the conversation. He was born in a house on Central Street by the park that no longer stands. As Pat told it he didn’t move far from where he was born & was happiest when at home in Ansonia. Pat was pleased with the changing trends in the city & always appreciated visits from Ansonia Alderman, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Tripp. Phil would keep Pat current on growth in Ansonia & Pat would share WWll stories. He loved to share stories from the war & the early days of Ansonia. His first memory was riding in a horse and buggy for transportation. He was one of the first car owners in Ansonia when his father bought him a model A Ford in 1931 when there were very few cars on the road. All his friends chipped in a penny to scrape up the 10 cents for a gallon of gas. He said “tough times during the depression, everyone had nothing & the little they had they were happy to share.” He spoke of times when your word & a handshake sealed the deal. Pat was a man of his word and had a big heart, ready to help anyone in need. He learned from his father''s generosity. The family grocery store was run during the depression & when friends said “I don’t have money to feed my kids,” his father would give them groceries. Pat & his wife Anne raised their nieces Janice & Joanne Dryja, they loved them as second parents and Pat had the honor of walking them down the aisle on their wedding days. In addition to his beloved wife, Anne Rudenko Battaglia, Pat was predeceased by his brother, Bartolo (Benny) Battaglia; sisters, Anne Dibiccari & Concetta (Catherine) Wilkinson. He is survived by his niece & caregiver Joanne (Fernando) DaSilva (Seymour); nieces Janice Easter (New Britain), Donna (Michael) Saleme (Ansonia) & Angela Mahoney (Oxford); nephews John Dryja (CA), Larry, Richard, & Louis Dibiccari (all of NY), Louis Battaglia (MO), many great nieces, nephews & good friends, especially Michael Alberti (Oxford) and Tom Mcewan (Ansonia).The family expresses their appreciation to Dr. Lucille Burgo-Black of the VA Medical Center, West Haven for the exceptional care she lovingly provided to Pat for 20 years, he admired & respected Dr. Burgo, held her in high esteem & appreciated everything she did for him and thanks to her nurses Monique and Katie who always went above & beyond. Thank you to the staff of Masonicare Home Health & Hospice for the care they provided and to his aide Vicky who worked so hard to ensure his comfort and care. Funeral services will be held on Thursday Aug. 27 at 9:45 am at the Anthony V. Chepulis Funeral Home 47 Washington Ave. Seymour. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Ansonia. Friends and family are invited to call at the funeral home on Wednesday August 26, from 2 – 6pm, and Thursday from 9am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations, in honor of Pat’s love of animals, may be made to the Ansonia Animal Shelter c/o Ansonia Police Department, 2 Elm St. Ansonia, CT 06401.