Afonso M. Batista

Afonso M. "Al" Batista, 87, of Newington, formerly of Hartford and West Hartford, beloved husband of 65 years to Marie (Bernard) Batista, died Sunday, October 19, 2014. Born in San Paio of Gauvias, Portugal; son of the late Alfredo and Ana Batista; he lived in Hartford for 57 years, moving to West Hartford and then moved to Newington in 2003. He was a World War II Army veteran serving in Japan. Al retired from Duo Fast Northeast and previously was employed at Underwood. Besides his wife, Al leaves his son Michael B. Batista and his fiancé Sun, of East Hartford; two daughters and sons in law; Diane and William Meany of Crawfordville FL; Gail and Paul Pandolfo of Kensington; and a son in law Larry Rocke of Jacksonville, NC; Six grandchildren Natalie Edwards, James Rocke, Keri-Ann Meany, Shannon Meany, Teresa Alexandru, Vincent Pandolfo; four great grandchildren, Tyler Rocke, Michael, Robin and Carson Edwards; four great great-grandchildren. Al was predeceased by a daughter Ann Batista Rocke. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10am directly at Holy Spirit Church, 183 Church St., Newington. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, West Hartford, has care of the arrangements. His family would like to thank Bel-Air Manor, Newington and the hospice staff from VNA Healthcare for all the loving care given to Al in his final days. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to National Foundation for Transplants, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119 on behalf of his grandson James Rocke. On-line condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.