Catherine Sagarino

Catherine Lena "Kay" (Cortellessa) Sagarino, age 97, of New Britain, CT and Hallandale, Florida entered into eternal rest on Thursday, February 27, 2020. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Kay was the daughter of Antonio and Madeline Cortellessa.In 1950 together with her late husband, Donald D. Sagarino they opened the Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home at 64 Maple Street in New Britain, and she became a licensed Funeral Director in 1955. In 1963 they relocated the funeral home adjacent to Saint Ann's Church at 109 North Street to better support the growing number of Italian families. Through operating a successful business and serving their community, they grew a legacy she continued after her husband's death in 1990. When Kay retired to Florida, she consulted for a local Funeral Home and became involved in many civic organizations.Kay received a B.A. from Notre Dame College in New York in English Literature and a master's degree in Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall University. She taught English at New Britain High School and taught adult education and English as a second language to adults in New Britain and adult education and CCD at St. Ann School. Kay was an active member in many clubs and organizations and served in many leadership roles in the city of New Britain. She was the first woman appointed as a commissioner to the New Britain Board of Finance and Taxation and selected as Woman of the Year by the VFW and appointed by Mayor Thomas J. Meskill as Commissioner of Welfare for the city of New Britain. Most recently she served as Vice-President of the Resident Council at Apple Rehab in Avon. Kay was very giving and adept at all she did and was dedicated to her family, friends and funeral home families. She loved listening to Italian opera and music and playing the piano. She will always be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, business leader, contributor to many civic organizations and an inspiration to many. She was an active and dedicated member of St Ann Church, Parish of Saint Joachim New Britain. Kay is survived by two sons, Donald D. Sagarino and wife Karen of New Britain, Robert L. Sagarino and wife Clariza of Simsbury and daughter Louise L. Sagarino of West Hartford, one special granddaughter Jenna K. Sagarino and one step granddaughter Stephanie E. Toohey and two special nieces, Goddaughter Cathy Carpino and husband Jim Christopher and Claudia Kufta and husband Michael and many cousins. Kay is pre-deceased by her brother Anthony Cortellessa. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 9, at 10 AM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 S. Main Street, New Britain, CT, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at Saint Ann Church, Parish of Saint Joachim, at 101 North Street, New Britain, CT. Burial will take place at the Sagarino family plot at Saint Mary Cemetery, 1141 Stanley Street, New Britain, CT. Visitation will be Sunday, March 8, 2 PM to 6 PM at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 South Main Street, New Britain, CT. The Sagarino family would like to give special thanks to the Farmington Valley VNA and Apple Rehab of Avon, CT for their support and care. For directions and condolences, please visit the Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home website at www.ericksonhansen.com