Obituary of Geraldine Gemza

Geraldine Cartiglia Gemza, age 96, of Shelton, formerly of Stratford, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2026, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family.

A graduate of Harding High School and the University of Bridgeport, the quote below her high school yearbook photo aptly read, “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever” and truly characterized her life story.

Geri and her first husband, Bob, raised their four children in Paradise Green in Stratford.  She was a “working mother” long before that moniker was commonplace.  She was an administrative assistant at Coulter and McKenzie Machine Company in Bridgeport for several years prior to her 20-year tenure as the Director of Human Resources at Bridgeport Hospital where her dedication to staff and unwavering commitment to prioritizing the “human” aspect of human resources endeared her to employees and garnered the respect of medical and executive personnel alike. Among her many accomplishments was the founding of the Childport Daycare Center for hospital employees, the establishment of an annual Employee Recognition Dinner, the initiation of an employee Summer Golf League, the standardization of all policy and procedural manuals, and incentivizing nursing recruitment and retention.

Following her second marriage, Geri and her husband Ed, former owner of The Frog Pond Restaurant in Stratford, traveled the world, lovingly welcomed their grandchildren, and enjoyed their second home on Cape Cod where summers were highlighted by Fourth of July picnics, chowderfests, trivia nights, pinochle marathons, and squeezing all 25 family members under one roof on weekends. 

In retirement, Geri proudly served on the Commission on Aging for the Town of Stratford, volunteered as a literacy tutor for the Bridgeport Public Schools, and enjoyed weekly MahJong.

Geri was a woman of great strength, resilience, and class. She was a role model, a loyal friend, and a confidante. She sought the best in everyone, and encouraged others to be and do their best.  She loved her family above all else, and she will live forever in their hearts.

Geri is survived by her three loving children:  sons, John Cartiglia and his wife Tammy of Trinity, FL; Robert Cartiglia and his wife Detsy of Fairfield;  daughter Nancy Dowling and her husband Richard of Shelton, with whom she resided the past 16 years; and son-in-law Joseph Milositz of Milford; thirteen grandchildren:  John Cartiglia of Chattanooga, TN; Alyssa Cartiglia of Safety Harbor, FL; Luke and Noah Cartiglia of Trinity, FL;  Robert Cartiglia III of Sarasota, FL; Carrie Cartiglia of Naugatuck; Jack Cartiglia and his wife Michelle of Shelton;  Jake and Sam Cartiglia of Shelton; Joseph Milositz III and his wife Katherine of Monroe; Sandra Milositz of Golden, CO; Richard Dowling III of Milford; and Marisa Dowling and her fiancee Christopher Stella of West Hartford;  nine great-grandchildren: Zoe, Jack, Aiden, Violet, Jade, Lily, Kiera, Coraline, and Archer; seven siblings: Edward Berry and his wife Frances; Patricia Violano and her husband Dominick; Jacqueline Turner; Joanne Gates; Denise Dean; Cheryl Barber and her husband Larry; and Doreen Delgado; and sister-in-law Carmella Murad; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husbands Robert J. Cartiglia, Sr. and Edward P. Gemza; her siblings Robert Berry, Miles Coen, and Audrey Hartman; as well as her beloved daughter Susan Cartiglia Milositz.