Vernon Wallenta, Sr, 74, of Sandy Hook died November 17. He was born October 9, 1943, in New London.

Mr Wallenta grew up near Fairfield Beach, where he found his love of nature, the ocean, and fishing. He attended Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, where he met his high school sweetheart and wife of 53 years, Barbara.

He served in the US Air Force in the early 1960s, and after his discharge Mr Wallenta was employed as an electronic engineer, retiring at the age of 49. During his retirement years, he enjoyed building computers, playing guitar, photography, and listening to many genres of music.

His mother, Betty Ribeiro; his wife, Barbara; his children and their spouses, Cherie and Jason Matricardi, Skip and Daniele Wallenta, Van and Jessie Wallenta, and Jon and Maria Wallenta; ten grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two brothers, and five sisters survive him.

His daughter, Dawn; his brothers, Ronnie and Tommy; his father, and his stepfather predeceased him.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 26, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, from noon to 3 pm.

A gathering of friends and family will be conducted at Honan Funeral Home on Monday, November 27, at 10 am, immediately followed by a graveside service at St Rose Cemetery, Sandy Hook.

A celebration of Mr Wallenta's life will follow the service at Sandy Hook Fire Company where Mr Wallenta's favorite Pizza Palace pizza will be served.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org or to the American Heart Association at heart.org.