William L. Karosi

William Louis Karosi 90, of Ashford, Connecticut, passed on November 26, 2015. He was born in Manhattan, New York, on October 13, 1925 and moved to Ashford in 1937. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jeanette (Bilodeau) Karosi, son, William Jeffrey and wife, Rose Karosi of Ashford, daughter, Kristine Karosi of Hampton, son, Steven Karosi of Ashford, daughter, Lisa (Karosi) Allegretti of San Antonio, Texas, son Mathew Karosi of Ashford, son Robert Karosi of Wallingford and son Luke Karosi of California. He also leaves four grandchildren; Leon and Amanda Allegretti of San Antonio, Texas, Allison Karosi of Middletown, and Travis Karosi of Wallingford. Sister-in-law, Josephine and husband, Ignatius Fragione of Cape Coral, Florida; brother-in-law, Adrian Bilodeau and wife Judith of Lakeland, Florida; sister-in-law, Patricia Bilodeau and recently deceased husband Delphis of Storrs, CT. He also leaves behind his faithful dog, Chopper. William was a World War II United States Navy Veteran and served in the South Pacific theatre aboard the LSM79 amphibious landing craft. Five days before D-Day of the invasion of Okinawa, his ship was the first to land on Japanese soil with radar equipment for the invasion. It was considered a suicide mission because they would be sitting ducks while waiting for orders to unload the equipment on shore. His ship was recognized for shooting down three Kamikaze planes and enduring three typhoons. William was awarded 8 medals for Combat Action, Combat Service, WWII Victory, American Campaign, Navy Occupation, Overseas Service, Honorable Service as well as one medal from his home State, one star for Philippine Liberation and two stars for Asiatic Pacific Campaign. He proudly served in the United States Navy from November 1943 to December 1946. After the war he attended the New England Institute of Photography which gave him his start of many years of his passion: photographing town weddings, local people, old houses and barns and various celebrations for the town of Ashford. He spent 30 years in the major appliance business working for Bernie's TV, and Pearls TV & Appliance in Manchester. He was a member of the Ashford Historical Society, Hungarian Social Club and the Ashford Senior Center. He was married in St. Philip Church to Jeanette in 1948. William converted an old barn his father had built, into the house he lived in for his entire life and raised his family of seven. His humor, love for German Shepard dogs, and passion for life will never be forgotten. He is the son of the late Joseph Karosi and Helen (Tempfli) Karosi. He is predeceased by two brothers, Joseph Desmond Karosi and Ernest Joseph Karosi. A calling hour will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2015 from 9-10 A.M. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 64 Pompey Hollow Rd., Ashford, CT. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Philip Cemetery, Ashford, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Philip the Apostle Church, 64 Pompey Hollow Rd., Ashford, CT 06278, or to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002. A special thanks to Dr. Nelson Walker and the caregivers from Hartford Healthcare Hospice. Faithful to the end. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com