Firmo Reis ""Ray Noiva

Firmo Reis “Ray” Noiva, 85, of East Hartford, loving husband for 64 years of Carol (Ulitsch) Noiva, passed away unexpectedly on Monday (August 21, 2017) with his family by his side. Born on June 22, 1932 in Portugal, the son of Agostinho and Maria (Reis) Noiva. He grew up in Hartford graduating from Hartford Public High School. Proud of his Portuguese heritage and his U.S citizenship, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He married the love of his life, Carol Ulitsch, and raised their family in East Hartford. Although he held various jobs in his early career, he was most proud of his job as manager of payroll systems at Aetna Life and Casualty. There was no problem that Firmo couldn’t fix or solve. He loved working on cars and was a lifetime fan of UCONN basketball. He had a very analytical mind and read daily newspapers and fiction. He followed politics closely and served the town of East Harford on the Planning and Zoning Commission. He and his wife Carol were founding members of Our Lady of Peace Church where he often volunteered.

Firmo was more than just a family man, family is what he lived for. Besides his wife Carol, Firmo is survived by his children, Susan (Randy) Hamilton, Dr. Robert (Nancy) Noiva, Jeffrey (Connie) Noiva, Janice (Mike) Walsh, and Elizabeth (Dave) Sheehan. Grandchildren, Sara (Chris) Wethje, Greg Hamilton, Karen (Erik Demaine) Noiva, Eric (Christina) Noiva, Jennifer (Camerin) Hahn, Trevon (Katharine) Noiva and Kyle Noiva, Erin and Shannon Walsh, and Nick Pezzente; a sister, Estella Martins and her husband John. He was Great Pop to seven great grandchildren. A brother in law, Freddy Blasig, who Firmo loved to visit, bringing him many small engine projects to work on. He is also survived by many other cherished friends and relatives. Other than his parents, Firmo was predeceased by a brother, Veriato “Pete” Noiva and a sister Idalina Mendes. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin on Friday, August 25 at 10 a.m. at the Our Lady of Peace campus of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 370 May Rd., East Hartford. Burial with full military honors will be immediately following at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford. Donations in Firmo’s memory may be made to St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer St., East Hartford, CT 06118. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.