August E. Firgau, a.k.a. Gus and Augie, 96 of Shelton, beloved husband of 66 years to Mary Ann (Makovsky) Firgau, died on Wednesday January 22, 2025 in Griffin Hospital.
He was born in Elizabeth, NJ on July 6, 1928, the son of the late John and Delia (Moreno) Firgau. After high school graduation, he served a 2½ year stint in the Merchant Marine and studied for 2 years at a business school in New York preparing for a career in export/import traffic management. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950, graduated from OCS (Officer Candidate School) and was sent overseas to Korea for service. He came home as a First Lieutenant and received an Honorable Discharge in 1953.
He is a graduate of William & Mary College with a BA in Business in 1956. His business career included Western Electric Co, Penco Products and Cadena International of Stamford, CT, a steel distributor company before retiring. Civic activities include Past Board Member of the Shelton Exchange Club, three times Post Commander of the Huntington Post 10466 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church in Huntington since 1963 and an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council. He was a Friend of Bill W. since 1985, and volunteered in the detox section of Bridgeport Hospital. He was an avid gardener and audiophile, played piano, and loved his pets. He enjoyed swimming at the local community center and cooking his favorite specialties.
He will be remembered for his humor and robust conversations on politics and current events. But his greatest pleasures were holiday get-togethers, spending time with his extended family at the Jersey Shore and vacationing with his wife, Mary Ann.
He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him. Besides his wife, he is also survived by two sons Thomas Firgau of New Bedford, MA, and Conrad Firgau of Shelton, one daughter Carolyn Nelson (Richard) of Ledyard, CT, one grandson John Nelson, two granddaughters Emily Nelson and Elizabeth Koshoffer (Wesley), 4 great-grandchildren, three sisters Aura Kontra of Northridge, CA; Olga Wolf of Doylstown, PA; Alice Firgau of N. Plainfield, NJ and 16 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother Edward Firgau.
Friends may call on Friday January 31, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd., Shelton. His funeral will leave the funeral home on Saturday February 1, 2025 at 10:15 am for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Ave., Shelton. His burial with full military honors will be held on Wednesday February 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm in the State Veteran Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Team, Inc., Meals on Wheels program, 30 Elizabeth St., Derby, CT 06418 or VFW Post 10050, 1 Veteran Circle, Trumbull, CT 06611. Online condolences may be left at www.riverviewfh.com.