Obituary: Nicholas J. Barone, Jr., 86, formerly of Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT - (From Biega Funeral Home) Nicholas J. Barone, Jr., passed away unexpectedly and painlessly at home in Cornville, Arizona, in the early morning hours of March 8, 2021, at the age of 86.

It was the sudden end to a life full of adventure, public service, and creativity that was the envy of all who knew him.

Nick was born in Middletown, and lived in both Middletown and Higganum for most of his life. After leaving high school, Nick worked a variety of jobs around town before joining the Army with his buddies, where he eventually became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Upon returning home, he married Patricia Stebbins, and had two children, Nicholas J. Barone Ill (of Middletown, CT) and Lisa Marie Barone. Nick was predeceased by both his first wife, Pat, and his daughter.

He worked at Pratt & Whitney before joining the Middletown Police Department in 1964, where he worked in the Patrol, Traffic and Detective Divisions before retiring in 1989 at the rank of Sergeant.

He was a "cop's cop" and was deeply respected by everyone who worked with him and for him. Nick married his second wife, Bonye Wolf Barone, in 1991, and set about to live the life of a retiree at age 54.

He loved his family, many friends, the outdoors, cooking, gardening, horses, motorcycles, bird carving and leather crafting.

He travelled around North America on hunting trips and fishing trips, and the trophies of his adventures were proudly displayed in his home.

In January 2020, Nick and Bonye retired to their home in Arizona, where Nick spent almost every day fishing for trout, bass and catfish at the nearby State Park with his fishing buddies. He loved the Arizona sunshine and fresh air, but he dearly missed his family and friends back in Connecticut.

Nick is survived by many nieces and nephews (children of his sister, Josephine Klemba, formerly of East Hampton, CT, and his brother, John Barone, of Middletown, CT), as well as Pat's sisters' children and the children of Bonye's brother and sister. He so loved them all.

The Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 10 Elm Street in Middletown on Wednesday March 17th at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend with a mask and social distancing observed. Burial at Burr Cemetery on Killingworth Road in Higganum will be private.

Donations in Nick’s memory may be made to any charitable organization of your choice. Three suggestions are as follows: Donations@fisherhouse.org (serving military families), Sedona Verde Valley Firefighters Charities- PO box 2074, cottonwood, AZ 86326 (svfc.com), or Middletown Police Department PBA, 222 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457.

Biega Funeral Home has care of the arrangements. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.