Reverend Dr. Walter A. Debboli, Sr.

The Reverend Dr. Walter A. Debboli, 91, of Southington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at the Summit in Plantsville.  He is now reunited with his wife and best friend, Gertrude (Ostwald) Debboli, who predeceased him in 2012.

Born on December 14, 1929, he was the only son of Anthony and Eleanor (Gilly) Debboli.  Raised and educated in Troy, New York, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Siena College in 1952.  Walter continued to focus on furthering his education, receiving his Master of Divinity Degree in 1955 from Yale University, and returned home to upstate New York as a curator of Christian Education at St. John’s Church in Larchmont until 1957.  He relocated to Connecticut upon his marriage to Gertrude, where they raised their three sons. Upon their move, Walter served as Rector of St. Peter’s Church in Plymouth for three years, and became a well-established Rector at Church of Our Saviour from 1960-1984, during which time he proudly earned his Doctorate of Ministry from the International Bible School and Seminary in 1979 and his Master of Science from the University of Hartford in 1983.  A life spent giving to others, Walter served his country in the Connecticut National Guard, and spread forth his knowledge of ministry and faith through statewide Pastoral Counseling at various hospitals and organizations and through his countless professional memberships, including the Connecticut Federation of Alcoholism and Drug Counselors, the American Society of Training and Development, the National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors, the Association to Advance Ethical Hypnosis, and the National Guild of Hypnotherapists.  A Counselor to the officers at the F.B.I Academy in the late 70’s, he went on to become a Chaplain for the Connecticut State Police and member of the Connecticut Association of Police Relations.  On a more local level, Walter was longtime member of the Plainville Youth Council and substitute teacher for the Plainville School System, a member and mentor with the Boy Scouts of America, a volunteer for the V.N.A and the Plainville Lions Club, and, along with many generations of his family, a member of the Frederick-Franklin Lodge of Masons #14 AF & AM.  His hometown of Troy, NY always held a special place in his heart, a love he passed on to his family through their many visits to the family cottage, where he would unwind by making intricate woodcarvings for his family and friends to treasure.  A devoted family man and community leader, he leaves a legacy of selflessness and love.

He is survived by his sons, Walter Debboli, Jr and his wife Elene of Southington and Tony Debboli of Murfreesboro, TN; his daughter-in-law, Alda Debboli of Niantic; his grandchildren, Marisa Debboli-Cop her husband Andrew, and their son, Cameron; Nick Debboli his wife Amy and their son Nico; Michael Debboli, Jr., his wife Erica and their daughter Alessandra; and Olivia Debboli; along with many cousins and dear friends.  He was predeceased by his son, Michael Debboli, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, Walter may be remembered with contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut, 200 Executive Blvd, 4b, Southington, CT 06489 or www.alz.org/ct or to the ALS Association of Connecticut, 4 Oxford Rd, Milford, CT 06460 or www.webct.alsa.org.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, beginning at 8AM at the Saint Paul Episcopal Church, 58 3rd street, Troy, NY.Burial with services led by Father Michael Gorchov will be held privately.  For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com.

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