February 10, 2017
REST IN PEACE
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Pasquale "Pat" J. Latina, on Friday, February 10, 2017 at the Hospital of Central CT in New Britain. He was born June 21, 1929 in Hartford, the son of the late Joseph and Pauline (Alasso) Latina. He was also predeceased by his sister, Sister Concetta Latina, Community of the Religious Teachers Fillippini of Morristown, NJ, his brother, Mario Latina and wife Maria of Wethersfield. He leaves his beloved cousins, Lucy Rossi of Wethersfield and Paul Alasso of Little Compton, RI and their respective families. He leaves to mourn the entire Gustin family, who remained close friends for many years. His love, courage, wisdom and understanding have been inspirational and are treasured. Pat attended Hartford Public High School and St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and subsequently St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, MD with a major in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford by Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien in 1958. He served in the active ministry as a Roman Catholic clergyman in parishes throughout the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford from 1958-1974. He continued studies at Iona College Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New Rochelle, NY in counseling psychology, earning a Master of Science degree. He became employed as a mental health counselor at the Outpatient Clinic at New Britain General Hospital. Pat furthered his education at Southern CT State University and earned a sixth year certificate, certifying him to serve as an administrator and supervisor for the State of CT Board of Education. He then joined the New Britain public schools as a guidance counselor, then district-wide Coordinator of Guidance Services, Testing, Social Work and Program Evaluation. In 1994, he became a staff associate for the CT Association of Public School Superintendents and was active in a number of professional organizations. Pat was an avid reader, enjoying books dealing with religion, theology, philosophy and biographies. He found pleasure in music and was well versed in classical music composers and musicians. He was highly respected for his knowledge, skill, kindness and deep religious faith, which characterized his relationships. Ever inspired by St. Mother Theresa, he saw God in all people and all things. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday (February 16th) at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Church, 66 Bolton St., Hartford, CT 06114. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Family and friends may call on Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Bouelvard, Wethersfield. Donations in Pat's memory may be made to St. Luke's Church, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Boys and Girls Club of New Britain, 150 Washington Street, New Britain, CT 06051. To share a memory of Pat with his family, please visit www.desopo.com.
Pat was a CORPUS member for many years.