Neil F. Gaunya

Wolcott - Neil F. Gaunya, 94, formerly of Wallingford, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026, at his home in Wolcott, surrounded by his 3 children, Steven, Christopher and Jennifer. He was the husband of the late Ann (Fowler) Gaunya.

Mr. Gaunya was born June 23, 1931, in New Haven, the son of the late Daniel and Josephine (LeStrange) Gaunya. He was predeceased by his four older siblings, Norma Ferrucci, Herbert Gaunya, Lorraine Hook and Doris Denny. Neil was graduate of Hill House High School class of 1949 and a proud US Navy veteran of the Korean War serving aboard the aircraft carriers USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB 42) and the USS Wasp (CVA 18). He was an accomplished sales representative of restaurant equipment, plumbing and automotive equipment for many years.

Neil had an inordinate love of gadgets especially pocket knives, flashlights, various kitchen gadgets, emergency radios, back scratchers and shoe horns. Dad left his children an inheritance of device-less charging cords, once state of the art electronics, flashlights, knives, old cell phones, electric screw drivers and numerous vacuum cleaners. Neil loved to recycle and reanimate discarded treasures (what others would call junk).

As much as he loved his gadgets, his love for his family was only exceeded by his love for his wife Ann of 68 years, whom he doted on. He was an excellent provider for his family working long hours, often taking evening bartending jobs to ensure a quality life for his wife and family. He was deeply devoted to his grandchildren, never missing a performance or sporting event they were involved in.

With time in retirement, Neil could be found being creative by executing his wife’s home decor visions: painting furniture, walls, installing crown molding, putting up wall paper, gardening or planting beautiful landscaping at their homes in Cheshire and Wallingford. He also was an amazing and very prolific artist, spending hours doing beautiful acrylic paintings of landscapes, people, pets and still lifes. His ability to rapidly produce paintings led to his family referring to him as “Speedy Rembrandt”.

Neil was a long time resident of Milford, Cheshire, and Wallingford. He was a deeply faithful Catholic and loyal communicant of Saint Agnes, Epiphany and Our Lady of Fatima churches.

He is survived by his children, Jennifer Cummings (John), Steven Gaunya (Heather), Christopher Gaunya (Christie Clovis); his grandchildren, Paul Gaunya (Tina), Daniel Gaunya (Trisha), Jonathan Gaunya (Miguel), Bailey Cummings, Nolan Cummings; as well as his great-grandson, Benjamin Neil Gaunya.

Arrangements – Visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 8 to 9:30 am. At 9:30, the funeral procession will proceed to St. Bridget of Sweden Parish for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery - North Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to The Cheshire Fire Department, 250 Maple Ave., Cheshire, CT 06410, or by clicking HERE.