Naugatuck, CT Jose T. Ascencao, 81, the husband of Lorraine (Fonseca) Ascencao, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Jose was born on January 5, 1935 in Bunheiro- Murtosa, Portugal a son of the late Francisco Rodrigues Ascencao and Ludovina Tavares Ascencao Matos and had lived in Naugatuck for most of his life. He worked for over 39 years at the chemical division of Uniroyal, Inc. where he was a truck driver, and a corporate driver. Prior to his retirement he transferred to hazardous materials management . He was a former active member of Local 218 URW, where he was best friends with union president Daniel Cleary and a member of the Teamsters Union. Jose was a member of the Club Uniao Portuguesa, where he proudly served 3 terms as club president and he was also a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Jose enjoyed spending time with all his family, deep sea fishing, and took great pride in caring for his lawn and shrubs.

In addition to his wife Lorraine, Jose is survived by his daughter, Elvira Barbosa and her husband Sebastian “Sibby” Barbosa of Naugatuck; his son, Jose T. Ascencao, Jr. and his wife Sue Ascencao of Naugatuck; his daughter, Deneen Tomaselli and her husband Joseph Tomaselli of Higganum; his daughter, Pamela Rotatori and her husband David Rotatori of Naugatuck; his grandchildren, Kirsten Wells and her husband Deryl Wells, Matthew Barbosa, Nicholas Ascencao, Melissa Ascencao, Paul Myers, Dylan Myers, Cara Rotatori, Mia Rotatori and Alena Rotatori; his great grandchildren, Isla Wells and Cecilia Wells; his brothers, Frank Rodrigues and his wife Felismina Rodrigues of Naugatuck, Joaquim Matos and his wife Amelia Matos of Maryland; his sister, Maria Fidalgo of Naugatuck and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Ascencao was predeceased by his grandson, Sebastian Barbosa, Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 8, 2016 at 12:00 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street. Calling hours are Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue. In lieu of flowers, to honor Jose’s memory contributions can be made to VITAS Healthcare Hospice, 199 Park Road Extension, Suite #102, Middlebury, CT 06762 or to Club Uniao Portuguesa, 110 Rubber Avenue, Naugatuck, CT 06770.