John Francis LaCurto

John Francis LaCurto

AMENIA — John Francis LaCurto, 79, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully on Nov. 29, 2021, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington  following a courageous battle with lymphoma.

John was a licensed electrical contractor and the longtime owner of LaCurto Electric, Inc., based in Amenia, where he was known for his honest, professional nature and meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of residential and commercial wiring, maintenance, repairs and electrical construction and installation. LaCurto Electric also specialized in electric heat and specialty lighting.

John’s longtime business motto was “Small jobs welcomed” and John and his longtime dedicated employees were always available to handle all aspects of the electrical trade. The business continues to operate out of the Amenia office as LaCurto/Wilcox Electric as a tribute to John’s legacy and his unmatched dedication to his beloved customers.

Born Feb. 18, 1942, in Beacon, N.Y., he was the son of the late John LaCurto and Margaret L. Delaney.

He attended Webutuck High School in Amenia and served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged following his tour of duty.

His wife, Diana LaCurto passed away on June 17, 2020, at their home in Amenia.

John was a longtime parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, a past member of the Amenia Fire Company and Amenia Lions Club and a 35-year member of the Dutchess County Electrical Contractors Association (DCECA) where he served for 10 years on the Board of Directors and five years as treasurer. John was honored in 2005 as the Citizen of the Year by the Millerton Lions Club and again in 2010 as the Citizen of the Year by the Amenia Lions Club.

John is survived by two daughters, Donna Flinn and her husband, Russell, of Millerton and Linda Staab and her companion, Rich, of Dover Plains, N.Y.; three stepchildren, Marion McPadden and her fiancé, Jose Gueits, James McPadden and his wife, Lauren, and Susan Krebs; his grandchildren, Alicia Bishop and her husband, Jason, Allison Flinn, Katelyn Staab, Madison and Mackenze McPadden and Kyle Krebs and Ann Marie Bailey, Christopher Bailey and Cole Staab; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Tyler Bishop; several nieces and nephews; and his longtime associates, James Dick and Shawn Wilcox.

Calling hours were held on Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Dec. 3, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, the Rev. R. Kent Wilson officiating.

Burial with military honors was at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Amenia on Saturday, Dec. 4. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

To send an online condolence to the family, go to www.conklinfuneralhome.com.

Latest News

Hayes addresses constituents' concerns, looks to 2026

U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes of the 5th District chats with Tom Holcombe during her community meeting in Kent on May 27.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT — Democratic U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes began her community meeting May 27 with optimism. Speaking before a large crowd at the Community House, she said, “I don’t want people to think the sky is falling and we’re losing our democracy.”

She said she was there to hear from those in attendance, but first made a quick comment about how Congress spent so much time debating President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” Mention of the legislation brought loud boos from the audience. “Every day we realize how egregious it is,” she said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Foreign exchange students reflect on a year in the U.S.

Charlie Castellanos, left, and Allegra Ferri, right, sitting in the HVRHS library to talk about their experiences in the U.S.

Anna Gillette
“I would say if you are thinking about doing the program, do it because you get out of your comfort zone and learn so many things...” —Charlie Castellanos

Every year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School welcomes foreign exchange students to attend classes through the AFS Intercultural Programs. This school year, two students traveled to Northwest Connecticut to immerse themselves in American life and culture. Allegra Ferri, a 17-year-old from Italy, and 16-year-old Charlie Castellanos from Colombia sat down to reflect on their experience at HVRHS. As the academic year is coming to an end, they shared a few highlights of their time in the U.S. and offered advice to prospective exchange students.

What has been your favorite part of your exchange experience?

Allegra: “My favorite part of this exchange year was coming here and experiencing an American high school.”

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS students bring back student newspaper
From left, Ibby Sadeh, Anna Gillette, Nathan Miller, Maddy Johnson and Caitlin Hanlon proof the pages of HVRHS Today at the Lakeville Journal office while Shanaya Duprey teleconferences in on Thursday, May 29.
James H. Clark

Students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School wrote and produced the inaugural edition of HVRHS Today, a new publication by and for students in the Northwest Corner.

This inaugural issue of HVRHS Today marks the first student-led journalism effort at the high school in several years. The program is a collaboration between the Lakeville Journal, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the 21st Century Fund.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers take second place in WCLC

WATERTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse played Watertown High School for the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference championship Wednesday, May 28.

The cold, rainy game went back and forth with three ties and three lead changes. Watertown was ahead when it counted and earned a 6-4 victory to claim the league title.

Keep ReadingShow less