Brian Anthony DeFilio

Brian Anthony DeFilio died on August 4, 2023, at the age of 28. Brian was born in Waterbury on February 7, 1995 and was raised in Terryville, where he made lifelong friends in his childhood neighborhood and went on to follow his passion for electrical work. He was an irreplaceable presence in his large family and will be deeply missed by his son, siblings, parents and nieces and nephews, who he loved beyond words.

Brian is survived by his parents, Robin (Eggleton) and Robert DeFilio of Newington; his son, Blake; his brothers Andrew DeFilio of Norwalk and David Crooker (Nicole) of Terryville; his sisters Erica Ash (Steven) of Winchester, Cristina Hassinger (Ryan) of Watertown and Francesca DeFilio (Corey) of Windsor; and his nieces and nephews Robbie, Adam, Charlie, Alyson, Cassandra, Christopher, Sabrina, Olivia, Dakota and CJ.

To know Brian was to love him. He was a devoted father to his son, Blake, who he loved more than anything in the world. He was a best friend to his brothers and sisters. And he found so much joy in being a fun and doting uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

Brian cherished summer days spent at his sister’s house, splashing around in the pool with the kids or trying new IPAs with his brother-in-law and best friend, Steve. He lived for long video game marathons with his brothers Dave and Andrew, playing Resident Evil, Halo, Call of Duty and Madden. His older brothers were his heroes and he looked up to them his entire life. He soaked up every second with his only little sister’s son, CJ, and was beyond excited to meet her daughter early next year.

He loved spending time with his son, running around playgrounds and parks, visiting the library and playing with any dinosaur they could get their hands on. Blake was the light of his life and he was so happy that his sarcastic, charming little boy looked so much like him and inherited his family’s sense of humor.

Brian was always outgoing and friendly, easily and instantly making new friends everywhere he went. He was loyal to a fault to the many people he cared about. Brian loved hard and was never afraid to let his people know how he felt about them.

Brian’s calm nature and willingness to always listen with an open ear came from his mother. Though he was never afraid to express his love and show his sensitive side, he was also so sarcastic and witty. He was always the first one to break the ice or disrupt an awkward silence by cracking a joke. He loved to make people laugh and the many funny memories with him will be sure to keep his family laughing as they navigate a future without him.

In his 28 years, Brian fed a lifelong passion for the electrical field, an interest he inherited from his father. He had just begun an electrical apprenticeship for a small solar company and loved the work he was doing, even if it meant climbing high onto rooftops and hauling solar panels up and down buildings when he was terrified of heights. He conquered his fears to pour into what he loved and we know he would have flourished in his new role if he had more time.

Memorial services for Brian will be held at Scott Funeral Home, 169 Main St, Terryville, from 4-6 PM on Friday, August 18th.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Shriners Hospital for Children, where his youngest sister received medical care https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/giving.

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