November 25, 1895 (New York, NY) – September 24, 1918; 23 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 49 Main Street, Norwalk
Entered the service on July 25, 1918
Serial number 1213833
Unit: 4th Regiment, Company P, Great Lakes Naval Air Station
Born to Felix Cifatte (1870-1928) and Catherine Cifatte (1874-1931). One sister, Jamie (1893-). Four brothers, Louis (1897-1956), William (1900-1982), Joseph (1903-1910), and Felix (1905-1969).
Worked as a salesman for his father prior to service.
Died of Spanish influenza at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. Was assigned to Great Lakes as a naval aviator candidate.
From The Bridgeport Telegram September 26, 1918
NORWALK SAILOR DEAD AT GREAT LAKES OF INFLUENZA
NORWALK, Sept. 25. (Special) – Spanish influenza has claimed its first sailor victim from Norwalk according to word received here today that Stephen Cifatte, a candidate in the naval aviation school, succumbed in the base hospital at Great Lakes, Illinois yesterday. It was just two months ago today that Cifatte left home, and it was a severe shock to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Cifatte, because the last word received from him, in a letter last Thursday, indicated he was in the best of health and spirits.
From the Norwalk Hour (Weekly) October 4, 1918
TAPS ARE SOUNDED FOR SOLDIER BOYS
Impressive Funeral Service for Stephen Cifatte, Who Is Laid Away to Rest
MAYOR AND OFFICIALS ARE IN THE PROCESSION
Private Patrick J. Owens Interred Today; Both Lie in St. Mary’s Cemetery
One of the most largely attended funerals Norwalk has known took place Sunday afternoon at 3:30 when Stephen Cifatte, one of Norwalk’s best and most promising young men, who several months ago enlisted in the service of Uncle Sam, and who, on Tuesday, September 24, when the great call came, bravely gave up his life, was buried with due military honors in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Catholic Union Council, Knights of Columbus, of which the deceased was a Grand Knight, went to his late home at 45 Main Street and accompanied the funeral procession to St. Mary’s Church. As the body entered the church, Miss Mary Cassidy rendered “One Sweetly Solemn Thought.” The services at the church were conducted by Reverent T. J. Finn, assisted by W.A. McCrans and J.J. McGinness. Following the services, Mrs. Irving Haymes and Mrs. Albert F. Rose rendered “Some Sweet Day”; Thomas McMahon sang “Calvary,” and, as the body was leaving the church, the choir rendered “Lead Kindly Light.” In the funeral procession, in addition to the Knights of Columbus, were Mayor Jeremiah Donovan and the city councilmen. Chief Pennington and other members of the Police Department. Sergeant Ralph Knapp, of Company K of the Connecticut State Guards, together with many other members of the company, and also about 140 other friends of the deceased. The pallbearers consisted of three Red Men, John Brotherton, Algie Searles, and Gregory Iskyian, and three past Grand Knights of Columbus, Frank Dorsey, Albert F. Rose, and Michael E. Dowd. The flower bearers consisted of two Red Men, Arthur Brotherton and Costas Corras, and two members of the Knights of Columbus, Lawrence Paftino and Arthur Riley. There was a great profusion of beautiful flowers which poured from all sides, and which were certainly magnificent. Revered Father Flan conducted the services at the cemetery, and as the body was lowered into the grave, the detachment of Company K fired three volleys. “Taps” was then sounded by the bugler, John Burrows, and was heard by a mass of over 2,000 people who were gathered at the cemetery. A requiem mass was held for the deceased at St. Mary’s church this morning at 8 o’clock. The funeral of Private Patrick J. Owens of the 17th Company, 10th Battalion, 151st Depot Brigade, who died at Camp Devens was largely attended Monday at 8:30 from the home of his sister, Mrs. Nicholas Elwood, 24 Orchard Street, and at 9 o’clock from St. Mary’s Church, where a solemn requiem high mass was sung by Reverend J.J. McGinness, celebrant; Reverend Walter A. McCrann, deacon, and Reverend T.J. Finn, sub-deacon. Mrs. Irving Haymes rendered the solo “Ave Maria”; Thomas McMahon rendered a solo, “One Sweetly Solemn Thought.” and “Lead Kindly Light,” as the cortege was leaving the church. The pallbearers were Maurice Devine, James Tierney, Thomas Murphy, Robert Burns, Dave Galligan, and William O’Neill. A firing squad from the State Guards, under Corporal Dimond, escorted the remains to the cemetery, where volleys were fired over the grave and “Taps” was sounded by Bugler Cane. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Cadet Candidate Cifatte is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 15 Broad Street, Norwalk; South Side. Photo by webmaster.
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