Wayne Candela's Obituary
Wayne Anthony Candela, age 78, passed away peacefully on October 6, 2023 surrounded by his family. Wayne was born on January 27, 1945 in New Haven, Connecticut to Anthony and Eva Lupoli Candela. His family later moved to Hamden, Connecticut where he attended Hamden High School and played football for the late Buddy Amendola. He graduated in 1962 and attended and played football at the University of Connecticut. He transferred to Southern Connecticut State College and finished his collegiate career playing football. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education and received his 5th year degree in 1970.
Wayne started his teaching career at Dodd Junior High School in Cheshire, Connecticut as a Social Studies teacher in 1969 then transferred to Cheshire High School in 1968. For the next 21 years, Wayne taught history and coached various sports including football, boys and girls basketball and baseball. In 1986 Wayne became the head softball coach and compiled a record of 252-123 and qualified for state tournaments 15 of his 17 years. His teams won one Housatonic League Title and 2 SCC titles.
In 1987 he became Athletic Director and continued to increase athletic programs at CHS by adding wrestling, girls lacrosse, boys volleyball, boys and girls skiing and girls golf. With the help of a supportive community, Wayne can be credited with adding lights to the football field complex for night athletic events, an all-weather track, a weight room facility and many improvements to field hockey, baseball and softball fields. Because of his efforts and the exceptional quality of the CHS athletic complex, many state championship tournaments have used this site. It has also been the site of Music in Motion. During his tenure as athletic director, CHS teams won over 60 state championships.
He is survived by his wife Ann Marie (Esposito) Candela, son Anthony Candela of Riverview, FL, grandsons Quinn and Max Candela; son Paul Candela and wife Tracy (Babjak) Candela, of Trinity, FL, grandsons Zachary and Tyler Candela; son Mark Candela, of Wesley Chapel, FL.; his sister Donna Canestri and husband Caesar Canestri, Jr. of East Haven, CT; and niece Rebecca (Candela) Bacchi and her family. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Richard.
Friends may wish to donate in his memory to his favorite charities: St. Jude’s Research Hospital, your local Special Olympics, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the March of Dimes.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held November 7th at 10:30 am at St. Peter The Apostle Church in Trinity, FL.
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