Former Shelton city official Kenneth F. Nappi, 77, dies

SHELTON – Kenneth F. Nappi, former city Republican Town Committee vice chair, public safety director and Shelton Student Transportation Service director, died on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at Griffin Hospital in Derby. He was 77.

Born in Derby on May 26, 1947, Nappi, a longtime resident of Shelton, was the son of the late Frank and Ermelinda Pagano Nappi. He was the husband of 43 years to his wife, the late Phyllis Wojciechowski Nappi. He was a graduate of Shelton High School, attended Hutchinson Community College in Kansas, and continued his education at the University of New Haven.

Nappi attended the town Police Academy and worked as a supernumerary officer in the Shelton Police Department for many years. He also served as the assistant police chief in Woodbridge and was a director of the Valley Street Crime Unit. He also worked for Connecticut Recycling and Recovery and was employed as division chief of the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Other titles he held for the city included a member on the Inland Wetlands Commission and the Shelton planning and zoning administrator.
In the community he was a longtime active member of the Board of Directors and past president of the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley and served on the Board of Directors of Center Stage.

He had a strong dedication to his faith and the St. Joseph Parish Community, serving as the Chairman of the St. Joseph Carnival.

Nappi is survived by his daughter Kathryn Nappi Miller, who he enjoyed visiting with her dogs, Boris and Yoda; his son, Kenny Nappi, an athlete who he spent time watching at such sporting events as St. Joseph High School football and basketball and Roger Williams University basketball; and his grandchildren, Gianna and Isabella. He is also survived by his brother, Frank Nappi and his wife Cynthia; his former daughter-in-law Kristen Nappi; his former son-in-law Robert Miller, his sister-in-law Trudy Nappi; and his longtime and closest friend, Donald Ramia.

He was predeceased by a brother, Ronald Nappi.

The Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton, is handling his funeral arrangements. On Friday, Jan. 17, his procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at St, Joseph’s Church, Coram Avenue, Shelton at 10 a.m. Burial will immediately follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby.

At the request of the family, memorial contributions can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, 1 Positive Place, Shelton, CT 06484 and to Center Stage Theatre, 54 Grove Street, Shelton, CT 06484. Online condolences can be extended at www.riverviewfh.com.