Raymond A. (Ray) Zucco, 99, of Wilton, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 20, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Catherine W. (Kitty) Zucco. Ray was born on Nov. 7, 1926 and grew up in Torrington, CT. One of his proudest accomplishments was captaining the Torrington High School’s basketball team and helping to lead the Raiders to their first Connecticut State championship. He led his team with the one-handed shot and was recently inducted into the Torrington Hall of Fame.
Upon THS graduation, Ray enlisted in the US Marine Corp where he was put on the demolition squad because of his previous experience in construction. Fortunately, his basketball prowess outshone his familiarity with dynamite and when he was stationed in Oahu, HI he was enlisted to play basketball representing the Marines. After serving his country, Ray returned to Connecticut and attended the University of Connecticut where he also played some semipro-basketball and ultimately met the love of his life, Kitty Warner. They were married in 1949 and went on to celebrate 76 years of marriage.
After graduating from UConn, he and Kitty moved to New Canaan, where he built his own home and they raised their three children, Jennifer, Jack and Janet. Ray was very active in the community. He was a member of Kiwanis, the New Canaan Exchange Club and he led fundraising efforts to build the New Canaan YMCA and funds supporting the New Canaan Rams football program. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying golf, fishing and gardening. He was a long-time member of Roton Point Club, Woodway Country Club and the Club at Pelican Bay.
Ray’s career was in the electrical industry, starting with Zinsco Circuit Breakers, continuing with Sylvania Lamps and then moved to become VP of National Sales with Tork Inc., a leading manufacture of time clocks and photocells. Always looking for new opportunities, Ray was presented with a chance to start his own manufacturer’s representative agency in 1971 with three major electrical manufacturers who needed sales representation. And thus began the Ray Zucco Company. He was very well-liked and respected in the industry and mentored many young salesmen including his son, Jack, who went on to have successful careers. He was an active member of the National Assoc. of Electrical Distributors (NAED), National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Assoc. (NEMRA) and the Jovians Club.
In his later years, Ray split his time between Pelican Bay in Naples, FL, and Silvermine Woods in Wilton. He loved both locations. Many members of Silvermine Golf Club will remember him for the beautiful flower garden he planted and maintained on the 8th hole. His daughter, Janet, continues to lovingly maintain his garden. Ray was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Stella Zucco, his sister, Virginia Schibi, and his eldest daughter, Jennifer Ann Zucco. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; son, Jack Zucco (Debbie) and daughter, Janet Karabin (Chris); his grandchildren, Allison Zucco-Lucas, John Zucco, Jr., Jaqueline Karabin and David Karabin; and, his three great-grandchildren Jack, Jr. and Camille Zucco and Poppy Karabin.
A celebration of Life will be held at Silvermine Golf Club this summer, the date to be announced later. Interment will be at New Canaan Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the New Canaan High School Scholarship Foundation to benefit the Jennifer Ann Zucco Art Scholarship, 11 Farm Rd., New Canaan, CT 06840.