Remembering Dr. Fazzone

Roger “Doc” Anthony Fazzone, Ed.D., 82, passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of October 10, 2023 in Sherman, Connecticut. He fought a host of painful medical issues for years, but his resilience allowed him to stay active in the lives of his family and the charities to which he had dedicated much of his life.

Doc was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Anthony P. and Laura DeLuca Fazzone. After he graduated from Fairfield Prep, he served in the Army as a M.A.S.H. unit lab technician in Korea. While attending Fairfield University, he worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport where he met Kathy, his future wife of 54 years, over a cart of blood. He received a degree in school psychology from NYU, a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, and his Doctor of Education from Nova University. Doc worked as a school psychologist for BOCES before he became a professor, and later aDean, at Dutchess Community College.

In 1979, he began his tenure at Maplebrook School in Amenia, NY as a part time school psychologist. Doc spent the rest of his life with Maplebrook, proudly serving as the Headmaster, President, and a Member of the Board of Trustees. Doc was passionate about improving education for students with learning disabilities, writing several books on the subject. His book, Responsibility Increases Self Esteem (R.I.S.E.) detailed a positive behavioral intervention system for students with learning differences. Doc lectured extensively throughout the United States and internationally regarding R.I.S.E. and character education. His system influenced the curricula of many schools throughout the world.

Roger remained very active in the communities in which he lived and worked as a member and leader of many charitable organizations, largely focused on education, health care, and psychology. While he received numerous awards and acknowledgements, he was perhaps most proud of his long involvement with the ARC Greater Hudson Valley and receiving the Catherine Seeberger Citizenship Award for championing initiatives for those in need.

Doc was an avid reader with an encyclopedic knowledge of old cars, film noir, and 1950-60s music, with a focus on doo-wop. He loved to travel. Doc visited many countries on every inhabited continent and recently visited Alaska as part of his almost-completed quest to visit all 50 states. A lifelong Yankees fan, he read everything he could about baseball, and his “Yankees Room” remains a museum to their history and the envy of Yankees fans throughout the northeast (or at least his family).

Roger is survived by his wife, Kathy, his sons, Kris (Meg), TJ (Tabitha), and Jon (Huilin), his stepbrothers Joseph and Vincent Clomiro, ten grandchildren, and one honorary granddaughter. He was predeceased by his father Tony, his mother Laura, his stepfather Gaetano “Guy” Clomiro, and his brother Andrew C. Fazzone, MD.

Visiting hours will be held at Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford, CT on Sunday, October 29 from 2-6p.m., and a funeral service will be held at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 21 Brush Hill Road,New Fairfield, CT on Monday, October 30 at 11a.m.

The family would appreciate either flowers or a donation to The Maplebrook School at: https://www.maplebrookschool.org/the-legacy-of-dr-roger-fazzone/