Hickcox Funeral Home

Bozzuto Sr. of Watertown, a popular former Republican legislative leader and gubernatorial contender, died Saturday at Waterbury Hospital at age 87.Bozzuto served four terms as a state senator from the 32nd District and was the Senate’s top GOP leader in 1979 and 1980. He also made two dramatic but ultimately unsuccessful runs for governor.At the 1982 Republican state convention, Bozzuto lost the nomination to Lewis B. Rome. But Rome’s victory only came after he convinced Gerald Labriola, the third candidate in the nomination contest, to join him as Rome’s lieutenant governor candidate. Rome subsequently lost in the general election to the incumbent Democrat, William A. O’Neill.Bozzuto’s second gubernatorial run came in 1986. In that year’s contested GOP convention, Bozzuto managed to win the party’s endorsement but later lost a tough Republican primary to Julie Belaga, who ended up losing to O’Neill in the general election.In addition to his state political career, Bozzuto served as Watertown Republican Town chairman and chair of the Watertown Town Council. He was also president of the Watertown Jaycees and active in many local and regional civic groups.A Waterbury native, Bozzuto was born on March 16, 1930, graduated from American International College in Springfield, Mass., and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.Bozzuto passed away peacefully at Waterbury Hospital Saturday, according to the obituary notice published by his family, and is survived by his wife of 64 years, Angela “Pidge”(Gerarde) Bozzuto, three daughters and 13 grandchildren.Calling hours are scheduled for Wednesday, July 5 from 5-7 p.m. at the Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main St., Watertown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main St., Watertown. (Hartford Courant)