- Date Of Birth: July 17, 1983
- Date Of Death: December 14, 2012
- State: Connecticut
A true hero
Rachel Marie D’Avino, 29, of Deerwood Drive died Friday, December 14, 2012 in Newtown, CT, protecting the children she loved so dearly. Rachel was born on July 17, 1983 in Waterbury, a daughter to Mary (Carmody) D’Avino of Bethlehem and Ralph D’Avino of Waterbury. A 2001 graduate of Nonnewaug High School, Rachel went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford, her Masters Degree from Post University, and was working towards her Doctorate degree from University of St. Joseph of Hartford. Just last week, Rachel completed her final requirements to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her presence and tremendous smile brightened any room she entered. Rachel loved animals, cooking, baking, photography, and karate. She was an adoring big sister who cherished her two younger siblings like they were her own children.
Her passion, however, was her occupation as a behavioral therapist working with children within the autism spectrum. She had worked in various positions throughout her career providing behavioral therapy to children with hopes of helping them develop into happy and healthy adults. She integrated these children into her daily life; often taking them into her home, hosting holidays and crafting parties for them. She taught them and treated them like family. Her maternal nature, understanding, and sense of patience with the learning disabled were truly gifts she possessed. Ultimately, it is these gifts that would have given Rachel a level of understanding and forgiveness during this time of crisis that many others wouldn’t have.
Besides her parents, she is survived by her best friend and soon to have been fiancé©, Anthony J. Cerritelli, of Bethlehem. Tony had recently asked Rachel’s parents’ permission for her hand in marriage. They were to be engaged on Christmas Eve. She is also survived by her stepfather Peter F. Paradis of Bethlehem, her sisters Hannah and Sarah both of Bethlehem, her brothers Stephen Paradis and his fiancé© Tracy Vogt of Bristol and Justin Paradis and his wife Debbie of NJ, her maternal grandparents Helen and Brendan Carmody of Waterbury, her paternal grandmother Nicoletta D’Avino of Waterbury several aunts and uncles, and many many cousins who adored her. She was predeceased by her paternal grandfather Tomasso D’Avino,
