WATERTOWN — On Monday, May 22, 2023, a true United States patriot passed. John E. Warren, age 73, died peacefully at Waterbury Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Marlene (Bebrin) Warren, to whom he was happily married for 47 years.
He was born in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1, 1949, son of Belva Holstein and Royal (Buzz) Warren. John grew up in Sunnyvale, Calif., graduated from Fremont High and joined the U.S. Army in 1969. He served proudly and honorably for almost 10 years, attaining the rank of staff sergeant.
He and Marlene met, fell in love, and married while serving at Tripler Army Medical Center in Oahu, Hawaii. He was the love of her life, and she was his—although he loved living in Colorado, he even agreed to move to Connecticut when she got homesick.
In Connecticut, he worked first at Truelove & Maclean, then for the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk in Litchfield until his retirement in 2003.
Despite his lifelong battle with bipolar disorder, he worked hard every day to be a good, faithful husband and trusted friend.
Before he became severely disabled due to COPD, he enjoyed photography, and we are thankful for the photos he left as memories of the good times we had with friends and family.
He was very proud of the home he and his wife built and decorated together in Watertown, and he loved his fur babies, especially Taz, his adored Affenpinscher. He was a lifetime member of VFW 7330 and a member of the Knights of Lithuania, Waterbury.
Left to cherish his memory and legacy are his wife Marlene and his brother Paul (Deborah) Warren of California, as well as his brothers-in-law Edward (Darla) and Christopher (Christina) Bebrin.
John also made many cherished friends over the years, and was especially close to Fran and Phil Stiklus, Donna and Jimmy Masciangioli and Jane and Vin Polacco.
He was predeceased by his parents; stepbrothers Kenny and Michael Krinock, stepsister Karen Holstein; his in-laws Betty and Edward Bebrin; as well as his “adopted Gram” Bebrin.
Calling hours were to be at the funeral home from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. A memorial service was to take place at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 N. Main St., Naugatuck, at 6:30 p.m. Burial with military honors was to be at the state of Connecticut Veterans Cemetery in Middletown at a later date.
To celebrate John’s patriotism and life, we respectfully asked that those attending his service wear something red, white, and blue. In his memory, we encourage you to please thank a veteran or soldier for their service every chance you get. When you stand for the flag with your hand over your heart, or salute it proudly, we know he’ll be standing at attention and saluting too.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to NAMI, 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203-1867; or the American Lung Association in Connecticut, East Hartford, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108.
