BRANFORD — Robert and Anthony Dudchik have been blossoming forward of their tragic deaths final week, their father stated Saturday, overcoming strife early of their lives to search out their passions.
Anthony was a talented photographer, ending up his freshman yr in school, Tom Dudchik stated in an interview. Robert had “discovered his calling” as a flight attendant at Tweed New Haven Airport, taking up the accountability to look after folks and safe their rescue if required.
They, together with Megan Nicole Povilaitis, 17, of East Haven, have been discovered useless after a crash off Hosley Avenue on Thursday morning, in keeping with Branford police.
Povilaitis’ mom, Teresa Gagliardi, described her daughter as somebody who made an affect on many individuals’s lives. She stated her daughter loved taking part in tennis, had a method all her personal and was finding out to be a tattoo artist, Gagliardi stated Saturday.
“Megan cherished life and lived it her approach,” Gagliardi stated. “She was so robust. I envy her for that. She sacrificed a whole lot of her childhood to help me in elevating her niece, who she cherished a lot and would do something for.”
Tom Dudchik stated he and his spouse have been unable to have youngsters on their very own. In 2007, the couple adopted Robert, then 7, and Anthony, then 4, from the state Division of Kids and Households. Of their mid 40s, they regarded round, seeing friends and their youngsters expertise by the milestones of life, and sought to create a household of their very own, he stated.
Robert and Anthony had been collectively in a secure residence for about six months prior, Dudchik stated. Robert was there for Anthony, his youthful brother, by that point, as he was all through life. Upon assembly them, their soon-to-be dad and mom shortly “knew they’d be particular younger males.”
“Everybody whose lives they touched cherished my boys,” stated Dudchik, a former state lawmaker, the host of WTNH Information 8’s “Capitol Report” and a well known information aggregation website with the identical title.
As a younger pupil, Robert was the sort to assist a classmate up after they fell, providing kindness in a second of ache, his father stated. After changing into a flight attendant, he was “deeply proud” of his coaching.
Robert traveled to Florida to discover ways to bail out of a airplane if required, Dudchik stated. By means of that difficult expertise, he routinely had his co-workers’ backs. He was the form of individual to name should you wanted one thing accomplished, Dudchik stated, or should you needed to get in contact with “an exquisite human being.”
Anthony overcame issue to make it by his first yr in school, his father stated. Dudchik stated he and his brother improved their lives and have been blessings.
“My sons made us higher folks,” stated Dudchik.
Dudchik stated he and his spouse have been leaning on their prolonged help networks on this time of grief — his spouse has a big household.
He urged folks to contemplate adoption. There are kids throughout the state, some fairly younger, some on the cusp of maturity, in want of a a household to supply love and help, he stated — all younger folks deserve such a basis in life, and the prospect to “bestow their presents” on this world.
“Each youngster ought to have a ceaselessly residence. Each youngster must be cherished,” Dudchik stated. “If this tragedy in some small approach … (compels an individual to undertake), then their lives wouldn’t be gone for nothing. That’s what I’d like folks to learn about their lives — they’re good boys.”
Branford police stated the crash was found round 6:35 a.m. Thursday.
Police stated the preliminary investigation signifies that Povilaitis was driving and “failed to barter a curve within the street whereas touring at an extreme velocity.” Space residents told NBC Connecticut the street has quite a few potholes and motorists typically drive shortly close by.
The police division is encouraging anybody who might have counseling companies to succeed in out to their police social employee, Danielle Suraci, at 203-481-4241.
The Branford Police Division and the South Central Regional Site visitors Squad are investigating the crash. Anybody with info associated to this incident can contact Sgt. Christopher Romanello at 203-481-4241.
“We acknowledge the affect a lack of this magnitude may have on households, mates and our neighborhood now and sooner or later,” the police division stated in an announcement Thursday. “Members of the Branford police and hearth departments and the First Selectman’s Workplace lengthen our deepest condolences to the household and mates of these concerned.”
Quite a lot of officers have supplied their help within the wake of Anthony and Robert’s deaths, together with Gov. Ned Lamont and U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal.
“Our hearts exit to the Dudchik & Povilaitis households,” Blumenthal stated in a tweet. “There are not any phrases — we’re all with you.”
