Middletown native, New Haven school worker remembered as 'exemplary social worker'

NORWICH - From the classroom where he helped students express themselves to the field where he embraced his love of softball, Bennett Nocera "left a positive, lasting impact on each soul he encountered," according to his obituary.

Nocera's body was recovered from the Connecticut River Sept. 9, officials said. Nocera, 40, of Taftville had been reported missing, according to a Facebook post by the Portland Police Department.

First responders were dispatched to the Connecticut River at about 7 p.m. last Wednesday for a report of a body floating in the area of Riverside Street, which turns into Riverview Street, near the marinas, according to police. Police said an investigation is underway regarding the circumstances surrounding Nocera's death.

"Wherever he went and whoever he met, Bennett acted as a shining light," according to his obituary. "A dedicated family man of strong faith, Bennett was always there for anyone who needed him, and he will be deeply missed by the countless lives he touched."

A public celebration of Nocera's life will be held Saturday afternoon at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme, according to his obituary. Donations in his memory can be made to Safe Futures in New London, the Barnard Elementary Family Engagement Activity Fund or the Barnard Environmental Science & Technology School, his obituary said.

A native of Middletown, Nocera graduated from Middletown High School before pursuing his studies at Central Connecticut State University, his obituary said. He later earned his master's degree in social work at Fordham University and his sixth-year degree in educational leadership at Central, according to his obituary.

Equipped with "a boundless capacity for compassion and love and a profound ability to connect with and understand people," Nocera took his skills to "a series of Connecticut schools," most recently New Haven's Barnard Environmental Science & Technology School, the website of which listed him as a social worker in student support on Tuesday.

"Bennett was always looking for novel ways to help his students express themselves and communicate, often using his fluency in ASL to engage with them," his obituary said.

Nocera was employed as a residential counselor at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford since October 2014, according to his LinkedIn page.

When he wasn't inspiring students in the classroom, Nocera could be found on the field playing softball with New England Deaf Softball Organization and coaching youth soccer, according to his obituary.

Nocera is survived by his fiancée and her children as well as multiple family members, including his mother and sister, the obituary said.

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This article originally published at Middletown native, New Haven school worker remembered as 'exemplary social worker'.