WATERBURY, Conn. (Dec. 9, 2010)—Russell A. “Kelly” Mazzeo, retired Uniroyal Chemical senior research scientist and a fixture at ACS Rubber Division activities, died Dec. 4 at Glendale Center hospital in Naugatuck, Conn., at the age of 73.
Mazzeo spent more than 38 years with Uniroyal Chemical, under the firm's various owners. He worked on the chemical side of the Uniroyal Inc. operations when he originally joined the company, then moved to the footwear business from 1968 until 1972, when he returned to chemicals, before the company left the footwear field.
In a 2001 story in Rubber & Plastics News about then-owner Crompton Corp.'s plans to shut down the Uniroyal Chemical operations in Naugatuck, Mazzeo gave insight into what it was like to work in a decidedly “company town.”
“The whole town was pretty much clamoring with Uniroyal People,' he said. “At noontime all the businesses were full with Uniroyal people, either having lunch or purchasing goods at the local stores.”
Mazzeo spent his entire career with Uniroyal in Naugatuck. He served as social chairman for the Uniroyal Alumni Association.
A graduate of Central Connecticut State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in education and science, Mazzeo went on to obtain a master's in biology from Syracuse University. Since retiring he has had his own consultancy, Mazzeo Enterprises L.L.C.
He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves, and acted as a naval recruiter for several years.
Mazzeo could speak Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, and used those skills to lecture abroad, promoting the use of Uniroyal chemical and rubber products and techniques.
A frequent paper presenter at Rubber Division meetings, Mazzeo was very active within the organization. For his many efforts on the division's behalf, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in 2002.
Mazzeo also was very involved with the Connecticut Rubber Group, and was serving as the area director for the group, essentially it's liaison with the Rubber Division. He was a two-time chairman of the CRG, was its financial committee chairman and directed a scholarship fund.
He is survived by his brother, Egidio F. “Gene” Mazzeo of Waterbury, with whom he lived; three aunts; and several cousins.