United States High School Yearbooks by County
Helen K. Levin, 87, had lived on Lake Waramaug
Helen Kleinberg Levin, 87, died July 15 at New Milford Hospital after a brief illness.
She was born Sept. 26, 1915, in New York City. She graduated from the Fieldston School of Ethical Culture and, in 1936, from Vassar College.
In 1936, she married S. Benedict Levin, a geophysicist with a doctorate from Columbia University. After World War II, the couple and their two sons settled in Little Silver, N.J.
During their time in Little Silver, Mrs. Levin served as president of the local PTA, founded the New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of University Women, serving as its president for three terms, and headed the drive to establish the Monmouth County Library.
In 1968, she and her husband moved to Washington, D.C., where he began work as assistant to the deputy of the Secretary of Defense in charge of scientific research funded by the Department of Defense.
While in Washington, Mrs. Levin joined Common Cause, first as a volunteer, then with a salary, appointed as director of national membership. In this office, she spearheaded a successful nationwide grassroots membership campaign.
Several years later, she conceived and founded Women in Transition, a counseling center for women in transition from homemaking to career.
She served for two terms as secretary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Danbury, chaired a federation committee to explore social service development, and for a number of years chaired the Maimonides School Committee on personnel development.
In 1989, she and her husband retired to Lake Waramaug in Warren, enjoying life in the country, taking long walks, bicycling, going to concerts at the Tanglewood Music Festival in Lenox, Mass., in the summer and to the Long Wharf Repertory Theater in New Haven in the winter.
Mrs. Levin especially enjoyed gardening and prided herself on her green thumb in her retirement.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years; two sons, David, a professor of philosophy at Northwestern University, and Roger, a research psychologist and psychotherapist with a practice in New Milford; a niece, Joan Kleinberg of Seattle; and a nephew, Richard Kleinberg of New York City and Washington.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Jack W. Basford, was a resident of New Milford
Jack Wayne Basford died July 10 at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of Nancy Basford.
Mr. Basford was born in Waterloo, Iowa. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa.
He was president of the Virgin Islands Telephone Corporation (VITELCO), an ITT affiliate, from 1972 until 1986, when he became executive vice president of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. He retired in 1987 but remained as a consultant to ATN.
During his 15-year tenure with VITELCO, he oversaw the company’s transformation from a small company into the first telephone company in the Caribbean to have full digital service. Prior to serving as president of VITELCO, he was with the Bell System for 21 years and ITT for two more.
Mr. Basford was actively involved in the Virgin Islands community. In recognition of this, VlTELCO’s Charlotte Amalie Building was named after him, The Basford Building.
He was awarded the Harold S. Geneen Award for Creative Management, and he was also honored for his contributions to the United Way, Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Rotary and College of the Virgin Islands Board of Overseers.
He was named the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and received special recognition for his involvement with the Virgin Islands Council, Boy Scouts of America.
He and his wife moved to New Milford in 1994.
Besides his wife, Mr. Basford is survived by a brother, Bob; a sister, Mariann Krueger; three sons, John, Gerald and Robert; a daughter, Catherine Howell; six grandchildren, Mike, Michelle, Matt, Jessica. Danielle and Allison; three daughters-in-law, Dawn, Laurie and Nancy; a son-in-law, Elton Howell; and two brothers-in-law, Jack Krueger and Bob Chiles.
The Colonial Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memorial may be made to the New Milford Hospital Regional Cancer Center, 21 Elm St., New Milford, CT 06776.
Grace O’Brien, 88, operated New Milford Laundry
Mrs. Grace (Pius) (Stevane) O’Brien, 88, formerly of 72 Whisconier Hill, Brookfield Center, died July 9 at the Lutheran Home of Southbury. She was the widow of Albert Stevane and Roland B. O’Brien.
Mrs. O’Brien was born in Jamaica, N.Y., a daughter of the late Edward and Helen (Vetta) Pius. She lived in Brookfield most of her life.
Along with her second husband, Roland, she operated the New Milford Laundry for many years.
She was a member of the Brookfield Congregational Church and a member of the Viviande group of the church. She was a former member of the women’s auxiliary of the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Dept.
Her priority was her family. She enjoyed bowling and golf.
Mrs. O’Brien is survived by one daughter, Gladys C. Szabo of Topsham, Maine; two grandchildren, Robert C. Szabo Jr. of Bristol and Dawn M. Grimes of Brunswick, Maine; three great-granddaughters, Amanda, Monica and Courtney Grimes of Brunswick, Maine; longtime best friends Janet and Harry Ashmore of Brookfield; and many nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Center Cemetery in New Milford. There are no calling hours.
The Alderson Funeral Home of Waterbury, 70 Central Ave., is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders, Southern Chapter, 2911 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT 06518, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450, or to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.
Eleanore D. Svehla, 91, mother of Kent woman
Eleanore D. (Jindra) Svehla, 91, died July 9 at The Kent, where she had resided for the past year and a half. She was the widow of Dr. George Svehla.
Mrs. Svehla was born Dec. 31, 1910, in Glasgo, Kansas.
She spent most of her years in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and also lived in Pasadena, Calif.
She was interested in and committed to environmental and political causes. She was active in volunteer work.
Mrs. Svehla was a seamstress, painter, potter and sculptor. She was a lifetime member of the Rose Chapter of the Czech Society of America.
While at Templeton Farms in Kent, she participated in community life and served for many years as treasurer and editor of Templeton Farms’ newsletter.
She is survived by a brother, George Jindra of Rocky River, Ohio; two daughters, Georgeann Trebst of Friedberg, Germany, and JoAnne Pappano of Kent; four grandchildren, Laura Pappano of West Newton, Mass., Dr. Margaret Pappano of New York City, Dr. Dante Pappano of Rochester, N.Y., and Andrea Pappano of Olympia, Wash; and six great-grandchildren, Olivia, Molly and Donovan Lynch, and Georgia and Madeline Pappano and Maxwell Guida.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Kent Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 355, Kent CT 06757; or to Kent Kats Inc., P.O. Box 916, Kent, CT 06757.
Shirley S. LaCasse, 59, sister of two area women
Shirley S. LaCasse, 59, of Ratlum Mountain Road, Barkhamsted, died July 10 at her home. She was the wife of John LaCasse.
Mrs. LaCasse was born April 16, 1943, in Torrington, daughter of the late John and Victoria (Rotar) Marshall.
She worked for Foothills Visiting Nurse and Home Care Inc.
Besides her husband, she is survived by two sons, Ronald and Richard Schmitt of Torrington; two daughters, Tracy Johnson of Barkhamsted and Jackie Clark of Torrington; three brothers, Raymond Marshall of Winsted and Robert and Roland Marshall of Torrington; five sisters, Victoria Noble of New Milford, Betty Pacocha of Kent, Genoveve Wald of Colebrook, Patricia Caine of Winsted and Lorraine Crunden of West Hartland; and seven grandchildren.
The Maloney Funeral Home of Winsted was in charge of arrangements.
George Barta, 79, father of New Milford resident
George W. Barta, 79, of 20-C Heritage Village, Southbury, died July 14 at Mediplex of Southbury. He was the husband of Mary Ellen (Horan) Barta.
Mr. Barta was born Aug. 21, 1922, in Jersey City, N.J., son of the late William and Dorothea (Schoneman) Barta.
He was a Navy Air Corps veteran of World War II, having served at Guantanamo, Cuba. He had lived in Long Island, N.Y., and Sun City, Ariz.
He was a foreman at Republic Aviation and, in 1963, he joined Flurolon, working with NASA engineers to develop spray coating to protect spacecraft components.
Besides his wife, Mr. Barta is survived by a son, George of New Milford, and two grandchildren.
The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Connecticut, 237 East Aurora St., Waterbury, CT 06108.
Dr. Constantine Veremakis, 83, was anesthesiologist
Dr. Constantine Veremakis, 83, of Umatilla, Fla., died July 10 at his home. He was the husband of Josephine (Dewarde) Veremakis.
Dr. Veremakis was born in New York, N.Y.
He moved to Umatilla from Brookfield in 1989. He was a native of Queens, N.Y., and attended Columbia University and Boston University Medical School.
He served as a major in the United States Army, 5th Army Surgical MASH Unit, during World War II, receiving the Bronze Star.
He practiced anesthesiology at St. Joseph and Stamford Hospitals in Stamford, was the director of anesthesiology at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill., and was a staff anesthesiologist at New Milford Hospital from 1979 to 1987. He volunteered at Florida Hospital, Waterman, Eustis from 1989 to 2001.
Dr. Veremakis actively supported the Special Olympics, serving as a volunteer for 40 years.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Dean Veremakis of Duluth, Ga., and Dr. Christopher Veremakis of St. Louis, Mo.; two daughters, Elise Veremakis of Eustis, Fla., and Regina Veremakis of Umatilla; a sister, Anastasia Guarino of Altoona, Fla.; and 12 grandchildren.
The Beyers Funeral Home Chapel of Umatilla was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Lake County Special Olympics, c/o Lilli Matthews, P.O. Box 117, Lady Lake, FL 32158-0117; or to Hospice of Lake & Sumter, 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.
Jeffrey Annunziata, 54, was CFO at Neeltran, Inc.
Jeffrey Annunziata, 54, of 44 Jotham Road, New Milford, died July 15 at his home. He was the husband of Theresa (Caruso) Annunziata.
Mr. Annunziata was born Aug. 26, 1947, in Stamford, son of the late Samuel and Rita (Millett) Annunziata.
He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam. He was chief financial officer of Neeltran, Inc., of New Milford and recently was part of a purchase of Schulze Manufacturing Co. of Waterbury.
He was the drummer for the popular local band, The Ravens, in the ’60s. He played in various other groups, including The Rockhouse.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Jeffrey of Bath, Maine; a daughter, Jesse of New Milford; and a brother, Robert.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to The Animal Welfare Society, 8 Dodd Road, New Milford, CT 06776.
Barbara Thomas, 77, was a native of New Milford
Barbara H. Thomas, 77, of River Road, New Milford, died July 13 at New Milford Hospital. She was the widow of Thomas T. Thomas.
Mrs. Thomas was born May 28, 1925, in New Milford, daughter of the late George and Ruth (Chadwick) Joyce.
She is survived by two sons, David, and Theodore Sr. and his wife Carol of Gaylordsville; three sisters, Pauline Johnson of New Milford, Dorothy Pflomm of Brookfield and Helen Mitchell of Ithaca, N.Y.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today (Friday) at 11 a.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford. Burial will follow at Morningside Cemetery in Gaylordsville.
Eleanor Carlson, 83, was longtime New Milfordite
Eleanor (Parreiss) Carlson, 83, of Bow, N.H., formerly of New Milford, died July 14 at her home. She was the widow of George F. Carlson Sr.
Mrs. Carlson was born Sept. 22, 1919, in Bronx, N.Y., a daughter of the late Fred and Theresa (Tauss) Parreiss.
She was a New Milford resident for 60 years before moving to New Hampshire in September of 2001. She was a volunteer in the Reading Buddies Program at Hill and Plain Elementary School.
She is survived by a son, George Jr., and his wife, Carol, of Bow, and two grandchildren.
The Colonial Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
