United States High School Yearbooks by County
George Russell, 83, father of New Milford residents
George Russell, 83, of 36 Sherwood Drive, New Milford, died Jan. 16 in Florence, Ariz. He was the husband of Alice (DiDomenica) Russell.
Mr. Russell was born Sept. 21, 1919, in Norwalk, the son of the late George Frederick and Louise (Radmanouski) Russell.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a telephone cable splicer with the Southern New England Telephone Company, retiring after 33 years of service.
He was a member of the Telephone Company Pioneers and co-recipient of the Theodore N. Vail Memorial Award in 1964. He played Triple A baseball with the Cardinal farm team.
Besides his wife, Mr. Russell is survived by a son, Kevin of New Milford; a daughter, Nancy Pear and her husband Thomas of New Milford; a brother, James of Heritage Village, Southbury; a sister, Bernice Lawrence of East Norwalk; and four grandchildren, Jeffrey, Kaitlin and Benjamin Pear, and Kyle Russell.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10006.
Louis Pica, 72, father of Gaylordsville woman
Louis Pica, 72, of Louisville, Ky., formerly of Yonkers, N.Y., and Stamford died Jan. 12 after a brief illness. He was the husband of Linda Pica.
Mr. Pica was born Oct. 12, 1930, in Minturno, Italy, to the late Fred and Mary Pica.
He was a roofer and sheet metal worker for Pica Roofing Company and an Army veteran of the Korean War.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a sister, Lucy Negri; three daughters, Tina Kowalczyk of Gaylordsville, and Edith and Theresa of Yonkers; four sons, Fred and Louis Jr. of Pittsboro, N.C., Anthony of Rhinebeck, N.Y., and Todd of Louisville; and 12 grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Anthony.
The Sinatra Funeral Home of Yonkers handled arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492, or American Diabetes Foundation, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450.
Warren Miller, 75, was father of New Milfordite
Warren R. Miller, 75, of Nunnawauk Meadows, Newtown, died Jan. 21 at the New Milford Nursing Home. He was the husband of Dorothy (Pilch) Miller.
Mr. Miller was born Nov. 11, 1927, in Danbury, son of the late George A. and Emily (Braibanti) Miller.
He attended Danbury schools. He was a general foreman for Amphenol Corporation, retiring after 40 years of service. He was also an officer in the Amphenol Credit Union and a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Danbury.
Besides his wife, Mr. Miller is survived by three sons, Warren “Terry” and his wife Cindy of Bethel, Gregg and his wife Karen of New Milford, and Denis of Waterbury; two daughters, Deborah Bucko and her husband Ken of Madison, and Judy Rao and her husband Carmen of Danbury; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four brothers, George of Danbury, Robert of Southbury, Earle of Florida and Daniel of Great Barrington, Mass.; and one sister, Adelaide Green of Danbury. He was predeceased by a brother Eugene, and a sister, Elizabeth Anderson.
Funeral services will be today (Friday) at 11 a.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury. Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery in Danbury.
Donations in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Research Pkwy., Meriden, CT 06450.
Charles Hagstrom, 64, retired DOT employee, was active in Bridgewater
Charles “Dick” Hagstrom, 64, of Bridgewater died Jan. 24 at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of Starr (Kinney) Hagstrom.
Mr. Hagstrom was born April 28, 1938, in New Milford, a son of the late John Raymond and Jennie (Bird) Hagstrom.
He was a graduate of New Milford High School and attended the University of Connecticut at Storrs.
He was employed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation for 35 years, retiring in 1997.
Mr. Hagstrom was a resident of Bridgewater for 39 years and was active in his community as a member of the town’s volunteer fire department and Bridgewater Fair chairman for several years. He served two years as a selectman and was a justice of the peace for many years.
He was a member and past master of St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge No. 21 in New Milford and a 40-year member of Good Shepherd Lodge No. 65 Independent Order of Odd Fellows in New Milford.
He was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bridgewater. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed stamp and coin collecting.
Besides his wife, Mr. Hagstrom is survived by three daughters, Jean Shanahan and her husband David of Yonkers, N.Y., Karen Burrows and her husband Stephen of Stratford, and Carol Wilbur of Bridgewater; and three grandchildren, William Shanahan, and Melanie and Casey Wilbur.
The Colonial Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Bridgewater Volunteer Ambulance Service, Main Street, Bridgewater, CT 06752.
Helen Nicholas, 87, was active community volunteer
Helen G. Nicholas, 87, of New Milford died Jan. 21 at New Milford Hospital. She was the widow of Robert G. Nicholas.
Mrs. Nicholas was born July 15, 1915, in New York City, daughter of the late James and Mary (Juran) Giatis.
She graduated from Thomaston High School. She was a member of the Robert G. Nicholas Agency for many years.
She was a volunteer at the New Milford Thrift Mart, the New Milford Hospital and its Foundation, The First Congregational Church, the New Milford Garden Club, the New Milford Historical Society and several other organizations.
Mrs. Nicholas is survived by two sons, George and his wife Catherine of British Columbia, Canada, and Robert and his wife Susan of New Preston; three grandchildren, Gordon and Graham of British Columbia, and Zachary of New Preston; and a sister, Nettie Poulos of Bridgeport. She was predeceased by two brothers, George and Paul, and two sisters, Ann and Sophia.
The Colonial Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Helen Nicholas Fund, The First Congregational Church, 36 Main St., New Milford, CT 06776.
Ellen E. Yamin, was a resident of Warren
Ellen E. Yamin, of Eastchester, N.Y., and Warren died Dec. 29. She was the wife of Thomas Yamin.
Mrs. Yamin was a homemaker as well as accomplished photographer, athlete, designer and musician. She started the Children’s Guitar Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church.
She was the chair of the Eastchester Beautification Foundation. She was also a member of the Lake Waramaug Country Club and a member of the Lake Waramaug Task Force.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Yamin is survived by four children, Laura Wright and Kevin, Kenneth and Brian Mulvey; three stepchildren, Eric, Priscilla and Deborah Yamin; three sisters, Margaret Cleveland, Dorothy Weber and Joan Howes; a brother, Bill Howes; and 10 grandchildren.
Andrew Morren, 70, lifelong Sherman resident
Andrew G. Morren, 70, of Spring Lake Road, Sherman, died Jan. 27 at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of Shirley (Riley) Morren.
Mr. Morren was born Aug. 15, 1932, in New Milford, son of the late John G. and Ella (Beyer) Morren. He spent his life in Sherman.
He graduated from New Milford High School in 1950. He was employed as a machinist with Hipotronics, Inc., in Brewster, N.Y., until retirement in 2001.
He was also a self-employed dairy farmer and the owner and operator of Iron Eagle Saw Mill in Sherman.
He was a member of the Sherman Congregational Church, a member of St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge No. 21 of New Milford, and a member and past master of Wemanesa Grange.
Besides his wife, Mr. Morren is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Legendre and her husband Theodore of Torrington, and Heather Mathews and her husband John of Sharon; a son-in-law, Clifford Palmer of Sherman; four sisters, Ruth Van Duzee and Janet Judd of Sherman, Emilie Parker of Gaylordsville and Barbara Wasley of Warren; and two grandchildren, Robin and Travis of Sherman.
A memorial service will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m. at the Sherman Congregational Church. There are no calling hours.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford is in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Sherman Congregational Church, 6 Church Road, Sherman, CT 06784; or to St. Peter’s Masonic Lodge 21, 11 Aspetuck Ave., New Milford, CT 06776; or to Sherman Boy Scouts Troop No. 48, P.O. Box 39, Sherman, CT 06784.
Patricia T. Hayes, former New Milford teacher
Patricia (Tippman) Hayes of Kaneohe, Hawaii, formerly of New Milford, died Jan. 19. She was the wife of Richard P. Hayes.
Mrs. Hayes was the daughter of Avis C. Tippman and the late Donald D. Tippman of New Canaan.
She attended New Canaan public schools and graduated from New Canaan High School in 1965. She was a graduate of Wheelock College in Boston. She taught in the New Milford school system.
Besides her husband and mother, Mrs. Hayes is survived by a son, Richard of Boston; a daughter, Catherine of Boston; and a brother, Don Tippman of Washington Grove, Md.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA), 570 River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018. For more information, visit https://www.abta.org.
Donald Freeman, 64, was born in New Milford
Donald D. Freeman, 64, of Fairfield Ridge, Danbury, died Jan. 22 at Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Freeman was born Oct. 13, 1938, in New Milford, son of Eleanor (Heacock) Freeman of New Milford and the late David Freeman.
He was a graduate of New Milford High School, Class of 1957. He retired as an engineer from Data Control Corporation in Danbury.
Besides his mother, Mr. Freeman is survived by a son, Daniel of Kent; four daughters, Denise Boone of Dallas, Donna Daniel of Virginia, Deborah of Dallas and Catherine of Trumbull; a sister, Cynthia of New Milford; and eight grandchildren.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Frank Believe, 73, grandfather of New Milfordite
Frank A. Believe, 73, of Riverton Road, New Fairfield, died Jan. 21 at Bethel Health Care. He was the husband of Jean (DeVito) Believe.
Mr. Believe was born Sept. 29, 1929, in Bronx, N.Y., son of Agnes (DePalo) Believe and the late James Believe.
He attended trade school in New York City and worked as a meatcutter for Shop Well & Emporium in Norwalk for 10 years. He was a parishioner of St. Edward the Confessor Church in New Fairfield.
Besides his wife and mother, Mr. Believe is survived by a son, Frank Jr. of New Fairfield; a daughter, Linda McGee and her husband Jeffrey of Coral Springs, Fla.; four grandchildren, Dina Volack and Kelly Hamilton of Florida, and Stephanie and Dennis Believe of New Milford; and two great-grandchildren, Alyssa Volack and Savannah McSwain. He was predeceased by a son, Dennis.
The Cornell Memorial Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Donations in his memory can be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492, or to Bethel Health Care, 13 Parklawn Drive, Bethel, CT 06801.
John Scibek, 93, longtime Washington resident
John F. Scibek, 93, of Painter Ridge Road, Washington, died Jan. 24 at his home.
Mr. Scibek was born Dec. 19, 1909, in Fairfield, son of the late Valentine and Ludwig (Burnat) Scibek.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Navy in the 56th Armored Engineers Battalion, Company C.
He was known as “Uncle John” and was a resident of Washington for 47 years. He owned and operated Painter Ridge Farm in Norwalk.
Mr. Scibek was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Washington. He was a member of a number of agricultural organizations and the Eleventh Armored Division Engineers Battalion.
He is survived by a brother, Stanley, of Fairfield; 11 nieces and nephews; and several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Friends may call tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 to 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Burial will take place in the spring.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford is in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Washington Citizens Scholarship Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 243, Washington Depot, CT 06794.
Hazel G. Shaw, 89, was a resident of Bridgewater
Hazel (Grace) Shaw, 89, of Rock Cut Road, Bridgewater, died Jan. 27 at Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center, New Milford. She was the widow of Donald Shaw.
Mrs. Shaw was born Feb. 20, 1913, in Bloomfield, N.J., daughter of the late Edward and Hazel (Kingsland) Grace.
A private burial will take place in the spring in Spencertown, N.Y.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford is in charge of arrangements.
Eileen Keeler, 93, had relatives in area towns
Eileen Maureen (Flynn) Keeler, 93, of New Milford died Jan. 27 at New Milford Nursing Home. She was the widow of Edwin S. Keeler.
Mrs. Keeler was born June 19, 1909, in London, England, daughter of the late John Martin and Maude Elizabeth (Perry) Flynn.
She came to the United States in 1915 and was a New Milford resident for 70 years. She was a seamstress at New Milford Hospital for 14 years.
She is survived by two sons, Edwin of New London, N.H., and E. Daniel of Orland, Maine; two daughters, Sarah Jane Loewe of Fryburg, Maine, and Susan D’Alessio of New Milford; a brother, Eugene Flynn of West Simsbury; a sister, Joan Woodin of Kent; 11 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by six brothers, three sisters, and a grandson, Mark.
A memorial service will be held March 1 at 9 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church in New Milford. There are no calling hours.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
