United States High School Yearbooks by County
Edward Barnum, 84, was resident of New Milford
Edward W. Barnum, 84, of Polaras Drive, New Milford, died Oct. 12 at his home. He was the husband of Florence (Garavel) Barnum.
Mr. Barnum was born Oct. 20, 1918, in Bridgeport, son of the late Edwin and Bertha (Horton) Barnum.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Navy. He made his home in the community for 34 years. He worked as a security guard for Amphenol for 10 years, and prior to that, worked at Mekens Cleaners in Danbury.
Besides his wife, Mr. Barnum is survived by two sons, Richard and his wife Sarah of Augusta, Maine, and John and his wife Wendy of Newtown; five daughters, Joan Lamporte of Watertown, Judith Warwick of Marlboro, N.Y., Nancy Madore and her husband Robert of Danbury, Linda Zank and her husband Richard of New Fairfield, and Carol Repp and her husband Michael of Olathe, Kan.; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Robert and his wife Helen of Fairfield.
The Cornell Memorial Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the New Milford VNA Hospice, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT 06776.
Lydia Strother, 71, mother of New Milford woman
Lydia Ashmead Strother, 71, of Bethel died Oct. 5 of cancer. She was the wife of Gordon Strother.
Mrs. Strother grew up in Windsor. She was a Phi Theta Kappa honoree, head of her class at Colby Junior College, Class of 1952.
She was hired by President Eisenhower’s Boston cardiologist, Paul Dudley White, to work for him and his associates.
She had a love for choral singing, nature and gardening. She was a den mother for years. She bicycled in England, Scotland, Ireland, and France. She served several years as vestry clerk at church, was secretary to the Bethel Public Library Board, went on Elderhostel trips, became a notary public and a legal secretary, and was editor of Trinity Church’s Prayer Fellowship newsletter.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Strother is survived by three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Melanie, and Daniel Fay; a sister, Mildred Schlesinger of North Haven; three sons, Aengus of Oakland, Calif., Nicholas of Bethel and Michael of Norwalk; and a daughter, Sarah Fay of New Milford.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ann’s Place, Home of I Can, 103 Newtown Road, Suite 1B, Danbury, CT 06810.
Anthony S. Sebjan, 81, father of New Milfordites
Anthony "Tony” S. Sebjan, 81, of Danbury died Oct. 13 at his home. He was the widower of Elissa Betty (Hatrick) Sebjan.
Mr. Sebjan was born June 2, 1922, in Bridgeport, son of the late Michael and Anna Sebjan.
He was an United States Army World War II veteran. He was employed as an automobile and boat mechanic at the former Dan Ridge Chevrolet, Wilton Chevrolet and the former Anchor Marina.
Mr. Sebjan is survived by two sons, John of New Milford and Stephen Sr. of Danbury; a daughter, Sherryl Hulse of New Milford; a sister, Josephine Salerno of Bridgeport; a brother, Augustine of Bridgeport; three grandchildren, Ronald Hulse Jr., Stephen Jr. and Gretchen; great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The Green Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Research Pkwy., Meriden, CT 06450; or to the Danbury Hospital Kidney Dialysis Unit, Danbury Hospital, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.
Mary Elizabeth Ubben, 66, New Milfordite’s mother
Mary Elizabeth Ubben, 66, of Southbury died Oct. 13 at her home. She was the widow of Raymond Ubben.
Mrs. Ubben was born Aug. 19, 1937, in Red Island, Newfoundland, Canada, daughter of Catherine (Rodgers) Lamb and the late James Lamb.
Besides her mother of Placentia, Newfoundland, Mrs. Ubben is survived by a sister, Kathleen Lamb of Placentia; two brothers, Paul of Placentia and Fergus of Dunville, Newfoundland; four sons, Randolph of New Milford, Gregory of Yorktown, Va., and Brian and Paul of Southbury; a daughter, Dana of Port Charlotte, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Melissa, Jessica, Brian, Kathryn, Krista, Kassie, and Leeah.
Services will take place today (Friday) at 10 a.m. at the Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main St. North, Route 6. Calling hours will be held today from 9 a.m. until the time of service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ Southbury, 285 Main St. North, Southbury, CT 06488; or to the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810.
Donna Hodson, 54, was a New Milford resident
Donna Jean Hodson, 54, of New Milford died Oct. 12 at Danbury Hospital after a brief battle with cancer.
Ms. Hodson was born June 23, 1949, in Providence, R.I., daughter of the late Stuart and Isabel (Tracy) Cogswell. She moved to New Fairfield as a child and graduated from Danbury High School, Class of 1967. She had worked at UPS for 15 years and Ship Shape Cleaners in Brookfield for 18 years.
Ms. Hodson is survived by a daughter, Tracey Pudelka of New Milford; two sisters, Sandra Keane of Sherman and Shirley Cogswell of Massachusetts; a niece, Pam Carey of Sherman; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will be received Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Hall, Routes 37 and 39, Sherman.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to New Milford VNA, 68 Park Lane, New Milford, CT 06776; to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810; to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1004, 538 Preston Ave., Meriden, CT 06050-1004; or to the charity of one’s choice.
Leonard Cossuto, 83, was father of area residents
Leonard J. "Lenny” Cossuto, 83, of Junction Road, Brookfield, died Oct. 8 at The Kent. He was the husband of Joyce (Pooley) Cossuto.
Mr. Cossuto was born Feb. 17, 1920, in Norwalk, son of the late Joseph and Restituta (Mirigliola) Cossuto.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the United States Army in England, France and Belgium. He was a recipient of the European African Mid-Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon.
He owned and operated Joseph Cossuto and Son, a topsoil supplier, for 40 years. He was a parishioner of St. Gregory the Great Church in Danbury.
Besides his wife, Mr. Cossuto is survived by three sons, Allen and his wife Joan of New Milford, Philip and his wife Cindy of Bridgewater, and Joseph and his wife Diane of Bridgewater; a daughter, Catherine Zucca and her husband Richard of Bridgewater; six grandchildren, Randal, Liana, Vincent, Jared, Jennifer and Alison; a sister, Julia Bitar of Maine; and several nieces and nephews.
The Cornell Memorial Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Mary F. Brelling, 72, mother of New Milford man
Mary Frances "Nancy” (Homerston) Brelling, 72, of West Redding died Oct. 9 at Danbury Hospital. She was the widow of Edward George Brelling.
Mrs. Brelling was born July 2, 1931, in Quebec, Canada, a daughter of the late William and Alice (Willcocks) Homerston.
She was raised in Quebec and later lived in Massapequa Park, N.Y., before settling in West Redding. She was an avid fisherwoman and also enjoyed bowling.
Mrs. Brelling is survived by a daughter, Pamela Kelley and her husband Daniel of Danbury; two sons, Ronald and his wife Kathleen of Bethel, and Donald of New Milford; a brother, Gordon Homerston; four sisters, Dorothy DiFranco, Brenda Catanio, Barbara Lyles and Dawna Ursillo of Rhode Island and Canada; and five grandchildren, Ryan, Lauren, Justin, Erin and Kyle. She was predeceased by a daughter, Susan; two sons, Glen and James; two brothers, William and Albert Homerston; and two sisters, Katherine Joseph and Alice Boissonneault.
The Bouton Funeral Home of Georgetown was in charge of arrangements.
Gloria L. Martin, 74, sister of New Milford man
Gloria L. Martin, 74, of Bethel, formerly of Greenwich, died Oct. 14 following a brief illness. She was the widow of Howard Martin.
Mrs. Martin was born Dec. 5, 1928, in Greenwich, the daughter of the late Christopher and Adele (Carpenter) Miles.
She graduated from the Greenwich High School. She was a resident of Bethel since 1958 and was employed by Union Trust Bank in Stamford, and later was a partner in the Tea and Sympathy teashop in Bethel.
She was active in Republican party politics throughout her years as a Bethel resident, and was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Bethel.
Mrs. Martin is survived by two sons, Robert and his wife Heidi, and Bruce and his wife Carolyn, all of Bethel; three brothers, Christopher Miles of New Milford, Donald Miles of Florida and Robert Miles of Bethel; three sisters, Jean Koproski of Stamford, and Eleanor Scofield and Dinah White of Greenwich; two grandchildren, Kelly of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Christine of Bethel; and 28 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Ginger Fernandez.
A Requiem Mass will be celebrated today (Friday) at 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Bethel. Burial will be in Center Cemetery, Bethel.
The Bethel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Kevin Anderson Sr., 43, New Milford resident
Kevin M. Anderson Sr., 43, of 12 Richconn Drive, New Milford, died Oct. 10 at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of Kathleen (Sperling) Anderson.
Mr. Anderson was born Nov. 5, 1959, in Derby, son of the late Carl C. and Anne (Nancy) Mooney Anderson.
He was a graduate of Newtown High School, Class of 1977, and Colonial Technical School for Drafting in Monroe. He had been a resident of New Milford since 1985.
He was a design draftsman with Heise-Dresser Instrument Company in Newtown for 24 years, and an automotive consultant at Danbury Hyundai for the past two months.
He put his family first and attended all softball, baseball, soccer and basketball games. He loved the drums, guitar and keyboard. He was a longtime member of Our Lady of Lakes Church in New Milford.
Besides his wife, Mr. Anderson is survived by two sons, Kevin Jr. and Carl of New Milford; a daughter, Kristen of New Milford; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Richard, and a sister, Carol Lee.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Ave., P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492
Claire Barondess, 84, mother of New Milford woman
Claire Barondess, 84, died Oct. 2 in San Diego, Calif. She was the widow of Gerson Barondess.
Mrs. Barondess is survived by a daughter, Anne Kisver and her husband Larry of New Milford; two sons, Philip of Sherwood, Ore., and Ronnie and his wife Erin of San Diego; eight grandchildren; a brother, Leonard Cooper and his wife Bette of Tucson, Ariz.; and a sister, Arleen Resnick of Arlington, Va.
Private services will be held in San Diego.
Robert Lavallee, 61, was a New Milford resident
Robert N. Lavallee, 61, of New Milford, formerly of Southbury, died Oct. 7 at Waterbury Hospital. He was the husband of Muriel A. (Robidoux) Lavallee.
Mr. Lavallee was born Oct. 8, 1941, in Woonsocket, R.I., son of the late Hubert P. and Violet (Dussault) Lavallee.
He was a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War. He worked as a maintenance supervisor at Union Camp of Newtown, formerly Allied Container, for 41 years.
Besides his wife, Mr. Lavallee is survived by a son, Paul of Middlebury; a daughter, Carol White of New Milford; two brothers, Maurice of Springfield, Mass., and Roger of Washington state; a sister, Donna Costello of Woonsocket; and four grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Main Street South, Southbury. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery in Southbury.
Calling hours are 6 to 8 p.m. today (Friday) in the daily chapel of Sacred Heart Church.
The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury is in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Ferrara, 75, mother of New Milford woman
Dorothy E. (Weir) Ferrara, 75, of Bethel died Oct. 2 at her home. She was the widow of Carmen P. Ferrara.
Mrs. Ferrara was born March 13, 1928, in Stamford, daughter of the late John and Mary (Murphy) Weir Sr.
She had been a Bethel resident for the last 44 years.
Mrs. Ferrara is survived by three daughters, Kathleen Schmidt of New Milford and Dianne Wilhelm and Sharon Overthrow of Bethel; a brother, John Weir Jr. of Shelton; a sister, June Bennet of Stamford; seven grandchildren, Craig, Kerry, Lisa, Steven, Sarah, Bryan and Haley; a great-granddaughter, Hannah; and several nieces and nephews.
The Green Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions may be made to the Bethel Visiting Nurse Association, 1 School St., Bethel, CT 06810.
