United States High School Yearbooks by County
George Verenes, 80, accountant, honored Rotarian and avid golfer
George Verenes, 80, of New Preston died Dec. 7, 2005, after a short illness.
Mr. Verenes was born in New London to the late Peter and Anastia Verenes.
He served in the U.S. Army as a navigator during World War II. He earned a degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut and moved to the New Milford area, where he lived for more than 50 years.
Mr. Verenes was a certified public accountant for DeLeo and Company in New Milford for 30 years. He was a charter member and past president of the New Milford Rotary Club and was honored at a dinner in 1999 for being the top Rotarian. He was twice awarded the Paul Harris Fellow, the highest honor given to a Rotarian.
Mr. Verenes was a charter member and director, as well as past treasurer, of the Harcourt Foundation. He was a member of the Lake Waramaug Country Club and the Torrington Country Club. He was an avid golfer.
Mr. Verenes is survived by two sisters, Paniogotta Panuthos of Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Chrysula Giannakakos of Waterford; his dear friend, Pauline Perrett; and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Constantino, and a sister, Catherine.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Edward Gunn Sr., 82, father of New Milford man
Edward J. Gunn Sr., 82, of Kimberly Place, Danbury, died Dec. 10, 2005, at Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Gunn was born Aug. 29, 1923, in the Bronx, N.Y., son of Edward and Henrietta (Briodi) Gunn.
He attended New York schools and was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, having served in the 101st Airborne Division, �The Screaming Eagles.�
Mr. Gunn was a resident of Danbury for the past 36 years. He was a retired Teamster Union trucker and a member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters Union.
Mr. Gunn is survived by Rita (DiLoreto) Gunn of the Bronx, N.Y.; two sons, Edward Jr. of Key Colony, Fla., and Gregory of New Milford; two daughters, Diane Aprile and her husband Jim of Blauvelt, N.Y., and Joanne DeLoreano of Waterbury; a sister, Eleanor Cantone of Astoria, N.Y., five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Kasey O�Neil, 30, leaves relatives in New Milford
Kasey Lynne O�Neil, 30, of Bethel died unexpectedly Dec. 10, 2005, at Danbury Hospital.
Ms. O�Neil was born March 12, 1975, in Danbury, the daughter of Thomas D. O�Neil of Bethel and Sandra (Reitmeier) (O�Neil) Ross of New. Milford.
She grew up in the Danbury area, attending Bethel and New Milford high schools, and was most recently employed as a school bus driver with Laidlaw Transportation.
Besides her parents, Ms. O�Neil is survived by two daughters, Kassandra Ricci and Cynthia Kyla of Bethel; a brother, Thomas of Bethel; and a sister, Kathleen Johnson of New Milford.
The Bethel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the education funds of Kassandra and Cynthia Kyla, in care of: Kathleen Johnson, 208 Merryall Road, New Milford, CT 06776.
Greg Golembesky, 58, was a New Milford native
Greg Golembesky, 58, of 149 Aspen Road, Madawaska, Maine, and formerly of Prospect, Maine, died of liver failure Dec. 10, 2005, at his home. He was the husband of Diane Golembesky.
Mr. Golembesky was born Aug. 5, 1947, in New Milford, the only child of Shirley (Johnson) Golembesky and the late Vincent Golembesky.
He graduated from high school in Redding and was a bricklayer/mason since 1964. He owned Outback Masonry from 1973 until his death.
Besides his mother of West Redding and his wife, Mr. Golembesky is survived by two sons, Matthew and W. Joshua and his wife Nancy of Madawaska; and two grandsons, Zeke and Gryphon of Madawaska.
Friends may call at the family home on Aspen Road tomorrow (Saturday) from 2 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to your local animal shelter will be appreciated.
Charles Sailer Jr., 52, leaves relatives in local towns
Charles T. �Chachi� Sailer Jr., 52, of South Street, Bethel, died Dec. 14, 2005, at his home.
Mr. Sailer was born Aug. 8, 1953, in Danbury. He is the son of Charles T. Sailer Sr. of Florida and Joan (Montesi) Wixon and her husband George of Danbury.
He owned and operated Sailer�s Boat and Car Detailing in Danbury.
He loved and enjoyed spending most of his time with his family and gardening with his sister Holly. He was also a Red Cross-certified lifeguard at Danbury Town Park.
Mr. Sailer is survived by a daughter, Ivy of Waterbury; a son, Christopher of New Milford; a granddaughter, Angelina Marie Torres; three sisters, Holly Gillotti and her fiancee Smitty Adams of Danbury, Jessica Tomlinson and her husband Laoren of Kent, and Jacqueline Sigmon and her husband Blake of New Zealand; and many nieces and nephews.
The Cornell Memorial Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Gloria Shelley, 80, mother of New Milford woman
Gloria I. Shelley, 80, of Edgewater, Fla., died Dec. 14, 2005, at the Hospice of Volusia/Flagler in Port Orange, Fla. She was the widow of Donald Shelley.
Mrs. Shelley was born Feb. 27, 1925, in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., the daughter of the late Frank Parker and Edith Fredericks and the stepdaughter of Walter Fredericks.
She was a member of the Bert Fish Medical Center Ladies� Auxiliary in New Smyrna Beach, active in their Bedpan Band and the Pink Door Thrift Shop. She had also been a volunteer for many years with the Police Athletic League in Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
Mrs. Shelley moved to Florida in 1987, having previously lived in Hudson and in Mt. Vernon, where she worked as a school crossing guard.
Mrs. Shelley is survived by two daughters, Judith and her husband Robert Simpson of Red Hook, N.Y., and Gail and her husband Dominick Picchione of New Milford; five grandchildren, Bryan Rifenburgh of Saugerties, N.Y., Amie Semancik of Staatsburg, N.Y., and Gloria Snodgrass, Dominick Picchione II and Stephen Picchione of New Milford; and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Doris DePolo.
The Burnett & White Funeral Homes of Red Hook were in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129.
David W. Newell, 57, had strong ties to Sherman
David W. Newell, 57, of Danbury died Dec. 12, 2005, at Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Newell was born May 6, 1948, in Mount Kisco, N.Y., the son of the late Colonel George Newell and Elizabeth Warner Gallowhur Newell.
The Newells are remembered for their involvement in the Sherman Church, the Sherman Historical Society, the Sherman Playhouse and the Sherman Garden Club.
Mr. Newell worked for over 20 years at local companies through Ability Beyond Disability (formerly Datahr). He enjoyed Star Trek, fire trucks, pets, and vacations at Cape Cod.
Mr. Newell is survived by his faithful guardians, Bobbi Shapiro and Kevin Haney; his Green Chimneys family, Donald, Ricka, Liz, Dee, Lilianna, Ken, Patrick, Dianna, Louise, Jean, Janeth, and Peggy; and his friends at Ability Beyond Disability, including Maryanne, Tina and Diane. He was predeceased by a brother, Michael.
A funeral service will be held in the spring at North Cemetery in Sherman.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford is in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Sherman Church, 6 Church Road, Sherman, CT 06784.
Elisabeth Goettel, 84, mother of Sherman woman
Elisabeth Goettel, 84, a longtime resident of New Fairfield, died Dec. 14, 2005, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City. She was the widow of Karl Goettel.
Mrs. Goettel was the daughter of the late Johann and Margaret (Schiffler) Groesser in Yugoslavia.
Mrs. Goettel is survived by two daughters, Gerda of New York City, Aline Sieber and her husband Peter of Sherman; two grandchildren, Diane Edmond and her husband Timothy of Sherman, and Renee Harel and her husband John of South Carolina; four great-grandchildren, Shane and Michaela Edmond, and Ashley and Melissa Harel; a cousin, Karl Machmer and his wife Irmgard; a sister-in-law, Sofia Gerstenecker; a niece, Lotte Kienle; and a nephew, Herbert Schmidt.
The Green Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, 1275 York Ave., New York, N.Y. 10021, or to the Congregational Church of New Fairfield, 20 Gillotti Road, New Fairfield CT 06812.
Gary Brainard, 47, was a resident of Marble Dale
Gary Brainard, 47, of North Sawyer Hill Road, Marble Dale, died Dec. 17, 2005, at his home.
Mr. Brainard was born in Derby Feb. 8, 1958, son of Frederick and Esther Smith Brainard of Northport, Fla., formerly of Monroe.
He was a data processor for the shipping department of Pitney Bowes and was affectionately known by his friends as the �Gentle Giant.�
Mr. Brainard is survived by a sister, Virginia Elwood; two brothers, William and Richard Brainard; and several nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Riverside Cemetery Shelton.
The Riverview Funeral Home in Shelton handled arrangements.
Nick M. Bisaccia, 74, father of Sherman woman
Nick M. Bisaccia, 74, of New Fairfield died Dec. 14, 2005, at Danbury Hospital. He was the widower of Annette (Mastronardi) Bisaccia.
Mr. Bisaccia was born July 21, 1931, in Yonkers, N.Y., son of the late Nicola and Concetta (Malacarne ) Bisaccia.
A U.S. Army Korean War veteran, he was a New Fairfield resident for the past 39 years after having previously lived in Yonkers, N.Y.
Mr. Bisaccia was a member of Teamsters Union Local 456 and was a member of the New Fairfield Lions Club. He received the Kelvin Jones Fellow Award in 1995 for Dedicated Humanitarian Services, Lions Club International.
Mr. Bisaccia is survived by a son, Richard and his wife Jeanne of Tampa, Fla.; five daughters, Patricia Marsalisi and her husband Fredric of Danbury, Annette Calabrese and her husband T.J. of Southington, Christine Boticelli and her husband Bruce of New Fairfield, Michele McCourt and her husband Michael of Sherman, and Marisa Rogstad and her husband John of Houston; 17 grandchildren; three sisters, Angie D�Agnillo, Tootsie Fantasia and Mary Cirello of Yonkers, N.Y.; two brothers, Jimmy of Monticello, N.Y., and John of White Plains, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews.
The Green Funeral Home of Danbury handled arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nick Bisaccia Scholarship Fund, 45 Rita Drive, New Fairfield, CT 06812.
Mary Andrews, 82, sister of New Milford woman
Mary �Mamie� Andrews, 82, of Toddy Hill Road, Newtown, died Dec. 18, 2005, at Ashlar of Newtown. She was the widow of Joseph Andrews.
Mrs. Andrews was born Sept. 4, 1923, in Saltcoats, Scotland, daughter of the late James and Ellen (Cambridge) Battersby.
She attended schools in Scotland and came to the United States in 1953. She worked as an inspector for the Pitney Bowes Company of Danbury for 14 years, retiring in 1986. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed crafts and ceramics. She was a member of the St. Paul Episcopal Church in Brookfield and the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Andrews is survived by four sons, David and his wife Wendy of Brookfield, Ian of Newtown, Gordon and his wife Susan of Danbury, and James and his wife Lisa of Waterbury; a brother, James Battersby of New Milford; 11 grandchildren, Michael, Karen, Christopher, Jason, Ryan, Amy, Jeffrey, Joseph, David, Sara and James; and a great-grandchild, Amber. She was predeceased by a brother, John Battersby.
Memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Ability Beyond Disability, 4 Berkshire Blvd., Bethel, CT 06801.
Henry Cianci, 84, father of New Milford woman
Henry C. Cianci, 84, of Sandy Hook died Dec. 17, 2005, at New Milford Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was the husband of Stella (Colo) Cianci.
Mr. Cianci was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Long Island City, N.Y., son of the late Joseph and Erminia (Pilone) Cianci.
He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal, the EAME Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Mr. Cianci was an insurance agent with Zurich Insurance Corp., retiring in 1983. He was a member of the VFW of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Besides his wife, Mr. Cianci is survived by a son, Henry of Queens, N.Y.; a daughter, Barbara Pilgrim of New Milford; a brother, Leo of California; and four grandchildren, Katherine and Danielle Pilgrim and Michael and Alexandra.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Dec. 28 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church in New Milford.
Contributions in his memory may be made to New Milford Health & Rehabilitation, 19 Poplar St., New Milford, CT 06776, or to Bethel VNA, 1 School St., Bethel, CT 06801.
Alvina P. Sanderson, 85, mother of Roxbury woman
Alvina P. Sanderson, 85, of Woodbury died Dec. 18, 2005, at her home. She was the widow of Robert H. Sanderson.
Mrs. Sanderson was born Feb. 11, 1920, in Waterbury, daughter of the late Justin and Ursula Plungis.
A longtime Woodbury resident, she owned Charcoal Chef Restaurant in Woodbury for 50 years and was a communicant of St. Teresa�s Church in Woodbury. Her hobbies included travel.
Mrs. Sanderson is survived by two daughters, Judy Doran of Roxbury and Joyce of Woodbury; a sister, Anne Rahuba of Waterbury; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A mass will be held today (Friday) at 9 a.m. at St. Teresa�s Church.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Woodbury Food Bank, P.O. Box 585, Woodbury, CT 06798.
Josephine Wioncek, 91, mother of Roxbury woman
Josephine Wioncek, 91, of Waterbury died Dec. 19, 2005, at Wolcott View Manor. She was the widow of John Wioncek.
Mrs. Wioncek was born in New Bedford, Mass., daughter of the late Joseph and Frances Marnik.
She worked at McCrory�s and was a communicant of St. Anthony�s Church and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Prospect Grange.
Mrs. Wioncek is survived by two daughters, Frances Tatalias of Roxbury and Joanne of Winsted; a sister; and two grandchildren. She was predeceased by two brothers and a sister.
The Snyder Funeral Home of Waterbury handled arrangements.
