United States High School Yearbooks by County
Francis X. O'Rourke, 75, father of Sherman man
Francis X. O'Rourke, 75, of Brewster, N.Y., died June 6 at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel. He was the husband of Mary Ellen (Kirk) O'Rourke.
Mr. O'Rourke was born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., Dec. 23, 1923, to the late John C. and Lillian A. (McAvoy) O'Rourke. He graduated from St. Michael's Academy in the Bronx and attended Wesley College in Dover, Del. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the Navy from 1943 to 1946.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis X. O'Rourke were married Nov. 18, 1950, in Wilmington, Del.
Mr. O'Rourke was a plasterer for the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Local No. 5 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for 40 years until retiring in 1989. He was a member of St. Lawrence O'Toole Church and lived in Brewster for 42 years and in Mt. Vernon and the Bronxville area for five years prior.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Francis X. O'Rourke Jr. of Sherman, John C. O'Rourke of Brewster, Timothy K. O'Rourke of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.; a daughter, Mary Ellen Durkin of Dover Plains, N.Y.; five sisters, Clare Fagan of Scarsdale, N.Y., Jean Winkler of Hamilton Square, N.J., Betty Roulhac of Lisle, Ill., and Ann O'Rourke and Patty Huddleston, both of River Edge, N.J.; and nine grandchildren.
The Beecher Funeral Home of Brewster was in charge of arrangements.
Anne Miller, 90, first patient to be treated with penicillin
Anne Caroline (Sheafe) Miller, 90, of Salisbury died May 27 at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. She was the widow of Ogden D. Miller.
Mrs. Miller was born Oct. 13, 1908, in New York City, daughter of the late Charles M. Jr. and Mary (Hoague) Sheafe.
She was raised in Rye, N.Y., and New Haven. She was a graduate of St. Mary's School in Peekskill, N.Y., and received her nursing degree in 1931 from Columbia Presbyterian School of Nursing, now a part of Columbia University in New York City.
Along with her husband, she moved to Washington in 1945. She was a member of St. John's Church in Washington for more than 50 years. She moved to Noble Horizons in 1996.
Mrs. Miller was a part of medical history in 1942 when she was the first hospital patient in the United States to be treated successfully with the then-experimental drug penicillin. Her hospital chart is now at the Smithsonian Institution.
She leaves three sons, Ogden D. Miller Jr. of Vienna, Va., David P. Miller of Darlington, Md., and Dwight D. Miller of Watertown, Mass.; a brother, Theodore H. Sheafe of Taigard, Ore.; a sister, Mary S. Jewett of Lyme; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Arrangements were handled by the Kenny Funeral Home of Sharon.
Vera Morris, 77, mother of New Milford woman
Vera E. Morris, 77, of Danbury died June 3 at the Glen Hill Convalescent Center in Danbury. She was the wife of the late Walter L. Morris.
Mrs. Morris married Walter L. Morris Feb. 28, 1942, in Williamstown, Mass.
She had worked for Barden Corporation in Danbury from 1964 to 1969 and had been a housewife for most of her life. She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Brewster, N.Y., and had lived in Danbury for 14 years. Mrs. Morris had lived in Millerton, N.Y., for 10 years and in Brewster for 16 years prior to that.
Mrs. Morris is survived by two daughters, Darlene Turiano of New Milford and Judy Morris of Danbury; two sisters, Phyllis Martrigali of Brewster and Marilyn Bourden of Adams, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by a sister, Doris Brown, and a brother, Ernest Haley.
The Beecher Funeral Home of Brewster was in charge of arrangements.
Joseph C. McBreairty, 59, employed at Nestle
Joseph C. "Clem" McBreairty, 59, of 30A Old Park Lane Road, New Milford, died at his home June 1 after a long illness.
He was born June 27, 1939, in Allagash, Maine, a son of the late Lloyd and Lillian McBreairty. One of seven children, he grew up in Allagash and attended early grade school there. He completed his middle school years at the Caribou Public School in Caribou, Maine, and graduated from Waterville High School in Waterville, Maine, in 1959.
Mr. McBreairty enlisted in the U.S. Army Dec. 29, 1961, and was honorably discharged from military service Dec. 28, 1964. During his service, he attained the rank of SP5 (E5). He took his training at Fort Dix, N.J. in his enlisted (MOS), personnel specialist, and completed his required training (personal administration specialist) in Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind.
Mr. McBreairty was employed in research and development by Nestle Corporation for 28 years. He was a direct representative of Nestle and traveled to many cities and countries to demonstrate newly developed products to major corporations and prospective clients in the food industry.
Mr. McBreairty was a member of St. Francis Church in New Milford.
He is survived by three sisters, Alice "Dodie" Baylock of New Milford, Christine Michaud of Cranbury, N.J. and Darlene Oviatt of Hillsdale, N.Y.; two brothers, Jeffrey B. McBreairty of New Milford and Bernard L. McBreairty of Cheyenne, Wyo.; 11 nieces and nephews and 15 grandnieces and grandnephews.
The Colonial Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society Western Connecticut Unit, 40 North St., Danbury, CT 06810.
David Lane Jr., 72, father of New Milford woman
David Michael Lane Jr., 72, of 20 Brighton St., Candlewood Vista, Danbury, died unexpectedly at his home June 2. He was the husband of Mary Ellen (Kelley) Lane.
He was born Feb. 4, 1927, in Danbury, son of the late Florence (Culhane) and David M. Lane Sr. He grew up in Danbury and attended St. Peter's School and was a graduate of Danbury High School, Class of 1944. He received his B.S. from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut. He was a registered pharmacist for 25 years at Harry's Pharmacy in Danbury.
Mr. Lane enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1945 and was honorably discharged from service in October of 1946.
He was an avid conservationist in the city of Danbury, having served on the Conservation Commission from 1967 to 1972. He worked on various park and open space projects, including the development of the Old Quarry Nature Center, The Bear Mountain Reservation and Kenosia Park.
From 1972 to 1977 he served as first chairman of the five-town Candlewood Lake Authority and charted its course toward preserving Candlewood Lake.
He assisted in the development of the Down on the Farm facility from 1974 to 1977, and in the 1980s he was instrumental in the purchase and preservation of the Tarrywile Park. He served on the Tarrywile Park Authority for five years.
An avid poultry breeder and exhibitor of exhibition poultry and pheasants, he was a member of the American Poultry Association, the American Bantam Association, the Swampfield Land Trust and of St. Gregory Church.
After his retirement from pharmacy, he enjoyed traveling, gardening and living at his home on Lake Candlewood.
Besides his wife, Mr. Lane is survived by three daughters, Cathy Lane of New Milford, Jeanne Katz of Brookfield and Patty Salvatore of Danbury; one brother, George C. Lane of Danbury; and one granddaughter, Sarah Katz.
The Cornell Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Margaret Ramsey, 83, was active in civic groups
Margaret Joy Ramsey, 83, died June 26 at New Milford Hospital. She was the wife of the late Raymond Ramsey.
She was born in Golden City, Mo., and had been a New Milford resident since 1951.
Mrs. Ramsey was a former employee of Kent Manufacturing, where she worked for 10 years and became a member of the Teamsters Union. She was a member of two sewing clubs, including the Merryall Sewing Club, and a member of AARP, the Housatonic Art League and Merryall Chapel Community Center.
She is survived by two sons, Barry D. Ramsey of New Milford and Craig L. Ramsey of Montgomery, Ala.; a daughter, Pamela J. Collins of New Milford; a sister, Eleanor Booth of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
County Cremation Service of Fairfield is in charge of the arrangements.
Clark Searles, 81, leaves friends in New Milford area
Clark W. Searles, 81, of 14 Cedric Ave., Derby, died June 25 at Connecticut Hospice of Branford. He was the husband of Violet (Smith) Searles.
He was born in Derby Nov. 18, 1917, the son of the late Harold and Mary (Knudsen) Searles.
Mr. Searles graduated from Derby High School. He worked for Farrels, starting as a stockperson and then as a traffic manager until his retirement.
He became a leader in the Civilian Conservation Corps in West Cornwall. He was also a member of the Masons of Ansonia.
Besides his wife, Mr. Searles is survived by two sons, Robert P. Searles and Harold (Bud) Searles, both of Derby; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and friends in the New Milford area.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family. The Jenkins-King Funeral Home of Ansonia is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice of Branford, c/o Jenkins-King Funeral Home Funeral Director, 12 Franklin St., Ansonia, CT 06401.
Joseph Kalina, 77, father of New Milford woman
Joseph F. Kalina, 77, of Florham Park, N.J., died June 22 at Morristown Memorial Hospital of complications from a stroke.
He was born May 9, 1922, in Reading, Pa., son of the late Joseph Francis Kalina and Mary Veronica Janosy.
He moved to Florham Park from Madison, N.J., in 1968.
Mr. Kalina earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Penn State University in 1942, after which he did research for the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Ships. He earned a master's in economics from the University of Pennsylvania after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Mr. Kalina had a diverse background in technology and communications. From 1947 to 1949, he worked at DuPont as an engineer in plastics and fiber production. Later, he was a research executive at Collins & Aikman, a leading textile manufacturer.
In 1977, he retired from McGraw Hill, where he had held a senior position for Chemical Week, Modern Plastics and Modern Packaging magazines since 1953. He then joined G&A Communications, Inc., a major New York City public relations company. As vice president and technical/industrial director, he supervised the technical and industrial areas of all G&A accounts.
Following his retirement from G&A in 1988, Mr. Kalina was a consultant to numerous petroleum and chemical companies. He was able to pursue his hobbies playing the piano and listening to classical music. He also loved playing with his grandchildren and being an active member of the Senior Citizens Center in Florham Park.
He is survived by his wife, Celeste Fischer Kalina; two daughters, Margaret K. Blake and her husband Bob of New Milford and Jan Kalina and her husband Tom Butynski of Nairobi, Kenya; a son, Joseph F. Kalina, Jr. and his wife Kim of Mt. Tabor, N.J.; a sister, Mary Kalina; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Violet Galletta and Elizabeth Galletta.
The William Bradley & Son Funeral Home of N.J. was in charge of arrangements
Contributions may be made to the Florham Park Ambulance Squad, 111 Ridgedale Ave., Florham Park, NJ 07932.
Wilbert L. Ferry, 74, World War II veteran
Wilbert L. Ferry, 74, of Old Town Park Road, New Milford, died June 26 after a sudden illness. He was the husband of Margaret J. (Ferraiolo) Ferry.
Born in Danbury Oct. 23, 1924, he was the son of the late Clarke S. and Marcella (Richardson) Ferry. He attended Danbury schools and had lived in Danbury on Woodside Avenue before moving to New Milford in 1961.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army participating in the Battle of the Philippine Islands and New Guinea. He was wounded in action at Luzon, Philippines, and received the Purple Heart. He also was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippine Combat Medal.
Mr. Ferry had been employed as a driver with the former Danbury Bus Company and Candlewood Bus Company and also worked as a security guard at Amphenol Corp. and the J.P. Stevens Company, retiring at age 62.
He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the New Milford Rifle Club. Mr. Ferry was also an avid reader.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Bruce S. Ferry of New Milford and Douglas C. Ferry of Dunedin, Fla.; a daughter, Lesa A. Ferry of New Milford; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury, today (Friday) after 10 a.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. David W. Reinhardt, pastor of the Baptist Church of Danbury, officiating. Interment will be in Wooster Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory maybe made to the American School for the Deaf, 139 North Main St., West Hartford, CT 06100.
