United States High School Yearbooks by County
Louie Bonsie, 78, was father of New Milfordite
Louie L. Bonsie, 78, of Dover Plains, N.Y., died March 1 at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of Gladys (Trudeau) Bonsie.
Mr. Bonsie was born March 4, 1923, in Syracuse, N.Y., son of the late Naroto and Theresa (Shora) Bonsie.
He was a resident of Dover Plains for 25 years, previously residing in Altona, N.Y. He worked as a therapy aide for Wassaic Developmental Center for 13 years, retiring in 1989.
He was an Army Air Force veteran of World War II and a former member of the Dover Plains VFW.
He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Church, Dover Plains and of the Amenia Rod and Gun Club. He was an avid fisherman and bowler.
Besides his wife, Mr. Bonsie is survived by a daughter, Debbie Ocskasy of New Milford; three sons, Sam and Tom of Altona and Daniel of Amherst, Va.; a brother, Mike of Sherburne, N.Y.; two sisters, Jennie Cappadonia and Katie Klowski of Sherburne; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Edward Kaulins, 76, was a renowned timepiece expert
Edward Kaulins, 76, of Carmen Hill Road No. 2, New Milford, died March 29 at his home. He was the husband of Thea (Matuschszch) Kaulins.
Mr. Kaulins was born Nov. 17, 1925, in Riga, Latvia, a son of the late Edward and Eugenia Kaulins.
He graduated from the Riga Polytechnic Institute with a degree in mechanical engineering. He then operated his parents’ jewelry, watch and clock repair shop in downtown Riga until having to flee prior to the Soviet invasion.
Mr. Kaulins was recruited by the U.S. Air Force to help build airplane runways in Germany until he emigrated to the U.S. with his wife in 1950. Soon after he arrived in the United States, he became a U.S. citizen.
He did journeyman drafting and mechanical design work for both the U.S. government and private companies.
Mr. Kaulins then went to work full-time for CBS Sound Laboratories in Stamford. He was part of the team that perfected the audio system in John Glenn’s space helmet that was used in America’s first orbiting of the planet.
Credited with several successful patents, his top achievement was the patent on the free-floating turntable audio cartridge that was purchased by Gerrard and was used in their turntables for a number of years.
He assumed the quality control position with Timex in Middlebury and moved his family to New Milford in 1963. Besides being awarded several important patents for electric watches, he was responsible for setting up the Timex National Watch Warranty Center in Little Rock, Ark.
Mr. Kaulins and his family traveled and lived abroad while he set up assembly lines in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Phorzheim, Germany; Dunder, Scotland; Besancon, France; Sabu, Philippines; and Taipei, Taiwan.
He appeared as an expert timepiece witness in several criminal and civil cases, including a murder case.
Mr. Kaulins was instrumental in producing and maintaining the exhibits for the new Timexpo Clock and Watch Museum in Waterbury. He hand drew the intricate workings of the Waterbury Clock, which is also on display at the museum.
Gov. John Rowland and his wife called him to the governor’s mansion to fix a priceless clock.
Besides his wife, Mr. Kaulins is survived by a son, Victor and his wife Karen; a daughter, Beate Dayton; two grandsons, Michael and Matthew of New Milford; two granddaughters, Melissa Fice of Manchester, Vt., and Christina Treyz of South Salem, N.Y.; and six great-grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.
The Brookfield Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the New Milford Hospital Oncology Department, 21 Elm St., New Milford, CT 06776.
Stanley G. Peschel, 71, held two dozen patents
Stanley G. Peschel, 71, of Pawling, N.Y., and West Palm Beach Fla., died March 29 at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of Alice Maffei Forrest Peschel.
Mr. Peschel was born June 4, 1930, in Hudson, N.Y., the son of Stephen S. and Agnes (Tracy) Peschel.
He graduated and received his bachelor’s in engineering from New York University, and received an Honorary Degree Doctor of Science from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.
He was an electrical engineer, holding over 23 patents. He was the founder of Hipotronics, Route 22, Brewster, N.Y., and more recently founded High Voltage, Inc., in Copake, N.Y. He also designed and built the Boston Corners Golf Club in Boston Corners, N.Y.
Mr. Peschel served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Stephen of Kent and Michael of Santa Barbara, Calif.; a daughter, Heidi of Santa Ynez, Calif.; three sisters, Sylvia Grayson of Copake, Barbara Peschel-Gaines of Milan, Mich., and Lucy Warren of Seneca, S.C.; a brother, Fred of Naples, Fla.; six grandchildren, Vanessa and Drew of Kent, Blake and Kristin of Santa Barbara, Andrea of Santa Ynez and Ryan Forrest of Pawling, N.Y.; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, John Warren.
The Horn & Thomes Funeral Home of Pawling was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 22 IBM Road, Suite 108, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Thomas Carey, 87, was former Roxbury resident
Thomas A. Carey, 87, formerly of Roxbury, died March 23 in the Veterans Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Carey was born June 3, 1914, in Shelton, son of the late Michael and Mary (Slattery) Carey.
During World War II, he initially served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After Pearl Harbor he joined the U.S. Army and served with General Hap Arnold in the O.S.S. with the photo corps in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
He was an announcer with Voice of America and with a radio station in Rochester, N.Y.
Mr. Carey attended Trinity College in Hartford and studied interior design at the New York Institute.
He was a former partner in Clinton Tavern Antique Shop In Montour Falls, N.Y. For many years he owned the Berkshire House of Interiors on Church Hill Road, Newtown.
As an artist, his many pursuits included acting, printing, sculpting and piano composing.
Mr. Carey is survived by many nephews and nieces and close friends.
The Honan Funeral Home of Newtown was in charge of arrangements.
Marion Barley, 84, had worked at Glenholme
Marion (Potter) Barley, 84, of Route 202, Marble Dale, died March 29 at Laurel Lake Nursing Center in Lee, Mass. She was the widow of Ralph W. Barley.
Mrs. Barley was born June 4, 1917, in Washington, daughter of the late Andrew and Minnie (Retallick) Potter.
Before her retirement, she was a cook at the Glenholme School in Washington. She was a parishioner of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Marble Dale.
Mrs. Barley is survived by a son, Ralph and his wife Carol of Severna Park, Md.; a daughter, Suzanne Duff and her husband William of Woodbury; and two granddaughters, Julie Slivinski and Linda Duff.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Andrew’s Church, 247 New Milford Turnpike, Marble Dale, CT 06777.
Roberta Willing, 62, worked at South Kent School
Roberta (Rae) Willing, 62, of 296 State Road, Eliot, Maine, died March 24 at her residence after a long illness.
Ms. Willing was born in South Berwick, Maine, July 9, 1939, the daughter of Robert and Eleanor (Eaton) Rae.
She was a graduate of Sanford High School and a 1961 graduate of Simmons College of Boston, where she received a bachelor’s degree.
Ms. Willing lived and worked for many years along with her husband, Charles “Chick” Willing, at South Kent School in South Kent, first as the school librarian and, beginning in 1978, as the director of development.
Under her leadership, the school was repeatedly recognized for its success in raising money through the annual fund and embarked on a large building and renovation program to expand the athletic facilities. She guided the school in raising the endowment from $500,000 in 1978 to over $2 million in 1987.
Ms. Willing subsequently moved to Ogunquit, Maine, and opened the Animal Crackers gift shop, which she owned and operated until the late 1990s.
She recently moved with her husband to Eliot, where she was a member of the Eliot Garden Club, an avid bird watcher and flower gardener.
She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family. She loved to read and enjoyed exploring all of her interests on her computer.
Ms. Willing is survived by her husband, whom she married in 1961; her mother, Eleanor Rae of Eliot; three sons, Charles “Chuck” Willing (of South Kent School’s Class of 1980) and his wife Maura of Concord, N.H., Robin S. Willing (of South Kent School’s Class of 1981) and his wife Wendy of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Brian D. Willing (of South Kent School’s Class of 1988) and his wife Kathryn of Falmouth, Maine; a brother, James F. Rae of Waterboro; Maine; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth E. Willing.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to South Kent School, South Kent, CT 06785.
Edward Musnicki, 84, father of New Milford woman
Edward A. Musnicki, 84, husband of Mary (Brennan) Musnicki, of Sherry Lane, Danbury, died at his residence April 2.
Mr. Musnicki was born in Detroit July 11, 1917, son of the late Anthony and Veronica (Kruszynski) Musnicki. He moved to Danbury with his family as a child and has been a Danbury resident since.
He was a graduate of Danbury High School, Class of 1937, where he had been active in sporting events. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II with the 88th Infantry Division, “Blue Devils,” in the European, African and Middle East theaters. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Unit Badge.
In the 1950s, Mr. Musnicki and his late brother, Peter Musnicki, owned and operated Martha’s Luncheonette on Main Street in Danbury. Later, they closed the luncheonette and operated Four Seasons Sporting Goods Store at the same location.
Following his retirement, Mr. Musnicki became involved with working with stained glass and often displayed his work at the Sherman Art Show and at the Washington Art Show.
He also enjoyed traveling and cherished the many years that he and his wife spent at their time share in Aruba. He was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church and the Richter Park Senior Golfers.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kathryn Musnicki of New Milford, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to his parents and brother, he was predeceased by a sister, Helen Zeiman.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today (Friday) at 10 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church in Danbury. Burial will take place in St. Peter Cemetery.
The Green Funeral Home in Danbury is in charged of the arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810.
William Peek, 69, father of New Milford residents
William E. Peek, 69, of Robinson Drive, Newport News, Va., formerly of Danbury and New Milford, died March 31 at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Newport News. He was the husband of Joan (Rotunda) Peek.
Mr. Peek was born June 28, 1932, in Accoville, W.Va., son of Adrian E. and Kate (Waugh) Peek.
His early years were spent in Logan, W.Va., where he received his education.
He spent four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was a retiree from the National Guard, in which he served for 28 years, retiring as a first sergeant in 1990.
He made his home in Newport News for the past 12 years. He was a carpet installer by trade, working for the former Henry Dick Furniture Co. and the former New England Furniture Co., and later he was self-employed.
He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Danbury.
Besides his wife, Mr. Peek is survived by two daughters, Cathy of New Milford and Sharon Van Coughnett and her husband Kevan of New Milford; a son, Thomas of New Milford; two sisters, Sandra Forbes and Virginia Harsch of Virginia; three grandchildren, Billy and Cathy Peek and Kevan Van Coughnett; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today (Friday) at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lakes Church, 3 Old Town Park Road, New Milford. Burial will be in New Milford Center Cemetery.
The Cornell Memorial Home of Danbury handled arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.
