United States High School Yearbooks by County
Walter W. Larsen
Walter W. Larsen, 77, of Danbury, Certified Public Accountant Retired died Saturday evening at the Pope John Paul II Center for Health Care after a long illness, dearly beloved husband of Pat Larsen, beloved father of Audrey and her husband Michael Whelan, proud and loving grandfather of Alexa and Adrian.
Walt was born in Danbury, on June 1, 1921, son of the late Bernhard and Agnes Carlson Larsen. He was a life long resident and was a graduate of Danbury High School.
Prior to entering the service in World War II, Walt was employed by the Frank H. Lee Co. in the cost department and as paymaster.
He served in the European Theatre in the 348th Engineers Headquarters Co. as chief clerk in the rank of acting sergeant major. Walt took part in five major campaigns including the Invasion of Normandy.
While stationed briefly in South Wales in 1943 Walt met his wife on Christmas Day; he returned there in 1945 when they were married.
After the war he returned to Danbury and attended the University of Bridgeport. He was employed by Leo Allen and Co., CPA, until he opened his own accounting office, later forming a partnership with Robert Durgy and John Melillo.
Walt was a member of the Connecticut Society of CPAs and served on its board of governors. He was an honorary member of the American Institute and a fellow of the New York State Society.
Mr. Larsen was a lifetime member and past president of the Danbury Lions Club.
Walt was a long time member of St. James Church and had served on its vestry and as treasurer. He was a former chairman of the professional division of Danbury Hospital's Progress Fund, an associate director of the former State National Bank, and he worked with many other charitable organizations in the area.
Devoted to his work, Walt had few hobbies, but enjoyed playing golf and especially enjoyed traveling. He and his wife traveled extensively, their last trip being a cruise to Alaska in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
Walt is also survived by two loving sisters, Elsye O'Donnell of Danbury and Bernice Waterbury of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and several nieces and nephews.
The Hull Home on Division St. is in charge of arrangements. The funeral service will be held in St. James Church, 25 West St. at 9:30 AM Thursday March 25th. Friends will be received in the Church's Coburn Lounge following the service. Burial in Wooster Cemetery will be private. Contributions in Walt's memory may be made to St. James Church or the Walter W. Larsen Accounting Scholarship Fund, c/o The Danbury Lions Club, PO Box 461, Danbury, CT 06813.
Florence M. Quick
Florence Mae Quick, 83, of Danbury Road, Wilton, wife of the late LeRoy Quick, died on Sunday, March 21, 1999, at the Wilton Meadows, Wilton.
Mrs. Quick was born in Lewisboro, New York, December 31, 1915, a daughter of the late Russel R. and Grace (Reynolds) Clark. She attended New Canaan schools and graduated from New Canaan High School.
Mrs. Quick was a retired clerk for the Nash Engineering Company of Norwalk.
A Norwalk, New Canaan and later Danbury resident, Mrs. Quick attended the Norwalk Methodist Church, was a member of the Danbury Senior Citizens Art Group, AARP and was a recipient of a volunteer award for community service.
She is survived by two sisters, Evelyn Carmody of Bradenton, FLA and Helen St. Jean of So. Woodstock, CT as well as five nieces and nephews and their families.
Mrs. Quick was predeceased in addition to her husband by two sisters, Myrtle Emmons of Ridgefield and Lucille Pierce of Norwalk.
Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, March 24, 1999, in the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield at 11 AM with the Rev. R. Randy Day, Pastor, of Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church, Ridgefield, officiating.
Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan, CT.
Friends will be received in the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield on Tuesday from 9:30AM to 10:30AM.
Contributions in Mrs. Quick's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Anne M. Keane
Anne M. Keane, 77, wife of John J. Keane, of 32 Apple Blossom Lane, Danbury, died at the Danbury Hospital on Saturday.
She was born in Danbury, January 20, 1922, daughter of the late Kyriakas & Josephine (Bassett) Mamis. She had attended Danbury schools and was a lifetime Danbury resident. Mrs. Keane was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son John D. Keane and his wife Jane, of Danbury; 2 grandsons, David & Jeffrey and a granddaughter, Elizabeth, all of Danbury, two nieces & a nephew. Mrs. Keane was predeceased by 2 brothers, Chris Mamis in 1991 and George Mamis in 1992.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Burial will take place in St. Peter Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Contributions may be made to Regional Hospice, 30 West St., Danbury or to the Hanahoe Memorial Children's Clinic, 205 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810.
Joseph Gemza Sr.
Joseph J. Gemza Sr., 82, of 19 Cain Hill Road, Ridgefield, husband of Enza (Mallucci) Gemza, died on Thursday at the Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Gemza was born in Danbury, December 8, 1916, a son of the late Ignatus and Anna (Gurka) Gemza. He attended Danbury schools and was a World War Two U.S. Army veteran having served with the 100th Division in the European Theatre.
A resident of Ridgefield for the past 57 years coming from Danbury, Mr. Gemza in early years had been employed by the Ridgefield Supply Company and later in the Highway Department of the Town of Ridgefield retiring in 1979.
He was a member of the Sons of Portugal.
In addition to his wife of 57 years, he is survived by a son, Joseph J. Gemza Jr. of Norwalk; two brothers, Frank Gemza and Theodore Gemza, both of Danbury; a sister, Helen Sanford of Danbury; and two grandchildren, Rev. Richard J. Gemza of St. Mary's Church, Greenwich, and Tracy Scotti of Norwalk.
Mr. Gemza was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Sauer of Danbury.
A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Ridgefield, with the Rev. Richard J. Gemza, grandson of the deceased, as main celebrant.
Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ridgefield.
Friends will be received in the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, on Monday from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Ridgefield Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah Street, or to St. Mary's Church, 183 High Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield, CT 06877, would be appreciated.
Ellis R. Rogers
Funeral services for Ellis R. Rogers, of Padanaram Road, Danbury, will be held at St. Joseph's Church Saturday morning at 10:00 with a Mass of Christian Burial.
Interment will be in St. Peter Cemetery.
Mr. Rogers, husband of Christine W. Kornhaas Rogers, was pre-deceased by a daughter, Donna J. Rogers.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Regional Hospice of WESCONN, 30 West St., Danbury CT 06810.
The Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Gerard G. Schmitt
Gerard G. Schmitt, 70, of Walnut Grove Road, Ridgefield, husband of the late Rosemarie (Metzger) Schmitt, died on Thursday at the Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Schmitt was born in Glendale, Queens, New York, June 4, 1928, a son of the late George and Caroline (Kaufman) Schmitt. He attended New York schools and graduated from North Carolina State University.
Mr. Schmitt in early years was employed in the credit department of the Chase Manhattan Bank and then became a financial manager within the textile industry. He was last employed by Sandlapper Fabrics of Danbury.
He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in Korea and was a member of the "Bloody Bucket Brigade."
A resident of Ridgefield since 1989 coming from Glendale, Queens, New York, he attended St. Ignatius Retreat House of the Society of Pius X of Ridgefield.
He is survived by a son, Carl M. Schmitt of Ridgefield; two daughters, Catherine M. Kennedy of Cambridge, VT, and Christine M. Strobel of Flanders, NJ; a brother, John Schmitt of Babylon, L.I., New York, and a sister, Grace Clunan of Greensboro, NC, as well as six grandchildren.
A Requiem Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Retreat House, 209 Tackora Trail, Ridgefield. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield.
Friends will be received in the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Annette D. Tolbert
Annette D. Tolbert, 88, wife of the late William J. Tolbert, died at Mediplex of Danbury on Thursday evening.
She was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., February 2, 1911, daughter of the late James V. and Josephine (Margotta) DeMaio. She moved to Danbury with her family as a child and had been a resident of Danbury for more than 65 years. She and her late husband moved to Florida in 1981 and she resided there until Mr. Tolbert died in 1994. At that time she returned to Danbury and had resided here since.
Mrs. Tolbert is survived by a brother, Victor DeMaio of Danbury and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a time to be announced. Burial will take place in St. Peter Cemetery at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Ellis R. Rogers
The death of Ellis R. Rogers, 77, of Padanaram Road, Danbury, occurred at his home on Wednesday, March 17, 1999 after a brief illness. He was the husband of Christine W. Kornhaas Rogers.
Born in Bridgeport on December 16, 1921, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis R. Rogers. He came to Danbury as a child and had lived here most of his life. He attended Danbury schools.
Mr. Rogers was a professional truck driver for the Jones Trucking Co. and other trucking firms for 25 years, retiring in 1987.
A member of St. Joseph's Church, he was also an avid fisherman and auto racing fan.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Raymond Paul Rogers of Danbury, Bernard C. Rogers of San Jose, Calif. and T. Steven Rogers of New Fairfield; seven grandchildren, Christopher Rogers of Bethel, Michelle Cossia of Shelton, Stephanie Rogers of Virginia, Steven Rogers of Danbury, and Jessica Rogers, Carli Rogers and Keith Rogers of New Fairfield; one great-grandson, Michael Cossia of Shelton and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church in Danbury on Saturday at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Peter Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 30 West St., Danbury, CT 06810.
Lila Bell Doody
Lila Bell Doody, 96, died March 6, 1999 at the Nathaniel Witherell Nursing Home in Greenwich, Conn.
She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and was the daughter of the late Carrie and Thomas Davis. She graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1919 and lived in Brooklyn for 60 years. Mrs. Doody and her husband had a summer home for many years on Candlewood Isle before moving to New Fairfield in 1962. She continued to study painting and developed her talents in oil as well as in the crafts of stencilling and American decoration.
Her husband, John R. Doody, was co-founder with his father in 1925 of John J. Doody & Son, a building materials company located in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and Staten Island, N.Y.
Mrs. Doody was predeceased by her husband in 1986. She is survived by a son, John R. Doody Jr. of Sanibel, Fla.; two daughters, Lora Koenig of Cos Cob, Conn. and Lila Barr of Greenville, S.C.; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Spates of Jacksonville, Fla. and Marjorie Smyth of Greenville, S.C.
A memorial service will be held in June at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenwich, Conn.
Donations may be made in her memory to the Nathaniel Witherell Nursing Home, for the Harry Nado Fund, Greenwich, CT 06830.
Josephine Dorf
Josephine Klingler Dorf, age 87, of Glen Hill Road, Danbury, Conn., died Wednesday, March 17, 1999 at Glen Hill Convalescent Center, Danbury. She was the widow of Alfred R. Dorf, who died in 1997.
Mrs. Dorf was born in Trumbull, Conn. on May 13, 1911, a daughter of the late Arnold and Louise Waldberger Klingler. She was a resident of Flemington, N.J. until moving to Danbury in 1995. In Flemington, she worked as a record keeper with her husband, who owned and operated a trucking company for 30 years.
Mrs. Dorf is survived by her son, Alfred R. Dorf Jr. of Sharon; her daughter, Joan D. Atkeson of Monterey, Va.; one brother, Frederick Klingler of Lambertville, N.J. and five grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday at Barber Cemetery in Delaware Township, N.J. There are no calling hours.
Hull Funeral Home, Sixty Division St., Danbury is in charge of local arrangements.
