United States High School Yearbooks by County
Gertrude P. Merrill
Gertrude Pough Merrill, 75, a re tired office manager, died Saturday at the Honey Hill Care Center, Nor walk, Conn.
Mrs. Merrill, of 15 Griffith Lane, Ridgefield, was the wife of Silas W. Merrill.
She was born in New York, N.Y., on April 12, 1922, a daughter of John A. and Huldah H. Rush Pough.
A lifelong area resident, she was raised in South Salem, N.Y., attend ed local schools, and graduated from Katonah, N.Y., High School.
Before her retirement in 1990, Mrs. Merrill had been employed for 30 years as the office manager for the Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center of Norwalk.
She loved music, playing the or gan, and gardening.
Mrs. Merrill was a member of the Norfield Grange of Weston, Conn.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Merrill is survived by a son, William Staf ford of Saugus, Calif.; two sisters, Ruth Carol Norkus of Shelby Town ship, Mich., and Joan A. Pistey of Boise, Idaho; two grandchildren, Kyle and Erica Stafford; and sever al nieces and nephews.
Contributions in Mrs. Merrill's memory may be made to the Ameri can Cancer Society, 40 North St., Danbury 06810 or to one's favorite charity.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah St., Ridgefield.
SERVICES: Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Kane Funeral Home. Burial will follow in South Salem Cemetery, South Salem, N.Y.
Arthur N. Papst
Arthur N. Papst, 89, a retired elec trical engineer and the father of Charles ``Chuck'' Papst of Ridge field, died Saturday at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn.
Mr. Papst, a resident of Stamford, was the husband of the late Char lotte Welsh Papst.
He was born in Amherstburg, On tario, Canada, on June 14, 1908, a son of Walter and Carrie Maguire Papst.
During World War II, Mr. Papst was an engineer in the Tank Divi sion at the Chrysler Corporation in Detroit which was instrumental in the United States war effort.
Before his retirement, he worked for Machlett Laboratories for many years.
Mr. Papst enjoyed bowling and bowled in Senior Leagues in Stam ford for many years until just prior to his death.
Besides his son in Ridgefield, Mr. Papst is survived by another son, Richard Papst of Norwalk, Conn.; two daughters, Carolyn Tymula of Stamford and Ruth Ann Herzog of Duvall, Wash.; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and sev eral nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to My Father's House (A Christian Retreat House), North Moodus Road, Moodus, Conn. 06469, or to Hospice Care, Inc., 1029 East Main St., Stamford, CT 06902.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Nicholas F. Cog netta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rock rimmmon Road, Stamford.'
Joseph Bonfirraro
Joseph Bonfirraro, 80, a retired jeweler, died Sunday at the Glen Hill Convalescent Center in Dan bury.
Mr. Bonfirraro was the husband of Adele Orlando. He was prede ceased by his first wife, Mildred Fuggetta Bonfirraro, in 1985.
During his working years, Mr. Bonfirraro lived in Westchester County in New York. He retired to Florida and later moved to Fal mouth Court in Rollingwood Condo miniums in Brookfield. Following his second marriage, he relocated to Florida and then returned to the Danbury area in April of 1997.
He was born in New York City on Dec. 19, 1917, a son of Savario and Rose Simone Bonfirraro.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.
Before his retirement in 1978, Mr. Bonfirraro was a jeweler at Tiffa nys and Zayles.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Hawthorne, N.Y.
Besides his wife, Mr. Bonfirraro is survived by two daughters, Rose mary Krauss of Danbury and De nise Hazlett of Virginia Beach, Va.; two sisters, Talia Bocino of Bronx, N.Y., and Rose Esposito of Long Beach, L.I., N.Y.; five grandchil dren; and several nieces and neph ews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart As sociation, Connecticut Affiliate, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, Conn. 06492, or to the American Di abetes Association, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, Conn. 06450.
CALLING HOURS: Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at The New Fairfield Fu neral Home, Route 37 at Cottontail Road, New Fairfield.
SERVICES: Tuesday at 12 noon, a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Ed ward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church, New Fairfield. Entomb ment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.
Edward J. Morlock
Edward J. Morlock, 55, an active sportsman and Little League Baseball coach, died Sunday at West Haven Veterans Hospital.
A lifetime area resident, Mr. Morlock lived at 12 Overlook Drive, Brookfield.
He was born in Danbury on Oct. 23, 1942, a son of William E. and Helen Goelz Morlock.
A 1961 graduate of Danbury High School, he was captain of the varsity football team and was the 1960 recipient of the Kiwanis Club Football Award.
Mr. Morlock was a U.S. Army veteran.
Until his illness, he was employed as a custodian with the Brookfield Board of Education. He was previously employed for 25 years with Vanguard Products Corp. of Danbury.
Mr. Morlock was an avid sports fan and remained active in sports throughout his life.
He was a member of St. Joseph Church in Brookfield and the Concordia Club.
His survivors include three brothers, Frederick A. Morlock and Robert F. Morlock, both of Brookfield, and William M. Morlock of Ridgefield; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in Mr. Morlock's memory may be made to the David A. Morlock Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Elaine Tomanio, 14 Stony Brook Rd., Brookfield 06804.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.'
Beverly Lelas
Beverly Angeski Lelas, 54, a registered nurse at St. Joseph Manor in Trumbull, died Friday at Bridgeport Hospital.
A resident of Monroe for the past 10 years, Mrs. Lelas lived at Hollow Tree Lane. She previously lived in Newtown.
She was born on Feb. 28, 1943, a daughter of Chester and Ida Murphy Angeski.
Her survivors include a daughter, Kimberly Ann Lelas of Fort Myers, Fla.; a son, John Lelas of Milford, Conn.; an aunt; and a granddaughter.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, Broad Street on the Green, Milford.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 11 a.m., a Requiem of the Holy Eucharist at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Milford. Burial will follow in Kings Highway Cemetery, Milford.
Sister Marie Doran
Sister Marie of the Eucharist Doran, a native of Danbury, died Sunday at the Carmelite Monastery in Flemington, N.J.
Sister Marie was born in Danbury, a daughter of John C. and Mary McNiff Doran.
She attended St. Peter School and Danbury High School. She received her bachelor's degree from Georgia Court College graduating magna cum laude.
Sister Marie entered the Order of Carmel, Discalced, in 1932.
Her survivors include two broth ers, Robert J. Doran of New Milford and Richard E. Doran of Danbury; and several nieces and nephews.
Private services and burial will take place within the cloistered community of Mount Carmel at Fle mington.
Grace M. Ruopp
Grace M. Ruopp, 84, a former Dan bury resident, died Monday at the home of her son, David E. Ruopp, at 9900 Two Robins Court, Raleigh, N.C.
A resident of Raleigh for the past five years, Mrs. Ruopp was the wife of Ernest J. Ruopp.
She was born in Detroit, Mich., on May 19, 1913, a daughter of Oliver and Clara Midnight Bardo. She was raised and educated in Jersey Shore, Pa.
In 1936, she graduated as a regis tered nurse from the Jefferson Hos pital in Philadelphia, Pa.
After her 1939 marriage, she and her husband settled in Danbury on Spruce Mountain Road.
Mrs. Ruopp was a member of Im manuel Lutheran Church, The Cou ples Club, the Nurse's Society, and the Women's Service Organization.
She was a Girl Scout Leader and enjoyed traveling and gardening.
In her later years, Mrs. Ruopp cared for infants in her home.
Besides her husband and son, her survivors include a daughter, Sandy Clark of Arvada, Colo.; a brother, Charles A. Bardo of Danbury; a sis ter, Jane Humphreys of Pompano Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cornell Me morial Home, 247 White St., Dan bury.
SERVICES: Friday at 10 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury with the Rev. Dr. Richard E. Kuehnert, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Luther an Cemetery.
Carl H. Heisen
Carl H. Heisen, 93, a recipient of the Good Neighbor Award for his volunteer work with elementary school children, died Monday at his home at 850 A Heritage Village, Southbury.
Mr. Heisen was the husband of Ve ra Haase Heisen.
He was born in Germany on Oct. 11, 1904, a son of Richard and Mila Muller Heisen.
Mr. Heisen was a former resident of Pound Ridge, N.Y., where he vol unteered at the elementary school teaching wood working.
Following his 1985 move to South bury, Mr. Heisen was a member and served as an usher at the United Church of Christ.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Richard Heisen of Car lisle, Pa., and Peter Heisen of South Salem, N.Y.; and six grandchildren.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the United Church of Christ, 283 Main Street North, Route 6, Southbury 06488.
CALLING HOURS: Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main Street North, Route 6, Southbury.
SERVICES: Thursday at 10 a.m. at the United Church of Christ. Burial will be in Pound Ridge Cem etery.
Alphield Wyant
Alphield Olson Wyant, 83, a life long area resident, died Sunday at New Milford Hospital.
Mrs. Wyant, of 30 Plum Hill Road, Washington, Conn., was the wife of the late Roderick M. Wyant.
She was born in New Milford on Feb. 21, 1915, a daughter of Albert and Alexina Johnson Olson. She lived in New Milford until moving to Washington in 1940.
Mrs. Wyant was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Wash ington.
She is survived by a son, Roderick M. Wyant Jr. of Washington; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Washington Ambu lance Association, Washington De pot 06794.
CALLING HOURS: Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford.
SERVICES: Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington with the Rev. Robert L. Ficks III officiating. Burial will take place in Judea Cemetery, Washing ton.
Betty Lou Tomaselli
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, Brook field for Betty Lou Tomaselli, of Brookfield, who died Sunday at the age of 58. Friends may call at the Brookfield Funeral Home, 786 Fed eral Road, Brookfield on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Feb. 7, 1940, a daughter of Louis A. and Elizabeth Savino Silvestri of North Arlington, N.J.
Among the survivors of Mrs. To maselli is a daughter, Suzann S. Ridge of Colonial Heights, Va.
Gertrude M. Digilio
Gertrude M. Digilio, 85, an active member of St. Rose Church while living in Newtown, died Friday at Danbury Hospital.
Mrs. Digilio, of 36 Simeon Road, Bethel, was the wife of the late Dominic ``Tony'' Digilio. She lived in Sandy Hook for 50 years before moving to Bethel several years ago.
She was born in New York City on Jan. 22, 1913, a daughter of Thomas and Ellen Twomey Astegher.
Mrs. Digilio is survived by three sons, Joseph Digilio of Ft. Lauder dale, Fla., Thomas Digilio of Fres no, Calif., and Robert Digilio of Brookfield; a daughter, Carolyn Di gilio of Fresno, Calif.; four brothers; three sisters including Eleanor Cunningham of Newtown; two granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., New town.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Honan Funeral Home; fol lowed at 10:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rose Church, Newtown. Burial will take place in St. Rose Cemetery.
Kenneth Hensel Sr.
Kenneth D. Hensel Sr., a retired plant supervisor for Custom Carton Co. of Branford and a former long-time employee of Curtis Packaging Co. in Newtown, died Monday at Glen Hill Convalescent Center, Danbury. He was 61.
Mr. Hensel, of Philo Curtis Road in the Sandy Hook area of Newtown, was the husband of Ruth Dean Hensel.
He was born in New York City, July 8, 1936, a son of Henry and Mabel Brinkley Hensel. A resident of Sandy Hook for the past 40 years, he was previously of Monroe.
During the Korean War, he served as a mine assembler for the U.S. Navy.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons, Kenneth Jr., Stephen, Richard and Craig Hensel, and a daughter, Patricia Powers, all of Sandy Hook; a brother, Donald H. Hensel of Sandy Hook; three sisters, Pat Giasullo of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Mabel Olden of Naples, Maine, and Kathe Hurzeler of Kezar Falls, Maine; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Newtown Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 344, Newtown 06470.
CALLING HOURS: Today, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown.
SERVICES: Today, 8:30 p.m., at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steven Gordon officiating. Cremation under the direction of Mountain Grove Crematory in Bridgeport.'
Filomena Buffamonte
Filomena D'Amato Buffamonte of Van Car Road, New Milford, died Monday at her Home. She was 72.
Mrs. Buffamonte was the wife of Anthony Buffamonte.
She was born in the Bronx, N.Y., May 5, 1925, a daughter of the late Frank and Lucie Riccio D'Amato. She attended Barnabass High School, Yonkers, N.Y. She worked for eight years at the First National Bank of Yonkers, before retiring in 1979. She had lived in New Milford since 1991.
Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Joanne Mylie of New Milford; a son, John E. Buffamonte of the Bronx; three brothers, Ralph D'Amato of Ossining, N.Y., Louis D'Amato of Yonkers and Edward D'Amato of Lake Wallen, Paw Pac, Pa.; and three grandchildren.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford 06776; or the New Milford Hospital Oncology Unit, 21 Elm St., New Milford 06776.
CALLING HOURS: Today, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Colonial Funeral Home of Hull Funeral Service, 87 Park Lane Road, New Milford.
SERVICES: Conducted tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home to an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Xavier Church, New Milford. Burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.'
