United States High School Yearbooks by County
Joseph P. Mortati
Joseph P. Mortati, 67, a retired construction analyst, died Sunday at the Glen Hill Convalescent Center, Danbury.
Mr. Mortati, of 901-A Heritage Village, Southbury, was the husband of Jen Santaniello Mortati.
He was born in Queens, N.Y., on Feb. 13, 1930, a son of Nicholas and Julia DeSimone Mortati.
He had lived in Westchester, N.Y., before moving to Heritage Village in 1993.
Prior to his retirement in 1983, Mr. Mortati was an analyst for the Federal Housing Administration in New York, N.Y.
He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed woodworking.
Mr. Mortati was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Southbury.
Besides his wife, his survivors include two sons, Joseph Mortati of Stratford, Conn., and Stephen A. Mortati of South Salem, N.Y.; a daughter, Annette Mortati-Serniak of Queens, N.Y.; two brothers, Thomas Mortati and Carlo Mortati, both of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and six grandchildren.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Connecticut Affiliate, Inc., 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450, or to the Joslyn Diabetic Clinic, Boston, Mass.
CALLING HOURS: Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the daily chapel of Sacred Heart Church, Main Street South, Southbury.
SERVICES: Thursday at 10 a.m., a funeral mass at Sacred Heart Church.
The Carpino Funeral Home, 750 Main Street South, Southbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Doree M. Brown
Doree M. Brown, 86, a longtime resident of Bethel, died Monday at Danbury Hospital.
Mrs. Brown, of 50 Greenwood Avenue, was the wife of the late Joe E. Brown. She moved to Bethel in 1941 when she and her husband purchased the Honey Hollow Farm on Route 302.
She was born in Muskegon, Mich., on Nov. 9, 1910, a daughter of Herbert A. and Emilie Robidaux Morgan. She attended high school in Ilion, N.Y., and the Ithaca School of Expression.
Mrs. Brown is survived by a daughter, Audrey J. Brown of Bethel; and several cousins.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Bethel Visiting Nurse Association, One School Street, Bethel 06801.
Private services will take place at the convenience of the family.
The Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret G. Stroock
Margaret Graham Stroock, 89, a philanthropist who, with her husband, raised more than $30 million for Danbury Hospital, died Sunday at her home.
Mrs. Stroock was the wife of the late Bertram A. Stroock. Formerly of Buckeye Farm, Flat Swamp Road, Newtown, she lived at 3 Glen Road in Danbury.
Born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada, on July 9, 1907, she was a daughter of Bruce and Annie Roy Graham. She was educated in England while living with her grandmother.
Shortly after World War II, Mrs. Stroock and her husband moved to Newtown where they raised sheep on their 80-acre farm.
In the 1950s, she became an active volunteer at Danbury Hospital and together with her husband raised millions of dollars for the hospital. In 1981, a new wing of the hospital was named Stroock Tower in their honor.
Mrs. Stroock was a longtime member of the Danbury Hospital Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the Danbury Hospital Development Fund.
She was interested in Planned Parenthood, the Regional YMCA, the Dorothy Day Hospitality House and parks and recreation in Newtown.
In Newtown, she and her husband also donated funds for the purchase of the A. Fenn Dickinson Park. They bought an additional seven acres which was added to the park in 1963. The annual fall tennis tournament at the park is named for Mr. and Mrs. Stroock.
Mrs. Stroock is survived by a stepdaughter, Barbara Kaufman; and a stepbrother, Paul Roy.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, Inc., 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury 06810.
At Mrs. Stroock's request, there will be no funeral service.
Cremation will take place at Mountain Grove Crematory, Bridgeport, Conn., with burial in Mountain Grove Cemetery.
The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown is in charge of arrangements.
Loretta C. Ferris
Loretta C. Ferris, 68, a former substitute teacher at St. Rose School in Newtown, died Monday at the Heritage Heights Convalescent Center in Danbury.
Mrs. Ferris, of 62 Appleblossom Lane, Newtown, was the wife of Donald L. Ferris.
She was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Jan 28, 1929, a daughter of Jonstantyn and Johanna Seborowska Brawo.
A resident of Newtown for the past 39 years, Mrs. Ferris was a member of St. Rose Church.
Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Barbara A. Avery of Fiskdale, Mass.; a sister, Eleanor Kudrak of Stratford, Conn.; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Chester Ferris.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown.
SERVICES: Friday at 10 a.m. at the Honan Funeral Home; followed at 10:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rose Church. Burial will take place in St. Rose Cemetery.
Frank D. Vozzo
Frank D. Vozzo, 78, father of Gary D. Vozzo of Ridgefield, died Friday at Danbury Hospital.
A former resident of New Canaan, Mr. Vozzo moved to Naples, Maine, in 1971. He was the husband of Alba Riccoboni Vozzo.
Born in Norwalk on March 3, 1919, he was a son of Pasquale and Florence Forcellini Vozzo. He attended Norwalk High School and graduated from business school.
He worked in the Norwalk and New Canaan area before moving to Maine.
Mr. Vozzo was known for his ministerial activity for the Jehovah's Witnesses in both Connecticut and Maine.
Besides his wife and son, Mr. Vozzo is survived by another son, Joel Vozzo of Wallkill, N.Y.; three brothers, Peter Vozzo of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., James Vozzo of Ridgefield, and Edward Vozzo of Norwalk; two sisters, Louise Soltes of Huntington, Conn., and Mary Edwards of Sandy Hook; and two grandchildren.
There are no calling hours.
SERVICES: Saturday at 2 p.m., a memorial service at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 233 Smith Ridge Road, Lewisboro, N.Y. Burial will take place in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury at the convenience of the family.
Hull Funeral Service, 60 Division St., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
Bertril Rahr
Bertril Rahr, 93, long active with the Masons, died Sunday at the Candlewood Valley Care Center, New Milford.
Formerly of School Street, Washington Depot, Conn., Mr. Rahr was the husband of the late Margaret Kerr Rahr.
He was born in Sweden on Sept. 20, 1903, a son of Einar and Elizabeth Johnson Rahr. He came to the United States in 1923 and lived in Los Angeles, Calif., before moving to Washington Depot.
Before his retirement, Mr. Rahr was employed at the Electric Shop in Washington Depot.
An active member of the Masons in Connecticut, Mr. Rahr was a 50-year member and past master of Rising Sun Lodge #27 A.F.& A.M. of Washington, member of Buel Council #20 R.& S.M. of Litchfield, past high priest of Ousatonic Chapter #33 Royal Arch Masons of New Milford, past district deputy of district 2B, and permanent member of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of Connecticut.
Mr. Rahr was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Kerr Rahr, and his daughter, Annabelle Ingrid Rahr.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford, with Masonic services at 8 p.m.
Burial will take place in Washington Green Cemetery, Washington, Conn.
Clifford Pomeroy Sr.
Clifford B. Pomeroy Sr., 80, a retired electrician, died Saturday.
Mr. Pomeroy, of 40 Hakim St., Danbury, was the husband of the late Alice M. Schulte Pomeroy.
Born in Danbury on Aug. 16, 1916, he was a son of Charles Girsham and Gladys Alice Bradley Pomeroy. He attended Danbury schools and was the first Connecticut State licensed electrician from Danbury.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
Following his military service, he resumed his career as a union electrician. In 1963, he began a 23-year affiliation with with the Heli-Coli Corp. of Danbury where he was employed as head maintenance electrician.
Mr. Pomeroy was an active Mason and was a member of Union Lodge #40, Wooster Council R.& S.M., Eureka Chapter R.A.M., Crusader Commandry, Knights Templer, Candlewood Craftsman's Club and Pyramid Shrine Club.
He was also a member of Elks Lodge #120 of Danbury. He enjoyed playing horseshoes and was a bowler with the Industrial League Wednesday Night Bowling League.
Mr. Pomeroy is survived by a son, Clifford B. ``Kip'' Pomeroy of New Milford; two daughters, Pamela P. Portelance of New Milford and Gail P. Bizer of Silver Lake, N.H.; three brothers, Stuart Pomeroy of Danbury, John Pomeroy of New Fairfield, and Donald Pomeroy of Brookfield; eight grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main St., Danbury. Officers and members of Danbury Lodge #120 B.P.O.E. will offer a memorial service at 6 p.m. Officers and brothers of Union Lodge #40 will assemble at the Masonic Temple prior to 7:30 p.m. and will proceed to The Tomlinson Homestead for a Lodge Memorial Service at 8 p.m.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 11 a.m. at The Tomlinson Homestead with the Rev. Albert Croce officiating. Burial will take place in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury.
Richard Van Clief
Richard Van Clief, 70, a former Bethel resident who retired to Florida in 1990, died Friday at his home.
A resident of Melbourne, Fla., Mr. Van Clief was the husband of Sheila Van Clief. He was born in Newark, N.J.
Before his retirement, Mr. Van Clief was a contracts manager for Consolidated Controls/Eaton Corp.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rockledge, Fla. He was also a member of the VFW in Danbury and the Suntree Golf Club in Florida.
Besides his wife, Mr. Van Clief is survived by three sons, Glen of Danbury, Brian of Pepperell, Mass., and Steven of Waterbury, Conn.; two daughters, Christine Durfee of Dalton, Mass., and Cynthia Van Clief of Sandy Hook; a brother, Raymond Van Clief of Palm Bay, Fla.; a sister, Doris Marsh of East Brunswick, N.J.; and eight grandchildren.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Health First Home Care, 2040 Highway A1A, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937, or Holmes Regional Hospice, 1900 Dairy Road, Melbourne, FL 32904.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 10 a.m., a memorial service at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rockledge, Fla.
The Florida Memorial Funeral Home of Rockledge, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Charles Storms
Charles R. Storms, 50, of 108 Lakeshore Drive, Brewster, N.Y., died Monday at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, N.Y.
He was the husband of Susan Casey Storms of Brewster.
Mr. Storms was born in Mahopac, N.Y., March 5, 1957, the son of Lester Storms of Brewster and the late Celia Wirsh Storms. He was educated in Brewster schools.
He was a printer at the Brady-Palmer Label Corp. in Carmel where he worked for 22 years until he retired in 1991 because of ill health.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Danbury and attended Grace Assembly of God church in Brewster.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Charles and Daniel, both of Brewster; a daughter, Kelly Lespier of Mt. Vernon, N.Y.; a brother, Frederick Storms of Brewster; six sisters, Celia Walsh of Florida, Virginia Bishop of Patterson, N.Y., Rosemary Jones of Danbury, Sharon Dean of New Milford, Patricia Folchetti of Carmel, N.Y., and Mary Totter of Kent; and two grandchildren.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Putnam Lake Fire Department Ambulance Corps, care of Putnam Lake Fire Department, Patterson, N.Y. 12563.
CALLING HOURS: Today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Terrace, Brewster.
SERVICES: Tonight at 8 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Angelo Sarna officiating. Burial will be private.
Deidamia Whitman
F. Deidamia Whitman, 63, of 5 Overlook Knoll, Sandy Hook, died Tuesday at Danbury Hospital.
Mrs. Whitman was born in Bristol, June 4, 1933, the daughter of John and Florence Whitman. She graduated from the former Danbury State Teachers College, which is now Western Connecticut State University, and holds both bachelor's and master's degrees. She worked in the Monroe school system for 27 years.
She was a member of the Newtown United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women's Club, the Connecticut State Retired Teachers Association, the Newtown Senior Choir and the Shady Rest Association.
She is survived by her companion and friend, Richard Rauner of Sandy Hook, two nieces and two nephews.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Wesley Learning Center, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook.
There are no calling hours.
SERVICES: A memorial service will be conducted Sunday at 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Sandy Hook, with the Rev. Terry Pfeiffer officiating. Mountain Grove Crematory in Bridgeport is in charge of cremation and the Honan Funeral Home of Newtown is in charge of arrangements.
Abraham Beck
Abraham N. Beck, 76, formerly of Danbury, and brother of John N. Beck of Brookfield, died March 8 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Ind.
Besides his brother, he is survived by a sister in New York and several nieces and nephews.
SERVICES: A memorial service will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Church in Brookfield with the Rev. George N. Crocker officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Garden.
Robert Bruce
Robert J. Bruce, 60, of 43 Castle Hill Drive, Bethel, died Monday at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, N.Y.
He was the husband of Eva M. Klein Bruce.
Mr. Bruce was born in Yonkers, N.Y., July 21, 1936, the son of James and Marian Clarkson Bruce. He attended Yonkers schools before moving to Bethel as a young man and finishing his schooling there. He graduated with the Bethel High School Class of 1954.
He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army in Germany as a tank commander. He later served in the National Guard.
He worked in the security division of Davis & Geck for 10 years, until retiring because of an illness. He later worked as a part-time drive for Saturn of Danbury.
He was a member of the Veterans of Forein Wars in Bethel and was an avid Yankees fan.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Edward F. Bruce of Hawleyville; a daughter, Kim R. Gieralt of Danbury; a granddaughter; a sister, Carol Caraluzzi of Woodbury; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden 06450.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Clare M. Ingham officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bethel.
Elsie Corbett
Elsie M. Corbett, 86, a resident of Georgetown since 1940, died Monday at Danbury Hospital.
She was the wife of the late Arthur E. Corbett.
Mrs. Corbett was born in North Salem, N.Y., Oct. 27, 1910, the daughter of the late Jacob and Mary Scheoff Coulter.
A staff supervisor, she worked at the former Fairfield Hills Hospital from 1950 until her retirement in 1974.
During World War II, she was honored with a Certificate of Commendation from the Army Service Forces. A civilian, she worked at the Norwalk Tire and Rubber Co. and received the honor as praise for her patriotism for working seven days a week for four months in 1945, when the Army needed tires.
Survivors include two sons, Raymond H. Corbett of Newtown and Burton Corbett of Dover Foxcroft, Maine; a brother, Richard Coulter of Danbury; two sisters, Viva Parsons of Winsted and Anna Squelgia of Danbury; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Donna L. Hill, in 1979.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bouton Funeral Home, West Church Street, Georgetown.
SERVICES: Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery, Ridgefield.
