United States High School Yearbooks by County
Marie E. Lauterbach
Marie Elizabeth Lauterbach, 97, mother of Philip Lauterbach of Redding, died Tuesday at Norwalk Hospital.
She was the wife of the late Sebastian P. Lauterbach Sr. and had lived at 129 Imperial Ave., Westport.
Mrs. Lauterbach was born in Westport, a daughter of Joseph and Sophia Kaiser Remlin. She had lived in Westport all her life.
She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and of Court Assumption. She was a Gold Star Mother.
Besides her son, Mrs. Lauterbach is survived by two other sons, John ``Jack'' Lauterbach of Westport and formerly of Bethel, and William ``Bill'' Lauterbach of Spofford, N.H.; a daughter, Anne Lauterbach of New Britain; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Elizabeth L. List, and a son, Sebastian P. Lauterbach Jr., who was killed in World War II while serving in the Amry.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Assumption Renaissance Fund, c/o Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport 06880.
CALLING HOURS: Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, Westport. John Wanat will recite the rosary at the funeral home Friday at 6:30 p.m.
SERVICES: Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms.
Robert G. Gercak Sr.
Robert G. Gercak Sr., 63, founder and owner of the Assurance Center in Danbury, died Tuesday at Danbury Hospital.
He was the husband of Faith Kelley Gercak, and had lived at 5 Joe's Hill Road, Danbury.
Mr. Gercak was born in Exeter, Pa., on May 4, 1935, a son of George and Anna Gozzi Gercak. He attended Penn State University and Wilkes University, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in insurance administration from the University of Connecticut School of Insurance.
For many years, Mr. Gercak owned and operated the Assurance Center of Danbury, which he founded in 1977.
He had previously worked as a fire underwriter for Nationwide Insurance, and had been named a Most Distinguished Graduate by the Insurance Institute of America.
He was a member of St. Joseph Church in Danbury.
Mr. Gercak was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Robert G. Gercak Jr. and Timothy Gercak, both of Danbury; a sister, Shirley Murphy of Exeter; a grandson, Andrew; and several nieces and nephews.
CALLING HOURS: Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.
Kenneth Ambrose Sr.
Kenneth W. Ambrose Sr., 45, a former truck driver for Danbury Distributors of Danbury and a long-time employee of the Danbury Public Works Deptartment, died Wednesday at Danbury Hospital.
He was a resident of 6-3 Fairview Drive, Danbury.
Mr. Ambrose was born in Norwalk on May 29, 1952, a son of Thomas F. and Charlotte Haig Ambrose. He attended Danbury schools.
Mr. Ambrose is survived by his fiancee, Evelyn Lindsey of Danbury; a son, Kenneth W. Ambrose Jr. of Danbury; two daughters, Amy Deptula of Waterbury and Liza Ambrose Martin of Pensacola, Fla.; four brothers, William Ambrose, Robert Ambrose, and Michael Ambrose, all of Danbury, and Thomas Ambrose of Port Richie, Fla.; two sisters, Deborah Rodrigues of Danbury and Sandra Ambrose of New Milford; a granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the AIDS Project Greater Danbury, 72 West St., Danbury 06810.
There are no calling hours. The Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
SERVICES: A memorial service will take place Saturday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family.
Vito N. Nardi
Vito N. Nardi, 89, a retired employee of the Port Authority of New York, died Wednesday at the Filosa Convalescent Home in Danbury.
He was the husband of the late Angela Silvester Nardi and had lived at 41 Cedar Drive, Danbury.
Mr. Nardi was born in Italy on Dec. 8, 1907, a son of Rocco and Mary Garaguso Nardi. He moved to the United States at the age of 3, with his family, and settled in New York.
He attended New York schools and had been employed for many years as a machinist and maintenance worker for the Port Authority of New York, working on the docks in New York City.
Mr. Nardi had been a resident of Woodside, Queens, N.Y., before moving to Danbury in 1988.
He was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church in Danbury and enjoyed bowling and dancing.
Mr. Nardi is survived by a sister, Rose V. Rosato of Danbury, with whom he made his home, and several nieces and nephews.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Friday at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Queens.
William J. Vibbert Sr.
William J. Vibbert Sr., 83, a retired machinist for the Amphenol Corp. in Danbury, died Wednesday at Danbury Hospital.
He was the husband of Anne L. Lee Vibbert and had lived at 8 Broad St., Danbury.
Mr. Vibbert was born in Danbury on May 18, 1914, a son of William H. and Charlotte Henion Vibbert. He attended Danbury schools.
He had worked for 16 years as a machinist for the Amphenol Corp. in Danbury before his retirement. He had previously been employed since the age of 14 at the former Mallory Hat Co. in Danbury.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theater.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, William J. Vibbert Jr. of Danbury; a daughter, Carol A. Teater of Danbury; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
CALLING HOURS: Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury.
Funeral and burial services will be private.
Sestino DeGrazia
Sestino ``Satch'' DeGrazia, a former Danbury resident, died Aug. 11 in California.
He was the husband of the late Ancelet Reynolds DeGrazia.
Mr. DeGrazia had lived in Danbury for many years before moving to El Cajon, Calif.
He had worked as a truck driver in California.
Mr. DeGrazia was an Army veteran of World War II and had received a Purple Heart.
He is survived by three sons, Douglas, Domenick and Donald; two daughters, Carol of California and Beth Cormode of Nevada; a brother, John of Danbury; a sister, Rose Scalzo of Danbury; and several nieces and nephews.
SERVICES: A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter Church, Danbury.
John J. Cocozza
John J. Cocozza, 85, a retired manager and cutter for Schultz Sample Service, died Wednesday at his home at 13 Frisbie St., New Fairfield.
He was the husband of Mary Quaglia Cocozza.
Mr. Cocozza was born in New York, N.Y., on Oct. 4, 1911, a son of Daniel and Rose (Ruotolo) Cocozza.
Before his retirement, he had been employed for 40 years as a manager and cutter for Schultz Sample Service.
He had been a resident of the Bronx, N.Y., before moving to New Fairfield 21 years ago. Mr. Cocozza was a member of St. Edward Church in New Fairfield, where he had served as an usher.
Mr. Cocozza and his wife had been married for 59 years.
He enjoyed bowling.
Besides his wife, Mr. Cocozza is survived by two sons, Daniel Cocozza of New Fairfield and Frank Cocozza of Yonkers, N.Y.; a daughter, Rosemary Barti of Somers, N.Y.; two sisters, Josephine Mazzaro and Lena Basso, both of Las Vegas, Nevada; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western CT, 30 West St., Danbury 06810.
CALLING HOURS: Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Edward Church, New Fairfield.
Margaret Korpanty
Margaret O'Neil Korpanty, 67, a New Fairfield resident and a retired account representative for the Harmond Publishing Co., died Wednesday at Danbury Hospital.
She was the wife of Richard Korpanty, and had lived at 39 Hudson Drive, New Fairfield.
Mrs. Korpanty was born in Bridgeport on July 28, 1930, a daughter of Frank and Margaret Foley O'Neil.
Before her retirement, she had worked as an account representative for the Harmond Publishing.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Korpanty is survived by three sons, Mark Christensen of Kissimee, Fla., William Christensen of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Eric Korpanty of Waukee, Iowa; a daughter, Susan Paduano of Newtown; a brother, Robert O'Neil of Sarasota, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
CALLING HOURS: Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Graveside services will take place Saturday at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown.
Louis Pane Sr.
Louis Pane Sr., 92, a retired hatter and former self-employed handyman, died Sunday at his home.
Mr. Pane, of Elizabeth Road, Danbury, was the husband of the late Teresa R. Gigliotti Pane.
He was born in Decollatura, Province of Catanzaro, Italy, June 13, 1905, a son of Felice and Maria G. Gigliotti Pane. He was educated in Italy and lived in Argentina before moving to the United States and Danbury in 1927.
Mr. Pane was employed as a hatter for 40 years with the former John W. Green Company and the Mallory Hat Company.
Following the hat shop closings, he was a self-employed handyman.
He was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church and the Senior Citizens of St. Gregory's Church and St. Joseph Church. He was also a member of the Brookfield Fish and Game Club, and he enjoyed gardening and playing bocci.
His survivors include a son, Louis A. Pane Jr. of Danbury; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 30 West St., Danbury 06810.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. a the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home; followed at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Gregory the Great Church, 85 Great Plain Road, Danbury. Burial will take place in St. Peter Cemetery.
Betty Campbell
Betty Jacobs Lynch Campbell, 76, a longtime resident of New Milford, died Saturday at the New Milford Nursing Home.
Mrs. Campbell, of 16 Birchwood Drive, was the wife of Donald C. Campbell.
She was born in New York City, May 8, 1921, a daughter of John W. and Rachel Isacs Jacobs.
Mrs. Campbell was a member of the Andrew B. Mygatt Post 1672 V.F.W. Auxiliary. She was also a member of Almost Family of Danbury.
Besides her husband, she is survived by four sons, John S. Lynch and Robert W. Lynch, both of New Milford, Thomas A. Lynch of Clarksville, Tenn., and Richard Lynch of Wingdale, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Center Cemetery, New Milford.
Howard T. Lathrop
Howard T. Lathrop, 76, former owner of Lathrop's Power Equipment and Lathrop Septic Service, died Saturday at Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Lathrop, of 24 Beaver Bogg Road, New Fairfield, was the husband of Marjory Starr Lathrop.
He was born in Danbury, Aug. 29, 1920, a son of E. Starr and Margaret Keating Lathrop. He attended local schools.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in the European Theater.
During his career, Mr. Lathrop owned Lathrop's Power Equipment from 1952 to 1972. He opened Lathrop Septic Service in 1972 and retired in 1983. Following his retirement, he remained active in the business with his son, Michael.
Besides his wife of 53 years, Mr. Lathrop is survived by three sons, William J. Gorman of Danbury, Thomas H. Lathrop of Fremont, Neb., and Michael James Lathrop of New Fairfield; three daughters, Margaret H. Hassler of Crossville, Tenn., and Donna S. Tlasky and Diane L. Simms, both of New Fairfield; a brother, Walter Lathrop of Danbury; two sisters, Mary Scmolk of Brookfield and Gertrude Bucko of Bethel; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 40 North St., Danbury 06810, or to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, Conn. 06492.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at the Green Funeral Home; followed at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Edward the Confessor Church, New Fairfield. Burial will be in Mountainview Cemetery, New Fairfield.
Sandra J. Jensen
Sandra J. Jensen, 47, an employee of the Barden Corporation of Danbury, died Sunday at Danbury Hospital.
Mrs. Jensen, of 31 Golden Hill Road, Danbury, was the wife of Richard Jensen.
She was born in Walton, N.Y., July 4, 1950, a daughter of Helena A. Mac- Rabie Brown of Wingdale, N.Y., and the late Bert E. Tompkins. She was a graduate of Dover Plains High School, Dover Plains, N.Y.
Mrs. Jensen had been an employee of Barden's since 1981 and a resident of Danbury since 1983.
Besides her husband and mother, she is survived by five brothers, Lynn Tompkins of East Greenwich, Pa., Lanny Tompkins and Kevin Tompkins, both of New Paltz, N.Y., Keith Tompkins of Tivoli, N.Y., and Bert Tompkins of Wingdale; her stepfather, Richard Brown of Wingdale; and several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury 06810.
CALLING HOURS: Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
SERVICES: Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home.
Burial will take place on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the South Dover Rural Cemetery, Wingdale, N.Y.
