United States High School Yearbooks by County
Janice K. (Birch) Hosford
Janice K. (Birch) Hosford, 55, of Port Orange, FL, died Friday, Aug. 11, 2000, at Halifax Medical Center in Florida.
Mrs. Hosford formerly of Brookfield, moved to Port Orange FL in 1989. She worked for Southern New England Telephone for 10 years in CT, and also worked as a teacher's assistant at Longstreet Elementary School in Florida.
She was a devoted mother who loved her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, John, of Port Orange; her sons, Jason, Eric, Ian and Daren, all of Port Orange; her sisters, Judy Annunziata of Danbury and Joyce LaCava of New Fairfield; her grandsons, David and Michael of Port Orange; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was predeceased by her sister, Joan Mitchell of Danbury.
All are welcome to a celebration of her life Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, 138 Candlewood Lake Road, Brookfield.
Mary Blue
Mary Blue, 67, of Glen Hill Road, Danbury died at Danbury Hospital on August 12, 2000.
She was born in Martin, NC, the daughter of the late James and Hattie (Jones) Bailey.
A long time Danbury resident, she was employed by the Kimberly Clark Corp up until her illness.
Ms. Blue is survived by a son, Christopher Blue; a sister, Margaret Russell; a brother, James Briley; and four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She predeceased by a daughter, Debra; a granddaughter, Coretta; two brothers Watts Briley and Willie Moore and her sister.
Funeral services will be held at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, Friday at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery. Friends will be received at the Green Funeral Home, Friday from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Andrew G. Ballas Sr.
Andrew G. Ballas Sr., of Jackson Drive in Danbury, died at the Danbury Hospital August 18, 2000, at the age of 80. He was the husband of the late Marie M. Fiaschetti Ballas, who died in 1991. Mr. Ballas was born in Nashua, N.H., Nov. 24, 1919, son of the late George and Zoe Demakis Ballas. He attended Norwalk Schools and lived in Norwalk until moving to Danbury in 1966.
Mr. Ballas was an Army veteran of both the Korean Conflict and WWII where he served in the Battle of Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He received the Purple Heart for wounds from the European Theater March 1945. He also received the Korean Service with Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal.
Since 1947 he was a truck driver for Adley Express, Valeries Express and the Jones Express Companies. Retiring in 1982, he went to work for the A. Gallo Distributors in Danbury until 1992. He was a member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and the V.F.W.
Survivors include his four sons: James A. of Wolcott, CT, Andrew G. Jr. of New Fairfield, George M. of Utah, and Daniel of Stamford. Two daughters: Barbara Forlastro of New Fairfield and Donna Ducibella of New Milford. 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. His brother, Speros Ballas, Bethel, and his companion, Ericka Madeiros and her family. Several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury, CT. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home on Sunday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897.
Freda M. McDowell
Freda M. McDowell, age 83, of West Redding, CT, died Thursday at Danbury Hospital. She was the widow of Joseph A. McDowell.
Mrs. McDowell was born on July 19, 1917, in New York, NY, a daughter of the late John and Marie Olsen Krstoffersen. Raised in Brooklyn, she moved with her family to Uniondale, Long Island, where she was employed by the AIL Division of the Eaton Corporation. Upon her retirement, Mrs. McDowell moved to West Redding in 1977 where she was an active volunteer at the Heritage House Senior Center in Redding and at the Danbury Hospital. She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Redding.
Mrs. McDowell is survived by her daughter, Virginia Wanat, and son-in-law John and 2 grandsons, Jason R. and Sean J. Wanat, all of Redding.
Memorials may be made to Heritage House Senior Center, P.O. Box 1118, Redding Center, CT 06875-1118, or to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897-2523.
The funeral will be conducted on Monday, August 21, at 10:30 a.m. from the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, to St. Patrick's Church, Redding, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Umpawaug Cemetery, West Redding.
The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Catherine Sproule
Catherine Sproule, age 92, of Bethel, died on Thursday evening at the Bethel Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Patrick J. Sproule.
Mrs. Sproule was born in Glasgow, Scotland, April 14, 1908, a daughter of the late Patrick and Anne (Farrell) Kilmurray. She emigrated to the United States in 1929 and resided in New York State for 40 years, prior to moving to Bethel in 1969.
Mrs. Sproule was a parishioner of the Church of St. Mary, Bethel, and was a member of the A.A.R.P. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers as hobbies.
She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Grace, of Bethel; her son, John J. Sproule, of the Bronx, NY; two sisters, Jane Maharg and Josie Elliott, both of Glasgow, Scotland; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 21st, at 10:30 a.m. from the Hull Funeral Home, 60 Division Street, Danbury, to the Church of St. Mary, Bethel, for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.
Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel V.N.A., 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801.
Walter G. Ryba, Jr.
Walter G. Ryba, Jr., Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Business Law at Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT, died on Thursday evening, August 17, 2000 at the Danbury Hospital after being stricken ill at home.
The husband of Geraldine (Pannozzo) Ryba, he resided at 105 New Street, Ridgefield and formerly of Honey Hill Road, Lyme, CT.
Dean Ryba was born in Stamford, CT, April 13, 1941 a son of the late Walter G. and Mildred (Hayes) Ryba. At an early age he moved to Ridgefield with his family and attended Ridgefield schools, graduated from Ridgefield High School - Class of 1959 and served as its class president as well as co-captain of the baseball, football and basketball teams.
He graduated from Dartmouth College - Class of 1963, later attended Trinity College where he received a MS in Economics in 1971 and then graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1975.
A resident of Lyme, CT for twenty-three years, he returned to Ridgefield two years ago. As a resident of Lyme, he was active in town activities, had served on the Zoning Board of Appeals as well as being active in local and state politics.
Prior to becoming Dean of the School of Business, he maintained a private law practice.
He was an ardent supporter of the School of Business, the Fairfield University Football Team as well as serving on numerous University committees.
Amongst his memberships, he was a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, the American Academy of Management and the American Economics Association.
In addition to his spouse of 39 years, he is survived by a brother, Michael of Old Greenwich, CT and his wife Rosemary, his mother-in-law, Mary Pannozzo of Ridgefield, a brother-in-law, Vincent Pannozzo of Ridgefield and his wife, Lucretia, two nephews, Michael Ryba and Vincent John Pannozzo as well as an aunt and several cousins.
Funeral services will be private. There will be no calling hours.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Chapel of Fairfield University at a time to be announced.
Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Fairfield University School of Business, Fairfield, CT 06430, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, Tiger Hollow-2000, PO Box 372 or to the Ridgefield Fire Dept. Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah St., both of Ridgefield, CT 06877 or to a charity of your own choice.
The Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT is in charge of arrangements.
Margaret A. Bucci
Margaret A. Bucci, 85, widow of Anthony R. Bucci, former residents of Hawthorne and Valhalla, NY, died Friday at Danbury Hospital.
Mrs. Bucci was born in New York City, May 26, 1915, a daughter of the late Christian and Louise Taubert Bucci, and had made her home in the Bronx, until moving to Hawthorne and Valhalla and later to New Milford, CT.
She had been a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, of Valhalla and had developed a career as a secretary with B.O.C.E.S., and later at Westchester Community College.
Mrs. Bucci is survived by her son, John P. Bucci, of New Fairfield; her sister, Katherine Maguire, of the Bronx; three grandchildren, David Bucci of Providence, RI, Cheryl Talarico, of Oakville, CT and Christopher Bucci, of Salisbury, NC; and three great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Norman Gregory Bucci, in 1972.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church, New Fairfield, CT on Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m.
Interment will be in The Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, NY, on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Friends will be received at The Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main Street, Danbury, CT on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Alice M. Bryant
Alice M. Bryant nee Rainford died Sunday, August 13, 2000, age 93, after a long illness of Alzheimer's. Born in Philadelphia, PA, May 5, 1907, where she lived her entire life. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter in March, 1966.
She is survived by her son Walter H. Bryant of Laurel, DE, three grandchildren, six great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister Dorothy Tomlinson of DE and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Sunset Memorial Park Chapel, County Line Road, and Bustleton Pike, Somerton, PA on August 26, 2000 at 12 o'clock. No flowers please. Donations may be sent to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Hancock Funeral Home, Philadelphia, PA.
Dorothy P. Carr
Dorothy P. Carr, 74, a retired teacher of the Bethel Public School System, died Saturday at Harborside Glen Hill Convalescent Center in Danbury.
Mrs. Carr was born in Danbury, Oct. 4, 1925, a daughter of the late John and Jessie Knapp Poodiack, and had been a lifelong Danbury resident. She graduated from the Danbury Public Schools and the Danbury State Teachers College, and had been a member and past president of the Emblem Club of Danbury.
For over 38 years, she had been married to the late Charles "Chick" Carr, who died in April of this year. However, she is survived by her stepdaughters, Charlene Braden of Bethel and Deborah Hoss of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; her stepson, Charles "Chuck" J. Carr, Jr., of Japan; two step-grandchildren, and other family members. She was predeceased by her second step-son, William Carr, in 1973.
A funeral will be held at The Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main St., Danbury, on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Friends will be received at the Homestead on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Foundation, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450. will be appreciated.
Frances S. Avery
Frances Southard Avery, age 83, of Fairfield, beloved wife of 63 years of the late Raymond J. Avery, died on Friday, Aug. 18, 2000, in her home, with her family at her side.
Born in Bridgeport, Mrs. Avery had been a Fairfield resident since 1942. She was a longtime member of the Golden Hill United Methodist Church in Bridgeport.
She was a devoted wife, mother and daughter, and a unique caregiver to not only her family but others as well. A good day would be time spent with family and friends that would drop by at any time.
Survivors include two sons, Raymond A. Avery and his wife Carol of Bridgeport, and Craig F. Avery and his wife Antoinette "Toni" of Trumbull; a daughter, Cheryl A. Kellogg and her husband Allen of Newtown; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Golden Hill United Methodist Church, Bridgeport, with the Rev. Brian Schofield-Bodt, pastor, officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Friends may call on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Spear Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Joslin Clinic, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215; or to the Hospice at Home VNS of CT, 765 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604.
Richard C. Gazek
Richard C. Gazek, 58, husband of Linda (Roberts) Gazek, of Centreville, VA, formerly of Bethel, CT, died suddenly on Friday, August 18, 2000, at the Fair Oaks Hospital in Virginia.
He was born in Fall River, MA, September, 13, 1941, son of the late Elmer and Lillian (Isidore) Gazek. He grew up in Bethel and was a graduate of Bethel High School in 1960. He attended the University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale, Illinois, and was a graduate of Western Connecticut State University in 1968. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Gazek was employed at Intersections, Inc., of Chantilly, Virginia, as a customer service representative.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his in-laws, Forrest and Carol (Roberts) Blair of Bethel; and many aunts, uncles and cousins from California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and North Carolina.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church in Bethel Aug. 25, at a time to be announced. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.
Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, on Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
