United States High School Yearbooks by County
Joseph Patrick Gillotte Sr., M.D.
Joseph Patrick Gillotte Sr., M.D., 74, of Las Vegas, NV, died Feb. 10, 2000 at Valley Hospital in Nevada.
Dr. Gillotte was born in Danbury, Sept. 26, 1925, a son of Anthony Paul and Rose Della Monica Gillotte. A retired physician and World War II Army veteran, Dr. Gillotte was a member of the Council of American Pathologists. He had lived in Las Vegas for the past 12 years.
He is survived by his wife, Diana "Dee" Gillotte of Las Vegas, two sons, Joseph Patrick Gillotte Jr. of Lansing, MI, and Alan Gregory Gillotte of Chesapeake, VA; a brother, Paul Gillotte of Los Angeles, CA; five grandchildren, Anney, Elizabeth, Peter, Sydney and Alex Gillotte; a niece, Donna Gillotte of Fairfield; and a nephew, Lawrence Gillotte of Danbury.
A Memorial Service was conducted last week in Las Vegas.
Contributions in memory of Dr. Joseph Patrick Gillotte Sr. may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Edward Wittmann
Edward Wittmann, 66, of 12 Obtuse Rocks Road, Brookfield, husband of Susan (Roth) Wittmann, died Wednesday at Danbury Hospital.
Mr. Wittmann was born in Czerwenka, Yugoslavia January 24, 1934, a son of Helen (Lamneck) Wittmann of Ridgedale, N.Y. and the late Philip Wittmann.
He came to the US in 1950; served in the US Army from 1955-1957. Before his illness, he had worked for the Risdon Corp. in Danbury as a Product Technician from 1970-1999. As a member of a group of four, he held a patent on a lipstick dispenser for shape pomades.
He had lived in New Milford from 1973-1987, when he moved to Brookfield. He was a member of the German-American Club of New Milford and a parishioner of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Milford.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, John Wittmann and his wife, Pamela of Winston-Salem, N.C.; a daughter, Marian S. Merritt and her husband, Kyle of Brookfield; one brother, Henry Wittmann and his wife, Elizabeth of Glendale, N.Y.; two grandchildren, Matthew Merritt and Stephanie Merritt; three nephews and one niece.
Funeral services on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church, New Milford. The Rev. Frederick J. Bunzel, pastor, officiating. Interment in Center Cemetery, New Milford.
Friends may call at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 or the Regional Hospice of Western CT, 30 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810.
Bruce A. Lundquist
Bruce A. Lundquist, 48, beloved son of Florence A. Lundquist of Naples, FL, and the late Warren A. Lundquist, died Feb. 18, 2000 in Miami, FL, awaiting a liver transplant.
Bruce was born May 15, 1951, in the Bronx, NY, and moved with his family to Brookfield in 1960. He attended Brookfield schools and graduated from the Culinary Institute. He worked as a chef in several CT restaurants. He later managed his father's electrical business and was also employed by Rapid Technologies. He became chief electrician on the Moore McCormick Lines of NYC and for 5 years sailed to many ports worldwide.
After moving to Florida in 1988, he was employed as a maintenance supervisor for SMG property management and owned Axel's Cooling and Heating Company in Largo, Fla.
Besides his mother, he is survived by a sister, Victoria Banning of Naples; 2 brothers, Gary Lundquist of Las Vegas, Nev., and Robert & his wife Nora of Brookfield; 4 nephews, Devon and Erik of Naples, Warren and Kyle of Brookfield; a niece, Melissa of Las Vegas; an uncle, aunts, and several cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Warren W. Lundquist.
Services will be on Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Moss Feaster Funeral Home, Largo. Burial will be Monday in Largo.
Vicki D. (Prybylski) Stepkoski
Vicki D. (Prybylski) Stepkoski, 84, of Glen Hill Road, Danbury and formerly of Norwalk, died Friday at Danbury Hospital. She was the wife of the late Michael J. Stepkoski.
Born in Plymouth, Penn. to the late Valentine and Mary (Petroski) Prybylski, she was employed as a sales manger for Norwalk Sales, retiring after numerous years of service.
While residing in Norwalk, she was very active in town politics. She is survived by a sister, Ann Koperno of Danbury; a brother, Edward F. Prybylski Sr. of Danbury and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers: Benny, William, Stanley and John.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery. Friends will be received Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
Lynn D. Weprek
Lynn D. Weprek, 47, of Danbury, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Feb. 17 at her home at 17 Harding Place.
She was born in New York City and was raised in Georgetown, Conn.
Ms. Weprek received her bachelor's degree at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury and had worked as a licensed practical nurse at Pope John Paul II Center for Healthcare for the past 9 years.
She was an avid animal lover, and member of the Mensa organization and the National Wildlife Conservation.
Ms. Weprek is survived by 3 daughters, Joelle Weprek of Ga., Jessica Weprek of Danbury, and Nicole Weprek of S.C.; her mother, Eleanor Brixey of Norwalk; 4 sisters, Deborah King of Norwalk, Cheryl Zarnowski of Mont., and Virginia Miller of Va., Lisa Brixey of Norwalk; 2 brothers, Ronald Weprek of Mont. and Anthony Grey of Hartford; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family. Family and friends will celebrate her life at a memorial service Tuesday at 1 p.m. at St. Paul's On The Green, Norwalk. Family members can be reached at (203) 846-9156.
Yolanda Fiorentini
Yolanda Fiorentini, 94, of North White Plains, N.Y., died on Feb. 18, 2000 at White Plains Hospital Center.
She was born on Dec. 26, 1905 to Aurelino and Josephine (nee Giannotti) Giavannoni in Aulla, Italy.
Mrs. Fiorentini was a seamstress in the New York City Garment District for 30 years retiring in 1965.
She was predeceased by her husband Paolino Fiorentini in 1967 and her son Ambrogio Fiorentini and two brothers.
Mrs. Fiorentini is survived by one son, John Fiorentini of Danbury and one brother, Fiore Giavannoni of Italy, and two grandchildren.
Reposing Hawthorne Funeral Home, Tuesday 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Holy Name of Jesus Church, Valhalla, N.Y. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, N.Y.
Mr. Richard Alan Stapelberg
Mr. Richard Alan Stapelberg, 64, of Port St. Lucie, Fla. and formerly of Danbury, died Feb. 18, 2000 at his residence. He had also lived in Pompano Beach, Fla. for six months. He was a consultant for a construction business.
Mr. Stapelberg served with both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans Association in Danbury. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and the American Legion both of Pompano Beach.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Stapelberg of Port St. Lucie; his brother, Lee Stapelberg of Belleview, Fla. and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Yates Funeral Home Chapel, Port St. Lucie, Fla. Funeral services will be at the funeral home at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Burial will be at All Saints Cemetery, Jensen Beach, Fla. with entombment following the service on Tuesday.
Contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Treasure Coast, P.O. Box 1748, Ft. Pierce, Fla. 34954.
Eleanor Phipps Hall
Eleanor Phipps Hall, 91, died Saturday, Feb. 19 at the Preston Health Center.
Mrs. Hall moved to Hilton Head Island in 1994 from Southbury, Conn.
She is survived by two daughters, Sydney Hall Maddox of Bluffton and Eleanor Hall Ridgway of Friday Harbor, Wa.; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband John A. Hall in 1988.
Services will be private. The Island Funeral Home, Hilton Head Island, S.C. is in charge or arrangements.
James G. Ritchie
James G. Ritchie, 66, of 35 Route 39 South, Sherman, husband of Dorothy (Whalen) Stelzel Ritchie, died Friday at his home.
Mr. Ritchie was born in Mahopac, N.Y., March 18, 1933, a son of the late William and Alma (McCormick) Ritchie. He had worked for Conrail for 30 years before his retirement and presently owned and operated the Sherman Green Cleaners in Sherman. He was a member of the Word First Ministries Church in New Milford. He had lived in Sherman for the past 25 years.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his son Edward Ritchie of Danbury; two stepsons Robert Stelzel and Paul Stelzel; a daughter, Linda Ward; two stepdaughters, Kathy Tumyol and Sheryl Morris; a sister Anice Newmark; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his son, James Ritchie III and a sister Ethel Bedat.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St. with the Rev. Alex Strachan officiating. Interment will be in Coburn Cemetery in Sherman in the spring.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Word First Ministries Church of New Milford, P.O. Box 278, New Milford, CT 06776.
Henry F. Buxton
Henry F. (Bucky) Buxton, 62, husband of Mary (Mead) Buxton, died peacefully at his home in Newtown on February 20 following a brief illness.
Mr. Buxton was born in Evanston, Ill. on January 13, 1938, a son of the late Henry L. and Doris Chamberlain Buxton. He spent his early life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later lived in Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958. He was stationed for a time in France, where he met his future wife. They were married in 1958 and moved to Newtown in 1960. He worked as a tree surgeon with his father-in-law, Sanford Mead. In 1962, he fell some 60 feet from a tree in which he was working and broke his back. The event was a turning point in his life. Thereafter, he used every day of what he viewed as "borrowed time" to become a better person and to help others.
He worked in Mental Health/Addiction services for the State of Connecticut from 1963 until his retirement in 1992. He was a founding staff member of the EDON House Drug Program and eventually became Assistant Program Director of the Berkshire Woods Chemical Dependency Treatment Center.
Although he did not finish high school he was so impressed by the efforts of the EDON House program residents to further their education that he joined them in their studies and received his GED in 1977. In 1984 he received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Bridgeport. He was a member of Phi chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. In addition to his state service, he maintained a private counseling practice until the time of his death.
Besides his wife, he is survived by one brother, R.N. Carros of Douglasville, Georgia; one sister, Leilani Young of Albuquerque, New Mexico; six children, Rolande Paguay of Bethel, Marion Carter of North Plains, Oregon, Nicole Buxton of Stanley, Falkland Islands, Michael Buxton of New Preston, Suzanne Garofalo of Georgetown and Todd Buxton of White River Jct., Vermont; our grandchildren, Mick and Meghann Carter, Nick and Paul Garofalo, and by many, many beloved friends and clients.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Rose Church, Newtown on Tuesday, February 29 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place in Newtown Village Cemetery in the spring.
There are no calling hours.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Conn., Inc., 30 West St., Danbury, CT 06810. Arrangements by Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown.
Rosemary Roshka
Rosemary Nero Roshka, formerly of Danbury, died after a long illness on Wednesday, February 9, 2000 in Fresno, California. She was the wife of Paul Roshka Sr. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Nero Sr. and the late Mary Eliza Nero.
She is survived by a son, Attorney Paul Roshka Jr. of Scottsdale, Arizona and a daughter, Pamela Roshka Daly of Lawrenceville, Georgia and five grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Pauline Nero and Grace Nero Tomaino, both of Danbury; nephews, Joseph Nero III of Trumbull, Dr. Thomas Nero of Danbury and niece, Noreen Tomaino, also of Danbury. She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Nero Jr.
She attended Danbury High School, Class of 1940. She also graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Hartford. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church. She worked at the Danbury Hospital and at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. She received an honorable discharge from the Women's Army Corps. She was discharged with the rank of Sergeant and she served during World War II.
There will be a Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Cottage St., Danbury at 12:00 noon on February 26 for relatives and friends to pay their respects. Contributions may be made in her memory to the local Hospice or American Cancer Society.
Shirley L. Dangaard
Shirley L. Dangaard, 70, died Monday at Norwalk Hospital. She was born in Danbury November 17, 1929, a daughter of the late George and Hazel (Sherman) Anderson.
Mrs. Dangaard resided in Bethel most of her life. She spent the last two years at Wilton Meadows Healthcare Facility.
During her life, Shirley worked in the electronics field where she was involved in the early space program for NASA.
She is survived by two daughters, Judith Fleischmann of New Fairfield and Sharon Jiadi of Bethel; two brothers, Wilbur Lane of Florida and Clark Anderson of New Hampshire; one sister, Marlene Underhill of Danbury. She was a loving grandmother to four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and had several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 607 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT.
A Memorial Service will take place Sunday at 12:00 p.m. at St. James' Episcopal Church in the Banks Memorial Chapel, 25 West St., Danbury. The Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.
Richard Karl Kronewitter
Richard Karl Kronewitter, 80, formerly of Ridgefield, died February 15, 2000 in Tigard, Oregon. He was the husband of Carol Kronewitter.
Mr. Kronewitter was born September 10, 1919 in South Bend, Ind. and raised in Indiana. He joined the US Army during World War II, reaching rank of SGT., with HQ Battery, 405th AAA Gun Battalion for 3'BD years. After the war he continued his education, graduating from Wabash College in 1949 receiving his BA degree. He married Carol Emmons in 1957 in Connecticut.
He returned to school and received his master's degree from New York University. He was employed as a teacher, teaching social studies at Darien High School, Darien, retiring in 1981. He lived in Ridgefield for 40 years, moving to Tigard, Ore. in 1998 to be close to his son. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, gardening and traveling, visiting all 50 states, the British Isles, Europe and New Zealand.
The first part of his summer vacation was spent enrolled in various education courses at Smith College, Bowdoin, Columbia or New York. The latter part of the summer was spent camping with his wife and sons.
He educated to inspire young minds to learn from the past and challenged them to plan for the future.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Rick Kronewitter of Portland, Ore. and Jack Kronewitter of Allenpark, Colo.; brothers, Ernest, Arthur, Jerrold and Jack Kronewitter, all of Indiana; sisters, Jeannette Butland of New Zealand and Phyllis Trimboli of Indiana and three grandchildren.
No service arrangements have been made at this time. Services will be held at a later date in Connecticut.
Donations in Mr. Kronewitter's memory may be made to Greenpeace.
Arrangements entrusted to American Burial & Cremation, Tigard, Ore.
