United States High School Yearbooks by County
Ruby H. Keeler
Ruby H. Keeler, 95, formerly of 25 Gilbert Street, Ridgefield, wife of the late Raymond Keeler, died on Saturday, February 19, 2000 at St. Joseph of the Pines, Southern Pines, North Carolina.
Mrs. Keeler was born in New Haven, September 29, 1904, a daughter of the late Roy and Lillian (Johnson) Holabird. She grew up in New Haven, attended New Haven schools and graduated from Wallingford High School. She later attended Lasell College of Massachusetts.
A resident of Ridgefield since 1930, she was active in volunteer services and was a member of the aircraft spotting tower located on East Ridge during World War II.
She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield, a former Sunday school instructor, a member of the Sunshine Society and other church committees.
Mrs. Keeler is survived by a daughter, Pamela Allen of Ridgefield; two sons, Roy Keeler of St. Augustine, Fla. and Russell Keeler of Lakeview, N.C.; fourteen grandchildren, including Sally Yarrish of Ridgefield, Robin Allen of Tucson, Ariz., Laird Allen of Bethel and Todd Allen of Norwalk; twenty-two great-grandchildren; and one great great-grandchild also survive.
Mrs. Keeler was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Keeler and a granddaughter, Sherry Keeler Bettes.
Funeral services will take place on Saturday, February 26, 2000 at 3 p.m. in the First Congregational Church, Ridgefield.
Burial will take place in Ridgefield Cemetery.
Friends will be received in the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield on Saturday from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Contributions in Mrs. Keeler's memory may be made to the Friends of the North Carolina Library for the Blind, 1811 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27635-0001 or the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897.
Dr. Peter William Woycik
Dr. Peter William Woycik, 88, of High Point Farm, Somerset, Virginia, died Tuesday, February 22, 2000 at the Culpeper Health Care Center.
Born April 27, 1911 in Danbury, he was the son of the late Joseph and Katherine Woycik. His wife was the late Ruth Theresa Woycik who died in 1992.
Dr. Woycik was a retired Dentist who practiced in Danbury for many years, an Army Veteran of World War II and a member of St. John's Catholic Church of Orange, Va.
He is survived by one daughter, Ruth Ann Rowe of Sykesville, Md.; two sons, William W. Woycik Sr. and Charles Thomas Woycik, both of Orange, Va.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be Friday, February 25, 2000 at 1:00 p.m. from St. John's Catholic Church in Orange, Va. with interment in Graham Cemetery. Father David Martin will officiate. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 24, 2000 at the Preddy Funeral Chapel, Orange, Va., followed by a Rosary Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Catholic Church, PO Box 350, Orange, VA 22960.
Ruth Elsa Weatherley
Ruth Elsa Weatherley, 86, of Bridgewater, died Wednesday (February 23) at Danbury Hospital after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late John S. Weatherley. Born April 29, 1913 in New York City, the youngest daughter of the late Otto and Johanna (Hanser) Ungemah, she was a resident of Bridgewater for 49 years. She had resided at Bethel Health Care Center since suffering a stroke in 1997.
Mrs. Weatherley began her career in the fashion industry as a seamstress and designer, training with Elizabeth Hawes. Subsequently, she opened her own miry business in Westchester. After her marriage to John Weatherley in 1947, the couple moved to Bridgewater in 1951. In the ensuing years, she was a volunteer driver for Friends in Service Here (FISH), a volunteer librarian at the Shepaug Valley Regional High School and helped the Bridgewater Historical Society by restoring its hat collection. Mrs. Weatherley loved her family, gardening, reading and writing poetry. A collection of her poems, Windsongs and Poems from an Apron Pocket, was published privately. Her activities with the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) led her to be an advocate of nuclear disarmament and world peace. As part of her effort to build understanding between cultures, she traveled to Russia in 1990.
Survivors include a son, John S. Weatherley Jr., and his wife, Susan, of Ridgefield; and three daughters, Suzanne W. Moore, and her husband, Donald, of Port Clyde, Maine; Joan W. Benham, and her husband, John, of North Canton; and Susan W. Hammond, and her husband, William of Plainfield. She is also fondly remembered by ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bridgewater Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Housatonic Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, PO Box 43, New Milford, CT 06776.
James A. Bresmon
James A. Bresmon, 72, of 22 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, died February 11, 2000 at Danbury Hospital after a long illness.
Born in Westchester, N.Y. October 2, 1927, he was a son of the late Leo and Rose Bresmon. He attended schools in Port Chester, N.Y.
Mr. Bresmon served in the US Navy SeeBees during World War II. Mr. Bresmon was a cook at the Barden Corp. of Danbury for many years.
He is survived by two sons, Eric Bresmon and John Bresmon, both of Bethel; two daughters, Sharon Hinden of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and Lorena King of Danbury; one brother, Leo Bresmon of New Jersey; two sisters, Laura Bresmon of Key West, Fla. and Ivy May Radisay of Anaheim, Calif.; his former spouse, Alice Bresmon Panteli of Danbury; twelve grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at the Church of Christ, Danbury on Saturday, February 26, 2000 at 11:00 a.m.
There will be no calling hours.
Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
John Sachuk
John Sachuk, died Tuesday, February 22, in Heritage Hill Health Center. He was 82.
He died of natural causes, according to his family.
Born June 23, 1917 in Bridgeport, he was a resident of Stamford for over 80 years prior to moving to New Fairfield. He was the son of the late Michael A. and Charetina Sachuk.
He was a World War II veteran, serving in the US Army.
Mr. Sachuk was a retired carpenter and a member of Local 210, the Carpenter's Union.
He attended the Holy Name of Jesus Church of Stamford and is a former member of the Holy Name of Jesus Senior Circle.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Baisley Sachuk of New Fairfield; a brother, Alex Sachuk of Stamford; Edward Baisley, a stepson of Danbury; Linda Springer, a stepdaughter of New Fairfield and Arlene Baisley, a stepdaughter of Stamford; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Stella Sachuk and four brothers, Daniel Sachuk, Theodore Sachuk, Nicholas Sachuk and Maxie M. Sachuk.
Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 24, 2000 at Wojciechowski's Ambassador Funeral Chapels, Inc., 9 Pulaski Street, Stamford.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral ceremony at Wojciechowski's Ambassador Funeral Chapels, Inc. on Friday, February 25, 2000 at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Stamford.
Joseph Emmanuel Bjorklund
On Monday, February 21, Joseph Emmanuel Bjorklund, husband of the late Mary Gardner Bjorklund, affectionately known to many as "Grandpa Joe", passed away on to his "Himmel" to prepare the way. "A Djo Alskade Morfar Och Vor Goda Van."
The proud son of Swedish immigrants Sanfred and Ida Andersen Bjorklund, Joe is survived by a daughter, Mary Ellen Harris and son-in-law David Harris of Newtown and Claire Eileen Bjorklund of Stamford. The loving grandfather of Christian Richard Chemero of Newtown and Lisa Marie Seri of Danbury; he will be sadly missed by his four beautiful great-grandchildren: Brandi Lynn Watkins of Sandy Hook, KarliAnn Elisabeth, Jack Joseph and Noah Seri of Danbury; as well as many nieces and nephews.
All of the above mentioned, together with some fifty family members and friends, gathered at the Inn at Newtown last December where Joe was feted to a grand ninetieth birthday celebration.
An avid worker with wood, he was a lifelong builder, erecting new homes or restoring dwellings and antiques to their former stature. During his later years, due to some limitations, he continued to create timeless, wonderful toys and games. Even in this era of computer ease and speed, he chose to hand produce all manner of pleasant objects, sure to transcend his own lifetime.
Grandpa Joe was a member in the 32nd degree, Masonic Temple Washington #19 of Monroe. He was an enthusiastic musician in both the Shriners Oriental Band and the Connecticut Swampyankees Hillbilly Band #72. He spent close to half a century actively participating in the good works of both the Shriners Children's Hospital Fund-raisers and the United Methodist Church of Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook. He was also active in several other local organizations including Newtown Fish and Game, Hattertown Rod and Gun and Turkeyroost Game Clubs.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 25 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Sandy Hook. In lieu of flowers, Joe wished donations to be made to either the Pyramid Shriners Hospital at 345 Wheelers Farm Road, Milford CT or to the United Methodist Church Fund.
Doris Collins Hartell
Doris Collins Hartell, 77, of Port Charlotte, Florida, formerly of Danbury, died February 17, 2000 at home.
Born February 26, 1922, she was married to the late Andrew Spencer Hartell. She worked for many years as a registered nurse at Danbury Hospital and later at Middle Gate School, Newtown.
She is survived by her siblings, Francis Collins of Brookfield, Robert Collins of Ottawa, Canada and Cecelia Fowler, Mary Condon and Thomas Collins, all of Florida. She is also survived by two daughters, Judy Robbins of Glastonbury and Joyce O'Neill of Newtown; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238. Arrangements are through Roberson Funeral Home, PO Box 2966, 2151 Tamiani Trl, Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Caroline B. Chase
Caroline B. Chase, age 74, of Butter Brook Hill Rd., New Milford, died Wednesday in Martin Memorial Hospital, Stuart, Fla.
Mrs. Chase was born November 28, 1925 in Sherman, a daughter of the late Marshall and Laurena Murphy Beatty. She attended Sherman schools. Mrs. Chase was employed as a cook for 11 years at the New Milford Nursing Home before retiring in 1985. Mrs. Chase was a winter resident of Stuart, Fla., where she volunteered at the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
Mrs. Chase is survived by a son, Russell Chase; five daughters; Susan Hurlbert, Gaylordsville; Sandra Cieklinski, New Milford; Donna William, Bantam; Carol Chase, New Milford; Darlene Chase, Stuart, Fla.; a brother, Edward Beatty, Florida; four sisters, Ethel Chase, Florida; Virginia Porkrywka, New Milford; Margaret Cummings, New Milford and Lucille Shanks, Fla.; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 26, 2000 at 2:30 p.m. in the Colonial Funeral Home, 87 Park Lane Road, New Milford. Burial will be in Skiff Mountain Cemetery, Kent in the spring. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Robert F. Blessey
Robert Fulton Louis Blessey, 90, husband of Margaret (Maione) Blessey, formerly of 183 Peaceable Street, Ridgefield, died at Pope John Paul Center on Thursday, February 24.
Mr. Blessey was born September 22, 1909 in New York City and attended school there, including Cooper Union College, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. After college he worked in the engineering departments of Cole Steel and Federal Pacific Electric for which he was a liaison during the construction of the Empire State Building.
In 1938, he started his own business, Aldine Metal Products Corp., a precision sheet metal manufacturer in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1952, he moved the business to Danbury and in 1955, to Brookfield, where it currently operates. He remained active in business until his retirement in 1990.
While living in Ridgefield, he was a member of St. Mary's Church. Besides his wife, Robert is survived by four sons, Richard of Brookfield, Robert Jr. of Katonah, N.Y., Raymond of Manhattan Beach, Calif. and Ronald of Santa Fe, N.M.; nine grandchildren, a niece and two nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church in Brookfield on Saturday at 12 noon. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery. Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury on Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. contributions in his memory may be made to St. Joseph's Church, 159 Whisconier Rd., Brookfield, CT 06804.
Joseph O. Duhamel
Joseph O. Duhamel, 65, of Morris Twp., N.J., died on Wednesday, February 23, 2000 at Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J. He was the husband of the late Laure Marie Duhamel, who passed away in 1997.
Mr. Duhamel was born in Danbury. He was a resident of Chatham Twp., N.J. prior to moving to Morris Twp. seven years ago. He was a graduate of St. Mary's Seminary, Emmittsburg, M.D.
Mr. Duhamel was an IT Executive (Information Technology) at Gruntal & Co. in New York City for 6 years, prior to his retirement earlier this year. He was a member of the Church of Christ the King, New Vernon, N.J. He taught confirmation classes at St. Joseph's Church, Stirling, N.J. and St. Thomas More Church, Convent Station, N.J. He was also a volunteer and assisted with the development fund at Bayley Ellard High School in Madison, N.J.
He is survived by two sons, Joseph S. Duhamel of San Francisco, Calif. and David A. Duhamel of Morristown, N.J.; a brother, Peter Duhamel of Connecticut; three sisters, Margaret Newman of Massachusetts, Mary Duhamel of Florida and Theresa Kmieciak of Maryland; an aunt and uncle, Betty and Charlie Durkin; daughters-in-law, Alexandra Keeling Duhamel and Anna Marie Duhamel; and two grandchildren, Darren Elizabeth and Steven Richard Duhamel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 26, 2000 at the Church of Christ the King, Blue Mill Rd., New Vernon, N.J. at 10 a.m. Interment is private. Hours of visitation at the Doyle Funeral Home, 106 Maple Ave., Morristown, N.J. on Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joseph's memory to the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Morristown Memorial Hospital, 100 Madison Ave., Morristown, NJ 07960.
Jean W. Danigelis
Jean W. Danigelis, 90, of 40 William Street, Danbury, wife of the late William K. Danigelis, died on Thursday morning, February 24, 2000 at the Kent Rehabilitation Center, Kent.
Mrs. Danigelis was born in Norfolk, Va. June 1, 1909, a daughter of the late Samuel and Margo (Egglis) Pulos.
A resident of Muskegon Heights, Michigan prior to residing in Danbury, Mrs. Danigelis was a retired woman couturiere.
As a resident of Muskegon Heights, she was active with the civic opera as well being active in the American Red Cross. She was also a member of the Ladies Philoptocos Society and the Daughters of Penelope of A.H.E.P.A.
A resident of Danbury since 1975 coming from Muskegon Heights, she was active with the American Red Cross, the Ladies Philoptocos Society of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Danbury and also was active on many church committees.
She is survived by a son, Dean Danigelis of Brookfield; a brother, Peter W. Pulos of Muskegon, Mich.; a sister, Rubye Springstead of Tampa, Fla.; two grandchildren, Bill Danigelis of San Mateo, Calif. and Dina Danigelis of Torrington; as well as a great-granddaughter, Nicole Danigelis.
Mrs. Danigelis was also predeceased by two brothers, George Pulos and John Pulos and two sisters, her twin, Betty Demetral and Vivian Totulis.
Funeral services will take place on Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock in the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury with the Rev. Peter Karloutsos officiating.
Burial will take place in Monaview Cemetery, Muskegon Heights, Mich.
Friends will be received at the Assumption Greek Church on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Contributions in Mrs. Danigelis' memory may be made to the Assumption Greek Church Building Fund.
The Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Ave., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
