United States High School Yearbooks by County
Wendell V. Smith
Dr. Wendell V. Smith, age 87, a pioneer in the development of synthetic rubber, died Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000 at his home. Dr. Smith was the husband of the late Virginia (Anderson) Smith and resided at 3 Nettleton Ave., Newtown.
He was born in Caldwell, Idaho, April 16, 1912 a son of the late Orma and Ona (Vendervort) Smith. Dr. Smith was a graduate of the College of Idaho and received a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. He was a member of Sigma XI Chemical Society.
He was employed for many years at the Uniroyal Corporation Research Laboratory at Wayne, New Jersey and more recently at Uniroyal in Oxford, Conn. Many patents, in the field of chemistry, have been issued in his name. Dr. Smith was an Emeritus member of the American Chemistry Society.
Dr. Smith was a member of the Newtown United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir.
He is survived by 3 daughters: Anne Dowling of Fairfield, Margaret Arighi of Oregon City, Ore. and Dorothy Martin of Lexington, Mass.; 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000 at 10 a.m. in the Newtown United Methodist Church with the Rev. Terry Pfeiffer officiating. Interment will be in Newtown Village Cemetery at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. Contributions may be made to the Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482. Arrangements by the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown.
Charles P. Deldin
Charles P. Deldin of Danbury died Jan. 10, 2000 at the Danbury Hospital at the age of 86. He was the husband of Rose S. (Daglia) Deldin and lived on Monarch Road in Danbury.
Mr. Deldin was born in the Bronx, New York Aug. 30, 1913 son of the late John and Matilda (Silver) Deldin. He received his education in New York and was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns. He retired as superintendent of the New York Sanitation Department after 27 years and from IBM as payroll clerk after 12 years.
Mr. Deldin was a member of St. Gregory Church and the VFW in the Bronx. Besides his wife he is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Robert and Mary Jane Deldin of Danbury; his four grandsons Robert J., Jeffrey P, Christopher J. and Mychal C. Deldin, his granddaughter Daniel M. Deldin all of Danbury. He was predeceased by his daughter and granddaughter Carla and Elyse Noel Serna. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory Church on Thursday at 10 a.m. and burial will be at St. Peter Cemetery. Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.
Janet F. Phillips
Mrs. Janet F. Phillips, age 66, of 128 Highview Drive, Winchester, died Monday, January 10, 2000 at Litchfield Woods Health Care Center in Torrington, following an 18-year battle with cancer. She was the wife of Bidwell B. Phillips.
Mrs. Phillips was born in Hartford on April 12, 1933, a daughter of the late Alton and Edna (Petersen) Fish. She was a graduate of Weaver High School. After her marriage in 1955, she and her husband moved to Harwinton where they lived for 30 years. They have lived in Winchester since 1987. Mrs. Phillips had, until April, been employed by the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. She worked there for 28 years, first as a volunteer for several years and later in the operating room, the recovery room and most recently, the Scheduling Department.
Besides her husband of 44 years, she is survived by her son, Brad Phillips of Winsted and her daughter, Lynne Phillips of New Milford.
There will be no calling hours. A private ceremony will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 40 North St., Danbury CT 06810.
George Sfaelos
Gregory Sfaelos, 32 of Princeton Drive, Macon, Ga. and formerly of Danbury, died in Macon Dec. 19, 1999. He was born in New York City on June 20, 1967, the son of Maria (Kroloka) Sfaelos of Port Arthur, Texas and the late Andrew Sfaelos.
He was a graduate of New Milford High School and Florida Engineering Institute in Orlando and did graduate studies in chemical engineering at LaMarr University, Port Arthur. He was employed as a chemist for the Brown and Williamson Company of Macon.
Besides his mother, he is survived by his brothers: Constantinos Sfaelos of Southbury, Danny Sfaelos of Danbury and James Sfaelos of Boise, Idaho and his sister: Angelika Sfaelos of Port Arthur and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury on Friday at 9:30 a.m. Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
Edward L. Wildman Sr.
Edward L. Wildman Sr., 80, of 85 New Road, died Monday, January 10, 2000 at Waterbury Hospital.
He was the widower of Frances (Oberstadt) Wildman. Mr. Wildman was born February 2, 1919 in Bridgeport, son of the late Starr and Augusta (Bedat) Wildman. He served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater aboard the Light Cruiser Phoenix as a radar seaman in World War II.
Mr. Wildman was a master mason having his own mason and plastering business for many years in the Southbury-Newtown area. He was General Foreman at French Tube/Naranda Copper Tubing in Newtown for many years. Upon his retirement, he went to work for his sons at Bill Wildman Floor Covering Inc., in Waterbury as a warehouse manager.
He was a former member of the Danbury Elks. He enjoyed his family, his garden, bingo, penny Annie, and the lottery, having been a contestant on The Connecticut Rainbow Jackpot in 1984. He is survived by two sons, Edward L. Wildman Jr., of Southbury and William R. Wildman Sr., of Waterbury; a daughter, Marjorie Wildman Mitchell of Southbury; a brother, Donald Wildman of Groton; four sisters, Florence Coddington of Newtown, Ida Peterson of Bridgeport, Alice Rutan of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Jean Barna of Bethel; 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Clarence Wildman and a sister, Ruth Stevens.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the South Britain Congregational Church. Burial will be in Beaverdale Memorial Park in Hamden. Calling hours Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main St. North, Route 6. Memorial contributions may be made to the Watertown Visiting Nurses, Hospice, 27 Princeton Road, Watertown, CT 06795 or to the Southbury Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 1002, Southbury, CT 06488.
Michael A. Loya
Michael A. Loya, 89, husband of the late Veronica (Falis) Loya, of 33 Lincoln Ave., Danbury, died at the Pope John Paul II Health Care Center on Saturday evening.
He was born in Vanderbilt, Penn., March 11, 1910, son of the late Michael A. and Mary (Kovach) Loya. He came to Danbury as a young man and had been a Danbury resident since. During World War II, Mr. Loya worked as a machinist at the Bullard Co. in Bridgeport. Following the war he worked as a hatter and became the superintendent of the former Mallory Hat Co. in Danbury and later the Danbury Hat Co. He retired in 1976.
He was a member of St. Gregory the Great Church, and formerly had been a 3rd degree member of the McGivney Council of the Knights of Columbus. As a young man, Mr. Loya had played football for the Danbury Trojans and later coached the Top Hat "Bull Dogs" football team. He was a member of the Danbury Old Timers Association and was honored by that organization in 1992.
Mr. Loya is survived by 4 daughters and their husbands: Dorothy V. and David Kroha, Barbara and Joseph Dominakus, Patricia H. and William Murphy, all of Danbury and Nancy V. and Bernard Reidy of Newtown; five brothers: John Loya and George Loya both of Danbury, Joseph Loya and Andrew Loya, both of Bethel and Stephen Loya of New Fairfield; two sisters: Mary Kaiser of New Milford and Irene Melycher of Florida; 10 grandchildren: David Kroha, Ronald Kroha, Michael Kroha, Cynthia McArthur, Barbara Braatz, Thomas Dominakus, William D. Murphy Jr., Patricia Kelley Murphy, Bernard Reidy, Jr., and Andrew Reidy; 7 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory the Great Church on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury on Monday evening from 4 to 8 p.m.
Contributions may be made to Pope John Paul Health Care Center, 33 Lincoln Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.
Susanne Arndt Henkel
Susanne Arndt Henkel, 61, of 373 Kent Road, New Milford, died Sunday at her home. She is the wife of John M. Henkel.
Mrs. Henkel was born in Norwalk on March 23, 1938, a daughter of the late Walter J. and Susan Maddock Arndt. She was raised in Redding and Norwalk graduating from Norwalk High School and then from Katherine Gibbs School of Business. Later in life while raising her children, she returned to the classroom and became a realtor. Henkel was a CCD teacher at St. Francis Xavier Church, a Brownie and Cub Scout leader and a sports coach.
Besides her husband of 39 years, she is survived by a son, John E. Henkel and his wife Kathleen of New Milford; a daughter, Karen Henkel-Kennedy and her husband Kevin Kennedy of New Milford; 2 brothers Walter Arndt of Easton and Edward Arndt of Jupiter, Fla.; 2 sisters Matilda LaTulipe of Shelton and Laurie Taylor of Rich Square, N.C.; 5 grandchildren: Shannon Kennedy, Bridget Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Jessica Bouwman and Erika Henkel. She was predeceased by a sister, Sharon Shersty.
Memorials may be made to: the American Heart Assoc., 5 Brookside Drive, P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492-7522 or the American Diabetes Association, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, New Milford. Cremation will be at Connecticut Crematory in Stamford.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Colonial Funeral Home, 87 Park Lane Road, New Milford.
C. Hubert Vail
C. Hubert Vail, 85, of 417 Savage Farm Road, Ithaca, New York, passed away on January 10, 2000 after a brief illness. He was born to Lenore (Zangerle) and Arthur H. Vail Sr. in North Salem, N.Y. on July 31, 1914. Hubert married Charlotte (Dredger) Vail on August 14, 1937 in Woodmere, N.Y.
Mr. Vail was a fourth generation partner of Vail's Grove, Inc., a large dairy farm, golf course and summer residence community in Westchester and Putnam Counties, New York. Mr. Vail graduated from North Salem High School, The Choate School in Wallingford and Cornell University class of 1937 in Ithaca, N.Y. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity.
Mr. Vail was a dedicated member and past president of the Westchester County Extension Service, past presidents of the Brewster Grange and the Pomona Grange, as well as an active participant in both state and national Grange. He was a past president of the Putnam County Kiwanis Club and a founding member of the Putnam-Westchester 4-H Club. Hubert was a lifelong parishioner of St. James Episcopal Church in North Salem, receiving the Rector's Cross for his many years of quiet, faithful dedicated service. Hubert and Charlotte were longtime members of the Putnam Prancers Square Dance Club and the Charter Oak Airstream Club. For many years they wintered at Rambler's Rest in Venice, Fla.
Mr. Vail was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Arthur H. Vail Jr. and his grandson, Christopher Vail Booth. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, their four children, Peter and Lyn (Phillips) Vail of Kinderhook, N.Y., Walter and Kathleen (Robinson) Vail of Buffalo Grove, Ill., Anne and John Seeley Booth Jr. of Pine City, N.Y. and Mary Ellen and Steven LaRocca of North Salem, N.Y.; grandchildren, Peter Vail Jr., Lauren Vail Boretti, John Booth III, Marianne Dait, Timothy Booth, Jennifer Vail, Meredith Vail, Jason LaRocca, Jonathan LaRocca and Andrew LaRocca; great-grandchildren, Susan Boretti, James Boretti, Michael Vail and Katherine Vail.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 14, 2000 at 11 a.m. at St. James Episcopal Church in North Salem, N.Y. Interment to follow at June Cemetery, North Salem, N.Y. Friends may call at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster, N.Y. on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Hubert gave many wonderful and energetic years to his family, his community, his church and his chosen vocation as a dedicated dairy farmer. This warm, soft-spoken, humble man possessed a keen sense of humor, a quick mind and a physical and emotional strength admired and respected by many friends and relatives.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the following: St. James Episcopal Church, PO Box 459, North Salem, NY 10560; The National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, NY, NY 10012; Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Science Development Office, 272 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Frank A. LaCava
Frank A. LaCava, 95, of Overlook Terrace, Danbury, husband of the late Loretta (Griffin) LaCava died on Tuesday morning, January 11, 2000 at Hancock Hall, Danbury.
Mr. LaCava was born in Danbury, January 31, 1904, the youngest of 10 children born to Italian immigrants, Pasquale and Rose (LaBate) LaCava. He attended the former Balmforth Avenue School and graduated from Danbury High School Class of 1920. After several years of local employment and having the creative ability of drawing and building, he decided to enroll at the University of Pennsylvania to study architecture. Mr. LaCava graduated the University of Pennsylvania cum laude in 1929.
Due to the Great Depression in 1929, Mr. LaCava was employed by the WPA (Work Projects Administration).
In 1945, Mr. LaCava established his architectural practice at 248 Main Street, Danbury and maintained his practice until his retirement in 1980. Some of the area's buildings of which Mr. LaCava was architect were: The Danbury City Hall, Ridgewood Country Club, Augustana Homes of Bethel, Immaculate High School, St. Anthony's Maronite Church, St. Joseph's Heritage House, The Glen Hill Convalescent Center, The Danbury YMCA, Stadley Rough School, Great Plain School, Shelter Rock School as well as the moderate rental and elderly housing projects of the City of Danbury and the City of Torrington and the K of C Home, Danbury.
Mr. LaCava enjoyed travel, gardening and golf. He was also involved in volunteer work for children's causes through orphanage programs or local programs.
Mr. LaCava was an emeritus member of the American Institute of Architects and the CT Society of Architects, a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, a member of the original City of Danbury Planning Commission, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Danbury, where he was honored in 1995 as a 50 year member, a member of the Ridgewood Country Club and a member of St. Joseph's Church, Danbury, where he has served as a trustee. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus of Danbury.
He is survived by several nieces and nephews of which include, George E. LaCava and Rosalie M. Garavel, both of Danbury and Mary Jane Garavel of Southbury, as well as grand and great nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Danbury.
Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.
Friends will be received in the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury on Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Contributions in Mr. LaCava's memory may be made to the Hanahoe Memorial Children's Clinic., 205 Main Street, Danbury.
The Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Avenue, Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
Donald E. Rowland
Donald E. Rowland, 75, of Byron Drive, Westerly, R.I., and formerly of Bethel for 30 years, died Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, at the Phillip Hulltar Center after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. He was the husband of Judith L.(Jendrick) Rowland.
Born July 28, 1924, in Newington, Conn., he was the son of the late Clarence G. and Carolyn (Pimm) Rowland. He attended Newington High School, Class of 1942, and graduated from the University of Connecticut. A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army.
Mr. Rowland was the personnel manager for American Cyanamid Co. of Stamford for 25 years, then the director of corporate and industrial relations at the Barden Corp. in Danbury for 10 years, retiring in 1989.
He was an Eagle Boy Scout, a Quarter Master Sea Scout, an avid ship-model builder and a member of the Newington Board of Education and of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church.
In Bethel, Mr. Rowland was a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Police Commission. In Danbury, he was a member of advisory council for Western CT Hospice and the Board of Community Action. He also was a member of the Board of CT State Technical Colleges and secretary for Chemical Industries of CT.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, the Rev. Dr. Russell Rowland, pastor of the United Church of Christ, Henniker, N.H., and Christopher Rowland of Great Barrington, Mass.; two step-daughters, Sheila Bratton of Boston, Mass., and Eileen Wildman of Danbury; a step-son, Clarence A. Wildman II of Lillian, Ala.; a brother, Alan Rowland of Newington; and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Janet Hodder.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Friday, Jan. 14, 2000, at 11 a.m. in St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, East Beach Road, Charlestown, R.I., with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Care of RI, P.O. Box H, Providence, RI 02901-9979, or to St. Andrew Church Fund, East Beach Road, RI 02813. Arrangements are by The Cremation Society of Rhode Island, Scituate, R.I.
Gregory Sfaelos
Gregory Sfaelos, 32 of Princeton Drive, Macon, Ga. and formerly of Danbury, died in Macon Dec. 19, 1999. He was born in New York City on June 20, 1967, the son of Maria (Kroloka) Sfaelos of Port Arthur, Texas and the late Andrew Sfaelos.
He was a graduate of New Milford High School and Florida Engineering Institute in Orlando and did graduate studies in chemical engineering at LaMarr University, Port Arthur. He was employed as a chemist for the Brown and Williamson Company of Macon.
Besides his mother, he is survived by his brothers: Constantinos Sfaelos of Southbury, Danny Sfaelos of Danbury and James Sfaelos of Boise, Idaho and his sister: Angelika Sfaelos of Port Arthur and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury on Friday at 9:30 a.m. Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
Maria J. Mor
Maria J. Mor died unexpectedly at Mediplex of Danbury on January 10, 2000 at the age of 73. She made her home at 134 Deer Hill Avenue in Danbury since coming here in 1998.
Miss Mor was born in Havana, Cuba, daughter of the late Arturo and Josefa Rodriguez Mor. She graduated First in her class and Valedictorian from the University of Havana in 1952. Miss Mor was a Doctor of Pharmacy and a Pharmaceutical Research Scientist. She came to this country in 1978 and settled in the Bronx, New York.
She will be sadly missed by her sisters, Maria A. Marcote and Mercedes M. Porta with whom she made her home and her nephew, Alfred C. Porta and his family of Danbury. She also is survived by several other nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private and burial in St. Raymond Cemetery, Bronx, N.Y. at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury is in charge of arrangements.
