United States High School Yearbooks by County
CONNIE S. MANIATTY
Connie S. Maniatty, a Wall Street executive, lifelong philanthropist, husband, father and brother, died Jan. 8, 2010, at his home in Westport, at the age of 90. His wife of 61 years, Betty, was at his side.
He joined Salomon Brothers in 1943, he became a general partner in 1960 and remained so until his retirement in 1979, when he became a limited partner, then honorary partner in 1982. Due to a series of mergers, his most recent position was honorary managing director of Citigroup.
"Connie was my first boss at Salomon Brothers back in 1966, and I was lucky to land under him -- he was a great mentor and a true gentleman. Sitting right next to him, I learned the business of bond trading -- and every day saw the importance of hard work and honest leadership, " said Michael R. Bloomberg, mayor, City of New York.
"Connie Maniatty was responsible for a whole generation of Salomon Partners who went on to succeed and revolutionize the capital markets. He taught us to work hard and think outside the box, but most of all to do the right thing. We will miss him, " said Lewis Ranieri, former vice chairman, Salomon Brothers, founder and general partner of the Hyperion Group, CEO of Ranieri & Co.
"As incredibly successful as he was professionally, he had such a passionate enthusiasm for his friends, his tennis game, his charities, his alma mater, and most importantly his family. He was as loyal a friend and as good an example of a true gentleman as you will ever find in this world ... but God help you if you were up a game on him in the third set. It was then best to just get out of the way, as his fiery competitive streak was unleashed. Boy, he hated to lose, but he was always just as graceful in defeat, as he was in victory. I learned a lot of lessons from Mr. Maniatty, all of which I carry with me today, and I will miss him very much, " said Sean McManus, president, CBS News & Sports.
After graduating from Deerfield Academy, Maniatty went to New York City and entered Columbia College, from which he graduated in 1943. This was also the beginning a life-long love affair with both the city and the school. He worked tirelessly raising money for Columbia and became a huge supporter of Columbia athletics.
"We have lost our true lion, a great man, a great friend, a great trustee and the best Columbia lion ever. I can never thank him enough for what he did for me when I was coaching Columbia football and how he helped me when I left. Without Connie there would be no football program and no Bill Campbell. I can honestly say that I have never known anyone that I respected more, " said William "Bill" V. Campbell, chairman of the board and former CEO, Intuit Inc.
Maniatty lent support to many athletic programs, not just football. He provided financial backing to every female and male athletic team at Columbia and Barnard for the past 40 years.
"Without a doubt, there is no one I've ever known who gave more of himself to Columbia and Columbia football. Moral, financial, any support -- he was always there. Connie enabled us to do things that we could not have accomplished without his support. He believed strongly in women's athletics, and when we began them in the early 1980s, he contributed to them. The NCAA limits recruiting budgets to funds contributed by alumni, and we would never have been able to recruit for women's teams, which of course had no alumnae, if he hadn't been supportive. He also gave strong support to the building of Wien Stadium. I don't think we could ever have gotten it off the ground, if it hadn't been for Connie, " said Al Paul, the director of athletics at Columbia University from 1974 to 1991
Indeed, Maniatty worked for 17 years to get Columbia a new football stadium. Finally, a substantial donation by Larry Wein, as well as large donations from Maniatty and his best friend, Eugene Remmer, got the project up and running. Maniatty and Remmer also funded the building of an Alumni Lounge in Wein Stadium, which was named in their honor. The Maniatty-Remmer Alumni Lounge opened Sept. 22, 1984.
"Connie was Mr. Columbia University. He already is terribly missed by all the students who were there and those who have wanted to enter. I will never forget his kindness and generosity; it was a great honor to have known him. He will be in my prayers forever, " said Dr. Julius Maldutis, president and chief airline analyst for Aviation Dynamics, Inc.
Maniatty was elected to the Board of Trustee's of Columbia University in 1973 and served until 1985, when he became a Trustee Emeritus. He also served Columbia well in many other capacities. He was an Executive Committee member, chairman of the President's Alumni Advisory Committee on Athletics, chairman of the Columbia Football Advisory Committee for 35 years, a member of the Columbia College Board of Advisors from 1975-1983 and permanent president of the Columbia College class of 1943.
Columbia honored Maniatty for his exceptional efforts by awarding him the Columbia Alumni Medal, the Columbia Varsity "C" Athletic Award, the John Jay Award in 1982, the Father Ford Award of Distinction in 1986. He was also awarded two citations from the Catholic Society of Columbia University, one of which was the Menton Award, and was an honored member Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity.
In 2006, he was inducted into the Inaugural Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of his continued support of Columbia Athletics.
Retirement was not in Maniatty's vocabulary. In 1979, the same year he "retired" from Salomon Brothers, he was elected to the Board of Trustees of Norwalk Hospital, and served two consecutive 3-year terms. He was elected secretary to the Board of Trustees from 1983-1984 and vice chairman from 1984-1986. In December of 1986, Maniatty was named chairman of the board and was re-elected to an unprecedented nine consecutive terms. He stepped down in 1995.
While still chairman of the Board of Trustees, Maniatty founded the Norwalk Hospital Foundation and was named chairman at its inception in 1989. He remained chairman until 2006. During his tenure at Norwalk Hospital, more than $80, 000, 000 was raised for the capital improvement project, which literally transformed the hospital for the 21st century from a small city hospital into one of the most highly regarded hospitals in the state. Maniatty was honored by Norwalk Hospital on Oct. 13, 1995, with a gala attended by many celebrities, prominent philanthropists and state dignitaries alike.
"Connie, one of the longest serving chairmen of Norwalk Hospital, distinguished himself by his steady and stern leadership during a time when hospitals were at risk of being absorbed into larger medical systems and with financial restraints, threatening extinction. His commitment to our remaining a `Community Hospital' was unswerving and will forever be his legacy, " said Carol B. Bauer, former chairman of the board at Norwalk Hospital.
Throughout his many years in business, philanthropy and health care leadership, Maniatty was strengthened by a special resource unique to him -- the interest and support of Betty Maniatty, a wife whose background in nursing further underscored his feelings of responsibility about insuring quality health care in their community through Norwalk Hospital ... not only today, but tomorrow as well.
At Mt. Holyoke College, Maniatty set up a scholarship in the name of his sister, Anne S. Maniatty, which she attended.
In Maniatty's hometown of Westport, he was an active member of the Fairfield County Hunt Club and was on the Board of Trustees from 1977--2009. He served as president from 1980 to 1982. In addition, he was a trustee of the Nature Center from 1971 to 2005.
Maniatty always felt indebted to the men and women who protect us at home. In their honor, he created the Scholarship Fund for any Westport police or fire personal or their families who wanted to take college courses to further their education and the Employee Assistance Program, which helped police, fire and EMS with any problems they might have, whether it be financial or emotional. As the first major contributor to the Defibrillator Program, which put a defibrillator in every police car, ambulance and EMS vehicle, he initiated a program that now has saved hundreds of lives. He was also a generous supporter of the Policeman's Benevolent Foundation to benefit the families of police officers and firefighters in his hometown of Westport.
"Connie was a long time supporter of a great many of our programs. He did so much for the Westport Police and Fire Departments. We could never have done as much without supporters like him, " said Alfred R. Fiore, chief of police, Westport.
Maniatty was one of the co-founders of the New York City Police and Firefighters Widows and Children's Benevolent Foundation.
Born in Greenfield, Mass., he was the son of Ellen and Steven P. Maniatty and was one of 13 children. Maniatty married
the former Betty Lasher in 1948 and had three children, Margaret Maniatty Fullington of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Anne Maniatty Walker of Darien, and Philip Maniatty of New Canaan; and five grandchildren, Christina Fullington, Garrett Fullington, Lindsay Walker, Stephen Walker and Lilly Walker. He is also survived by his brothers, Leo Maniatty, Hermes Maniatty, Arthur Maniatty, Christopher Maniatty and Perry Maniatty.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, at Christ & Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane, Westport. There will be a reception following the service at Fairfield County Hunt Club, 174 Long Lots Road, Westport.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Norwalk Hospital Foundation, 34 Maple St., Norwalk, CT 06856; Columbia University Athletics, 3030 Broadway, Dodge Fitness Center, New York, NY 10027; or Christ & Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane, Westport, CT 06880.
Jean J. Cunningham
Jean J. Cunningham, 88, a longtime resident of Greenwich before her retirement, died of natural causes at Jennifer Gardens in Port Richey, Fla. on Nov. 26, 2010.
She was born in Port Chester, N.Y. on June 6, 1922 to Marie and Roy Jenkins. Raised in Byram, she attended New Lebanon School and Greenwich High School where she served as class president. Cunningham was very active in sports in high school, where she met her late husband, Joseph F. Cunningham. They were married
in January of 1942 while he was serving in the U.S. Army/Air Force.
During her husband's time in the service they lived in Utah, Nevada and California before returning to Greenwich in 1946, where they resided until 2002.
Cunningham spent her career as a member of the administrative staff at the North Street School. She was devoted to the school and looked forward to being there every day for almost 30 years, her family said. After the couple retired, they moved to Bayonet Point, Fla.
Cunningham was a lifetime sports enthusiast and won several golf club championships at The Milbrook Club, The Bruce Golf Club and the Beacon Woods Golf Club in Florida.
She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years and is survived by her daughter, Cheryl C. Feldman; her grandson, Jared C. Feldman and his wife, Sara; and her great-grandchild, Samantha Eleanor Feldman.
A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Michael the Archangel Church on Dec. 4. She was buried in St. Mary cemetery next to her husband and her mother.
The family would like to thank the staff of Jennifer Gardens and HPH Hospice for their dedicated care.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jean's memory may be made to Hernando-Pasco Hospice, 12107 Majestic Blvd., Hudson, FL 34667.
Robert Franklin Dresel
Robert Franklin Dresel, 90, a Greenwich resident and retired commander in the U.S. Navy, died peacefully of natural causes on Nov. 7, 2010.
Born in Lykens, Pa. in 1920 to Mabel and William I. Dresel, he graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Dresel earned his wings at Pensacola Naval Air Station in 1943 and then spent four years as a Navy test pilot in Texas and Michigan.
During his 25 years of service, Dresel had tours of duty in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Philippine Islands, Okinawa, Japan, Australia and Taiwan. He was qualified to fly in more than 30 types of aircraft, and was attached to Squadron VP-731 to fly the Martin "Mariner" patrol bombers on reconnaissance and sea patrols overseas. Watching the white caps in Greenwich Harbor made his feet and hands itch to bump up into the sky in one of the PBYs, one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II, his family said. He was stationed aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Bennington (CVA-20) as flight operations officer, and the seaplane tender, U.S.S. Currituck (AV-7) as executive officer. Other military training included photographic interpretation and radar analysis, naval intelligence with the Department of Defense at the Pentagon and Anti-Submarine Warfare.
After retiring, Dresel and his wife moved to a farm in Gainsborough just outside of Winchester, Va., which became "Scuttlebutt Tree Farm" after they restored the house, cleared fields and cleaned up ponds. At its high point, the farm boasted more than 40, 000 trees, which Dresel helped shear by hand into perfect cone-shaped Christmas trees.
While in the Winchester area, he also served as master of ceremonies for the yearly Apple Blossom Festival, helped with sets for musical productions at Shenandoah University, joined the Winchester Apple Valley Chorus and sang in the Chordmasters quartet. He was also a 40-year member of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Dresel never lost his love of flying, his family said, and purchased an Ultra-light to soar over the fields around the Winchester area.
At 75, he decided to retire a second time and the Dresels moved to Greenwich to be closer to their daughter Suzy.
Music continued to be a source of great joy for Dresel. He sang with the Westchester Chordsmen, Melody Men and Silvertones, and gave solo performances for those at the Senior Center. Each winter he helped Greenwich Green & Clean to create holiday hanging baskets for the lampposts in Central Greenwich. His horticultural and artistic skill enabled him to make the sample baskets and assist all the other volunteers. He was also a member of the Red Barons at Greenwich Hospital and the Retired Men's Association.
A stroke in 2001 left him with severe aphasia, but he still looked forward to gathering with the guys for a donut and coffee, his family said.
In 2006, the Dresels moved to Brighton Gardens in Stamford. As a 32-degree Mason, he was active in the following lodges: Valley of Alexandria in Alexandria, Va.; Ashlar Lodge (61 years), in Lykens, Pa; Ali Shan Oasis Shrine Club of Taiwan and Acacia Lodge, in Darien.
Dresel leaves his daughter, Suzanne "Suzy" Simpson; his sister, Mae Britton; and his niece, Adele McCormick.
He was predeceased in 2008 by his wife of 65 years, Jomarie Shannon Dresel.
A celebration of the lives of Jomarie and Bob Dresel will be held on Thursday, January 6, 2011 at 3 p.m. at the Round Hill Community Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lykens Community Development Corp, Inc., 438 South Second Street, Lykens, PA 17048 for the Lykens Family Practice Center.
Edson A. Farqui
Edson A. Farqui, 59, of Riverside, a former Philips Electronics executive and classical pianist, passed away on Dec. 6, 2010 at Greenwich Hospital.
Born in Alagoinhas and raised in Santos, Brazil, Farqui attended the University of Sao Paulo, where he received a bachelors of science in engineering as well as a master's degree in music.
He spent his career of more than 30 years working for Philips Electronics, living and working in Brazil, the Netherlands, California, and New York.
Farqui would frequently attend concerts at Carnegie Hall, and instilled his passion of classical music in his family and friends.
He was a provider, a counselor, and a role model to his wife and children. He will be remembered as a dedicated family man, a loving husband, an accomplished professional and pianist and a loyal friend.
He is survived by the his wife of 33 years, Ana Cristina; a daughter, Christiane; a son, Paulo; a brother, Evaldo; a sister, Edna; and five nieces and nephews.
A Mass will be held in his memory at St. Michael's Church in Greenwich tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Order of Malta. Please mail checks to 1011 First Avenue, Room 1350, New York, NY 10022. Checks should be made payable to "Order of Malta, " with the memo line indicating, "in memory of Edson Farqui."
