United States High School Yearbooks by County
Drew Saum Palmer
Drew Saum Palmer, 60, of New Haven died Sunday at his home. Born in Bridgeport, he had been a lifelong resident of Fairfield prior to his move two years ago. Prior to entering the military he worked with his father and enjoyed the harness racing business. He served his country in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. After his honorable discharge he was employed in area restaurants as a cook. He worked on the Fairfield Special Police Department for a few years, then he moved on to driving a school bus for Laidlaw for several years.
Survivors include his mother, Sevrin S. Palmer; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Paige and Wallace Herman, Sis Palmer, and Dody and Jack Fleming; and his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Judy Palmer, all of Fairfield; and his brother, Edward Palmer of Troy, N.Y. He was a good uncle and will be especially missed by his nephews, Tyler and Travis Herman, and his nieces, Taimi Herman and Kelly, Tara, Judy, Patty, Chelsey and Jessica Palmer. He was predeceased by his father, Russell B. Palmer, and brother, Rusty Palmer.
A private memorial service will be scheduled at the convenience of the family. The Fairfield Funeral Home of Edmund W. Dougiello, 36 South Pine Creek Road, is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 661 Old Post Road, Fairfield 06824.
Margaret Powell
Margaret Powell, 91, the wife of the late Raymond D. Powell Sr., died Sunday. She was a lifetime Fairfield resident who most recently resided at Southport Manor. She spent most of her life as a homemaker, but also worked at Carol Carpet as a bookkeeper. She is survived by her children, Raymond D. Powell Jr. and Pam D'Avanzo; sister, Helen Tripoli; two grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Private funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Shaughnessey Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The Connecticut Breast Cancer Coalition/Foundation, P.O. Box 1297, Weston 06883.
Mary H. Rocque
Mary H. Rocque, 84, formerly of Fairfield and Staten Island, N.Y., the wife of the late Francis A. Rocque, died Saturday. Born in New York City the daughter of the late Harry and Josephine (O'Connor) O'Grady, she was raised in New Dorp on Staten Island, where she attended private schools and graduated from Saint Louis Academy. She later graduated from the Grace Institute. Prior to raising her family, she was employed by W.R. Grace & Company and later in life worked for St. Joseph's Hospital in Stamford. She was a Fairfield resident for 35 years prior to relocating to Maine in mid 2003.
She loved music, the color blue, her colorful dresses, Jeopardy, playing Scrabble, reading books, going to plays and dining out, but her greatest joy was time spent with her family. She was proud of her children and grandchildren, and was delighted to have been able to spend time with her family's newest addition, her great-granddaughter. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and one who never forgot a birthday.
Survivors include four children, Frank Rocque and his wife, Ellen, Vincent J. Rocque and his wife, Emily, of Washington, D.C., Mary Jo Pittoni and her husband, Luke, of Stamford and Elizabeth Tennyson and her husband, John, of New Jersey; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; 13 nieces; and eight nephews. She was predeceased by five brothers and a sister. Funeral services will take place today at 9:30 a.m. at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, and at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church with a Mass of Christian burial. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Church Capital Fund, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield 06824.
Stanley S. Stankey
Stanley S. Stankey, 59, formerly of Southport, died Thursday at St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury. He was a resident of Southport before residing for the past 20 years in Naugatuck. He was employed by Perkin Elmer in electronics for more than 25 years and previously by Grand Union. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years during Vietnam.
He was predeceased by his parents, Steven and Ann, and a brother, Steve. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and three sons, Jessie, Cody and Johnathan, all of Naugatuck; a sister, Ann Majancsik of Southport; nephew, John S. Majancsik of Dixfield, Maine; great-nephew, John Stan-ley Majancsik of Southport; grandson, Tyler Stankey of Nauga-tuck; and several aunts and uncles.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral today at 8:30 a.m. at the Fairfield Funeral Home of Edmund W. Dougiello, 36 South Pine Creek Road, and at 9 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church with a Mass of Christian burial. Interment will be private.
Honnour G. (Hackett) Ristau, 97
Honnour G. (Hackett) Ristau, 97, of Norwalk, died Feb. 21, 2010, at Notre Dame Convalescent Home. Born in Torrington, the daughter of the late William and Mary (Garen) Hackett, she was the wife of the late Gerhart Ristau. A former member of the Columbiettes, St. Philip's Seniors and the VFW Women's Auxiliary, she was more recently serving on the Notre Dame Guild.. Ristau was a retired nurse's aide and volunteer at Notre Dame for 40 years.
Predeceased by her husband, and several brothers and sisters, she is survived by two sons; Gerhart Kookie Ristau of Danbury, and Theodore Ristau of Norwalk, six loving grandchildren, and six cherished great-grandchildren, as well as two sisters, Mary Furlan of Harwinton and Leona Surdam of Burriville, Conn. and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to: St. Philip Church, Notre Dame Convalescent Home or the V.F.W. National Home, 3513 S. Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827.
Ann B. Sussman
Ann B. Sussman, 74, longtime Trumbull resident, died Thursday. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Oct. 15, 1931, she was the daughter of Helen and Harry Sacks. She was married
to her husband, Richard, for 53 years. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and Queens College with a degree in elementary education. She also received her Master of Arts in teaching from Southern Connecticut State University. She taught sixth grade and second grade in the Trumbull Public Schools for 20 years and was beloved by all her students. She volunteered the past 26 years for the Trumbull Emergency Medical Service as an emergency medical technician and as a dispatcher. She also tutored students in preparation to receive their GEDs and in English as a second language. She loved the Yankees and UConn basketball.
She is survived by her two children, Joan Sussman and her husband, Stuart Appelle, of Rochester, N.Y., and Karen Sussman and her husband, Stephen Grathwohl, of Fairfield; four grandchildren, Andrew, Will, Rachel and Aaron, whom she loved more than life itself; her brother, Marvin Sacks and his wife, Bea; and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life at the home of her daughter, Karen Sussman, 1178 Burr St., Fairfield, from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Memorial donations may be made to Gilda's Club New York City, 195 Houston St., New York, N.Y. 10014.
Ruth R. Wise
Ruth R. Wise of Fairfield and Moultonborough, N.H., died Saturday. She would have celebrated her 80th birthday this Dec. 25. She was the daughter of the late Russell and Louise Rennison. She was born in Bridgeport and spent most of her life in Fairfield. She attended Fairfield schools, including Roger Ludlowe High School. For the last 35 years, she would summer in New Hampshire with her family and friends. She was a homemaker who loved to shop, cook and bake. She loved flea markets, auctions and tag sales, where she'd hunt for bargains, antiques and collectibles.
She had a tremendous compassion for all animals and nursed many an injured wild animal over the years. Her home was never complete without cats and dogs; she leaves behind her cat, Moochie, and her Boston terrier, Lady. She was a past member of the Sweet Adelines Harmony International. Her hobbies were crafts, gardening and midnight runs to Mohegan Sun. She loved playing poker, pinochle and her most recent passion, Texas Hold'em. Survivors include her son, Stanley E. Ritchie of Bethel; her granddaughters, Louise A. Ritchie of Woodbury and Jeannie M. Fairchild of Danbury; and grandsons, Jason Wise of Florida and Jayme Wise of Bridgeport.
She was predeceased by her husband, Richard E. Wise; her son, Richard A. Wise; her sister, Jeanne Gall; and daughter-in-law, Betty Ritchie. Services will take place tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. at the Fairfield Funeral Home of Edmund W. Dougiello, 36 South Pine Creek Road. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home today from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Derby 06810.
Barbara Niedzwiecki Zeleznik
Barbara Niedzwiecki Zeleznik, 58, died Dec. 2 at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport.
Born in Bridgeport, she was a lifelong resident of Fairfield and attended Andrew Warde High School. She was a waitress for Red Lobster in Norwalk and was an avid gardener in her spare time.
Survivors include a daughter, Desirie Lea of England; a son, Derrick Zeleznik of California; a brother, Peter Niedzweicki of Fairfield; and three grandchildren. A memorial service took place Sunday at the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Swim Across the Sound, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport 06606.
William Slupatchuk, 49, owned Villarina Pasta
Mr. Slupatchuk was born Feb. 27, 1959, in Queens, N.Y., son of William and Olga Slupatchuk.
He was a graduate of Westhill High School, Stamford, and Norwalk Community College.
Mr. Slupatchuk was owner and operator of Villarina Pasta in New Milford.
He was a loving husband and father who will be missed by his family and those who knew him.
In addition to his wife of three years and parents, he is survived by two daughters, Madisun and Sydney Slupatchuk; a brother, James Slupatchuk and his wife Gail; and six nieces and nephews, Alexandria, Jamee, Ashley, Patrick, Gaven and Logan.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to an Education Fund for his daughters and sent to The William Slupatchuk Memorial Fund, c/o Webster Bank, 19 Main St., New Milford, CT 06776.
[Dated September 30, 2008]
Joseph Henriques, 79, lived in New Milford
Joseph Henriques, 79, of New Milford, died Jan. 6, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury. He was the husband of Mary (Pinho) Henriques.
Mr. Henriques was born Dec. 5, 1929, in Murtosa, Portugal, son of the late Joseph and Ana Maria (DaSilva) Henriques.
Mr. Henriques was a self-employed builder, and a devoted, loving husband and father who spent his life caring for his family.
In addition to his wife of 59 years, he is survived by a son, Joseph Henriques and his wife Maureen of New Milford; two daughters, Ana Alosco and her husband Louis of New Milford and Julie Rafala and her husband Domenic of Naugatuck; six grandchildren, Erica Crea and her husband Jason, Joseph Henriques III, Jenni Alosco, Michael Alosco, Joey Rafola and Isabella Rafola; and two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Scout Crea.
Friends may call on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford.
Memorials may be made to the New Milford Hospital Regional Cancer Center, 21 Elm Street, New Milford, CT 06776.
Mary Zurinskas, 91, was born in New Milford
She moved from Brookfield to Port Orange in 1976.
She is survived by her son, Gary Zarr of Duanesbury, N.Y.; daughter, Jan (BJ) Frazier of Savannah, Ga.; grandchildren, Sara Emmens, Jason and Dan Frazier; great-grandchildren, Kylie and Tommy; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Zurinskas was preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, Anthony S.; brother, Stanley Konecko; and sisters, Estell Kennedy and Maleline Bedall.
A Mass will be celebrated today (Friday) at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Danbury. Please make memorial contributions to The Hospice Of Volusia Flagler, 1625 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Orange City, FL 32763. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Lohman Funeral Home Daytona.
[Dated July 16, 2008]
Robert C. Muller, 89, lived in New Milford
He was born April 4, 1919, in Brooklyn, N.Y., son of the late Charles and Catherine (Huver) Muller.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army.
Mr. Muller was a self-employed mechanic. His hobbies included building model boats and baking bread.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
In addition to his wife of 65 years, he will be sadly missed by a son, Charles Muller and his wife Laura of Danbury; two daughters, Cathy DeMarco of Wyckoff, N.Y. and Mary Gallo of Davenport, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son-in-law, Thomas DeMarco.
The Cornell Memorial Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810 or to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897.
[Dated June 5, 2008]
