United States High School Yearbooks by County
James P. O'Connor
MIAMI, FL - James P. O’Connor, 90, of Miami, Florida and formerly of Waterbury died peacefully on December 16, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in Miami after a very short illness.
Jim was born in Waterbury on April 18, 1921 son of the late Nora (O’Connor) and James O’Connor. He graduated from St. Francis Grammar School, Crosby High School and Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Jim worked at RCA International for over 35 years and traveled extensively around the world. After his retirement to Florida, he continued to visit his family in Waterbury each summer. He took great pride in his family and enjoyed time spent with all of them.
Jim is survived by one brother, Ret. Col. Francis X. O’Connor of State College, PA, and was predeceased by three brothers, John, Maurice (Moe) and Kevin O’Connor, and two sisters, Mary DiLorenzo and Helen Kramer. In addition, he leaves a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday January 21 at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 Robbins Street. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. There are no calling hours. The Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow Street is in charge of arrangements.
Arthur S. Baker
WATERBURY - Arthur S. Baker, 86, of Waterbury died Monday January 2, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital. He was the husband of Margaret (Reardon) Baker.
Mr. Baker was born in Boston June 11, 1925 son of the late Arthur and Evelyn (Burns) Baker and was a US Marine Corps veteran of World War II having served in the Pacific Theater. He was a retired employee of Scovill Manufacturing Co. and Century Brass Co.
Besides his wife he is survived by 1 son; Brian W. Baker of Waterbury and 1 daughter; Ellen Wilson and her husband David of Columbia, MD, 3 grandchildren; Victoria Baker, Michael Wilson, and Emily McGregor. He was predeceased by a son, Christopher J. Baker.
Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Danbury at the convenience of the family. The Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow St. is in charge of arrangements.
William J. Brophy, Sr.
WATERTOWN - William J. Brophy, Sr., 91, of Watertown, died peacefully Monday, May 7, 2012 at his home. He was the husband of Esther (Welch) Brophy.
Mr. Brophy was born in Waterbury March 20, 1921 son of the late James and Margaret (Greene) Brophy. He had been a longtime employee of the Chase Brass & Copper Company. After his retirement he worked for Tech Systems in Thomaston for several years.
Mr. Brophy enjoyed farming, especially tending to his vegetable and flower gardens. He also enjoyed antique tractors, masonry work, polka music and dancing and spending time with his large and extended family. He was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church.
Besides his wife of 57 years, he is survived by four children; Peggy Woods and her husband Joe of Chalfont, PA, Bill Brophy of Watertown, Tim Brophy of Avon, and Chris Brophy and his wife Karen of Wilton, 8 grandchildren; Jessica, Joe IV, William, Sean, Dane, Tyler, Jake, and Adam, 1 great granddaughter; Claire, and 1 sister: Elizabeth Flanagan of Watertown, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister; Mary Truelove, and 2 brothers; James and John Brophy.
The Funeral will be Friday May 11th at 9:00 am from the Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow Street, Waterbury to St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main Street, Watertown for a Mass at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made to VNA Health Care Inc., 50 Brookside Rd., Waterbury, CT 06708, or St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main Street, Watertown, CT, 06795, or a kind gesture to someone special in your life in honor of Bill.
Eleanor (Brenneis) Gerard
WATERBURY – Mrs. Eleanor (Brenneis) Gerard, 94, of Waterbury, died peacefully Monday, April 2, 2012 at the Cheshire House after a brief illness. She was the widow of Leo J. Gerard.
Mrs. Gerard was born in Waterbury May 9, 1917 daughter of the late John and Nora (Scannell) Brenneis and was a graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School.
A lifelong communicant of St. Michael’s Church she was currently the longest continuous member of the parish. She was a devoted mother who enjoyed staying home and raising her family.
Mrs. Gerard is survived by one son, James L. Gerard and his wife Juanita, and two daughters, Leslie M. DePaulo and Nancy Mazzini and her husband Bill, all of Waterbury. She is also survived by one sister, Sister Marguerite Brenneis, CND of Wilton, and four grandchildren, Nina Quesnel, and her husband Dan, Melissa DePaulo Lott and her husband Darryl, Bryan DePaulo and his wife Jonquil, and Alex Mazzini, three great grandchildren, John Brennan, Eleanor Lott, and Gabrielle Lott. She was predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy Healy and Catherine Thompson.
The family would like to thank the Cheshire House staff, especially Bernadine for the comfort and kind care they provided over the past year.
The funeral will be Wednesday April 4th at 9:15 am from the Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow St. to St. Michael's Church, 62 St. Michael's Dr. for a Mass at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hour is Wednesday from 8:15 am until 9:15 am at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael's Church, 62 St. Michael's Dr., Waterbury, CT 06704.
Raymond Emile LaPierre
Scovill Manufacturing Co. Retiree
WATERBURY - Raymond Emile LaPierre, 77, of 157 Deerfield Ave. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Paradigm Healthcare Center of Waterbury on Monday January 9, 2012. He was the husband of Gail (Barbour) LaPierre.
Mr. LaPierre was born in Waterbury January 4, 1935 son of the late Emile and Bertha (Demske) LaPierre. He graduated from St. Margaret Grammar School and Leavenworth High School and served in the US Army reserves. Until his retirement he was employed for 30 years by Scovill Manufacturing Co. as a toolmaker and also worked part-time for Joanna Vitale Real Estate Agency. He loved spending time with his family, camping at the beach, had a passion for old cars, and was a communicant of the Basilica of The Immaculate Conception.
In addition to his wife of 50 years he is survived by one son; Robert LaPierre and his wife Rebecca of Elkins Park, PA, two daughters; Michelle D'Angelo and her husband Michael of Thomaston and Sharon Schmidt and her husband Lee of Waterbury, two granddaughters; Jillian Grace LaPierre and Peyton Jules LaPierre, a cousin; Marilyn Nichols of Naugatuck, a sister-in-law; Roberta D'Amico of Watertown, and a niece and a nephew. He was predeceased by a sister; Claire LaPierre.
Many thanks to those who cared at Paradigm, especially Rachael & Sue, and the wonderful staff of Vitas Hospice.
A private Funeral Mass will be held at the Basilica of The Immaculate Conception and burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow St. is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Vitas Hospice Care, 1579 Straits Turnpike, Suite C, Middlebury, CT 06762.
Catherine "Rita" Doolan
Proud of her Irish Heritage
WATERBURY – Mrs. Catherine "Rita" (McDonald) Doolan, 80, of Waterbury, died Monday, May 21, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Francis “Pup” Doolan.
Mrs. Doolan was born in Waterbury January 24, 1932 daughter of the late John and Mary (Loye) McDonald who had emigrated from Newry, Ireland. She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Grammar School and Waterbury Catholic High School, was a past officer and longtime member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, and a communicant of the Basilica Of The Immaculate Conception. She was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed travelling, especially on trips to Ireland
Besides her husband, she is survived by her 5 children; Kevin of Waterbury, Terry and his wife Beth of Waterbury, Kerry Tutolo and her husband Steve of Wolcott, Michael of Wolcott, and Patrick and his wife Alaine of Bristol, 3 sisters and a brother, Mary Moritis, Ellen Laudati and her husband John, John McDonald and his wife Jan, and Frances Alteri, all of Waterbury, 7 grandchildren, Michael and his wife Amy, Ryan, and Greg Tutolo, Kerry and John Doolan, and Olivia and April Doolan., and 1 great granddaughter, Emma Tutolo. She was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Kathleen Doolan.
The funeral will be Friday May 25, 2012 at 9:00 am from the Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow St. to the Basilica of The Immaculate Conception, 74 West Main St. for a Mass at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the funeral home. The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will meet at the funeral home on Thursday at 6:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart High School Advancement Fund, 142 South Elm, Waterbury, CT 06706.
Richard Allen Burns
Richard Allen Burns, 63, formerly of Waterbury, died surrounded by family on March 4, 2012 at Bradley Memorial Hospital after a hard-fought battle against diabetes.
Richard was born on April 25, 1948 in Waterbury to Ruth (Cicio) Burns of Waterbury and the late Richard John Burns. Besides his mother he is survived by his two children, Ryan Burns and his wife Laura of Cromwell; and Shannon Burns of Middletown; two grandchildren, Isabella Davis and Evan Burns; and a plethora of nieces and nephews. Richard is also survived by his sisters, Deirdre Kolesnik and her husband Michael of Clinton, CT; and Patricia Burns Reid and her husband James of Southington, CT.
Richard attended S.S. Peter & Paul grade school, went to Croft and graduated from Kennedy High School. He worked for Sullivan Cable for many years, and was the owner of the family business, O’Hearns Hardware, which had been in the family for 3 generations before its closing. A U.S. Army veteran, he served our country in the Vietnam War from October 17, 1967 to October 1, 1969 and served in the Reserves until October 16, 1973. He was a devout Catholic and attended the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury for the last several years of his life. Richard was a loyal Boston Red Sox fan who loved his dogs like family.
The funeral will be held Thursday March 8th at 9:00 a.m. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 115 Willow Street, Waterbury to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 74 West Main Street, Waterbury for a Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at the State Veterans’ cemetery at 317 Bow Lane, Middletown. Friend may call at the funeral home on Wednesday March 7th from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Richard’s family would like to thank the staff at The Orchards of Southington and Countryside Manor of Bristol for their loving care in the last months of Richard’s life.
