United States High School Yearbooks by County
Chhaganlai Rana
Chhaganlai Rana, 75, of Danbury died Wednesday at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of the late Jariben Rana.
He was born in India July 17, 1924, a son of Sukha and Vichtor (Ben) Bhai.
Mr. Rana was retired from Ullman Devices Corporation in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He is survived by 3 sons, 2 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law, 3 grandsons and 3 granddaughters.
Calling Hours: Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main Street, Danbury.
Services: Friday at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Family and friends will proceed to the crematory at 10 a.m.
David Prescott Molden
David Prescott Molden, born Aug. 12, 1963 in Omaha, Neb., passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, August 17. David lived in Iowa, Minnesota, Brussels, Paris, and Connecticut before making Park City his home. He first visited on a ski trip with friends in the 80's and was forever captivated by the beauty of the mountains, the people and the hospitality of Cisero's and Main Street. He had recently started a tree nursery business in Wanship called Big Tree Nursery of Utah. Prior to starting his own company, David landscaped many Park City and Summit County residences.
He loved to camp, hike, mountain bike and fish the streams and lakes of Utah and he loved his lifelong canine companions Erin, Shannon, Hobart, Nixon and Buzz. He often engaged in passionate discussion on politics and life and he cared deeply about Park City and its future. He adored trees, bluegrass music, the Grateful Dead, Budweiser and nature's beauty.
David is survived by his father Walter Molden and stepmother Pam in Florida, his step-sister Amy in Massachusetts, his sister-in-law Chris and nieces Stephanie and Jennifer in Connecticut. He leaves many loving and devoted friends, Bob and Bernie in Connecticut, the Moberg family in New York. In Park City there are friends too numerous to mention but they will cherish his memory. However, he will be missed most by his best friend, companion, soul mate and chief supporter, Meg Ryan.
Michael J. Dratch
Michael J. Dratch, 80, husband of Barbara (Seaman) Dratch, of 6 Southern Boulevard, Danbury, died at the Pope John Paul II Center for Health Care on Wednesday morning.
He was born in Yonkers, New York, October 22, 1918, son of the late John and Anna Wolkavich Dratch. He moved to Danbury at the age of seven and has been a Danbury resident since. Mr. Dratch was a veteran of World War II, having served in the US Navy as a Seabee. He had worked as a carpenter for many years and later worked as a custodian in the Ridgefield school system. He retired in 1984.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Edward T. Connors Sr. of Danbury; two grandsons, Edward T. Connors Jr. of Danbury and Michael J. Connors of Bethel; two great-grandsons, Patrick E. Connors and Austin M. Connors and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Church on Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery. Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, on Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Pope John Paul II Center for Health Care, 33 Lincoln Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.
Geneva B. Benoit
Geneva Brimhall Benoit, age 93, formerly of 19 Main St., died Tuesday at the Bethel Health Care Center.
Mrs. Benoit was born in Danbury, Conn. April 29, 1906 a daughter of the late Charles D. and Carrie Brockett Brimhall. She was a life-long Danbury resident and for many years served as Executive Secretary of the local Selective Service Board. She was presented in 1962 with a citation certificate naming her honorary member of the New Haven Recruiting Station, and also received a letter from the Infantry Commander for faithful cooperation. She spent 15 years staffside with the Red Cross on its Finance and Armed Services Committees.
Mrs. Benoit is survived by 2 cousins, Carolyn LaPine of Danbury and David Wells of Arizona.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.
A graveside service will be held in section 23 of Wooster Cemetery, Danbury, Friday morning at 11 a.m. There are no calling hours.
The Hull Funeral Home, Sixty Division St., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Susan Furze
Susan Furze of Danbury died on August 31. She was the mother of Susan Licata of Danbury and Karen Silverstein of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
She was grandmother of Susan Gallagher and Debra Licata, and great grandmother of Susie, Ryan and Amanda Gallagher.
A service will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Research Department, PO Box E, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY.
Yashwant Bhavsar
Yashwant Bhavsar, 50, husband of Ranjan Bhavsar, and a resident of 161 Main Street, Danbury, died Tuesday at Danbury Hospital, as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident.
Mr. Bhavsar was born in India, and had been a resident of Danbury for over 21 years. He had been employed as a technician at Danbury Pharmacal, Inc. He is survived by 6 brothers and 3 sisters, besides his wife.
Calling hours will be observed at the Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main Street, Danbury, on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Services will commence at the Homestead on Friday at 9 a.m., and family and friends will proceed to the crematory at 10 a.m.
Christine V. Doyle
Christine V. Doyle, 56, of 58 Remington Rd., Ridgefield succumbed Tuesday evening at Danbury Hospital following a 6 year struggle with Breast Cancer.
Mrs. Doyle is survived by her husband of nearly 35 years, Lawrence, and their three daughters: Barbara Jean of Danbury, Denise Marie and Shannon Maureen, both of Ridgefield. Her sister: Rosemarie Vertullo-Ganz of Atlanta, Ga. Her brother: Paul Vertullo of Miller Place, N.Y.
Christine was born in New York City on Nov. 18, 1942, the loving daughter of the late Anthony and Theresa Vertullo. She graduated from The Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary High School and Christ Hospital School of Nursing in Jersey City, N.J. She began her lengthy career in nursing at the Coronary Intensive Care Units of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. From 1983-1995, Christine provided nursing care at the Congregation of Notre Dame in Ridgefield, a convalescent and nursing home for the CND nuns. Prior to that, she was a substitute nurse in the Ridgefield Elementary Schools. Also, she served as the Head Nurse at St. Charles Hospital in Luling, La.; Head Nurse of the Medical Surgical Unit at Marietta, Ohio's Memorial Hospital; Staff Nurse at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, W.Va. and Head Nurse at Ithaca, New York's Thompkins County Hospital.
In addition to a rewarding nursing career, Christine was a dedicated religious education teacher for more than 25 years at numerous Catholic parishes across the country. She was a Girl Scout Leader, an active member and officer of the Ridgefield PTA, former president of the Marietta, Ohio Newcomer's Club and co-founder of a Catholic Nursery School and Kindergarten Health program in Luling, La.
Her most fulfilling challenge came in recent years as she began working with young women at the Taconic Women's Correctional Institution in Bedford, N.Y. facilitating and teaching parenting skills to the young inmates. A 23 year Ridgefield resident, she was previously of Mendham, N.J.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Ridgefield with the Rev. Robert P. Morrissey, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Friends will be received on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Church Hall of St. Mary's Church, 183 High Ridge Ave., Ridgefield.
Contributions in Mrs. Doyle's memory may be made to the Danbury Hospital Cancer Center, c/o John Pezzimenti, MD, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT. 06810 or to St. Mary's Church Building Fund.
Arrangements by Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield, CT. 06877
Cecil Craft
Cecil "Chris" Craft, age 74, husband of the late Rita (Rhea) Craft of 13 Albert Road, Danbury, formerly of Newtown, died Sunday, August 29, 1999, in Ashlar of Newtown.
He was born in Oyster Bay, NY, on April 16, 1925, son of the late Cecil and Margaret Ann (Clemens) Craft.
Mr. Craft enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and served on destroyers in the Pacific Theater during World War II and the Korean War. He was the recipient of several battle stars. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Torpedo Man, First/Class in 1962.
Mr. Craft moved to Newtown following his discharge from the Navy and was hired as a Stationary Engineer at the power plant of Fairfield Hills Hospital, a position he held for 15 years. More recently he was employed as a courier for Newtown Savings Bank.
One of his favorite pastimes was ballroom dancing.
He is survived by two sons, Christopher Craft of Brookfield and Timothy Craft of Southbury, 2 brothers, Edgar Campbell of Scarsdale, NY and George Campbell of Kingston, NY and a granddaughter, Cristen L. Craft.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999, at 10 a.m. Cremation will follow. Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Contributions may be made to Ashlar of Newtown, P.O. Box 5505, Newtown, CT 06470.
Jasper L. Connor
Jasper L. Connor, 45, passed away at his home on August 27, 1999.
He was born in Wilson, North Carolina, on July 22, 1954, the son of Betty (Parker) Connor and the late Jasper Connor. Mr. Connor lived in New Milford and has been employed by Nestles-FIDCO for over twenty-five years.
Mr. Connor is survived by his mother, Betty Connor of Bethel; a son, Jasper Connor Jr.; two daughters, Lela M. and Balissa J. Connor; five sisters, Huliah Willoughby of Stamford, Julie Hutchinson of Norwalk, Lela Connor of Danbury, Edie Thomas of Danbury, Essie Connor of New Milford; and three brothers, Gardner Connor of Danbury, Ernest Connor Jr. of Bethel and Lester Connor of Danbury, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, on Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A service will be held at the Funeral home at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening.
Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, CT is in charge of the arrangements.
Roy S. Swanson
Roy S. Swanson, 60, of 22 Ramapoo Hill Road, Ridgefield died Tuesday evening at his home after a brief illness. He was the husband of Lynne (Rigano) Swanson.
Besides his wife, survivors include one son; Neil O. Swanson of New Fairfield; one daughter: Adria Patrick of Danbury; one brother; Erling O. Swanson of Roseburg, Ore. Three grandchildren also survive.
Funeral Services will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. at the Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church of Ridgefield, 207 Main St., Ridgefield with the Rev. Randy Day, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Friends will be received on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah St., Ridgefield.
Contributions in Mr. Swanson's memory may be made to the Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church or to the American Cancer Society, 40 North St., Danbury, Conn. 06810.
Hilma (Johnson) Hope
Hilma (Johnson) Hope, 75, of 4601 Mercado Court, Elkton, Fla., formerly of Danbury, died August 30, 1999 at the Ponce de Leon Care Center, St. Augustine, Fla. She was the wife of George E. Hope Jr. of Elkton.
Born in Danbury, May 21, 1924, she was a daughter of the late David and Marjorie (Nichol) Johnson. Mrs. Hope lived in Danbury before moving to Florida 16 years ago.
Mrs. Hope was a graduate of Danbury High School. She was a member of St. Peter's Church in Danbury
Besides her husband, she is survived by three sons; Mark Holmes of Cooper City, Fla., David Holmes of Lake City, Fla. and Peter Holmes of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a daughter, Janis Ruxton of Cos Cob, Conn.; a sister, Marion Vallante of St. Augustine, Fla.; 9 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, on Friday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Church on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, Conn. 06492
William Randolph Hahn
William Randolph Hahn, 70, of Brewster, N.Y., died on August 30, 1999 at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, N.Y. He was the husband of Betty Jean Pagella.
Born in North Bergen, N.J., January 4, 1929, he was a son of the late Robert F. Hahn Sr. and Marguerite Hyatt.
Mr. Hahn graduated from Dumont High School and attended TV Tech School in New Jersey. He was employed at William Nichols TV as a TV technician for 20 years and then became self-employed in 1980.
He was a member of the N.J. National Guard for 12 years, as well as the Putnam and Westchester 4H Horse Show Committee for 13 years. Mr. Hahn also played Spanish and Hawaiian electric guitar in local country and western bands.
Besides his wife of 49 years, he is survived by a son, William A. Hahn of Worcester, N.Y. ; a daughter Nancy Lynn Bowen of Medina, Ohio. ; grandchildren William A. Hahn Jr., Christy Hahn and Justin Hahn of Worcester, N.Y. and Hunter Bowen of Medina, Ohio; and two nieces Barbara Karsten and Lynda Hahn of Leonaka Harbor, N.J.
Friends may call Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Terrace, Brewster, N.Y. The memorial service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at the George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, N.J.
James B. Welles Jr.
James Bell Welles Jr. of Chappaqua, N.Y., devoted husband and father, died on August 28, 1999 after a brief illness.
Born in Schenectady, N.Y. on August 27, 1918, Mr. Welles was the second child of James B. Welles and Grace Eleanor Frazer. His sister, Mary Bruce of Rochester, N.Y., survives him.
Mr. Welles graduated from Columbia College and Columbia Law School. During World War II, he was a major with the USAAC, 366th Fighter Group. He was a retired senior partner with the firm of Debevoise, Plimpton in New York City.
Mr. Welles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ann Thom Welles, and his children, Nancy W. Leahy, James B. Welles, III, Thomas B. Welles, and Amy B. Welles. His son, William B. Welles, predeceased him. Mr. Welles also has nine grandchildren.
Mr. Welles was actively involved with many charitable organizations including the Burke Rehabilitation Center, Chappaqua Historical Society, Columbia University, Emma Willard School and St. Mark's Church.
A memorial service will be held on September 2, 1999, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Church, Mt. Kisco, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y. or Camp Dudley in Westport, N.Y.
