United States High School Yearbooks by County
Kenneth E. Williams
Kenneth E. Williams, 77, of Golden Hill Road, Danbury, died Monday at his home.
Mr. Williams was a lifelong resident of Danbury and was the husband of Eleanor Fairchild Williams.
He was born in Danbury November 7, 1921, a son of Anson and Elizabeth Jones Williams.
Mr. Williams was a World War II Naval Veteran, serving in the Pacific and Atlantic Theatre and was stationed aboard the USS Ludlow DD438 and the USS Zellars DD777. He was the Webmaster for the reunion committee for both ships. Before his retirement in 1982, Mr. Williams worked for Columbia Magnetics as a Computer Optics Electrical Technician.
Besides his wife, he is survived by 2 sons, Kenneth Jr. of Torrington and John Anson Williams of Mesa, Calif.; 3 daughters, Nancy Moore of Otisfield, Maine, Judith Messenger of Rochester, N.Y. and Elizabeth Mary Carola of New Milford, 1 brother, Charles Williams of Danbury; 3 sisters, Charlotte Lane of Dunnellon, Florida, Arlene Whitehead of Zephyr Hills, Florida and Jean Gabelman of Danbury and 11 grandchildren.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 or Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 30 West Street, Danbury, CT 06810.
Calling hours are Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the New Fairfield Funeral Home, Route 37 at Cottontail Road, New Fairfield.
Lester W. Abrams Sr.
Lester W. Abrams Sr., age 86, of 39 Ridgedale Rd., Bethel, died Sunday at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of the late Lucia Pigaty Abrams.
Mr. Abrams was born in Bethel, September 27, 1913, a son of the late Henry J. and Gertrude Fanning Abrams and served in the Navy during World War II. He was a life long Bethel resident, self employed painter and wall paper hanger. He was a member of the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department and the Bethel Chapter of AARP and American Legion Post 100 in Bethel.
Mr. Abrams is survived by 2 sons, Paul R. Abrams Sr. and his wife, Diane of Bethel and Lester W. Abrams Jr. of Wellfleet, Mass.; 3 brothers, Robert and Warren Abrams of Bethel, Albert Abrams of Florida; 2 sisters, Gertrude Compton of New Jersey and Eva Pearson of Danbury; and a grandson, Paul R. Abrams Jr. of Bethel. He was predeceased by 2 brothers, Henry and Wilbur Abrams and a sister, Georgianna Reynolds.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethel Volunteer Fire Dept., Box 47, Bethel or to the Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Dept., Stony Hill Rd., Bethel, 06801.
The funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church, Bethel, Thursday morning at 9:30, with the Rev. Sheldon Smith officiating. Burial will be in Mount St. Peter's Cemetery, Derby.
The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:30.
Raymond M. Keane
Raymond M. Keane, 81, of Bethel, died Oct. 31, 1999, at the home of his niece, Carla Ricci of 110 Grassy Plain St., Bethel. He was the husband of the late Elaine T. Gallagher Keane, whom he married in St. Mary Church, Bethel, in June 1942.
Mr. Keane was born in Danbury on Jan. 7, 1918, son of the late Martin and Delia O'Gorman Keane. He graduated from Danbury High School in 1936 and from Danbury Teachers College in 1941 with a BA in education.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving until 1952 and he was discharged with the rank of captain. He received the American Theatre Ribbon. Mr. Keane then served as a personnel director in the Department of Defense until his retirement in 1970.
Mr. Keane and his wife had lived in Key Largo, Fla., until this year. He was a Third Degree Knight of Columbus in Florida and a member of St. Mary Church.
Besides his niece, with whom he made his home, he is survived by a sister, Marietta Stieg of Sun City, Calif.; and several other nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury. Friends may call Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury.
Joseph J. McCarthy
Joseph J. McCarthy, 94, a Danbury resident for the past 31 years, died on Sunday, October 31, 1999, at his home.
He was the husband of Julia Spillane McCarthy.
Mr. McCarthy was born in Farramanagh, Kilcrohane, Bantry, County Cork, Ireland, on June 23, 1905. He immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1925, first settling in Buffalo, N.Y., where he completed his electrician's apprenticeship in 1929.
He was employed by the State of New York Department of Corrections, a position he held from 1933 until his retirement in 1966.
Mr. McCarthy had been a Danbury resident since 1968, coming from Ossining, N.Y., where the McCarthy's raised their family.
Dedicating his time to charitable causes, Mr. McCarthy was a longtime member of the John A. Gildea, Division #3, Ancient Order of Hibernians and was honored in 1985 as Hibernian of the Year.
He was active with the McGivney Council #29, Knights of Columbus of Danbury, for which he was a Past Grand Knight, a member of the Brotherhood in Action Committee, the Campaign to Aid the Handicapped and Mentally Challenged, and the Friday Night Men's Group. He was also a member of the McGivney Council Home Corporation and had served as a trustee. In 1973, Mr. McCarthy was honored by the McGivney Council as Knight of the Year.
When a resident of Ossining, Mr. McCarthy served as president of the Police Anchor Club of Westchester and as chairman of the Police Fresh Air Fund, which provided less fortunate inner city children an opportunity to attend summer camp in the Catskills.
He was a member of St. Edward the Confessor Church in New Fairfield.
Besides his wife of 61 years, Mr. McCarthy is survived by a son, Joseph A. McCarthy of Palm Coast, Fla.; three daughters, Kathleen Kilmer of New Fairfield, Peggyann Gioia of Sherman, and Sheila Barrett of Bethel; 11 grandchildren, Claire, David, Dawn, Tim, Karin, Joseph, Julie, Honora, Katherine, Peter and Elizabeth; as well as two great-grandchildren, Timothy and Alexandra. He was predeceased by a son, Timothy J. McCarthy, who was killed in action in Vietnam.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury. Friends will be received Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. McCarthy's memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Western CT, 30 West St., Danbury, CT 06810.
The Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Ave., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Marion L. Fonck
Marion L. Hoffman Fonck, age 64, of Monroe, beloved wife of Anthony T. Fonck, died suddenly Friday, Oct. 29, 1999, in St. Raphael Hospital, New Haven.
Marion was born in Bridgeport, a daughter of the late Stephen and Mary Ophent Hoffman and had been a Monroe resident for 31 years.
In addition to her beloved husband, she is survived by her devoted daughters and their spouses, Linda Cihocki and John of Danbury, Diane Winckler and Arthur Jr. of Bayville, NY, and Mary Jo Norling and Kenneth of Monroe; a beloved brother and his wife, Charles Hoffman and Martha of Trumbull; and five cherished grandchildren, Stephen, Arthur III, Allison, Billy and Kelly. Marion was predeceased by a brother, Louis Hoffman, and a sister, Agnes Pagliuco.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9 a.m. from the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street & Gorham Place, Trumbull, to St. Jude Church, Monroe, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
George Rothe Jr.
George W. Rothe Jr., 78, of 238 Middle River Road, Danbury, died Friday. Oct. 29, 1999, at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of Judith (Slater) Rothe.
He was born Oct. 8, 1921, in the Bronx, N.Y., a son of the late George W. Rothe Sr. and Madeline (Westover) Rothe Villmann.
Mr. Rothe had worked as a foreman for the Ward Leonard Electric Co. for 50 years before his retirement.
He was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Brookfield.
Besides his wife, Mr. Rothe is survived by two sons, Stephen Rothe of Danbury and James Rothe of Safety Harbor, Fla.; a daughter, Carole J. D'Arcangelo of Brookfield; an aunt, Dorothy Neville of Wappinger Falls, N.Y.; two uncles, Chet Westover and Monroe Westover, both of Florida; seven grandchildren; and several cousins.
Funeral services will take place Monday at 11 a.m. at First Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow in Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, N.Y. Friends may call Monday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the First Assembly of God Church.
The Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, is in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the First Assembly of God Church, 133 Junction Road, Brookfield 06804.
Lloyd E. Ridgeway
Lloyd E. Ridgeway, 92, of 13 Meadow Lane, Bethel, died Thursday morning at the Lutheran Home in Southbury. He was the husband of Dorothy A. (Magersuppe) Ridgeway.
He was born in Danbury on April 7, 1907, son of Edward and Hortense Genung Ridgeway and he attended local schools.
Mr. Ridgeway had worked as a quality control inspector for Plastic Moulding of Newtown for 13 years before his retirement at the age of 73.
He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury and was an avid gardener, specializing in the growing and cross breeding of marigolds and lilies.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, Mark H. DeJulia of New Preston, CT, and Bruce R. Wallace of Bethel; and a granddaughter, Amy Czupkowski of New Milford.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 30, 1999, with the Rev. Daniel Wehmeier, Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial was in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
The Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury, was in charge of arrangements.
Charles I. Pitcher
Charles I. Pitcher, 79, died in Silver Creek, Georgia, May 26, 1999. He was born in Hamden, CT, July 4, 1919, son of the late Charles E. And Esther Wilson Pitcher. He was formerly a Danbury area resident and attended Danbury schools.
He was the husband of Sadie S. Pitcher and father of June Lovergine, both of Silver Creek. His survivors also include his sister, Lois Darrah of Danbury and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mr. Pitcher was a veteran of World War II serving with the 4th Armored Division. He was a member of the American Legion. He loved all animals and was an avid fisherman.
After services in Georgia, burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel, CT. There are no calling hours.
A graveside service conducted by the Rev. James Stinson, pastor of the United Methodist Church, will be private.
Theodore Ryks
Theodore Ryks, formerly of Danbury, passed away on May 25, 1999, in St. James, FL. He was 75 years old.
He is survived by his wife, Margret; three daughters, Maria Young of Spring Creek, NV, Elizabeth Hoge of Ellijay, GA, and Antoinette Crawford of New Fairfield, CT; a son, Takis D. Ryks of St. James, FL; four grandsons, four granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.
Jose E. Zuniga
Jose E. Zuniga died May 28, 1999, at the Danbury Hospital at the age of 38. He was the husband of Ramona Peralta Zuniga and lived at 71A Merrimac St., Danbury.
Mr. Zuniga was born in El Salvador, Central America, April 4, 1961, son of Esteban and Hilda Consuegra Zuniga. He was educated in El Salvador and came to this country 19 years ago and worked as a cook at various restaurants and pizza shops. He was employed at the Pizza Palace in Newtown prior to his illness. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and the El Salvador Soccer Team in Danbury.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his father of El Salvador and his mother of Danbury; his sons, Steven of Freeport, LI, NY, and Johnny of Danbury; his daughters, Nelgin and Damaris Zuniga, both of Danbury; his brother, Nelson of Danbury; as well as several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Golden Hill Road, Danbury, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Peter Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury, on Sunday and Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Ruth M. Meany
Ruth M. Meany, age 68, of 37 Katrina Circle in Bethel, Conn., died Thursday, May 27, 1999 at her home. She was the wife of Gerald J. Meany.
Mrs. Meany was born in Carlstadt, N.J. on July 3, 1930, a daughter of the late Charles and Bertha Field Christian. She had been a Bethel resident for over 19 years.
She had worked in the admissions office at Rutgers University and, more recently, worked for 15 years at the YMCA Day Care Center in Bethel, retiring in 1996. Mrs. Meany was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Bethel and enjoyed gardening and birdwatching.
Besides her husband, she is survived by a son, Michael Meany and his wife Theresa of Prospect, Conn.; twin daughters, Maureen Meany of Bethel, Conn. and Colleen Mangogna and her husband Phillip of Yardeville, N.J.; a brother, Richard Christian of San Mateo, Calif.; a sister, Doris Clause of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 30 West St., Danbury, CT 06810 or to the Danbury Hospital Cancer Center, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.
The funeral will be conducted on Saturday, 10:30 a.m., from the Hull Funeral Home, 60 Division St., Danbury to St. Mary's Church in Bethel for a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated at 11 a.m.
Cremation and interment will take place at the convenience of the family.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Hull Funeral Home.
