United States High School Yearbooks by County
Peter J. Basso
Peter J. Basso, age 82, beloved husband of June (Patenaude) Basso of Hawleyville Rd., Newtown, died Sunday morning in the Bethel Health Care after a long illness.
He was born in Brooklyn, NY, Dec. 24, 1916, a son of the late Joseph and Eva Basso. A resident of Newtown since 1965, he was employed by the State of Connecticut for 20 years, first at Fairfield Hills Hospital and later at Southbury Training School. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and took part in the Battle of the Bulge.
He was an active member of the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Department and an honorary member at the time of his death.
His most cherished role was as a loving and doting husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived, besides his wife, by 4 sons, Michael J. Basso & his wife Diana of New Milford, Paul P. Basso, and his wife Ann of Newtown, John R. Basso of Newtown, and Phillip R. Basso and his wife Laurie of Naugatuck; a sister, Mary Ostas of Congers, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren, Christopher, Ashley, Martin, Joshua, Michael, Hayley and Nicholas Basso.
Funeral services will be held at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown, Wednesday, at 11 a.m. Interment in Hillside Cemetery, Castleton, Vt. Friends may call at the funeral Home Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Contributions may be made to the Hawleyville Fire Department, Hawleyville, CT 06440; or the Newtown Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 344, Newtown, CT 06470.
Dorothy L. Bozik
Dorothy L. Bozik died May 15, 1999, at Mediplex of Danbury at the age of 87. She lived at The Commons, Main Street, Danbury.
Miss Bozik was born in Danbury Oct. 25, 1911, daughter of the late Stephen and Francis Kozel Bozik and graduated from Danbury High School class of 1929. She lived in this community all her life and worked as Office Manager for Dr. McDonald in White Plains, N.Y. She was a member of St. Peter Church and the Danbury Senior Center.
She is survived by her sisters, Marie Sandidge and Mildred Halas, both of Danbury, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Church. Burial will be in Wooster Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
Contributions may be made to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund, Danbury, CT 06810, in her memory.
The Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White St., Danbury is in charge of the arrangements.
Lillian Silverman
Lillian Silverman, age 93, of Coconut Creek, FL, and formerly of Danbury, CT, died May 16, 1999. Mrs. Silverman was a member of the United Jewish Center and belonged to the Sisterhood and Hadassah. She was predeceased by her husband, Max, former owner of the New England Tire Co., Danbury.
She is survived by a daughter, Susan S. Cain; a son, Gene Silverman; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., May 17, 1999, graveside, at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, Boynton Beach, FL. Arrangements entrusted to: Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel, 7205 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL.
Edward Beckett
Edward "Dutch" Beckett, 77, of Chapel Place, Danbury, died Saturday at Danbury Hospital.
He was born in Danbury on August 25, 1921, a son of the late Miles E. and Lillian Libonati Beckett and lived in the Bethel-Danbury area most of his life. Mr. Beckett graduated from Bethel High School in 1940 and started his first job building Corsairs for Chance Vought-Sikorsky. He then worked as a draftsman for Connor Engineering Corp. on Shelter Rock Rd., Bethel, for over 30 years, retiring in 1987. He was married to Margaret Gebert.
Mr. Beckett is survived by a son, Paul Beckett of Wassaic, NY; a daughter, Kathleen Courtney of South Salem, NY; 3 grandchildren: Christopher Courtney and Timothy Courtney of South Salem, NY; Elisa Beckett of New Fairfield, CT; 2 step-grandchildren, Christopher Davis, Jr., and Joseph Davis of Wassaic, NY; a brother, Frederick Beckett of Quechee, VT; 2 sisters, Adelaide B. Hull of New Hartford, CT; and Laura B. Muehlfeld of Danbury, CT. He was predeceased by his brother Miles "Sonny" Beckett, Sr.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Immaculate High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, 73 Southern Blvd., Danbury, CT 06810.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 10 AM at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 6:00-9:00.
Robert Repole
Robert Repole, 73, a retired machine operator, died Thursday, May 13, 1999, at Cape Canaveral Hospital, Cocoa Beach, Fla. Mr. Repole was born in Danbury, CT, and moved to Brevard County, Florida, in 1994 from Danbury. He is retired from the Barden Corporation in Danbury as a machine operator. He was a member of D.A.V., Marine Corps League, in Danbury. Mr. Repole was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Marines. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Doris Repole of Merritt Island, FL; a son, Robert J. Repole Jr. of Redding, CT; a daughter, Cheryl Magrino of Merritt Island, FL; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Calling hours are Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Wylie-Baxley Merritt Island Funeral Home, Merritt Island, FL. A Rosary Service will take place Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
Brian E. Tani
Brian E. Tani, age 28, of 29 Lexington Ave., Greenwich, CT, died Friday, May 14, 1999, at his home. Born in Mt. Kisco, NY, April 8, 1971, he was a son of Albert Tani of New Milford, CT, and Dorrie (Colangelo) Carolan of Sandy Hook, CT. He graduated from Newtown High School in 1989, attended SUNY Morrisville, NY, and was employed as a business manager at Marty Motors, Mt. Kisco, NY. Besides his parents, he is survived by 3 brothers, Christopher and Kevin Carolan of Sandy Hook, CT, and Justin Tani of Dover Plains, NY; 2 sisters, Erin Carolan of Sandy Hook, CT and Maria Tani of Dover Plains, NY; his step-father Kevin Carolan Sr. of Sandy Hook, CT; his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Colangelo of Portchester, NY; and his paternal grandfather, Albert Tani Sr. of West Palm Beach, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown, CT, Tuesday, May 18, 1999, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown, CT, Monday, 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Contributions may be made to Perry Fund, c/o High Watch Farm, P.O. Box 607, Kent, CT 06756.
Earle A. Davison
Earle A. Davison, 80, of Bloomfield, husband of Josepha (Verrillo) Davison, died Friday (May 14, 1999) at the McLean Home, Simsbury. Born in New Haven, he lived in Bloomfield for 48 years. Mr. Davison was the former president of the Joseph Merritt Co., Hartford, retiring in 1986. He was a communicant of St. Timothy Church, West Hartford, and a World War II Army Air Force veteran serving in China and India, under General Chaunault, 118th Fighter Squadron with the Flying Tigers. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Mr. Davison was a former president, Golf Club of Avon, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Watkinson School, West Hartford Squires, West Hartford Kiwanis, and the Hartford Rotary Club. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Ned Davison of Bethel; a daughter, Ann D. Pericolosi of Granby; a sister, Helen Callahan of Norwalk; 4 grandchildren, Frank and Marc Pericolosi of Granby and Marc Benninson of Burlington, Vt. and Shay Benninson of Bethel. A funeral procession will leave Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 S. Main St., West Hartford, Monday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Timothy Church, West Hartford. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Friends may call at the funeral home, Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the McLean Assn., Alzheimer's Garden, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070.
Kevin Joseph Dul
Kevin Joseph Dul, 40, of 96 West St., Bristol, husband of Kathleen Smith Dul, died Thursday at Bristol Hospital. Mr. Dul was born in New Britian, June 21, 1958, a son of the late Charles and Mae Washburn Dul. He had lived in New Milford since 1990, moving to Bristol in 1998. He was last employed by MDF Systems of Bristol. Besides his wife, he is survived by 2 sons, Joseph K. Dul and James R. Dul, both of Bristol; 2 daughters, Cassandra Dul of Rock Hill, S.C., and Erin Mae Dul of Bristol; a brother, Alan Dul of Meriden. Services are Monday at 11 a.m. in the Bible Baptist Church, New Milford. Interment at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford, Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Bible Baptist Church, 126 Kent Road, New Milford, CT 06776.
Alan Barry Johnson
Alan Barry Johnson, 49, of 133 Old Litchfield Road, Washington, Conn., husband of Patricia Hubecky Johnson, died Thursday at New Milford Hospital. Born in Rockville Centre, N.Y., Jan. 2, 1950, he was a son of Borghild Petersen Johnson of Tulsa, Okla., and the late Martin R. Johnson. He had lived in Washington for the past 13 years and was employed as a union carpenter with Carpenters Union No. 11 in New York State. Besides his wife, he is survived by a brother, M. Roland Johnson of Washington, Conn.; a sister, Carol Ann Johnson of Tulsa, Okla.; three nephews, Christian Weber, Andrew E. Weber and Peder R. Johnson; and a niece, Gullian L. Johnson. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Washington Ambulance Assn., 109 Bee Brook Road, P.O. Box 294, Washington Depot, CT 06794.
Stanisla LeRoi, Germaine Marks Fodo
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, 1 p.m., at the Center Cemetery in Bethel (next to Agway) for Stanisla LeRoi and her beloved daughter, Germaine Marks Fodo.
Both residents of Danbury, Mrs. LeRoi died March 6, 1999 at the age of 88 and Mrs. Fodo died February 28, 1999 at the age of 65.
Barbara M. Showah
Barbara M. Showah, 71, Danbury native and long time New Fairfield resident passed away in Evergreen, Colorado on April 29, 1999.
She lived in Evergreen for the past three years.
She was the choir director for the St. George Eastern Orthodox Church from 1953-1973, a member and past-president of the St. George Ladies Society.
She attended college at Ithaca College, Texas A&M University, and graduated from Western Connecticut State University. She was a member of the Texas A&M Aggie Players.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Lisa Peknik Henry of Denver, CO and Davida Peknik Hoffman of Colorado Springs, CO, her sons, Donald Peknik of New Smyrna Beach, FL and Daniel Peknik of Los Altos, CA, her sister Brenda Shamas of Trumbull, CT and brother Samuel Showah of Ocala, FL.
A memorial service will be held on June 12, 1999 at 5:45 PM at St. George Eastern Orthodox Church on Kohanza Street in Danbury.
Jacalyn Harmon
Jacalyn Harmon, age 61, of Rock Ridge Road, Southbury, died Wednesday, May 12, 1999 at her home.
Miss Harmon was born in Cambridge, Mass., August 31, 1937, a daughter of the late Henry S. and Iva (Caswell) Harmon. She was a graduate of Bridgewater State College and earned a Masters Degree from Boston University. A resident of Southbury the past 20 years, she was employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Therapist by the State of Connecticut at the Greater Bridgeport Mental Health Center and previously at Fairfield Hills Hospital, Newtown.
She is survived by a brother, Henry C. Harmon of Kemang, Jakarta, Indonesia, a close friend, Patricia Papcin of Southbury and a loving extended family.
Funeral Services will take place at the convenience of the family. Contributions may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation, 2320 Bath St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Arrangements by the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown.
Harry A. Kahn
Harry A. Kahn, 88, died April 29 at the Claridge House, North Miami, FL. Mr. Kahn was born in Danbury, Feb. 9, 1911 and attended local schools and was employed by several area businesses until moving to Florida with his late wife, Edna, in 1989.
He is survived by his daughter Sondra Cohn of Bay Harbor Islands, FL, his son William and daughter-in-law Bernadine of Southbury, grandson Scott Cohn of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, grandson Jeffrey of Phoenix, AZ, granddaughter Heather of Baltimore, MD.
Funeral services and burial took place on April 30th at Lakeside Memorial Cemetery, North West Miami, FL.
James Fantin
James Fantin, 92, husband of Marion (Piacenti) Fantin, of 164 South St., Danbury, died at Danbury Hospital Wednesday morning.
He was born in Kimberly, Nevada, November 12, 1906, a son of the late Livio & Margaret Fantin. As a child, his family moved to Meduno, Italy, where he was raised and served as an altar boy. He returned to the United States in 1922 and has been a Danbury resident since 1932.
Mr. Fantin had owned and operated the Fantin Tile Co. until he retired in 1984. He had been an avid gardener and fisherman and was an expert on wild mushrooms and a bird enthusiast.
In addition to his wife Marion of 66 years, he is survived by a son, Edward D. Fantin of Brookfield, a grandson, Edward J. Fantin of Kingsport, Tennessee, 4 great-grandchildren, Holly Stephanie, April and David, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be from the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, on Friday morning at 9:30 and to St. Peter Church at 10 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery. Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc., 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford CT 06492.
Mona Mercurio
Mona Mercurio, whose affable personality and extraordinary sense of humor touched the lives of many, died on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9, 1999 at Stamford Hospital after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 66 years old.
Mona was born in Yonkers, N.Y. on May 14, 1932, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Lisa. Her maiden name, "Mona Lisa," was befitting and at one point in the late 1950s afforded her a television game show guest appearance. In 1954, Mona married Vincent Mercurio. They had three children, James, 38, married and residing in Manhattan, Carolyn, 35, residing in Stamford, and Vincent, 33, residing in Barcelona, Spain. Her former husband, Vincent Mercurio, is 73 and still resides in Mahopac, N.Y., where the family had lived for over 25 years. Mona resided in Danbury, Conn. for the past 16 years.
As per Mona's last wishes, a small private memorial ceremony was held for immediate family only on May 11.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations by made to the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Conn.
John F. Gorski
John F. Gorski, 92, a resident of 56 Golden Hill in Danbury, proprietor of Danbury Saw Service, died as the result of a fire in his home on Monday morning, May 10, 1999.
Mr. Gorski was born in Danbury on June 20, 1906, a son of Peter and Nellie Gorski. He spent his early years in New York and returned to Danbury and became a hatter by trade. He was mechanically inclined, and soon associated with the former Doran Brothers Manufacturing Co. He later worked at the Barden Corporation and founded his lawn mower repair service and his saw sharpening service. He had been a member of the Polish American Club and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Danbury.
Mr. Gorski is survived by his two daughters, Arlene M. Backman of Brookfield and Jeanne F. Stasny of Danbury; two brothers, Raymond Gorski of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Edward Gorski of Long Island, N.Y.; two granddaughters, four great-grandsons and several nieces and nephews.
Private funeral arrangements are under the direction of The Tomlinson Homestead, 336 Main St., Danbury.
In recognition of the outstanding and caring service displayed by the Danbury Fire Department, contributions on their behalf may be made to Bridgeport Hospital Foundation Burn Center, 267 Grant St., Bridgeport, CT 06610.
Lelah Losee
Lelah (England) Losee, 73, of 4 Michael Koury Terrace in Torrington, Conn., died Monday, May 10, 1999 at Valerie Manor Health Care Center in Torrington.
Mrs. Losee was born in Indianapolis, Ind. on May 1, 1926, a daughter of the late Oscar and Lelah (Bloxcam) England.
She had lived in New Milford from 1972 until 1982, when she moved to Torrington.
Mrs. Losee is survived by two sons, Robert Losee of Torrington and George D. Losee of Southbury; one daughter, Carol R. Kanuk of Pennsylvania; one brother, John England of North Massapequa, N.Y.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, 1:30 p.m., at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford with Rev. Richard E. Crews officiating. Interment will be in Morningside Cemetery in Gaylordsville.
Friends may call at the Lillis Funeral Home in the hour preceeding the service.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 40 North St., Danbury, CT 06810.
Willie Mae Coaxum Scott
Willie Mae Coaxum Scott, of Savannah, Ga., died May 10, 1999 at age 87.
She was born on May 4, 1912 in Savannah, Ga. She was a resident of Danbury, Conn. from 1964 until 1986, when she moved back to Savannah.
She leaves to mourn six daughters, Henrietta Brockington and Geraldine Swan, both of Savannah, Ga., Tomasina Mitchell of Bluffton, S.C. and Jamesetta Scott, Delores Elleby and Cynthia Scott-Mayo, all of Danbury, and one son, James Scott of Waterbury. She was predeceased by two sons, Marion Coaxum and Charles Scott, and three grandchildren, Sheila Scott, Kimberly Scott and Velitha Elleby, all of Danbury. She also leaves 25 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Danbury.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, 1:00 p.m., at Greater Garvin Temple Church in Savannah, Ga.
Arrangements are by Williams and Williams Funeral Home, Savannah, Ga.
