United States High School Yearbooks by County
Ruth Ellen Burwell
Ruth Ellen Burwell, 78, of 4 Coulter Ave., Pawling, N.Y., died May 4, 1999 at her home.
She was born in Danbury on March 12, 1921, daughter of Solomon and Blanche Lutz Osborn. She graduated from Pawling High School in 1939. She received a B.A. from Hofstra University in 1944, and a master's in education from New Paltz.
A lifelong Pawling resident, she was a schoolteacher in the Brewster school system from 1953 to 1966 and in the Pawling elementary school system until retiring in 1987.
She was a past member of Pawling Grange, past member of O.E.S., past member of Rebecca Lodge Fellowship of Daughters and past president of Putnam County Teachers Association and Pawling Teachers Association.
She is survived by a daughter, June Pulver of Pawling, N.Y.; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Dorothy Osborne of Pawling, N.Y.; a granddaughter and her husband, Lisa L. and Landis A. Riley II of Nelson, Va.; a granddaughter, Amy L. Pulver of Phoenix, Ariz.; a niece, Lynne Wilcox of Pawling; a nephew, Robert H. Osborne of Pawling; three great-nephews; three great-nieces and a great-great-niece.
A funeral will be held on Friday, 1 p.m., at the Horn & Thomes Funeral Home, 83 E. Main St., Pawling, N.Y. with Rev. Mark Bouffard officiating. Burial will be in Pawling Cemetery in Pawling.
Friends may call on Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Horn & Thomes Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ruth E. Burwell Scholarship Fund c/o Premier National Bank, West Main St., Pawling, NY 12564.
Samuel M. Showah
Samuel M. Showah, 77, founder and former president of Viking Wire Company of Danbury as well as founder and owner of Chem-Tron, based in Danbury, died on Monday, May 3, 1999 at the Danbury Hospital.
A lifelong resident of Danbury, he was born in Danbury on August 7, 1921, a son of Michael S. and Anna M. Showah. He attended local schools.
In 1953, Mr. Showah founded Viking Wire and in 1966 founded Chem-Tron.
Mr. Showah, along with his brother John, operated one of the largest food concessions, known as the Garden Park Cafeteria, at the Great Danbury State Fair from 1945 until 1981.
Active in city government, Mr. Showah was a former member of the Danbury Planning Commission.
He was an active outdoorsman and a member of the Danbury Fish and Game Club and the Danbury Rod and Reel Organization.
A member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Danbury, he was a member of its Mens Society. In earlier years, Mr. Showah served on the former Mahrahjan Committee.
He is survived by three children, Margaret A. Showah, Michael S. Showah and Samuel P. Showah, all of Danbury; his brother, John S. Showah of Danbury; two sisters, Mary A. Nahas of Short Hills, N.J. and Barbara A. Showah of Danbury; three grandchildren, Suzanne, Karen and Samuel; as well as nieces and nephews.
The funeral will take place on Friday, 9:15 a.m., from the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9-11 Granville Ave., Danbury to St. George Antiochian Church in Danbury for the Rite of Burial at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Joseph Longofono officiating. Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury.
Friends will be received in the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. The Trisagion Prayer Service will be conducted in the funeral home on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Memorials in Mr. Showah's memory may be made to St. George Church Building Fund, 125 Kohanza St., Danbury, CT 06811.
Anne Evers Deasy
Anne Evers Deasy, 81, of 95 Sedgwick Ave., Yonkers, N.Y., died May 2, 1999, at New Milford Nursing Home. She was the widow of Joseph Deasy.
She was born in Ossining, N.Y., Dec. 31, 1917, a daughter of James and Florence Hannigan Evers. She had lived for the past 45 years in Yonkers, N.Y., and was employed for many years by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of New York City retiring as a manager in the tax department of the company.
She is survived by five nephews, Paul Menasoff of Austin, Texas, Richard Fink of New Milford, Robert Fink of Danbury, John Fink of Maryland and Jay Fink of Albany, N.Y.; and one niece, Anne Ford of New Milford.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lakes Church, New Milford with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.
Friends may call at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the New Milford Hospital-Columbia Presbyterian Regional Cancer Center, 21 Elm St., New Milford 06776.
William J. Durkin
William J. Durkin, age 92, of Brewster, N.Y, died Monday, May 3, 1999 at the Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, NY. He was the husband of Alma (LaMere) Durkin.
Mr. Durkin was born Nov. 30, 1906, to Michael J. and Catherine (Farrell) Durkin. He had attended schools in Brewster.
Mr. Durkin married Alma LaMere on June 10, 1933 at St. Lawrence O'Toole Church in Brewster where he had been a lifelong parishioner.
Mr. Durkin was a foreman for the Carmel Lumber Co., in Carmel, N.Y. for many years, retiring in 1975. Also, he had been a farmer as a young man, working with his father on the Durkin farm in Brewster. Mr. Durkin had been a lifelong resident of Brewster and an avid baseball player in his day.
Besides his wife of 65 years, he is survived by three sons, William J. Durkin Jr. of Brewster, N.Y., David P. Durkin of Rensselaer, N.Y. and Edward J. Durkin of Newtown, Conn.; two daughters, Dorothy D. Eastwood of Brewster, N.Y. and Jeanette Hatley of Tollhouse, Calif.; a brother, Thomas H. Durkin of Brewster, N.Y. and a sister, Gertrude Durkin of Brewster, N.Y. Also 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 6, 1999 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Lawrence O'Toole Church, Brewster. Internment will follow at St. Lawrence O'Toole Cemetery, Brewster. Friends may call at the Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster on Wednesday, May 5th from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm.
Mary Jennings
Mary Louise Jennings, age 55, died Monday, May 3, in her home at Cottage 12, Southbury Training School, Southbury. Miss Jennings was born May 15, 1943 in Bridgeport, daughter of Catherine (Hungerford) Jennings of Stratford and the late Alfred J. Jennings.
She was employed at the Greenery Cafe in Danbury and was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Southbury.
In addition to her mother, Miss Jennings is survived by two brothers, Alfred J. Jennings Jr. of Fairfield and Joseph H. Jennings of Edina, Minn.; two sisters, Nancy Jennings of Manlius, N.Y., and Patricia Dinolfo of Sheboygan, Wisc.; 10 nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her extended family, the residents and loving staff of Cottage 12 at Southbury Training School.
Friends may attend a funeral mass on Thursday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Southbury (Exit 14 from I-84). Burial will be private. Arrangements by Carpino Funeral Home, 750 Main Street South, Southbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Southbury Training School Foundation, P.O. Box 872, Southbury, CT 06488; or to any charitable organization which serves the mentally retarded or the handicapped.
William Edwin Ryder
William Edwin Ryder, age 83, of Southbury, Conn., died May 2, 1999 at his home. He was the husband of Jean (Courtenay) Ryder.
Mr. Ryder was born April 11, 1916, to Dr. Ernest N. and Jennie (Ganun) Ryder. He was raised in Croton Falls, N.Y., and graduated from Purdys High School and Parks Air College at St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo.
Mr. Ryder was an engine mechanic for Pan American Airways at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City where he worked for 41 years. Mr. Ryder met Jean Courtenay at his place of business and married her on December 19, 1954. He raised his family in Baldwin, Long Island, N.Y.
Mr. Ryder had been a resident of Pompano Beach, Fla., since his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the Pompano Beach Elks Club, Lodge #1898. He has lived in Southbury for the past year.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth Ryder of Brewster, N.Y., Suzanne Sanders of San Francisco, and Patricia Kamercia of Clinton, Conn., and a brother, David G. Ryder of Gouverneur, N.Y. Also two grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 10:30am, Friday, May 7 at the Family Homestead at Ryder Farm, Starr Ridge Rd., Brewster. Interment will follow at Ivandell Cemetery, Somers, N.Y. Mr. Ryder will be reposing at the Family Homestead at Ryder Farm and the family will receive visitors after 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Southeast Museum, 67 Main St., Brewster, NY 10509. Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Avenue, Brewster, New York will be in charge of arrangements.
Anne Evers Deasy
Anne Evers Deasy, 81, of 95 Sedgwick Ave., Yonkers, N.Y., died May 2, 1999, at New Milford Nursing Home. She was the widow of Joseph Deasy.
She was born in Ossining, N.Y., Dec. 31, 1917, a daughter of James and Florence Hannigan Evers. She had lived for the past 45 years in Yonkers, N.Y., and was employed for many years by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of New York City retiring as a manager in the tax department of the company.
She is survived by five nephews, Paul Menasoff of Austin, Texas, Richard Fink of New Milford, Robert Funk of Danbury, John Fink of Maryland and Jay Fink of Albany, N.Y.; and one niece, Anne Ford of New Milford.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lakes Church, New Milford with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.
Friends may call at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the New Milford Hospital-Columbia Presbyterian Regional Cancer Center, 21 Elm St., New Milford 06776.
John J. Hunt
John J. Hunt, age 88, of Trumbull, husband of Bessie Marie Reilly for 55 years, died on Sunday, May 2, 1999, at Maefair Health Center.
Mr. Hunt was a practicing attorney in Bridgeport for over 40 years before his retirement in 1978. He was born in Danbury, son of Helen Wren and Joseph Hunt, on August 8, 1910. He was educated at St. Peter's School in Danbury and graduated from Danbury High School where he was President of his class for four years. He graduated from Fordham College in 1936 and from Fordham Law School in 1939 and was President of his Law School class.
He was admitted to practice in the State and Federal Courts of Connecticut and the Southern District of New York, and he is an Honorary Member of the Bridgeport Bar Association.
Mr. Hunt was well-known in duplicate tournament bridge circles. He was a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League and won the New England Individual Championship in 1961 and 1965 at Boston. He was a Past President of the Connecticut Bridge Association and also the New England Bridge Conference (now District #25), and was the President of the Bridgeport Bridge Club (formerly Stratfield B.C.) for many years.
He has been a member of the Ridgewood Country Club of Danbury for 46 years. He was a communicant of St. Theresa's Church.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Hunt is survived by his brothers, Andrew J. Hunt of Danbury and Francis (Frank) A. Hunt of Brewster, New York, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph, William and Walter of Danbury, and Eugene of Brewster.
Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, at 11:15 am in St. Theresa Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call Tuesday, 4-8 pm. at the Redgate-Hennessy Funeral Home, Main St. & Gorham Pl., Trumbull.
Mary Ellen Britt
Mary Ellen Britt, age 64, of Bethel, died on Sunday morning at the Danbury Hospital. She was the wife of William P. Britt.
Mrs. Britt was born in Brooklyn, NY, August 19, 1934, a daughter of the late John and Matilda (Stern) Crane. She attended and graduated from local schools there.
A Bethel resident since 1971, Mrs. Britt was employed by Linens '91n Things in Danbury for the past eight years. She was a parishioner of the Church of St. Mary, Bethel.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Britt is survived by two sons: William P. Britt, of Chicago, IL, and Michael C. Britt, of Fairfield, CT, one daughter: Kerry Mary Britt, of RI, three sisters: Florence Daniels, of Farmingdale, NY, Jean Watters of Staten Island, NY, and Elizabeth Maloney of Bayshore, NY, five grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 4th, at 9:30 am from the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, to the Church of St. Mary, Bethel, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to: Ann's Place, 1 Padanaram Road, Peacock Alley, Suite 201, Danbury, CT 06811.
John S. Kravec
John S. Kravec, age 64, of New Milford, died on Saturday, May 1, 1999 in Danbury Hospital. Born in Bridgeport, he was a resident of New Milford for several years.
Mr. Kravec was a special agent and security consultant for the F.B.I. He was a graduate of Syracuse University and of B.E.I.
Survivors include his wife, Dolores Vance Kravec; a daughter, Mary Kravec of Stratford; two stepchildren, Denise Russell and her husband Brice of Chester, N.J., and Russell Vance and his wife Donia of Cold Spring, N.Y.; a brother, Robert Kravec and his wife Holly of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, John B. Kravec.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. at the Adzima Funeral Home, 590 Paradise Green Place, Stratford, and at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, Bridgeport. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery, Stratford.
Friends may call Monday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Panachida will be at 4:30 p.m.
Helen Keenan Ledan
Helen Keenan Ledan, 73, of Maple Lane, Danbury, died Thursday, April 29, 1999, at Danbury Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late John Ledan.
Born Aug. 14, 1925, in Danbury, she was a daughter of Walter and Gertrude (Blake) Keenan.
Mrs. Ledan graduated from St. Joseph School and attended Danbury High School. She worked for the Davis & Geck Company of Danbury, for more than 35 years, and retired from the Inspection Department. She was a lifelong Danbury resident.
Mrs. Ledan was a member of St. Peter Church and the American Association of Retired Persons.
She was the loving mother of Kathryn Palardy of Lynchburg, Va., Patricia Mota of Danbury, Michael Ledan, Stephen Ledan, Brian Ledan of Danbury, Thomas Ledan, Gerald Ledan and Raymond Ledan of Bethel; beloved sister of Gertrude Brew, Margaret Cessario and Dorothy Clement of Danbury; loving grandmother of 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her aunt, Josephine Keenan of Danbury and predeceased by her brothers, Walter M. Keenan and Robert J. Keenan Sr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Church on Monday at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.
Friends may call at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108-3272.
