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Gladys E. Walford
MERIDEN -- Gladys E. Walford, 95, formerly of 363 South Main St., Wallingford, died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at The Coccomo Memorial Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Edward S. Walford.
She was born in Sterling, March 21, 1907, a daughter of the late Horace D. and Effie Sweet Burdick. Gladys was a graduate of Plainville High School and the University of Connecticut School of Home Economics, class of 1927, and was a member of the American Association of University Women, the First Congregational Church of Wallingford and the Women's Fellowship of the church, and the Order of Eastern Star in Willimantic.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and Donald Brockett of Shrewsbury, Mass., and Charlotte and Hale Caswell of Wallingford; a brother and sister-in-law, Lester D. and Sylvia W. Burdick of Oneco; five grandchildren, David Brockett, Peter Brockett, Beth Brockett, Carla Doyon and Kurt Caswell; and eight great-grandchildren; a special niece, Mary Burdick; and several other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Clyde Burdick.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Wallingford, 23 South Main St. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the First Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 23 South Main St., Wallingford 06492 or Coccomo Memorial, 33 Cone Ave., Meriden 06450. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 South Elm St., is in charge of arrangements.
James E. Whitaker
EASLEY, S.C. -- James E. Whitaker Sr., 71, of 221 Dalton Hill Road, Easley, S.C., died peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on Monday, March 17, 2003.
Born in Liberty, he was the son of the late Richard B. and Lucy Black Whitaker. Sergeant Whitaker served his country for 20 years, both in the Vietnam and Korean conflicts.
Surviving him are his wife of 45 years, Mary Valeriay Whitaker; and children, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Sellers of Pendleton, S.C., Mr. and Mrs. J. Roger Whitaker of Moonville, S.C., Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Whitaker and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Stancil, all of Six Mile, S.C., Mr. and Mrs. James Whitaker Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Whitaker, all of Pickens, S.C., Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Grant of Easley, S.C., Mr. Mrs. Richard Whitaker of Pickens, S.C.; and 27 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; also brothers, Albert Whitaker of Liberty, S.C., Mr. and Mrs. William Whitaker of Six Mile, S.C., Ernest Whitaker of Piedmont, S.C., and Paul Whitaker of James Island, S.C.
The family will receive relatives and friends at Dillard Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation hours will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 20. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Hampton St., Pickens, S.C. Graveside services will immediately follow on to Hillcrest Cemetery
in Pickens, S.C.
Floyd W. Wibby
MERIDEN -- Floyd W. Wibby (Old Man Wibby), 75, of Bradley Ave., Meriden, longtime companion of Ms. Helen Pennell, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at Yale-New Haven Hospital following a short illness.
He was born in Ashland, Maine, on Jan. 5, 1928, a son of the late Harvey and Bernice Wibby. Prior to his retirement he was a well-known slate roofer for the C.R. Cummings Co., of Meriden.
In addition to his Harley Davidson, he is survived by two sons, Dennis Wibby Sr., and Michael Wibby Sr., both of Meriden; a daughter, Janelle and her husband, Rick Skitromo of Meriden; six grandchildren, Tamara King, Dennis Wibby Jr., Alex Wibby, Nicole and Kyle Rondeau and Michael Wibby Jr.
The legend of the great Wibby has come to an end. There is now a Harley without its owner and driver.
Calling hours and a reflection of Floyd's life will take place on Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private on Saturday with a Harley Davidson processional tribute. The Szymaszek-Taylor Funeral Home, 189 E. Main St., Meriden, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Rolland L. Draghi
WALLINGFORD -- Rolland L. Draghi, 85, of Marc Drive, Wallingford, entered into rest, Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at The Regency House in Wallingford. He was the beloved husband of 61 years of the late Alba Cassano Draghi.
Born in New York City, N.Y., July 19, 1917, he was a son of the late Peter and Caroline Draghi and had been a lifelong Wallingford resident. He was employed by the former Stanley Judd Company of Wallingford for 47 years until his retirement. He was a life member of the Libero Pensiero Society of Wallingford, a life member of the Wallingford Eagles Lodge and a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Anthony Baylow of Wallingford; his grandchildren, Kimberly Kremzar and her husband, Carl M. Kremzar Sr., Scott Baylow and Troy Baylow; his great-grandchildren, Carl M. Kremzar Jr., Danielle Kremzar and Kara Kremzar; his brother and sister-in-law, Alfred V. and Josephine Draghi of Wallingford; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur A. Draghi.
His family will receive relatives and friends in the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St., Ext., Wallingford, Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, at 9:30 a.m. from the Wallingford Funeral Home, when the funeral cortege will proceed to Most Holy Trinity Church, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery
in Wallingford.
Gerald J. O'Reilly
LONGMEADOW, Mass. -- Gerald J. O'Reilly, 81, of Longmeadow, Mass., formerly of Meriden, husband of Vera Burger, died suddenly on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at his home.
Born in Wallingford, on Jan. 24, 1922, the son of the late Daniel and Ida Tandetske O'Reilly, he had resided in Meriden. For most of his life prior to moving to Longmeadow in January. Mr. O'Reilly was a graduate of Lyman Hall High School, the University of Hartford, and received a Masters in Education from Trinity College. He was a high school teacher in the New Haven school system for over 25 years, retiring several years ago. Mr. O'Reilly was a veterans of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church, Meriden.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Carol O'Reilly of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., and Marion O'Reilly and her fiancé, Troy Ford of Meriden; two grandchildren, Tina O'Reilly and Francisco Mendez Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Julius Martin Cruz and Iziah Vincent Cruz; also several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ruth Kifmire O'Reilly of Meriden; a sister, Monica Gauthier of Meriden; and a brother, George O'Reilly of Tucson, Ariz.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, March 22, at 9:15 a.m. from the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden and at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, Meriden. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Meriden. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, March 21 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Althea E. Thompson
WALLINGFORD -- Althea E. Thompson, 82, of Wallingford died Monday, March 17, 2003 at Westfield Care and Rehabilitation Center in Meriden. She was the wife of the late Jack Westcott, formerly of Owosso, Mich.
Born in Wallingford, the daughter of Reva and Ernest Thompson, she was a Wallingford resident for most of her life, she was retired from Central Connecticut State University.
She is survived by a brother-in-law; three nieces and their families; two step-children and their families. She was predeceased by her sister, Verna McAvoy.
Burial will be private.
Frank A. Turonis
WALLINGFORD -- Frank A. Turonis, 81, of 656 East Center St., formerly of Millbury, Mass., died Wednesday, March 19, 2003 at CT Hospice in Branford. He was the loving husband of Katherine Tranter Turonis for 56 years.
He was born in Worcester, Mass., Jan. 17, 1922, a son of the late Frank W. and Dagmar Janovich Turonis. He resided in Millbury, Mass., for 35 years and then moved to Lake Wales, Fla., for 10 years before moving to Wallingford three years ago. Mr. Turonis was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army. He was employed as a machine operator at the Felters Co. in Millbury, Mass., for 22 years and then the New England High Carbon Wire Company in Millbury, Mass., for 20 years until his retirement. After retiring he worked as the superintendent of maintenance at the Beaumont Nursing Home in Northbridge, Mass., for seven years. He was a communicant of the Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving son, Frank R. Turonis of Kauai, Hawaii; two loving daughters, Katherine Ganias and her husband, Stavros of Wallingford and Karen Leon and her husband, Frank of Discovery Bay, Calif.; and four cherished grandchildren, Kristine D'Angelo, Melissa Ganias, both of Wallingford, Alyson and Jonathan Leon, both of Discovery Bay, Calif.; also, a loving niece and two nephews, Pauline Tranter and Ronald Tranter, both of Millbury, Mass., and Bruce Tranter of Worcester, Mass. He was predeceased by a brother, William Buden; and a sister, Anna Kuzmeskas.
The funeral will leave the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 South Elm St., on Friday at 9:45 a.m. for a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. at the Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 North Colony Road. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Burial will be private in St. John's Cemetery, 260 Cambridge St., Worcester, Mass. It is suggested that gifts in his memory be made to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.
Clarence G. Bacon
LYONS, Ore. -- Clarence G. "Lucky" Bacon, 73, died Sunday, March 16, 2003 in Lyons, Ore. He married Pauline Smith in Wallingford, on Oct. 5, 1957.
Clarence was born on Jan. 16, 1930 in Meriden, he was raised in his younger years and received his education in Meriden. In 1948 he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force, serving until 1952. Following his discharge he returned to Connecticut living there for several years. He married Pauline Smith in Wallingford, on Oct. 5, 1957. They lived in Wallingford until 1968 when they moved to Ventura, Calif. While living there, Lucky worked for the Ventura County Medical Center in the maintenance department before retiring and moving to Stayton, Ore., and in Lyons in 1992, residing there since. While living there he enjoyed building glass bird feeders, cedar bird houses and other woodcrafts.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline; son, Michael Bacon of Charlotte, Mich.; brother, Robert Bacon of Port Richey, Fla.; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Terri-Anne Cordova; and a grandchild.
Services were held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19 at Weddle Funeral Home in Stayton. Contributions may be made to: Audubon Society of Salem, 189 Liberty St. N.E., Salem, OR 97301.
Rella Bouchard-Bernier
WALLINGFORD -- Rella Bouchard-Bernier, 86, of Camp St., Meriden, wife of Jerome Bernier and the late Ernest Bouchard, died Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at Masonic Geriatric Healthcare Center in Wallingford. Rella was called home to be with her daughter, Jean Wilderman who died March 10, 2003.
She was born Dec. 23, 1916 in Van Buren, Maine, a daughter of the late Helaire and Laura (Landry) Saucier. Prior to her retirement she was a store manager at Whorths. She was a parishioner of St. Laurent Church in Meriden.
In addition her husband, Jerome, she is survived by a son, Gerald Bouchard of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many dear and close friends. She was predeceased by two brothers.
Calling hours will take place on Saturday, March 22, from 8 to 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Mount Calvery Cemetery
in Waterbury. The Szymaszek-Taylor Funeral Home, 189 E. Main St., Meriden has been entrusted with the arrangements.
