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Charles A. Slade
Charles A. Slade, a longtime resident of Darien, passed away on Saturday March 4, 2006, at Pope John Paul II Center for Healthcare in Danbury. born June 15, 1918, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Charles and Helen (Wallace) Slade. He was 87.
Mr. Slade graduated from Darien High School. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a policeman for the town of Darien for 22 years retiring in 1969. After retiring from the Darien Police Department, he was a mail courier for the Darien School System. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 6099 in Darien. He enjoyed traveling and U.S. Navy armed guard reunions.
He is survived by his daughter, Patti A. Slade, of Danbury; one niece and two nephews. He is preceded in death by his former wife, Barbara Scribner Slade.
The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, on Wednesday March 8, 2006, from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, Darien, on Thursday March 9, 2006, at 10 a.m. Burial will take place at Spring Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pope John Paul II Center for Healthcare, 33 Lincoln Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.
Alexander C. MacQueen
Alexander C. MacQueen, a former Brewster resident, died suddenly while visiting in Los Angeles. He was 81.
Mr. MacQueen was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Yonkers, N.Y., son of the late Alexander & Gertrude MacQueen. He served with the Army during World War II and worked for Stauffer Chemical Co. as a Chemical Engineer for 38 years before retiring in 1985.
Mr. MacQueen had lived in Brewster since 1960 and was a member of the Brewster Elks Lodge No. 2101, was past president of the Brewster School Board of Education, past president of the Milltown Association. After moving to Wilmington, N.C., in 1989, he became a member of the Wilmingtons Men Club and served as president of the Tangle Oak Yacht Club and Neighborhood Assoc.
Mr. MacQueen was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Schmucker, and daughter, Bonnie MacQueen. He is survived by a daughter, Katherine Szpekman, of Canton; a son, Scott, of Saugus, Calif.; a brother, Norman, of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and five grandchildren, James, Abigail & Rebecca Szpekman and Amanda & Margaret MacQueen.
A graveside service will be held Saturday March 11, 2006 at 10 a.m. at Milltown Rural Cemetery in Brewster with the Rev. Terri Heyduk officiating.
Arrangements were handled by Beecher Funeral Home in Brewster.
William 'Bill' Bradford Ellis
William "Bill" Bradford Ellis, 42, of Gabriel Drive, Mooresville, N.C., passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Mooresville. born August 20, 1963, in Danbury, he was a son of William and Barbara Ellis, of Bethel. Bill attended both Bethel and Newtown schools, and was a former parishioner of St. Mary's Church, Bethel. A resident of Mooresville, N.C. for the past 10 years, Bill was a metal fabricator for Chip Ganassi Racing; was a parishioner of St. Therese Catholic Church, Mooresville; and a former baseball coach for the Lake Norman Youth Athletic Association.
In addition to his parents, Bill is survived by his wife, Karen Joan Reilly Ellis of Mooresville, N.C.; children, Brianna Ellis, of Danbury, Alec and Raymond Ellis, of Mooresville, N.C.; brothers, John Lennon and Mary, of Bethel, Nick Ellis and wife, Kathy, of Bethel, and Joey Ellis, of Mooresville; sisters, Jennifer Fernandes and husband, Frank, of Bethel, Colleen Lennon, of Waterbury, and Debbie Hoyt and husband, Mike, of Brookfield; mother-in-law, Arline Reilly of Mooresville; brother-in-law, Paul Reilly and wife, Suzette of Paris, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Mary's Church Bethel, Tuesday morning, April 25, 2006, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, N.Y. on Wednesday. The family will receive friends in the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Monday April 24, 2006, from 6 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, NJ 01202 or the Christopher Reeve Foundation, 636 Morris Turnpike Suite 3A, Short Hills, NJ 07078.
Marie (Accarino) Tortora
Mrs. Marie (Accarino) Tortora, age 85, of 22 Jeremiah Road, died Friday, April 21, 2006, at the Lutheran Home of Southbury. She was the widow of Benjamin Tortora.
Mrs. Tortora was born in Waterbury on August 8, 1920, daughter of the late Vincenzo and Antonette (Catuccio) Accarino. She lived in Sandy Hook most of her life and retired from Sandy Hook Elementary School where she was a teacher's aide. She was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church. She enjoyed bowling.
She leaves two sons, Joseph Tortora of Sandy Hook and Richard Tortora of Newtown; a daughter, Barbara Grochowski of Somers; and a grandson.
A private funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Church Hill Road, Newtown. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose of Lima Church Memorial Fund, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.
Lilly (Lillian) Showah Gramesty
Lilly (Lillian) Showah Gramesty, age 73, of Bridgeport, beloved wife of 50 years to Albert Gramesty, died peacefully on Saturday April 22, 2006, at St. Vincent's Medical Center.
Born in Danbury, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Virginia Kozam Showah. A resident of Bridgeport for over 50 years, Lilly was a hardworking, entrepreneurial individual, who had co-owned many businesses with her husband, namely E.J. News of Trumbull, Mr. G's Pizza and the Woodside Deli, both located in Shelton, and the South End Supermarket in Bridgeport.
In addition to these many ventures, she had also worked part-time in Read's in the Hallmark Cards Department, Danbury Hospital and Barden's of Danbury. She was currently employed by the City of Bridgeport, working in the cafeteria at Central High School for the past 14 years. Lilly was active in the Sunday School at St. George's Syrian Orthodox Church in Danbury for many years. As hardworking as she was, she always had time for her devoted family.
Survivors, in addition to her husband Albert, include two sons, Gregory Gramesty of Bridgeport, Albert N. Gramesty and his wife Dawn of Shelton and granddaughters, Jena, Sara and Natalie Gramesty; a sister, Laurice Berry and husband Carl of Bethel; a brother, George Showah of Danbury; sister-in-law, Mary Baker and brother-in-law, Nicholas Gramesty, both of Trumbull; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by a brother, Sam Showah, and sister, Rose Steck.
Friends are invited to go directly to St. Nicholas Syrian Orthodox Church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Noah Bushelli officiating. Interment at Mt. Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation in memory of Lilly or to St. Nicholas Syrian Orthodox Church, 5458 Park Ave., Bridgeport.
At her request calling hours have been omitted.
The Commerce Hill Funeral Home, 4798 Main St., Bridgeport (on the Trumbull line), is entrusted with arrangements.
Kathleen "Kathy" (Brock) Knipe
Kathleen "Kathy" (Brock) Knipe, 50, of Kingswood Drive, Bethel, passed away, April 20, 2006, at the Glens Falls Hospital in Glens Falls, N.Y., after a short illness.
Born on November 26, 1955, in Windham, N.Y., she was the daughter of M. Anne (Killian) Brock and the late Herbert Brock.
After graduating from Hudson Falls High School in 1973, Kathy received her two year degree from Adirondack Community College and then transferred to Siena College, graduating in 1977. She had the highest GPA in her marketing management major at Siena.
After graduating from college, Kathy worked for Sandy Hill Corp. in Hudson Falls. In 1980, she moved to Connecticut, where she raised her twin daughters. Kathy was employed at the YMCA in Brookfield in the business department then she transferred to Acorn Placemats as a business manager. More recently, she sold real estate for Coldwell Banker in Connecticut.
She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Bethel and was a member of the Connecticut Realtors Association.
The light of her life were her two daughters. She was a compassionate mother, who loved spending time with her children. Kathy was so proud of her girls. She had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed being with people. Kathy was a kind, loving mother, daughter and sister and will be greatly missed by her family and all of her friends.
Survivors include, her two daughters: Jeannette Knipe and Kerri Knipe, both of Bethel; her mother, M. Anne Brock of Fort Edward; her brothers and sisters: James Brock and his wife, Kit of Glens Falls; Robert Brock and his wife, Dr. Monique LaRouche-Brock of Exeter, N.H.; Jeanne Brock Barber of Fort Edward; Thomas Brock and his wife, Marie of Barre, Vt.; Peter Brock and his wife, Cindy of Flower Mound, Texas; Marjorie Layden and her husband, Dr. Michael Layden of Glens Falls; her godchildren: Tom Barber of Fort Edward; Chas Mayer of New Canaan; and Jacqueline Layden of Glens Falls; her best friend, Beth Merrill of New Canaan: and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, step nieces, step nephews and cousins.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Church in Fort Edward.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 959 Route 9, Mount Royal Plaza, Queensbury or the Washington County Hospice, 415 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
Edward Thomas Lynch
Edward Thomas Lynch, 63, of Kent, died Thursday April 20, 2006, at Danbury Hospital. He was the husband of Barbara Powers Lynch.
Mr. Lynch was born in New York City January 21, 1943, son of the late Edward J. and Dorothy Abrahall Lynch.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving with the military police and a graduate of Pace University, Class of 1972. He worked for 30 years as a salesman in the paper packaging industry and recently as a security guard. He was a resident of Kent for 30 years.
Ed, A.K.A. "Pa," enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his two-year-old grandson, and working on home improvement projects. He was an avid reader.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Donna Wilkins and her husband Bruce of Torrington and Jennifer Lynch of Bedford, Mass.; a sister, Carol Peters of Lake Lure, N.C.; and one grandson, Brennan Edward Wilkins. He was preceded in death by a brother, James Lynch.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday April 25, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Kent. No calling hours.
Arrangements by the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Danbury Hospital ICU, 24 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT 06810.
Nora B. Smith
Nora (Brennan) Smith, 98, of Ridgefield, wife of the late Anthony P. Smith, died on Wednesday morning, May 3, 2006, at Danbury Hospital.
Mrs. Smith was born in County Sligo, Ireland, November 26, 1907, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Brennan. She immigrated to the United States in 1923, first settling in New York, N.Y., where she was a nanny for several Park Avenue and Central Park families. Later she moved to New Canaan, Norwalk and became a permanent resident of Ridgefield in 1962.
Mrs. Smith was a member of the Woman's Club and St. Mary's Church of Ridgefield where she was also a member of the sewing and knitting group for many years.
Surviving Mrs. Smith are her two sons, Peter J. Smith and his wife, Diane, of Ridgefield, and Frank J. Smith and his wife, Linda, of Norwalk; a sister, Maude Golden, of County Sligo, Ireland, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield, with the Rev. Shawn W. Cutler, parochial vicar of St. Mary's Church officiating.
Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Darien.
The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home on Saturday after 9 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Visiting Nurse Association, 90 East Ridge or to the Ridgefield Fire Dept. Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah St., both of Ridgefield 06877.
Lillian Caroline Cognato
Mrs. Lillian Caroline Cognato, 82, of Weston, wife of the late Thomas A. Cognato Sr., passed away peacefully Tuesday May 2, 2006, in the company of her family at Norwalk Hospital.
Mrs. Cognato was born in Weston, daughter of the late John and Annie DelArmy and was a lifelong resident. She attended the one room schoolhouse on Good Hill Road in Weston and is a 1940 graduate of Staples High School. Mrs. Cognato enjoyed playing the piano and at the age of 12 played the organ at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Survivors include one son, Thomas A. Cognato Jr., and his wife, Permelia, of Southbury; one daughter, Debra Gianini, and her husband, Richard, of Trumbull; one sister, Olympia Gajdosik, of Southport; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to attend the funeral Saturday at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 285 Lyons Plain Road, Weston. Interment in Emmanuel Church Cemetery will take place at a later date. The family will receive friends Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road E., Westport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Whittingham Cancer Center, 24 Stevens St, Norwalk, CT 06856.
Bernice Elizabeth Weeks Rosa
Bernice Elizabeth Weeks Rosa was called home on April 17, 2006. She was born July 22, 1917, to Frank and Annie Mae Lebrague Weeks. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Clifford and Raymond, who was her best friend, and her two sisters, Ethel and Frances. She was also preceded in death by two of her children whom she loved very much, Ann Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh and David Starr Giddings.
Bernice was known to her friends as "Bee." Bee attended the Old Gilbert Home during the Depression era and told many memorable stories about her time there. Bernice wanted to be remembered for her life and not her death. She was a very hard worker and a chef most of her life. She managed kitchens at New Milford Hospital and New Milford Nursing home along with owning several restaurants.
"Bee" loved all of her friends, more than anything "Bee" loved her family. Her children always came first, through thick and thin. And though she never had much, what she did have she shared with everyone. She always spoke her mind but she also always had an open heart. Everyone loved her cooking and they will remember her for that. She wouldn't let anyone leave her house unless she fed them something, be it cake or pasta. She always had a candy dish and told people to help themselves right through to the end of her life. Bee loved to go to Bingo Thursday nights at the VFW and liked to listen to Polka music. She loved to cook and play cards, sit outside in the sun and visit with her neighbors.
Bernice will be missed greatly. She touched everyone she met in some way, and she will always be remembered in our hearts.
Bernice is survived by two sons, Larry Giddings, of New Milford, and Danny Rosa, of Florida; and three daughters, Francha Gardella, of Torrington, Janet Condon, of Torrington, and Debbie Mordino, of Oxford. Bernice leaves behind several grandchildren, Angel, Leann, Jason, Matt, Natalie, Robbie and Laurie; and her great-grandchildren, whom she loved very much, Taylor, Tatiana, Trevor, Torie, Rachael and Julia. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and cousins.
Mary DeGross
Mary DeGross, 85, of Holly Street Extension, Danbury, wife of the late Rocco DeGross, died unexpectedly at her residence on Thursday morning.
She was born in Amsterdam, NY, September 12, 1918, daughter of the late Stanislaw Cisek and Stefania (Cisek) Grodzki. She moved to Danbury as a child and had been a Danbury resident since. She had attended Danbury schools and had worked as a waitress in the greater Danbury area.
Mary, a loving mother, grandmother and friend is survived by two daughters, Helene Andrews and her husband, Howard of Newtown and Roxanne McDuffy of Danbury; a son, Marcel DeGross and his wife Geri of Oakland, CA; a brother, Julius Kuratek and his wife, May of Bethel; seven grandchildren, Bradford Andrews, Carley Brown, Danielle Andrews, Lisa Andrews, Felix McDuffy, Simmons McDuffy and Maggie McDuffy; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by two close friends, Dee Barrett and Patti Meyer.
Graveside funeral services and interment will take place at St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury on Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m. There will be no calling hours. Green Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford, CT 06492.
