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Dr. G. Joseph Servadio, 72, noted food scientist
Dr. Gildo Joseph Servadio of Sagamore Drive, Simsbury, a Ridgefield native who became a leading food chemist, died Friday, March 16, at home after a long illness. He was 72 years old and husband of Norma Leard Servadio.
Dr. Servadio was born Jan. 27, 1929 in Ridgefield, son of the late Peter and Adelaide Frattini Servadio. He graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1946, and spent two years in the U.S. Army, serving at bases in Japan and Guam.
After his discharge Dr. Servadio studied chemistry at Tufts University in Medford, Mass., graduating in 1952. He later received master’s and doctoral degrees in food technology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Dr. Servadio began his career as a project leader for the Pillsbury Company in Minneapolis from 1955 to 1958 and then served as a senior scientist with Mead Johnson and Company in Evansville, Ind. He then spent several years teaching and studying at UMass.
>From 1963 to 1967 he returned to Ridgefield with his family while he served as research manager for Beech-Nut Life Savers in Port Chester, N.Y., where he was responsible for developing new baby foods and cereals.
In 1967 Dr. Servadio joined Heublein Inc., the food and beverage manufacturer in Hartford. There he became vice president of research and development and was responsible for research into new food, wine and liquor products including Heublein’s many international operations.
He retired from Heublein in 1986, but continued to be active in the field, serving as an adjunct professor of food services at the University of Massachusetts. The university awarded him its Chancellor’s Medal in 1986 for “exemplary and extraordinary service” to the university. Among other things, he had established an endowment fund for the food services department.
Dr. Servadio held various patents in the food industry, and was listed in Who’s Who in the East, and in American Men of Science.
He was a member of the First Church of Christ in Simsbury, the Prince Thomas of Savoy Society in Avon, and had been active in the Farmington Valley District of Boy Scouts. He also belonged to various professional and academic organizations, including the New York Academy of Science, Phi Tau Sigma, and Sigma Xi.
Besides his wife of 46 years, he is survived by his children, Lee Alan Servadio and his wife Audrey of Scarborough, Maine; Maria McCormick and her husband Robert, and Carol Stansfield and her husband Mark, all of Avon; two sisters, Nancy Servadio of Ridgefield, and Dorothy Stern and her husband Dr. Peter Stern of New York City; five grandchildren, Alex and Joseph Servadio, Anna and James McCormick, and Jonathan Stansfield; his aunt, Frances Frattini of Ridgefield; his uncle Chester Zawacki of Ridgefield; cousins Elio Rossini and his wife Connie of Leesburg, Fla., and Adele Annesi of Ridgefield; and his mother-in-law, C. Natalie Leard of Farmington.
A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Contributions may be made in Dr. Servadio’s memory to the Scholarship Fund of Tufts University, payable to the Trustees of Tufts University, Packard Hall, Medford, MA 02155-7056.
The Vincent Funeral Home in Simsbury was in charge of arrangements.
Mary F. Sarica, 100, native of Ireland, loved to crochet
Mary Feeney Sarica of 57 Poplar Road, a native of Ireland who crocheted countless items for family, friends and the needy, died Sunday, Dec. 31, at Norwalk Hospital. She was 100 years old and the widow of Joseph Sarica.
Mrs. Sarica was born in Ireland on Dec. 3, 1900 and came to this country in 1930, settling in Port Chester, N.Y., where she lived for 40 years. She was a homemaker and also provided child care for families in Port Chester.
In 1977, she moved to Ridgefield to live with her daughter, Evelyn A. Casiello and her husband Fred, and their family.
As a child in Ireland, Mrs. Sarica had learned to crochet and it was a skill she used throughout her life. Besides her family, “that was her main love,” said Mrs. Casiello. She crocheted afghans and blankets for family members and friends, as well as for such organizations as Birthright and the women’s shelter in Danbury. For the past few years while at Fairfield Manor nursing home in Norwalk, she created blankets for many of the residents there.
“It was something she really enjoyed doing,” said her daughter.
Mrs. Sarica was a member of St. Mary’s Church.
Besides her daughter and son-in-law, Mrs. Sarica is survived by a sister, Kay Lyons of Greenwich; two grandsons, Thomas Casiello of Brooklyn, N.Y., and John Casiello of Ridgefield; and many nieces and nephews including Patsy Rich of Cos Cob.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today, Thursday, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Charles B. Sanger, 88, artist for MGM
Charles Benjamin Sanger of 1710 East De La O Road, Scottsdale, Ariz., a retired freelance artist and former Ridgefielder, died Saturday, Feb. 10, in Scottsdale. He was 88 years old and the husband of the late Elizabeth T. Sanger, who died in 1994.
A native of Baltimore, Md., Mr. Sanger was born on Feb. 16, 1912, a son of Charles B. and Mary Sanger. He grew up in Baltimore and graduated from high school in Rye, N.Y.
He then became a commercial artist for Metro Goldwyn Mayer in New York City, working on the poster art that appeared in theater lobbies across the country.
“He worked on many famous movies, such as Gone with the Wind and the Wizard of Oz,” said his son, David Sanger.
When MGM moved to the West Coast, Mr. Sanger left the company and became manager of Norwalk Natural Foods on Main Street in Norwalk. He worked there for 25 years, retiring in 1992.
Over the years, he lived in Ridgefield twice, as well as Norwalk, and in New Canaan from 1967 to 1977. He lived on Ramapoo Road from 1993 until 1998 when he moved to Scottsdale.
Mr. Sanger was an avid piano player and composed many songs, only a few of which he offered for publication. He often performed at family gatherings, such as weddings, and for friends.
Mr. Sanger was active for many years in the Lewisboro, N.Y. congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Survivors include his son, David C. Sanger, and two daughters, Deborah Monro and Sally Venetucci, all of Scottsdale and all formerly of Ridgefield; six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. His first daughter, Susan Vozzo of Ridgefield, died before him.
A memorial service will take place Saturday, Feb. 17, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Phoenix.
Mary Gill Rizy, 90, retired teacher
Mary Gill Rizy of Ridgefield, a retired teacher who was active in the AARP, died Wednesday, March 7, in Norwalk Hospital after a long illness. She was 90 years old and the mother of Diane L’Ecuyer of Ridgefield.
Mrs. Rizy was born in 1910 in Fairfield, a daughter of Peter and Eva Gill. She grew up in Fairfield and received a bachelor’s degree from Danbury State Teachers College. She taught elementary school for 25 years in Bridgeport where she had also lived most of her adult life.
She and her husband, Edward, were married in 1928. When he died last year, Mrs. Rizy moved to Ridgefield to live with her daughter.
In Bridgeport, Mrs. Rizy was a volunteer teacher in the schools for many years after her retirement. She had been president of the Bridgeport chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons, a member of the Bridgeport Retired Teachers Association, and a member of the Girl Scout “Oldtimers” Association.
Besides her daughter, Mrs. Rizy is survived by her son, Dr. Edward F. Rizy of Middletown, R.I.; two sisters, Josephine Gilbert of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Elizabeth Tamburri of Fairfield; six grandchildren, including John L’Ecuyer of Ridgefield; and one great-granddaughter.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday at St. Andrew’s Church in Bridgeport. Burial was in St. Thomas Cemetery, Fairfield.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Heart Association, Box 5022, Wallingford 06492-7522.
The Redgate-Hennesy Funeral Home in Trumbull was in charge of arrangements.
Scott Polley, 43, active in Simsbury
Scott W. Polley of Harvest Hill Road, West Simsbury, who was active in many organizations in Simsbury, died Monday, April 9, at Hartford Hospital. He was 43 years old and the husband of Celeste Ann Gregware Polley.
Mr. Polley was born on Feb. 8, 1958, in Troy, N.Y., son of William E. and Eleanor Sabo Polley of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, formerly of Ridgefield. He graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1976 and from Utica College Division of Syracuse University in 1981. He had lived in Duxbury, Mass. before moving to Simsbury 12 years ago.
Mr. Polley had a successful career in the insurance industry for many years, beginning at the Hartford Insurance Group in 1981 and most recently with New Century Global in Farmington.
He was a member of the Universalist Church of West Hartford, Hopmeadow Country Club of Simsbury, National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices, Association of Risk Managers, Conn. Chapter of the Blue Goose, Porsche Club of America, Y.M.C.A. Indian Guides & Princesses, Professional Ski Instructors Association, and was a past member of the Rotary Club of Simsbury, past president of the Hartland Pond Association, and past chairman of the Limerock Committee.
Mr. Polley enjoyed tennis, skiing and auto racing.
Besides his wife of 14 years, and parents, he is survived by three children, Karen Lisa Jenelli, Kevin Scott Polley, and Samantha Anne Polley; two brothers, Craig A. Polley of West Hartford and friend Siri Lynn, Todd D. Polley and his wife Kim O’Neil Polley of Ridgefield; brothers-in-law, James Gregware and Richard Fitzner; sister-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Carol Gregware of Goshen; many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Friday, April 13 at the Universalist Church of West Hartford, 433 Fern Street. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450-1004 or the charity of the donors choice.
Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury has charge of arrangements.
Julio A. Petrini, 75, postal worker
Julio A. Petrini of Old Lantern Road, Danbury, a former postal service worker who grew up and lived in Branchville many years, died at Danbury Hospital on Friday, Jan. 12. He was 75 years old and the husband of Janet Natalie Petrini.
He was born in Greenville, Miss., on April 21, 1925, a son of the late Ernest and Rose Radicioni Petrini, both of whom were natives of Ancona, Italy. He moved to Connecticut as a child and lived in Branchville before moving to Danbury in 1966.
Mr. Petrini worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years. After retirement, he worked for the Nash Engineering Company in Norwalk for seven years, retiring there in 1993.
He was a graduate of Henry Abbott Technical School in Danbury and had served with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II.
He was a member of St. Peter’s Church in Danbury, the A.A.R.P., National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #98 in Georgetown. He was also an avid golfer.
Besides his wife, Mr. Petrini is survived by three daughters, Joann Petrini (Leopold) of Stamford, Lori Colley of New Milford, Julie Franson of West Hartford; three brothers, Arduino Petrini of Ridgefield, Vin Petrini and Gene Petrini, both of West Redding; a sister, Evelyn Waters of Reston, Va.; two grandsons, Evan Colley and Jacob Colley, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Peter’s Church in Danbury on Monday. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Red Cross, 2 Terrace Place, Danbury, CT 06810 or to the Patient Recreation Fund at Pope John Paul II Health Care Center, 33 Lincoln Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810.
The Green Funeral Home in Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Vincent Nagle, 64, headed oil company
Vincent A. Nagle Jr. of 189 Keeler Drive, the retired owner of a chain of highway service stations, died on Monday, Christmas Day, at Danbury Hospital. He was 64 years old and the husband of Barbara Harris Nagle.
Mr. Nagle was the former president and owner of Nagle Oil, which at one point operated 28 gasoline service stations along such major expressways as the Merritt Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike and New York Thruway. He retired in 1991.
Mr. Nagle was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Dec. 19, 1936, a son of Veronica Guthrie Nagle Somma of Ridgefield and the late Vincent A. Nagle Sr. He attended Bronx schools and graduated from Mt. St. Michael High School in the Bronx. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957.
The Nagles were married in 1958 in St. Barnabas Church in the Bronx. Eleven years later, the couple moved to Ridgefield, living first on Bennett’s Farm Road. In 1974, they completed their new home on Keeler Drive.
For all of their 42 years of married life, the Nagles have had dogs, including Dobermans and Rottweilers. “He was an avid dog lover,” said Mrs. Nagle. “He’s known on Keeler Drive as the man who walked his dog (a Rottweiler named Satin) every day.”
For nearly 10 years, Mr. Nagle was also active in the cardiac rehabilitation center at Danbury Hospital. “It was his love,” Mrs. Nagle said. “It was almost like his club.”
Mr. Nagle was a member of St. Mary’s Church.
Besides his wife and mother, Mr. Nagle is survived by a son, Vincent A. Nagle III of Ridgefield; two nephews, Richard Harris Jr., of Roanoke, Va., and Charles Harris of Mahopac, N.Y., a niece, Diana Chalou of Sterling Heights, Mich.; and two great-nieces, Jacquelyn Harris and Christina Scarbury.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends will be received in the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Ridgefield Police Department, Emergency Resuscitation Equipment Fund, 76 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877.
Donald Menagh, 85, noted labor lawyer
Donald F. Menagh, a noted New York labor lawyer who had lived in Ridgefield 45 years, died Wednesday, Feb. 7, in New York City. He was 85 years old and the husband of Claire Menagh.
Mr. Menagh had come to Ridgefield in the early 1950s, living first weekends at the Ridgefield Lakes, later owning a home on Peaceable Hill Road and finally moving to a condominium at Quail Ridge. He left Ridgefield three years ago.
A 1940 graduate of Fordham University, Mr. Menagh attended Harvard Law School. His studies were interrupted in 1941 when he entered the Army, serving as an officer for four years, mostly in the Pacific Theatre, including battles on Okinawa.
After his discharge in 1944, he completed his law studies at St. John’s University Law School, and founded the firm that is today Menagh, Trainor & Facone.
Mr. Menagh was general counsel for several major unions in New York City, including Locals 1 and 2 of the Utility Workers Union, the Utility Workers International, and Local Union 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was instrumental in the organization of Local 3036 of the Taxi Drivers and Allied Workers Union, and was its general counsel.
Mr. Menagh was recipient of the Fordham University Alumni Achievement Award in the field of law and received the 1998 Special Recognition Award for his long and distinguished career as a labor lawyer from the New York City Central Labor Council.
He was honored as “Man of the Year” by the Catholic Council of Electrical Workers to which he served as attorney for many years.
Mr. Menagh “was very fond of Ridgefield and had a lot of friends there,” said his son, Douglas Menagh, who is a member of the same law firm.
Though he had retired many years ago, he remained senior partner in the firm and still visited his office on Park Avenue South a couple of times a week until shortly before his death.
Besides his wife and his son Douglas and his wife, Lucille Falcone Menagh, Mr. Menagh is survived by two grandchildren, Douglas and Nancy Menagh, all of New York City.
Services were in New York and burial was at Woodlawn Cemetery.
