Search Archived Marriage Records
John Englert, 93, retired postal worker
John R. Englert of 51 Prospect Street, a longtime postal worker who was a baseball player and fan, died Monday, June 10, at Filosa Convalescent Home, Danbury. He was 93 years old and the husband of the late Evelyn McCormack Englert.
Mr. Englert was born in New York, N.Y., on July 28, 1908, a son of the late John R. and Barbara Gretchner Englert. He attended Bronx schools and went to DeWitt Clinton High School.
A resident of Parkchester, N.Y., for many years, Mr. Englert was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and had worked at the main post office in the Bronx.
An avid golfer and guitarist who had played for senior citizen groups in Parkchester, Mr. Englert was also a New York Yankees fan, and attended many of their games. As a high school student, he played baseball with Hank Greenberg, later a Detroit Tigers star, and he continued to play local ball during his 20s.
Mr. Englert had lived in Ridgefield for the past three years and was a member of St. Mary’s Church.
Mr. Englert is survived by a son, John Englert and his wife Alice of Ridgefield; three grandchildren: Christine Williams of Ashburn, Va., John Englert of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Ellen Bouchery of Woodbury, Va.; and five great-grandchildren, Madeline, Sabrina and Leah Williams, and Sean and Rosa Bouchery.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Raymond’s Cemetery, The Bronx, at 1.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorials in Mr. Englert’s memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association, 90 East Ridge, Ridgefield 06877.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Smith Easterbrooks, 81, founded Colby's
Virginia "Jenny" Smith Easterbrooks died April 15 at her home in Duck, N.C. A former longtime resident of South Salem, N.Y., she and her husband, Colby Easterbrooks, established Colby’s decorating in Ridgefield. The couple retired to Duck in 1982.
Mrs. Easterbrooks was born Sept. 28, 1920, in Dunn, N.C., the daughter of the late Lena Leggett Smith and Clarence James Smith. She graduated from Dunn High School and St. Mary’s College in Raleigh, N.C. She worked with her mother at the family’s Avamere Hotel in Virginia Beach where she met her future husband, then a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Little Creek, Va. They were married on Sept. 5, 1944 in Virginia Beach.
After the war, the couple moved to South Salem and established Colby’s, a linens and decorating business. The business continues today.
Jenny Easterbrooks is survived by her son, George Southworth Easterbrooks of Duck; two daughters and sons-in-law: Susan Smith and her husband Louis T. Enos of South Salem, and Margaret Colby and her husband Michael Reim of Louisville, Col.; a sister, Margaret S. Knight and her husband Eugene of Raleigh; and a brother, Clarence J. Smith Jr. of Virginia Beach. Also surviving are grandchildren Jesse R. Reim of Louisville, Shane C. McMahon and Laura B. Enos of New York City; Frederick L. Enos of Akersberga, Sweden, and his daughters Julia and Jenny.
Mrs. Easterbrooks was predeceased by her husband in 1986, and her sister, Ida Smith McKimmon of Raleigh.She was an active member of the Bayberry Bluffs Civic Association and the Duck Woods Country Club. She was an avid golfer and bridge player, and especially enjoyed the beach at Duck.
A memorial service will be held on April 19 at the Duck United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts may be made to the Hospice Special Fund c/o Albemarle Home Care, Seagate Shopping Center, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948.
Frances Dzamko, Ridgefield native
Frances L. Dzamko of 47 State Street, Danbury, a Ridgefield native, died on Monday, Sept. 3, at Heritage Heights Health Care Center. She was 86 years old and the widow of Thomas Dzamko.
Mrs. Dzamko was born in Ridgefield on Oct. 3, 1914, daughter of the late John and Bertha Parks Nalley. She attended Ridgefield schools and worked for many years at the former Neuman-Endler Hat Factory and the former Capitol Machine Company of Danbury. She was also a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Danbury.
Mrs. Dzamko is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Vivian and Anthony Dinho of Danbury and Madilla and Steven Ferguson of Bethel and her sister, Katherine Lounsbury of Danbury. She is also survived by her grandchildren, JoAnn Lounsbury, Linda Taylor, Steven Ferguson, Patricia Fowler and Kathi Ostner, as well as 17 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Her brothers, Leonard, John and James Nalley, died before her.
Services were at the Green Funeral Home in Danbury on Wednesday. Cremation will be at the convenience of the family.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Ann’s Place — Home of I Can, 1 Padanaram Road, Danbury, CT 06811.
James V. DiOrio, Navy Seabee, athlete
James V. DiOrio of Bloomer Road, a lifelong Ridgefielder who had been a Navy Seabee, died on Friday, March 15, 2002, at Danbury Hospital after a brief illness. He was 83 years old and the husband of Rose DiOrio.
A son of the late Biagio and Maria DeBenigno DiOrio, Mr. DiOrio was born on Dec. 9, 1918, in Branchville in a house that once stood at the corner of Routes 7 and 102.
He attended Ridgefield schools and graduated in 1937 from Ridgefield High School, where he played on the baseball team.
“He loved athletics,” said his son, James P. DiOrio of Antioch, Ill. Mr. DiOrio was one of the few serious ice hockey players in Ridgefield in the 1930s and 40s, and was a member of semi-pro teams that skated in Norwalk and Stamford.
After Ridgefield High School, Mr. DiOrio spent four years at the technical school in Danbury. He was a tool and die maker for several companies, and later worked as a groundskeeper on the Redding estate of Anne Parrish, author of many novels and children’s books.
Until his retirement last August, he had been employed for 36 years at Norco Inc. of Ridgefield in the production control department.
Mr. DiOrio served in the United States Navy SeaBees during World War II. He was attached to the 107th Naval Construction Battalion in the Pacific Theater.
He was a past member of the American Legion Post in Georgetown and had belonged to the Italian American Mutual Aid Society in Ridgefield.
“He was a very avid gardener,” said his son. Mr. DiOrio specialized in roses, marigolds and in recent years, also impatiens.
Besides his wife of 53 years and his son, Mr. DiOrio is survived by his brother Dominic J. DiOrio of Wilton; his daughter-in-law: Kathleen DiOrio of Antioch; three grandchildren: Daniel and Kimberly Kaiser and Gina DiOrio, all of Antioch; and by three nephews.
A brother, Louis DiOrio, and three sisters, Rose Marie DiOrio, Zuleme Nunzarro and Catherine Edwards, died before him.
The Rev. M. Joseph Joaquin, pastor, celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday in Sacred Heart Church, Georgetown. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Mr. DiOrio may be made to Sacred Heart Church, P.O. Box 388, Georgetown, CT 06829.
The Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown, was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Denley, 81, plumber, teacher
Robert Edward Denley Sr. of Holiday, Fla., a longtime Ridgefield plumber who enjoyed sharing his plumbing knowledge with others, died on Wednesday, May 22, in New Port Richey, Fla., after a long illness. He was 81 years old.
Mr. Denley operated Robert E. Denley & Sons, Plumbing and Heating, for many years. He had also taught an eight-hour adult education course on how to cope with plumbing emergencies, and lectured on plumbing at local clubs and organizations. “Stop and think — don’t panic!” was the first rule he told people to follow.
A native of Melrose, Mass., Mr. Denley was born March 3, 1921, a son of the late Carl and Madelene Denley. During World War II, he served in the Navy aboard the USS Niblack, a destroyer that, on April 10, 1941, engaged a German U-boat in what has been called the first action between American and German forces in that war. The Niblack saw action in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Pacific.
Mr. Denley had lived in Katonah and Goldens Bridge, N.Y., where he was active as a Boy Scout leader, before moving to Mapleshade Road around 1967. Here, he was also active in scouting, and served as a scoutmaster for many years.
He was known for his creativity in recycling the leftovers of modern life. He would saw old water heater tanks lengthwise in two to create barbecue grills, and was well known locally for the decorative planters he fashioned from old tires and wheels. “It’s just like the old farmer who makes do,” he told an interviewer in 1974.
He retired from the plumbing business in 1982 and moved to Florida where he became a Realtor.
Mr. Denley was a past member of the Plumbers Union Local 429 of Mount Kisco, N.Y., and had held various offices in the American Legion post in Ridgefield. In Florida he belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Florida and Florida Naval Sailors Association.
Mr. Denley is survived by two sons: John J. Denley of Brookfield, and Robert E. Denley Jr., of Ridgefield; three daughters: Judith Ann Panissidi of New Fairfield, and Carleen and Madelene Denley of New Port Richey, Fla.; a brother, John F. Denley of Melrose; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; his friend and companion, Josephine Monaco of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
A sister, Madelene Ruth Toomey, died before him.
A memorial service will take place in Florida. Graveside services will be held in Melrose, Mass., at the convenience of the family.
Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Joseph P. Dailey, 79, pharmaceutical researcher, active in the community
Joseph P. Dailey of Juneberry Lane died on Saturday morning, April 6, at Danbury Hospital after being stricken ill at home. He was the husband of Mary E. (Torney) Dailey and was 79.
Dr. Dailey was born in Penfield, IIl., a small rural farming town, Nov. 14, 1922, a son of the late Joseph M. and Ida (Skeffington) Dailey. Dr. Dailey attended local schools and University High School, Champaign, Ill. He then received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.
Dr. Dailey recently retired from Columbia University where he had been a specialist in pharmaceutical technology, transfer and licensing, a position he held since 1984. He was also involved in new drug research, development, registration and marketing.
A resident of Ridgefield since 1979, coming from Kankakee, Ill., Dr. Dailey was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish, serving as chairman of the Parish Finance Committee. He was also a founding member of the Job Network, which aided middle management professionals in obtaining new
positions upon the loss of positions due to mergers and acquisitions.
Dr. Dailey was a member of the Ridgefield Arts Council, the Ridgefield Men’s Club and a member of the board of directors and former president of the Ridgefield Symphony.
Dr. Dailey was also a member of the Licensing Executives Society, the Royal Society of Medicine, the American Heart Association, the American Chemical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
In addition to his wife of 51 years, he is survived by a daughter, Mary Kay Dailey of Urbana, Ill.; four sons, Thomas Dailey of Hawaii, William Dailey of Parishville, N.Y., John Dailey of Corvallis, Ore., and Joseph Dailey of Boise, Idaho; three sisters, Mary Ellen Higgins of Melbourne, Fla., Anna Rita Locke of Kenosha, Wisc., and Regina Flynn of Baltimore, Md.; 10 grandchildren, Eli, Austin, Meir, Krystle, Kavi, Ashley, Iris, Ahmna, Elan and Luke, as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday at St. Mary’s Church, with the Rev. Robert P. Morrissey, pastor, officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund, 183 High Ridge Avenue or to the Ridgefield Symphony, P.O. Box 289, Ridgefield.
Ronald D. Crozier, 71, international mining expert
Ronald D. Crozier of Daisy Lane, an internationally known expert in mining and chemical engineering, died Saturday, Aug. 18, at his home. He was 71 years old and the husband of Sabina Crozier.
Dr. Crozier was born on Sept. 9, 1929, in Antofagasta, Chile. His parents were British and he grew up in Chile and Ireland. He came to the United States to study at the University of Michigan where he received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering.
He worked for many years for Dow Chemical Company where he developed a widely used acrylic fiber and later worked in the company’s business development in Europe.
Dr. Crozier, whose father had been in the mining industry, joined SQM, the nitrate company of Chile, as chief operating officer. He later became chief executive officer of Minerec Corporation, a mining company headquartered in New York City.
In 1979 he bought a home here but spent a great deal of time on assignments around the world. In recent years, he had been a consultant on process design, the economics of mining, and worked on assignments in such far-flung locations as France, Israel, South Africa, Bolivia, and Canada.
A prolific author, he had written more than 90 articles on mining for various publications in both English and Spanish, and had just completed a paper he had planned to deliver at a conference in Chile. Much of his recent writing dealt with the history of mining, one of his interests.
In 1992, Dr. Crozier wrote Flotation: Theory, Reagents and Ore Testing, published by Pergamon Press.
“His research, patents and writings are his legacy to his colleagues throughout the world,” his wife Sabina Crozier said. “He will be remembered for his vast store of knowledge, intellectual curiosity, kindness and love.”
Mrs. Crozier added that her husband was well known for mentoring others. “He was really remembered for the impact he left on a lot of people. He enjoyed teaching and offering advice.”
His survivors include a son, Ralph Crozier of Southbury; three daughters, Vanessa Wigand of Richmond, Va., Susan Albert of Walkill, N.Y., and Janette Clark of Montgomery, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren.
Services were private.
Rita M. Covello, Greenwich native
Rita M. Covello of Ridgefield died Sunday, May 19, at Stamford Hospital. She was 68.
Born Dec. 11, 1933, in Greenwich, Mrs. Covello was a daughter of the late Anthony Risi and Genevieve Chirillo Mancini. She attended Stamford public schools. She was an avid bowler and gardener.
Mrs. Covello is survived by her husband, Rocco Covello of Ridgefield; two sons, John Bates Jr. of Marathon, Fla., and Edward Bates of Claverack, N.Y.; a daughter, Amie Jones of Hudson, N.Y.; three brothers, Ronald Risi of Sandy Hook, Peter Mancini of Hartford and Michael Mancini of Phoenix; five sisters, Precious Simons of Phoenix, Antoinette Mallozzi of Milford, Marie Nirschel of Norwalk, Elinor Wainwright and Ruth Risi Liscio, both of Stamford; a stepdaughter, Roxanne Covello of Ridgefield; and six grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a sister, Rose Catalano, and a brother, Dominic Risi.
Services will take place Thursday, May 23, at 10:30 a.m., in Grace Evangelical Free Church, 241 Courtland Avenue, Stamford.
Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Greenwich.
