Beloved wife, mother, sibling & friend, Gail Brebner Ord, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on April 11, 2017.  The way Gail handled a difficult cancer diagnosis was a role model for us all — understanding, accepting and brave.

Born on April 28, 1943, Gail was the oldest daughter of the late Frederic Brebner and Doreen Dann.  Gail grew up in Toronto and Montreal, and graduated from John Rennie High School and Macdonald College at McGill University.  She married Nicholas Ord on August 19, 1967, and together they raised two children, Jennifer and Christopher, in both Canada and the United States.

Gail has resided in Darien, CT since 1981 (with a brief two-years abroad in Puerto Rico).  In 1987, Gail became a licensed real estate broker, working with William Pitt, Merrill Lynch, Prudential and, most recently, Coldwell Banker.  She has confidently helped numerous families find their homes in Darien and Fairfield County, receiving accolades such as International Diamond Society and the President’s Circle (top 2% in sales worldwide).  

Gail was an active member of the Darien community and Tokeneke Club.  She was an avid bridge player and an ABCL Bridge Life Master.  She was a figure skating judge and fan who attended national and international events whenever possible.  Most importantly, she had an incredible spirit and touched the lives of the many people she knew with her humor, kindness and courage.

Gail is survived by her husband of 49 years, Nick Ord, her daughter Jennifer Ord Bonadio and husband Bill Bonadio of Great Falls, VA, her son Chris Ord and wife Jennifer Raikes of Los Angeles, CA.  A great joy in her life were her five grandchildren Alex, Claire & Madelyn Bonadio, and Audrey & Dorothy Ord.  She was also tremendously close with her three siblings, Tony Brebner, Mallory Tabah and Deane Bissonnette.

A private memorial service was held for immediate family at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Whittingham Cancer Center in Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple St. Norwalk, CT 06850 (http://www.norwalkhospital.org/departments/cancer-care-at-norwalk-hospital/give-now)  

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Jean Frances Davis passed away surrounded by her children on April 22, 2017 at the Golden Isles Hospice in Brunswick, Georgia.

Jean was born in South Shields, County Durham, in England, attended high school at the South Shields Grammar School for Girls and graduated from Eastbourne College as a physical education teacher. After graduation, she worked as a teacher for two years before marrying and leading an adventurous period as a young bride in Libya, Ireland and Spain before arriving in the United States and settling in Darien in 1969. She has been a resident of Sunapee, New Hampshire since 2004.

Jean is survived by her sister, Katherine Margerison of Pannal, Yorkshire, England; by her husband of 54 years, Allan Davis; by their three children, Iain Davis (Bonnie) of Nashua, New Hampshire, Alison Davis of San Antonio, Texas, and Clare Rappaport (Andrew) of Wilton, Connecticut; by their six grandchildren, Jason Lewis (Cristi), Samantha and Lindsay Davis, Benjamin, Meredith and Zoe Rappaport; by one great-grandson, Hudson Lewis; by one step grand-daughter Desiree Dunphy; and by four step great-grandchildren, Charizma and Darius Dunphy, and Kadence and Payton Ryznar.

As a young woman Jean excelled at field hockey, playing club hockey in Ireland and, later, competitive tennis as a member of the Middlesex Club. After the children left home, Jean worked for the Stamford Bank, later absorbed by Bank of America, and as bookkeeper for her husband’s consulting engineering practice. Jean was active in her church, serving as a Deacon in the Noroton Presbyterian Church and in the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church in New London. At KCPC she was a long-term member of the Missions Committee and supported the Presbyterian Women, the Knitters and the Feed the Freezer program. Jean loved gardening and was an enthusiastic member of the Sunapee Gardeners.

For twenty years, Jean and Allan attended meetings related to transportation engineering, airports and parking in every corner of north America and she made many lasting friendships along the way.

A memorial service for Jean will be held at the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 3rd at 2:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be sent to Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church, 82 King Hill Road, New London, NH 03257, identified for the Jean Davis Memorial Fund.

— by the Family

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John A. DeCesare, a resident of Guilford, and a former 35-year resident of Darien, passed away on Sunday, April 23, at Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven.  Born on August 13, 1935 in Bronx, New York, he was the son of the late Louis A. and Marjorie (Chism) DeCesare.  He was 81.

Mr. DeCesare attended Brown University and the University of Buffalo (Albright Art School).  His career as a graphic designer spanned 50 years, including BBDO, Geigy Pharmaceuticals, YWCA Retirement Fund and started DeCesare Design Associates.  He enjoyed tennis, gardening, reading and traveling.

He received many graphic design awards throughout his career including the Distinguished Alumni Award from SUNY, Buffalo.

Mr. DeCesare is survived by his wife, Moira K. DeCesare; his three sons, John L. DeCesare, Paul A. DeCesare and Michael P. DeCesare and five grandchildren, Cassandra Marie, John Daniel, Danielle Kelly, Derek Michael and Devyn Rose DeCesare.  He is also survived by one sister, Kathy (Bruce) Schwartz and one brother, Kerry (Marlyse) DeCesare.

The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Friday, May 5, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the University of Buffalo, Department of Art, 202 Center for the Arts, North Campus, Buffalo, NY  14260 or the Italian-American Museum, 155 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10013.  www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

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Maude Miller Pettus went home to be with the Lord at her home in Stamford, CT on April 22, 2017 at the age of 103.  She was a very special woman, marked by God, who had a deep well of wisdom, a great sense of intuition, and lived a full, joyful life.

Maude was born in Springs, PA on April 7, 1914, and received her nursing degree from Capital City School of Nursing in Washington, DC in 1936.  During her training, she met a Yale medical school student William Winston Pettus, whom she married on June 23, 1937. After graduation Maudie worked in the Neurological Surgery Department at New York Presbyterian Hospital while Win did his residency there.   In 1940 they began serving as a surgical team in Changsha, China at a hospital founded by Yale University.  

Shortly after the birth of their two daughters, Ann and Sally, Win was tragically killed in a plane crash on November 18, 1945, in China.  Following the death of her husband, Maude received her PHN degree at UCLA in 1948.  She had a second career as a school nurse at the Beverly Hills Unified School District until her retirement in 1984.  Maude moved to Stamford CT in 1986, where she worked in home healthcare to the elderly.  

As the daughter of a Mennonite minister, her faith was always very important to her.  Maude belonged to the Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien CT, where she was a member of  the Tuesday Morning Bible Study, the Prime Timers Senior Fellowship and the Flower Team.  She will be remembered especially for her contagious joy, her deep faith, her caring spirit, and her persevering resiliency as she faced the many trying circumstances of her life.  

Toward the end of her life Maudie returned to China to celebrate her 100th birthday with friends at Yale-China in 2014, and again in 2015 as a guest of the Chinese Government. 

Maude was predeceased by her parents Rev. Ed and Annie Miller, her brothers and sisters Edith (Miller) Lautenschlager, Clark Miller, Curtis Miller, Elva (Miller) Phillips, and Daniel Miller, her loving husband, William Winston Pettus, and her daughter Sally Pettus.  She is survived by her daughter Ann (Pettus) Mattina of Stamford CT, grandchildren Laura Mattina Gordon, James Mattina, Philip Mattina,  and Christopher Mattina; great grandchildren Christine Clark, Brittany Clark, Brookelynn Nielson, Breanne Nielson, Rachel Johnson, Jacob Gordon, Justin James Mattina, Taylor Ann Mattina, Hope Natalie Mattina, Reed Winston Mattina and numerous nieces and nephews.  

A memorial service will be held at the Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road in Darien, CT on Saturday, June 17th, at 11:00 a.m. Contributions in memory of Maudie Pettus may be made to the Noroton Presbyterian Church, 2011 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 at www.norotonchurch.org.

— by the Family

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A service celebrating the life of James Armour, husband of former long-time Darien Representative Town Committee moderator Karen Armour, will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road.

Mr. Armour died in Stamford, Connecticut, on October 7, 2016, at the age of 86. Jim is survived by his wife, Karen Ahlberg Armour; three daughters, Rabbi Victoria Armour-Hileman of Atlanta, Georgia; Allison Armour-Garb (Bradley) of Slingerlands, New York; and Julie Armour (Tom Jones) of Summit, New Jersey; and grandchildren Isabel, Zev, Charlie, and Carson. He was predeceased by his sister, Jacqueline Armour, and by his parents, Beatrice Peters (née Kalt) and David Armour.

Jim was born on January 27, 1930, in Brooklyn, and grew up in Larchmont, New York, where he met lifelong friends and fly-fishing buddies Larry Rosenstadt, Ed Nusbaum, and Joe Andress; became an Eagle Scout; and graduated from Mamaroneck High School.

Read James Armour’s full obituary here.

He met Karen at a Kentucky Derby party in Manhattan, and they married in 1966. They settled in Darien, Connecticut, where they raised their daughters and, later, he became an enthusiastic member of the Darien Men’s Association. Jim and Karen continued the party throughout their 50 years of marriage. After they retired, they began spending summers surrounded by friends and their growing family on beautiful Lake Massawippi in North Hatley, Quebec.

Jim adored being a father and was endlessly proud of his daughters’ professional accomplishments, expertise, and talents. Family and friends will remember him for his wisdom, dance moves, charades prowess, and relentless sense of humor (affectionately known as “pun-ishment”), among many other things. He was a kind, caring person and a devoted dog owner. In addition to trout fishing, playing golf, and listening to music, Jim enjoyed boating, and he always said that his first job—as a launchman at the local yacht club when he was a teenager—was his favorite.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s honor can be made to Darien Post 53 EMS at http://www.post53.info/donate

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Lucia S. Sharpe, a resident of Norwalk, died on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Norwalk Hospital.  Born on May 27, 1925 in Sicily, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Francesco and Nunzia (Quaranta) Scalzo.  She was 91.  Lucia worked as a seamstress for The Whitney Shop in New Canaan, CT.

Lucia is survived by a daughter, Marie Algeri Petinakis of Norwalk and a son, Anthony Casella of Darien. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Carissa Marie Algeri Gulyas and her husband, Michael Bennett Gulyas; Ryan Peter Algeri and his wife Janie Medvedev Algeri and five great grandchildren, Kayla Algeri, Alyssa Algeri, Jaxon Gulyas, Mackenzie Algeri and Carter Gulyas.  She also leaves behind a brother, Ciccino Scalzo of Sicily, Italy and a sister, Marie Conti of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

She was predeceased  by her husbands, Sam Casella in 1979 and John Sharpe in 2006; and three brothers, Guido Scalzo, Giuseppe Scalzo and Vincenzo Scalzo and one sister, Santina Quaranta.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 28, at 11 a.m. at St. John R. C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien.  Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.

— by The Darien Times

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PauPaul G. Lupinacci, 62, of Burlington, MA and Morris, CT passed away on April 28 after a sudden and brief battle with neuroendocrine cancer. He is survived by his beloved partner of 16 years, Ina Rothenbuecher of Burlington, MA, his brother Steven and wife Vickie of San Juan Capistrano, CA, nephew Adam and wife Amanda and children Jeremy and Olivia of Novato, CA, niece Kate and husband Matt Galati of Portland, OR, niece Emily and husband Vadim Kharaz of Conshohocken, PA, niece Julia of San Juan Capistrano, CA, many cousins, and many devoted friends.
Son of the late Alfred Lupinacci and late Gertrude (Arrigoni) Lupinacci, Paul was born in Bridgeport CT in 1955 and grew up in Darien. He graduated from Darien High School in 1973 and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rollins College in 1977. Throughout his career, he held various accounting and risk management positions.
An avid boater, both with his personal flotilla of watercraft, as well as through his 100-ton Master Captain’s license, Paul was always happiest on the water. He was an accomplished water and snow skier as well.
The lives of everyone he touched were made better by his larger than life personality. His generous nature and love of life will be remembered and missed by all.
Per Paul’s request there will be no immediate memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to his beloved Bantam Lake via either Bantam Lake Protective Association (http://bantamlakect.com/) or Bantam Lake Ski Club (http://bantamlakeskiclub.com/).
To leave a condolence visit bostoncremation.org

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Margaret L. Love, 88, of Redding, who lived in Darien from 1969 to 1995, formerly of Hilton Head, South Carolina and an eternal New Yorker, died May 3. Mrs. Love attended Dominican Academy in Manhattan and Albertus Magnus College in New Haven.

After marrying Dick Love, the family moved frequently, finally settling in 1969 in Darien. Upon retirement, they moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Mrs. Love was an active member of the Darien Community Association and the Country Club of Darien.

A lecture given by Mrs. Love in the early 70’s — courtesy of the family.

Mrs. Love was a fiber artist, a passion which began in the 1960s. Recognized by the Darien newspapers as a “famous local artist”, she taught many Darien residents embroidery. Her work was displayed in juried shows in the United States and Japan. In 1994, she said, “I find great pleasure in expressing my ideas in thread and stitches. My work is sometimes realistic but more often it is an abstraction either in a time or a place. I especially enjoy using color and texture to describe a feeling or emotion.”

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard, and she leaves four children, Mary Ann Love Malinconico, Nancy Love Weith, Darien High Class of ‘72, Jane Love, Darien High Class of  ’74, and Tom Love, Darien High Class of ’76; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She will be interred at sea.

— by The Darien Times

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Darien High School

This week, Schools Superintendent Dan Brenner brought forward a proposal on revamping the current commitment those in Darien High School extra curricular activities currently sign.

• A new commitment? Darien superintendent, board discuss revamping school substance abuse policy. 

The commitment requires those who sign it to not drink or use illegal substances or being in situations that include the same or otherwise suffer suspensions from that activity for a certain amount of days.

Dr. Brenner thinks the current commitment, while well intended, is not working.

He’s right.

It isn’t working because enforcement is selective and inconsistent.

It isn’t working because it isn’t having any long-term effect on the levels of teen drinking in town.

Might it also be that it isn’t working because it isn’t always in the athletic departments or teams best interest to enforce it?

This is not to say only athletes might violate the commitment — by any means.

But it’s likely that in some cases those who might violate the commitment could also be the best performing athletes on their respective teams.

And who would want to jeopardize the next game because the best performers are suspended for two weeks? Who would want to be responsible for getting those best performers suspended before the next big game and suffer social repercussions from their peers?

This is hypothetical, but the fact remains the commitment isn’t working. The high school’s current approach to enforcing it isn’t working.

Dr. Brenner says it isn’t a superintendent problem, it’s a community problem — and he’s right about that too.

The only way for this community effort to work is if we all pick up our oars and move this ship forward to produce a better, more effective policy.

And maybe take a look at the way our community pressures our young people to excel in all they do at any cost.

Even more importantly, our community needs to make our own commitment — a serious commitment —  to lead by a better and more effective example in our adults, teachers, coaches and parents.

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Laura Rich Rowland, a resident of Darien, passed away peacefully beside her loving family on Wednesday, May 10, 2017.  She was born in Stamford on June 11, 1951 to Frank Dominic Rich Jr. and Jean Annabelle Rich Hopkins.  She was 65 years old.

Laura attended Wells College in Aurora, New York.  She was employed as an Administrator for SNET and Northeastern Mutual.  Laura’s most recent employment was as an Office Administrator for Dr. Steven Rothenberg in Darien.  Laura’s greatest happiness came from spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren, and with her wonderful extended family.  Laura was an avid reader who enjoyed traveling with her husband, their summer vacations in Cape Cod, island hopping in the Caribbean and spending time at the beach.

Laura is survived by her loving husband, Christopher Peyton Rowland of Darien; her daughter and best friend, Elizabeth Lycan Martinez, son-in-law Wilson Martinez, and grandchildren Annabelle Peyton Martinez and Gavin Crew Martinez of Darien. She is also survived by her stepson Niles Hamilton Rowland of Long Island City, NY; and her four siblings, Frank Rich III of New Canaan, CT; Robin Fulton of Hilton Head Island, SC; Susan Mailman of Stamford, CT; and Charles Rich of Suwanee, GA.  She was predeceased by her son, Donald G. Lycan III and her sister, Lisa Rich Coats.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John R. C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT, on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alix’s Lemon at http://www.alixslemon.com.

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Kevin Joseph Cassidy of Darien, Connecticut went peacefully home to God surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday morning, May 10, after a long and bravely fought battle with lung cancer.

Kevin was the devoted husband of Jacqueline Sinon Cassidy for twenty-five years and the loving father of his sons Kevin, Michael, and Brendan, and beloved daughter, Colleen.

Born on October 1, 1956, to Eleanor and Joseph Cassidy in Red Bank, New Jersey, Kevin grew up on the Jersey Shore with his two brothers Padraic and Brendan and his sister Kathleen.  It was there that he developed his love of family, his great capacity for friendship, and his love of the ocean.  While he was in high school, he moved with his family to Chevy Chase, Maryland, and he graduated from Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Maryland.

Kevin graduated from Boston College where he was an Economics major and an avid Rugby player.  His love for the Heights and his BC brother and sister Eagles was lifelong.

He was an alumnus of Fordham Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review, and he was admitted to the New York and California Bar Associations. He practiced law at White & Case’s New York and Stockholm offices and at Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom, first in New York and later in Los Angeles.  Most recently, he served as General Counsel and Executive Vice President at Rafferty Holdings, LLC.

Kevin and his wife Jackie enjoyed beautiful years in Los Angeles, Sydney, and Hong Kong.  When his career bought him back to New York, they settled on Birch Road in Darien.  It was here they celebrated the births of their children, and Kevin took great pride in the town he loved so well, Darien!

Kevin was a devoted, endlessly supportive neighborhood dad and relished the joys of fatherhood.  When his children were young, Kevin never tired of lacing up their hockey skates.  The Darien Ice Rink became his favorite destination.  Learning and loving the game himself, he excitedly stood at the glass taking in games and working the clock.  He loved the Darien Youth Hockey Program and served on the board of the Darien Youth Hockey Organization for five years.

In addition, Kevin was also an enthusiastic supporter of Darien Little League – a dedicated baseball coach to his sons and other boys in the program, and he later helped coach Colleen and other little girls in softball.

 A former Boy Scout, Kevin guided his sons in Scouting, serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 53 in Darien.  He loved canoe trips, ski trips, and camping trips, especially the famous annual Klondike Camp Out in the snow.  He devoted many hours as the Sporting Goods Chair for the annual Boy Scout Tag Sale and glowed with pride when troop members – including his sons Michael and Brendan – became Eagle Scouts.

Kevin was a member of Saint Thomas More Parish.  He was a man of deep faith and a beautiful example to his children.

He and his family spent unforgettable summers on Shelter Island, New York.

No one who got in the boat while Kevin was at the helm didn’t learn to water ski!

Those summers golfing with his children at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club and taking endless swims in West Neck Bay were some of the best times of his life.

Whether he was heading off with his kids early on a Saturday morning for a day-trip to the ski slopes or teeing off when the sun came up at the Country Club of Darien, Kevin loved his life and lived it to the fullest with enthusiasm, a generous heart, a sense of humor, and uncompromising integrity.

Kevin took great pride in the town of Darien, knowing this community as home.  To him the great people of Darien were not just friends they were family.

Kevin is survived by his beloved wife Jacqueline, his sons Kevin, Michael, and Brendan, and his daughter Colleen.  He is also survived by his brother Brendan Cassidy of College Park, Maryland and his sister Kathleen Cassidy of Longmont, Colorado.  His brother Padraic passed away in 2009.

The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Tuesday, May 16, from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Saint Thomas More Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien on Wednesday, May 17, at 10:30 am.  Kevin will be buried at the Cemetery of Our Lady of the Isle, Shelter Island, NY, after a family service on Thursday morning.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Andrew Shaw Memorial Trust (an organization that supports Darien Boy Scouts) PO Box 2315, Darien, CT 06820 or to the Darien EMS-Post 53, PO Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820.

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Lewis Atterbury Clarke Jr. (Pete), of Hingham, Mass.,  was born Feb. 7, 1941 and died May 4, 2017 in Manchester, VT

Survived by his wife, Diane Clarke, his daughter Jeanie Clarke of Ocala, FL, his son, Henry Clarke of NYC, his step-son, Christopher Knight of Darien, CT, Chris’s wife Lilly Knight and their children, Spencer, Claire and Hannah, and Pete’s sisters Vicky Linville of Weston, VT and Debbie Moderow of Anchorage, Alaska

Pete Clarke was a wonderful father, husband and friend. An accomplished fly fisherman, hunter, artist, musician, songster, antiques and sporting art dealer, he enriched the lives of all who knew him. His courage and good humor during twenty-five years living with Parkinson’s disease are testimony to his strength and determination to remain connected to the people, places and things he loved.

After graduating from Hotchkiss School in 1959, Princeton in 1963, Pete spent four years in the Navy as Chief Engineering Officer LST 533 US Second Fleet. His early business career was focused on sales management for several high-tech communications companies, including Xerox, IBT, Rolm Corp., ISOETEC and Brooktrout Technology, where Pete was manager of foreign sales.

In Hingham, Mass. Pete later started The Sportsman’s Eye: specializing in Antiques, Sporting Art and Decoys which he ran for ten years with his wife, Diane. He was a member of the Hingham Yacht Club. He was a life-long supporter of Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, The Ruffed Grouse Society, The Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Audubon Society.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible gifts in memory of Pete may be directed to: The Lewis A. Clarke Ecology Fund Hotchkiss School, 11 Interlaken Rd.

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Michael Howard Savage, 78, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017, surrounded by his family at his home in Darien. Michael was born in Bridgeport in 1938, son of the late Manuel and Lillian Savage. He grew up in Hollis Hills, New York.

Michael graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He was a member of the swimming team and served as pianist for the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Education and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from New York University.

For more than 37 years, Michael worked in the field of education, primarily with the New York State Education Department with responsibility for Federal, New York State and New York City funded programs in public schools in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Putnam counties. He was also responsible for New York State School Registration for all public and private elementary and secondary schools in the New York metro area. Following his retirement from the New York State Education Department, Michael was a Consultant to the New York City Board of Education, advising on Federal and State funded educational programs.  

Michael remained actively involved with his alma maters until his death. He served as a member of the Executive Committees of the Dartmouth Club of New York and the Dartmouth Alumni Association of New York City for more than 35 years.  He was also a member of the Dartmouth Club of Fairfield County and the Dartmouth Club of Eastern Fairfield County.  In addition to his involvement with Dartmouth, Michael was a Founding Member of the New York University Alumni Association and served as a member of its Board of Directors for more than 20 years.  He was a member of The Yale Club of New York City, Darien Men’s Association and The Country Club of Darien. Michael enjoyed golf, swimming and music .

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Mary Beth, as well as his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Winifred and Thomas Lom and Margaret and Stephen Connelly of Darien, and Karen and Richard Lombardo of East Hills, New York. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Andrew Lom and his wife, Terry Wasserman-Lom, Stacy and Courtney Lom, Jessica and James Connelly, and Katie Lombardo.  

Burial was private at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan.  A Memorial Mass will be held on June 3, 2017 at 10:30 am at St. Thomas More Church in Darien.  Donations in memory of Michael may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or online at Cancer.org/Donate.

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Leonid “Lee” Pratt passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 13, 2017 at the age of 90.  Lee was born on December 15, 1926 in Manhattan New York to Sophie Schmidt Pratt and Theodore Pratt.  He attended Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School.  Lee was a talented student and graduated at the top of his class. Following graduation, he served in the US Navy in active duty until 1946 and the reserves until 1950.  While in the Navy, Lee was trained as an Aviation Electronics Technician and then went on to graduate with a B.A. from Union College in 1949.  

Lee’s military training and formal education prepared him for a pioneering role in television beginning during college as a Television Technical Director with one of the earliest TV stations, WRGB in Schenectady, New York.  Following graduation, he held several TV production posts with NBC until he went to work with J. Walter Thompson Company as production supervisor and then producer of Lux Video Theatre in the Hollywood office.  It was there he met his wife of 57 years Mary Lawler Pratt, who was also a native New Yorker.

In 1958 Lee and Mary married after moving back to New York City.  Lee held various posts in the broadcast department of JWT.  He became Vice President and Senior Broadcast Supervisor in 1966, then Media Supervisor in 1972 where he was responsible for such accounts as Warner-Lambert, RCA, Congoleum, Irving Trust, Textron, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Good Year & The American Gas Association.  He rose to Senior VP in 1978 of Brouillard Communications at JWT.  Following JWT Lee joined RJR Nabisco and held the dual responsibility as the Executive VP of RJR Nabisco Broadcast and the Executive VP of the Ohlmeyer Advertising Division.  Ohlmeyer Advertising broke away from RJR Nabisco in 1983 and Lee became the Chief Operating Officer.  Lee spent his entire career in broadcasting both in production and advertising.    

Lee’s career allowed him to travel with his beloved wife throughout the world to multiple Olympic games, large scale sporting & media events and an African safari.  Mary & Lee enjoyed exploring the world, travelling European back roads and visiting new restaurants and B&B’s wherever they found themselves, relishing the experience of assimilating to the cultures and environments they travelled to.  Long walks and bicycle rides were always on the agenda along with visiting the hole in the wall restaurants as well as the famous ones.  

They raised their family and lived in Darien from 1960 until 2015.  After retiring in 1988, Lee remained very active in civic duties serving on the boards of The Noroton Bay Community Association as well as being an elected delegate in the Darien Republican Town Committee.  He was also a board member of his neighborhood association in Naples FL.  The couple moved to Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers Florida in 2015.  Lee moved to live with his daughter in Medford, NJ after the passing of his wife in June 2016.

Lee was an active member of his community and a natural leader and pragmatist in governance.  He loved boating, sports, reading, politics and travel.  He was a loving father and grandfather and is survived by his two children:  David Pratt and his wife Lisa Nelson Pratt of Sebastopol, CA & Tina Pratt Shaffer and her husband John Shaffer of Medford, NJ; two grandsons Leo & Maize Pratt and 4 Nieces, Evalina Pratt and Katie, Melissa & Anna Shaffer.  In addition to his family, Lee will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him throughout his life, including numerous friends along the east coast.  

A memorial service will be held at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association donatenow.heart.org or Paralyzed Veterans of America, 800-555-9140, 801 18th Street NW, Washington, DC  200006, pva.org.

— by the Family

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Thomas L. Foley, Jr., a 37-year resident of Darien, died on Monday, May 29, 2017 in Darien. Born on Feb. 21, 1942 in Albany, New York, he was the son of the late Helen Hogan and Thomas Leo Foley, Sr. He grew up in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. He was 75.

Mr. Foley graduated from Newtown High School in Elmhurst, New York; St. John’s University in Jamaica, New York and received his master’s degree in business administration from Fordham University in New York. He was a Certified Public Account in New York and Connecticut and worked for the Sara Lee Company, Gulf & Western Industries and Illy Coffee. He was a member of St. Thomas More Church, the Darien Boat Club, the Middlesex Club and the Cherry Lawn Community Gardens. He enjoyed kayaking and was a volunteer with the Registrar of Voters. He also served with the U.S. Army Reserves.

He is survived by two sons, Thomas Foley and his wife Camyle of Miami Beach, Florida and John Foley of New York, New York. He is also survived by a brother Jim Foley of Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by his wife, Judith M. Foley in 2014.

Memorial calling hours were held on Thursday, June 1, at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien.

Memorial donations may be made to NPCF, P. O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502.

— by The Darien Times

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Mary Anne (Whitlock) Murdock, 90, of Glastonbury, wife of the late John S. Murdock, Sr., died peacefully Thursday May 18. Born July 23, 1926 in Washington, D.C., daughter of the late Francis B. and Virginia (Bennett) Whitlock, she had lived in Darien for 50 years, moving to Glastonbury in 2009. After graduating from Smith College, Mary Anne worked for Howdy Doody in New York City.

In Darien she was involved in the Junior League and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she was the manager of the bookstore for many years. She enjoyed gardening and studying the Bible and most of all spending time with her family. Mary Anne is survived by her four children and their spouses, Betsy and Chris Myers of Norton, MA, Jay and Su Murdock of New Fairfield, Rob Murdock of Monrovia, California, Missy and David Bauman of Glastonbury, 10 grandchildren, Connor, Chris, Justin, Greg, Ben, Annie, Katie, Tim, Christy, Jamie and a great-grandchild Gideon. She was predeceased by a sister Virginia Wittenberg.

Services will be held at Trinity Covenant Church, 302 Hackmatack St., Manchester on June 10 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to World Vision, P.O. Box 78481, Tacoma, WA 98481  or Ethnos 360 (formerly New Tribes Mission), 312 West First St., Sanford, FL  32771.  For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.

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Mr. Robert Evans Woods, a much loved and respected long-time resident of Darien, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2017.  Bob, aged 96, was born in Corning, NY to Arthur and Eleanora Woods.  He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Geraldine, three sons and their wives:  Bob Jr. and Mary, Jerry and Kate, and Chris and Debbie; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Bob attended Bucknell prior to transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy, and then moved on to West Point.  He was chosen to command the Corps of Cadets as First Captain during his final year, and appeared on the cover of Time magazine as such in June 1945.  He was cited as “a man who was able to command, willing to obey, eager to serve, quick to learn, honest, strong, and able.”  An all-around athlete who participated in football, track, baseball, wrestling, fencing and boxing, he is in the West Point Athletic Hall of Fame as the only man to have been on the starting team for both Annapolis and West Point in the Army-Navy game.  He married Geraldine Harrington the day after he graduated from West Point; their wedding was featured in national newsreels.

Bob served under General Douglas MacArthur in the Allied occupation of Japan at the end of WWII.  After nine years in the military, he entered the corporate world with Schaefer Brewing Company.  Over his 40-year business career, he also worked as an executive at Continental Can Company and Doubleday & Co.

Bob was as gifted musically as he was athletically, and began playing the trumpet at age 13 with jazz bands in local bars and dance halls – an experience that produced countless amusing anecdotes.  Music remained a passion for the rest of his life.  He was a pioneer of Sunday Jazz at the Tokeneke Club, continuing to play and lead bands until he was 94.

Bob was a consummate gentleman, and will always be remembered for his keen interest in people, outgoing personality, quick wit, raw talent, and the twinkle in his eyes.

A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien on June 29 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the Tokeneke Club in Darien.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

— by the Family

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Mary Farrell Lowman, a lifelong resident of Darien, passed away at home on  Wednesday, May 24, 2017, surrounded by members of her family and her aides.

Mary was born in Norwalk on July 8, 1924. Her parents were John J. and Maude H. Farrell and her younger sister was Elizabeth Farrell Wilson. Her fraternal  grandparents were John A. and Katherine M. Farrell of Rowayton and, her maternal  grandparents were Crowell Hadden Sr. and Elizabeth Hadden Poole of Brooklyn,  NY and Litchfield.

Mary attended the Low-Heywood School and she graduated from the  Westover School for Girls in 1942. She later attended the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School.

In 1947, Mary married George F. Lowman and, their marriage lasted fifty-two  years until Mr. Lowman’s death in 1999. Together they raised three children,  John, Peter and Patricia, who died in 2014. Mary also leaves ten  grandchildren, all of whom she was very close to and loved immensely.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law John and Polly Lowman, son Peter Lowman, Patricia’s husband Mark Dailey and grandchildren Elizabeth and James Lowman; Kate Dailey Herling, Malissa, Christian, Sarah, Briton and Alexander Dailey, Sara Lowman Hurley and Erika Lowman.

Mary was a gifted athlete who played many sports growing up however, she was particularly proficient at tennis which was her passion. She was a member of the Wee Burn Country Club and the Tokeneke Club and held many titles at both clubs in singles and doubles with an assortment of partners, including her husband.

After an illness ended her competitive days, Mary threw her tremendous energy into supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s athletic and other activities, from filling out swimming ribbons and driving to and from endless practices, games and tournaments!

Mary also contributed significant time and effort to charitable activities throughout her life; for many years she was involved with the American Cancer Society’s Flower Ball. She was also an avid animal lover who raised countless dogs and cats over her life.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Mary on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St John’s Roman Catholic Church in Darien. Mary loved bright colors so, attendees need not be constrained by dark attire only!  There will be a private family interment at Mather Cemetery in Darien.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s name to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals or Autism Speaks.  www.lawrencefuneralhome.com

— by the Family

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AC “Ladd” Morgan III of Darien, Connecticut passed away on June 8, 2017.  Mr. Morgan was beloved in the community for his extroverted personality and fervent patriotism and will be deeply missed.

Mr. Morgan was born on March 10,1939 in Port Washington, New York and was raised in Westport, Connecticut. He attended The Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut and Hebron Academy in Hebron, Maine from which he graduated in 1957. AC Morgan then attended North Carolina State University where he majored in textile chemistry and business management.

He enlisted in the United States Navy immediately prior to the Cuban Missile crisis and served in a land-based anti-submarine squadron at Millington Naval.

Mr. Morgan spent the majority of his business career in the textile industry. In 1969 he founded A.C. Morgan & Company, a global textile firm with offices in New York City. In 1990 he retired and was able to marry his lifelong patriotism to his career in textiles, whimsically opening an American Flag Store in Rowayton, Connecticut in 1995.

Morgan was a beloved figure in the Connecticut coastal communities where he raised his family and was known for his outsized personality and charming eccentricities. He was often spotted on his bespoke red, white and blue bicycle, greeting passers by and dressed in his signature blue blazer, pale pink shorts and bow tie.

A lifelong member of the New York Athletic Club, Morgan swam competitively as a member of the “Masters” team; was a member of The St. Thomas Yacht Club in the United States Virgin Islands and The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. In Darien, he was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and a member of Wee Burn Country Club.

He is survived by Molly Funk Morgan, their son AC “Lord” Morgan IV and his wife, Mandi; his beloved granddaughters Eloise and Gigi; and his dear sister Bonnie Morgan of Chester, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers donations should be sent to Post 53 Darien Emergency Medical Services. Mailing address: P.O. Box 2066 Darien, CT 06820 or online at http://www.post53.info/donate.

— by the Family

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Reed William Schwandt, age 40, passed away suddenly the morning of June 10, 2017, in Darien, CT.  Beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, he leaves behind a wife, Renee Schwandt, and three children — Isabelle, Luke, and Emmerson — as well as his mother and father, Karen and Stephen Schwandt, brother, Andrew Schwandt and numerous close friends and extended family members.

Mr. Schwandt was born on September 11, 1976, in Minneapolis, MN.  He attended Armstrong High School, graduating in 1994.  He then enrolled at Indiana University, where he graduated with honors in applied math/finance and met his wife Renee. At age twenty-one, he began his career in finance at Morgan Stanley in NYC.  Later he attended The Wharton School where he earned an MBA, also with honors.

He enjoyed an accomplished career as an investment portfolio manager while still maintaining his enthusiasm for playing basketball, attending Green Bay Packers games, and enjoying the seaside life he had built with his family.  He was a brilliant, driven, and hilarious young man who will be deeply and profoundly missed.

A visitation will be held on Thursday June 15th, 2017 from 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home located at 2119 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820.  The memorial service will be on Friday, June 16th, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. taking place at Noroton Presbyterian Church located at 2011 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820.

Mr. Schwandt’s memory will be honored by establishing a Renee Schwandt Family Trust for loved ones to support this young family.  Further details will be made available during the Visitation and Memorial Services. 

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