A memorial service for Charles Billings England will be held on Thursday, June 21st at 2:00 PM at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, CT. Charlie, as he was known to all, died peacefully at his home in Norwalk, Ct. on March 17, 2018. He was 76.
Charlie was a force for good in the Darien and Rowayton communities for almost three decades. As a lifelong classic car enthusiast, he founded the annual Darien Classic Car Show, a charitable event held each Father’s Day in Pinckney Park. In his retirement he was also an active volunteer and early supporter of Aging in Place in Darien helping seniors stay comfortably in their homes. He was an active and beloved member of St. Luke’s Church in Darien serving as Senior Warden.
Charlie grew up in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, the son of Dr. Dorothy Frame England and Charles Billings England. He was the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. I.W. England of Passaic, New Jersey and the Reverend James Everett Frame and Jean Loomis Frame of Union Theological Seminary.
Charlie, known as Bill to his Glen Ridge friends, graduated from Glen Ridge High School, New York University and Columbia Business School.
Charlie had many passions: he loved to sing, ran a few marathons, adored skiing, enjoyed tennis, squash and paddle tennis with some golf thrown in. His passion for sailing lasted for over 60 years and he sailed on the New York to Bermuda race several times. He also loved cycling and completed many charity races. He loved a project and was always fixing something.
Charlie was a warm and welcoming presence in every community he lived in over his life: from Glen Ridge to New York and East Hampton, from Chicago to Locust Valley to Fairfield County, he loved making friends and was always the life of the party. Charlie genuinely delighted in helping others and had a smile and a warm hug for everyone. He never missed a day of the New York Times crossword puzzle and only used ink.
Charlie is survived by his son: Charles England of Dallas, TX and his daughter and son-in-law Blair England and Peter Carlin of New York City in addition to his sister Constance England Roberts of Mahopac, NY and four grandchildren.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WSHU public radio, the home of his beloved Sunday Baroque radio show.
Dorothy Elwyn Brown Clark died peacefully at Evergreen Woods, North Branford, CT on May 25, 2018 surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Clark, her son-in-law, Mark Rupert and her granddaughter, Anna Clark Rupert, her daughter, Nancy Clark and her niece, Ann McDonald. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 69 ½ years, James G. Clark.
Dorothy Clark was born in Mt. Vernon, NY on October 10, 1923 to Cuthburt and Florence (Coles) Brown. She graduated from House in the Pines, a college preparatory school in Norton, MA in 1940, Pine Manor Junior College, Wellesley, MA in 1942 and received an A.B. cum laude from Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT in 1944 with a major in French and a minor in Spanish. This strong language background led to her work as a cryptanalyst in the Military Intelligence Division of the War Department during World War II. Later, she earned a M.S. in Education from the University of Bridgeport.
In 1965, Dorothy began teaching French at Darien High School, Darien, CT where she remained until she retired in 1986, a career that she found stimulating and rewarding both personally and professionally. She was a creative teacher who enjoyed sharing her love of French language, literature, history and culture with her students.
After moving to Evergreen Woods with Jim in 1993, Dorothy started a French Conversation Group and led a water exercise class. She was active in the Marketing, Pool and Elder Concert Committees as well as the Resident Council of which she was President in 1999.
Dorothy’s curiosity, independence and love of travelling, language, art, dance, music, nature, and walking greatly enriched the lives of her family and friends. She was a loving wife who cherished her family and delighted in their activities and accomplishments.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make tax-deductible contributions in honor of Dorothy Clark to Elder Concerts, Inc., Box 154, 88 Notch Hill Road, North Branford, CT 06471.
Arrangements in the care of the Guilford Funeral Home, Inc. 115 Church St., Guilford, CT.
Columbia, S.C. — GySgt William Scott Taubl, USMC (Ret.) better known as “Gunny,” 52, of Columbia, died Tuesday, May 29, 2018 after a short battle with colon cancer. Scott was the son of Ruth Tait Taubl of Darien, CT and William Johnson of Jacksonville, Florida.
Scott was married to the love of his life Catherine Wilson Taubl for 32 short years. Together they raised three sons. Scott wholeheartedly loved and had great pride in his sons.
He is survived by Adam Wilson and Shellie, Tony Taubl and Niya, and Kevin Taubl and Zenaida. Additionally, he was a proud and loving grandfather to 6 grandchildren, Jeremia, Aiden, Taylor, Phoenix, Jonathan and Natalie. Scott will be greatly missed by his siblings, Michael Taubl of Greenwich, CT, and Danielle McEwan and Marc of Darien, CT. Furthermore; he will be greatly missed by his numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom he was a great role model and friend.
Gunny served in the United States Marine Corp from Jan 1984 – Dec 2004. He was an M1A1 Tank Crewman and Tank Commander throughout his time in service, as well as a few years of advising others as a career planner. His numerous awards included the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with Combat V (valor) devices), Combat Action Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudia Arabia & Kuwait), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (x4), Southwest Asia Service Medal (x3), Humanitarian Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (x2). He completed many courses during his career, including Infantry/Army Advance NCO course, the Tank Commander’s course and the Master Gunner’s Course.
Scott was a distinguished member of the South Carolina Patriot Guard Riders, serving as Ride Captain; he was also a member of the American Legion Riders of South Carolina and VFW Post 6933 in his hometown of Darien, CT.
Scott was always a free spirit who loved long rides exploring the U.S. on his motorcycle. He was a wonderful friend who would always lend an ear to listen and a hand to help. No job too big or small, he was there at a moment’s notice. He enjoyed playing darts and the camaraderie of friends. Quiet nights at home with Cat was always a comfort to him and family time with his sons, their wives and his grandchildren made for some of his happiest moments.
A service will be held 12 o’clock, Tuesday, June 5th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, S.C. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 11 o’clock. Interment with full military honors will follow the service in Fort Jackson National Cemetery.
Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Scott’s memory to a Charity that has a deep meaning to your heart.
George William Raymond, dearly loved husband, father and grandfather died peacefully in his home in Riverside, CT on May 31, 2018. He was born on June 27, 1924 to Delfina Crescio and William Raymond in Stamford, CT.
George attended Cos Cob School and graduated from Greenwich High School in June 1943. George enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the very next month. He served in WW II in VMB Squadron 423 from July 1943 to November 29, 1945, in the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. He graduated from Pace University in 1949 earning a degree in Business.
For 28 years he was an Architectural Representative and then Branch Manager for Devoe & Reynolds Paint Co. He later worked as a sales rep for Gilford, Inc., a wall covering manufacturer, and retired in October 2013.
George was an avid golfer at Bruce Golf Course. He enjoyed keeping a golf-course looking lawn at his home in Riverside. He did his own landscaping and received much praise for the beautiful hill in his backyard.
As an active parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Church, he served as a Minister of Hospitality (usher) for more than 45 years and also worked at the Church Carnival for 25 years. Of greatest importance to George was his faith, his family, and his friends.
He married Sheila Rogan on October 23, 1954 at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Bronx, NY They moved to Riverside, CT on May 1, 1960.
George loved and cherished his family. Nothing brought him more joy than seeing and spending time with them. George will be greatly missed by his wife, Sheila, and their sons, Paul M. Raymond and his wife, Patricia, Garden City, NY; J. Gregory Raymond, Stamford, CT; Thomas G. Raymond, Old Greenwich, CT; James W. Raymond and his wife, Heather, Darien, CT; and 10 grandchildren: Stephen, Patrick, Margaret, Samuel, Jennifer, Colin, Conor, Sarah, George, and Kelly.
George was predeceased by his daughter, Amy Elizabeth, and his sister, Louise Sudell. He is survived by his siblings: Theresa Mackail of Jupiter, FL; Cynthia Intrieri of Cos Cob, CT; William M. Raymond, Swansboro, NC; Patricia Eccles, Brookfield, CT; Suzanne Neilsen, Bethel, CT; Charles Raymond, Woodstock, GA; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Thursday, June 7 at St Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CT followed by interment at St. Mary Cemetery. Friends may call at Leo P. Gallagher Funeral Home, 31 Arch St., Greenwich, CT from 4PM to 8 PM on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Counsel Malta House of CT, Kids in Crisis, or your favorite charity in George’s name.
William “Bill” Brown Shepard, Jr., 71, of Darien, CT and Naples, FL passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 29th surrounded by his loved ones after complications from immunotherapy treatment for recently diagnosed metastatic melanoma.
Bill was born in Summit, New Jersey to William and Mary Shepard. He graduated from The Pingry School and Wesleyan University where he had a long high school and college swimming career. He passed on a deep love of competitive and recreational swimming to his children and grandchildren, and any Shepard family vacation always included being on the water.
It was during college where he met his loving wife of 49 years, Midge, who came back the night they met and said to her friends “this is the first man I could consider marrying.” After college they were married before Bill served a year in Vietnam as an officer stationed at a riverboat base. He returned home safely as a decorated Navy Vietnam combat veteran.
He then received his MBA from Columbia Business School and went on to have a fascinating international banking career that brought him and his family around the world. During his 40 year career he embraced many cultures throughout Asia and the Middle East. He started at Manufacturers Hanover in New York City and later transferred with his family to Tokyo, Japan. They returned to the US where he worked at Irving Trust Bank before another international assignment in Saudi Arabia at National Commercial Bank. He later returned and worked at Gulf International Bank in New York City. He concluded his career in Houston as the head of US operations for Riyad Bank and retired in 2014.
Bill’s greatest pride and joy was his family and his life revolved around them. He was immensely proud of the adults his children have become. He adored his five grandchildren.
He led a life of great joy and enthusiasm and found so many pleasures in living his life fully. He enjoyed boating, gardening (and then frequently moving each plant in his garden to find its perfect spot, much to the amusement of his family), attending sporting events for his children and grandchildren, reading about history and countless other topics, being active in his church and volunteer communities, and observing shore life on the beach in Naples. He was very active right until his passing and cherished his daily swims, bike rides, and beach walks with Midge.
Bill was a shining light of love, positive attitude, gratitude and optimism that was contagious and will be sorely missed. He recognized every day the many blessings he had in his life, including being the friend of many wonderful people. His outgoing and uplifting personality gave him a unique ability to connect with and touch people from all walks of life. He loved meeting people and to him strangers were just friends he hadn’t met yet.
He also found deep personal satisfaction and enjoyment in helping others, especially sponsoring, mentoring, and supporting those with substance abuse addiction, and volunteering in countless other ways. He was particularly proud of his most recent volunteer role in Naples, FL where he worked with troubled youth at New Beginnings, a remarkable military influenced education program.
Bill was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, CT and Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church in Naples, FL. He was a member of the Country Club of Darien and the Darien Boat Club.
A proud husband, father, and grandfather who will be missed beyond belief, he is survived by his wife, Midge, and their three children, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren: Trip and Tracy Shepard (Grace, Conor, Eric) of Darien, CT; Jay and Courtney Shepard (Jay and Blake) of Litchfield, CT; and Susan Shepard of New York, NY. He also leaves behind two brothers, Dick Shepard of Holland, MI and David Shepard of Kingston, MA.
A memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, CT on Saturday, June 9th at 4:30pm. There will be another memorial service at Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church in Naples, FL in the fall.
Peter Minton Ward, 93, of Darien, CT died peacefully on Sunday, June 3, 2018. Beloved husband, he is survived by his wife Audrey of 60 years. He was born on December 24, 1924 in New York City to Francis T. and Alice W. Ward. He is survived by their children, Peter, Susan, Pamelia and husband Paul, (grandsons Morgan and Brendan White), Douglas and wife Cecilia (and granddaughters Alexandra and Caitlin). He is also survived by his brother Larry and was predeceased by his brothers Philip and Thomas.
Of Counsel to Chadbourne & Parke, LLP, New York City, (recently merged with Norton Rose Fulbright) where he had been a partner for over 35 years.
He attended The Green Vale School, ’39, Long Island, St. George’s School, ’43, Newport, Rhode Island, where he was a Trustee and Chair of the Board of Trustees, and then an active Honorary Trustee, the University of Pennsylvania, ’47 in Philadelphia and its Law School ’49, where he was an Associate Editor of the Law Review and, after coming to New York, President of the New York Alumni Society.
During his professional career in New York, he served on various committees of the New York City and New York State Bar Associations and of the American Bar Association. He served also as a Director and a Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of the Legal Aid Society of New York and as a Director of the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. Activities in Darien included service on its Representative Town Meeting and the Vestry and as Senior Warden of St. Paul’s Church. He was also a Trustee of the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium.
He served in the United States Naval Reserve, discharged as a Lt. (J.G.) in 1946.
A lifelong sailor, he was a member of the New York Yacht Club for 61 years (since 1957), Secretary of the Membership Committee for several years, then Secretary of the Club and Trustee from 1987 to 1997; Member of Library Committee 1997 to 2018; Post Captain of the North American Station of the Royal Scandinavian Yacht Club and Nylandska Jaktklubben, 1980 to 1990; Acting Post Captain 2005; member of Noroton Yacht Club, Quissett (Cape Cod) Yacht Club, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Essex Yacht Club, Cruising Club of America (Rear Commodore, New York Station 2004-2006), Ocean Cruising Club, The Corinthians, The Links Club (New York), The Rockefeller Center Club, Wee Burn Country Club (Darien), Coral Beach Club (Bermuda), Quissett (Cape Cod) Volunteer Fire Department, Metropolitan Opera Guild (Patron).
Funeral service will be at the St. Luke’s Church in Darien, CT on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 1pm. Sailing attire requested.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 or St. George’s School, 372 Purgatory Road, Middletown, RI 02842.
Janet J. Egert, beloved wife of the late Howard E. Egert passed away on June 21st. She was loving mother of Terrie E. Wood (Jay) of Darien, Connecticut, Stephen M. Egert of Lakewood and the late Scott P. Egert; grandmother of Lindsey (Matt McMaster), Kelly and Andrew Wood and sister of the late Philip G. Jackson.
Janet, daughter of Philip and Helen Gartshore Jackson, grew up in Wooster, Ohio and moved to Lakewood in 1942. She was one of the fastest swimmers in the United States in the early 1940’s, swimming the 50 and 100 yard freestyle in national AAU competition. Attending The Ohio State University, she was an active and lifelong member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
In 1949, she joined Lakewood Little Theater (now the Beck Center for the Arts) staff to teach radio and speech for their children’s theatre program. A few years later, she become the director of the Children’s Theatre program. Previously, she had hosted — as Lady Jan — children’s shows on WJW and WHK as one of the first women in broadcasting. During her tenure of 40 years at Lakewood Little Theatre, which included founding the Teen Theatre Program, she fostered the growth of the program and defined its clear purpose, “Our objective was always to teach children to develop confidence and be comfortable communicating with others. We’re not here to pressure children, to make them stars. I see this as a place for praise and laughter. We’re preserving laughter in a child’s world. We’re teaching them to be part of a team and using techniques of the stage, how to communicate, how to get up in front of other people. We’re giving them something that stays with them the rest of their lives.”
A sixty-six year member of Cleveland Yacht Club she and her family relished watersports and family time spent on Lake Erie. Janet will be remembered for her sense of humor, humanity, life curiosity and her deep love of her family, friends and animals.
Service will be graveside at Lakewood Park Cemetery, Wednesday, June 27, at 1 p.m., All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Animal Protective League, 1729 Wiley Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
Arrangements by Zeis-McGreevey Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 16105 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, OH 44107
216-221-0220.
T.C. Browne, adored husband and father, passed away on June 15, 2018 at the age of 72.
Born on June 28, 1945, he attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, where he met and married Joy Walker. They were blessed with 52 exciting years together, moving all over the world, and raising three children, Christi Hanson (Jim), Kelly Weselman (Brad) and Mark.
After graduating from W&M in 1966, T.C. entered the United States Navy, where he trained to be a pilot, flew P-3’s, and quickly rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was based in U-Tapao, Thailand during the Vietnam War and earned numerous service awards, before moving on to years in Florida, Spain, Italy, Maryland, New Orleans and the Turks and Caicos Islands. During this time, he completed his Master of Science in Administration at the George Washington University.
In 1977, he left the Navy to settle in Atlanta, GA with his family and began a long career in business, specializing in the high tech industry. He relocated to Darien, CT in 1985 to join Private Satellite Networks and later Sony, developing and marketing video-conferencing technology. He joined BBN in North Andover, MA before becoming CEO of NaviPath (part of CMGI) and riding the “rocket ship” of the internet boom — an experience he called almost as exciting as landing on aircraft carriers. He thrived in entrepreneurial cultures and spent his remaining career as CEO of a total of five venture-funded high tech companies.
He was a visionary and problem solver, creative and determined, but T.C. will be remembered most for his adventurous spirit. His passions were flying, skiing, biking and scuba diving. He became enamored with aerobatic flying and performed in competitions in his experimental biplane, a red Skybolt. He enjoyed many hours planning and practicing complicated aerobatic routines. Several people will not forget strapping on a parachute to ride in the front seat of the Skybolt as T.C. executed loops and barrel rolls.
He was tremendously dedicated to his family, always available to listen and talk, and was enormously loved in return. In addition to his wife, Joy, and three children, he leaves behind five grandchildren, Bryan and Connor Weselman and Cole, Tate, and Chase Hanson, who will carry on his enthusiasm for life and adventure.
A private memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s Church in Darien, CT on July 20th.
Barbara H. Souders, 88, of Darien, CT, passed away at her home on June 23, 2018 with her loving husband William (Bill) by her side. Barbara was born on March 24, 1930 in Oak Park, Illinois to the late William and Lucille Huskey.
Barbara attended Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois where she met her husband and the love of her life Bill. They married and eventually moved to New Canaan with their three children, Susan, Scott and Sally.
Barbara worked as an administrative assistant before she became a homemaker. She worked for twenty five years as a volunteer at Norwalk Hospital and served as the President of Volunteers. Barbara’s life was spent with her family and she was always thinking of others.
Barbara is survived by her husband William, and by her daughter Sally Firestein, son-in-law David Firestein and four grandchildren, Hayes Firestein, Guss Firestein, Sophia Benhammou and Dillon Firestein. She will live forever in their hearts and will be remembered fondly by all.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Congregational Church of New Canaan on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 2 pm. A reception will be held immediately following at Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, CT.
Donations can be made in Barbara’s name to Norwalk Hospital.
John Francis Hessmer Sr., 84, died on June 27th, 2018. He was a resident of Darien for 37 years and former resident of Glenview, IL.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joan, sons John and James (Pearl King), daughters Jennifer and Julie Orlando (Anthony), and granddaughter, Emma Orlando. He is predeceased by his daughter Jean Marie Hessmer, his mother and father, Margaret and Howard Hessmer.
John was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 4, 1933. John graduated from Manhattan College in 1955 with a Bachelors of Science degree in civil engineering.
John retired from the Rockefeller Group Development Corporation (RGDC) in 2006 after a truly remarkable career in commercial real estate development and construction. For some 25 years with RGDC and more than 50 years overall, John played a leadership role in the development of some of the most prestigious and successful projects in the history of the industry. He joined RGDC in 1981 and provided construction services on some of the company’s most prominent development projects, including the International Trade Center, a seven-million-square-foot multi-use business park in Mount Olive, NJ; Rockefeller Group Corporate Park, an 845,000-square-foot office park in Florham Park, NJ; Rockefeller Group Foreign Trade Zone at 8A in Cranbury, NJ; and Miramar Town Center in Florida. Among his most heralded accomplishment was the opening of 745 Seventh Avenue at 49th Street, a new one-million square foot office tower in midtown Manhattan co-developed by Rockefeller Group Development Corporation and Morgan Stanley, which subsequently became the corporate home of Lehman Brothers and now Barclays Bank.
During the early and mid-1980s, John supervised the construction of three significant urban high-rise office towers, including: 444 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA, a one-million-square-foot multi-tenant office building which served as the Southern California headquarters of Wells Fargo Bank; the Irving Trust Operations Center, New York City, a one-million-square-foot operations center for Irving Trust Company: and Continental Center, also in New York City, a one-million-square-foot multi-tenant office building which served as the headquarters of Continental Insurance.
Prior to joining the Rockefeller Group, John Hessmer was responsible for over one billion dollars of design and construction projects across the United States. John started his career in 1955 when he joined the firm of George A. Fuller Co. in New York and later Chicago. From 1967 to 1977 he served the company as Senior Vice President and General Manager. As Vice President, Construction, for Olympia and York from 1979 to 1981, he was responsible for a variety of construction projects across the country. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Construction with Lester B. Knight and Associates.
John was surrounded by so much love during his final days. He will be remembered as an exceptional husband, father, friend, colleague, and resident of Maplewood of Darien. He was an avid sports fan and a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and University of Iowa and Notre Dame football.
Family will receive friends at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien, CT on Sunday, July 1st from 2pm to 6pm.
A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, July 2nd, at 10am at St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT. Interment immediately following at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien CT 06820 or Manhattan College, 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com.
Joan D. Duffield, 89, of Darien, died peacefully at her home on June 29, 2018. Joan resided in Darien for the past 50 years, spending the last three years at Maplewood of Darien. She was born on January 25, 1929 in Philadelphia, PA to George and Helen Dippy.
Joan graduated from high school in Scarsdale, NY and then went on to receive a B.A. from Hood College. She devoted her time in both high school and college playing field hockey, basketball and softball, excelling in all three.
Following college, Joan worked at J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency in NYC. She then went on to teach preschool at Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, followed by many years in retail at both The Corner House and Fashions for the Young. She spent many summers at Sky Top Resort in the Poconos, where many cherished family memories were made and will be remembered always.
A beloved, most loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be remembered as a woman with great integrity and character, one who always modeled kindness and thoughtfulness.
She is survived by her two daughters Debbie (Jed) Lawrence of Darien, CT and Allison (Chuck) Kendall of Midland, MI. She was predeceased by her husband Stuart Duffield in February of 2018 and a daughter, Betsy (Doug) Shufelt in 2001. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and her brother, George (Retta) Dippy of Stamford, CT.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 7 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Noroton Presbyterian Church in Darien, CT with Pastor Brandi Drake officiating. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Constellation Health Services (Hospice), 14 Westport Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 or Noroton Presbyterian Nursery School, 2011 Post Road, Darien CT 06820.
Edward J. Handler III of Darien, CT, formerly of Short Hills, NJ, passed away peacefully in his family home at the age of 81. Mr. Handler was born on April 20, 1937, was raised in Parkchester, the Bronx and attended Xavier High School in Manhattan and Braden’s Preparatory School in Cornwall, New York. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, in the Class of 1960.
Mr. Handler earned a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1964. He was named among the World’s Leading Patent Lawyers in 2003 and the World’s Leading Trademark Lawyers in 2004, having taken a lead role on numerous significant technology and pharmaceutical intellectual property cases over many years. While a partner at the law firm of Kenyon & Kenyon he served over time on all of the firm’s major governing and operating committees. Subsequent to his career at Kenyon & Kenyon, he served as President and COO of Storm Bio, a developmental stage biotech company working on a therapeutic reagent for pandemic influenza and attendant cytokine storms. He then founded The Bronx Project, Inc., a pharmaceutical company working to develop small molecule C3.
Mr. Handler served as an elected member of the Board of Directors of The Association of Graduates, USMA and has been president of The West Point Society of New York. He was a member of the Board of Governors at The Union League Club of New York and a member of the Sono-Tek Corporation Board of Directors. During the 1970s he was an elected official of Millburn-Short Hills, New Jersey serving as a Councilman and Police Commissioner. In the early 1990s he served as an elected member of the Darien Representative Town Meeting (RTM).
Mr. Handler is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Jane Handler (Simons), his son, retired Lt. Col. (USMC Ret.) Edward J. Handler IV, husband of Stefanie Handler of Virginia Beach, VA, daughter Charity Lefferts, wife of David Lefferts of New Canaan, CT, daughter Louise Laudano, wife of Paul Laudano of Wellesley, MA, his four grandchildren, Lucia, Caitlin, Henry and Emmie, and sisters Mary-Jane Stanton and Susan Sohni.
A devoted friend and mentor, Ed was known for his intellect, keen wit and his ability to engage just about anyone long enough to make a meaningful connection and put a smile on their faces.
The family received friends on Sunday, July 8 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820. A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, July 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Saint John Church, 1986 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820 with a reception thereafter at the family home. Burial will take place at the West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY at a later date.
Jason Richard Cooper, 52, died unexpectedly at home in Darien, Conn. on Saturday, July 7.
Jason was born January 16, 1966, in Nyack, N.Y., to Kay and Thomas Cooper of Oxford, England.
Jason was raised in New Canaan and attended West School, Saxe Junior High and graduated from New Canaan High School with the Class of 1984.
He graduated from Duke University in 1988.
Jason, better known as “Coop” to friends, was one of New Canaan’s most decorated athletes in both football and lacrosse. He garnered numerous All-State and All-FCIAC honors during his career.
As a junior tight end and defensive end, he was a key member of the 1982 Rams football team that won the State Championship, defeating Naugatuck 20-12.
In the Dec. 9, 1982 edition of the New Canaan Advertiser, columnist David Camerer described the final minutes of that championship: “ … with third and three at the Naugatuck 47, (quarterback) Pat Shouvlin spotted Cooper and lobbed the ball to the ‘Golden Fleece Kid’ who trucked down to the 22 yard line. Two plays later with 2:41 showing on the clock Shouvlin hit dependable Cooper with an 18-yarder and on in to make it 20-12.”
That was the first of 12 state championships (to date) for coach Lou Marinelli, in just his second year as New Canaan’s head coach.
Marinelli and former athletic director Vincent Iovino both have said they consider Jason to be one of the most gifted athletes to come through New Canaan High School during their tenure and a key pillar on which New Canaan football’s modern-era successes were built.
Jason was the leading scorer in the State of Connecticut in lacrosse in 1984. At 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds, he had few peers as an attackman. Defensemen were often out-matched not just by his size, but by Jason’s sheer athleticism.
Jason was recruited by Duke University for football and he also played lacrosse there. During his last football season he played under legendary head coach Steve Spurrier. He was considered “the ACC’s premier tight end” going into the 1987 season. In just nine games in the previous season he was ranked first in catches by tight ends in the ACC with 39 catches and 438 yards and one touchdown. He was also ranked sixth overall among all receivers in the league. Jason was presented Duke’s offensive leadership award in the spring of 1987.
USA Today ranked Jason third among all eligible tight ends going into the 1988 NFL draft. By that time the Duke training staff had him weighing-in at 245 pounds.
Coming out of college he signed a free agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He made it to the final cut during that training camp. The next season he signed another free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins. Once again, the run ended at the last cut of training camp, after catching passes from legendary quarterback Dan Marino.
After football, Jason settled in Chicago, working in the financial industry for many years before returning to New Canaan in 2015 to join the coaching staff of the New Canaan Rams alongside his mentor, Lou Marinelli.
He found his passion working with athletes of all abilities and enjoyed instilling his love of athletics in the kids.
“Coop” accumulated legions of great and lifelong friendships. He was a larger-than-life, humble man who valued and cultivated those friendships with great care. He was genuine in his love and interest in the well-being of those closest to him and there were many. Those connections gave him the most joy in life and in turn he spread that feeling to all who were fortunate enough to count him as a close friend. He will be most remembered for his kindness and the light he brought to those around him.
Jason is predeceased by his father, Thomas, as well as his grandnephew, Jayce Owen Buccheri of Groton, Conn.
He is survived by his partner, Katherine Ann Thornton of Darien; her children Liam Staats of Malibu, Calif., and Diana Staats of Venice, Calif.; his mother, Kay; his sister, Tracey Cooper of Oxford, England, and his brother, Robin Cooper of Fitchburg, Mass.; and his sister-in-law, Maureen Gallagher Cooper of Fitchburg. He is also survived by nephew Luke and nieces Jordan and Amy Hawkins of Oxford, as well as nephew Mason and nieces Bailey, Morgan and Riley of Fitchburg. He is also survived by his former wife of 20 years, Zoe Cortopassi of Chicago, Ill.
A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m.Tuesday, July 17, Grace Community Church, Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Road in New Canaan, CT.
Parking is limited. Guests are encouraged to carpool and arrive early. Off-site parking is available at 600 Oak Ridge Drive South, South Salem, N.Y.; a shuttle is available from there.
Theresa Vadnais Chipman (“Terry”) passed away on July 4, 2018, at The Chateau at Moorings Park.
She was born December 5, 1924, in Woodstock, Connecticut, to Henry A. Vadnais and Bertha Vadnais.
Terry was raised in Putnam, Connecticut where she attended the Putnam Catholic Academy from first through twelfth grade. Terry graduated from Becker Secretarial School in Worcester, Massachusetts. Her first marriage to James J. Clerkin, Jr., ended with his death in 1975.
In 1988, Terry married William E. Chipman. Bill and Terry enjoyed a wonderful life together with many years of happiness until Bill’s death on October 24, 2017.
Theresa was an avid bridge player. She enjoyed membership in Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, Connecticut, and Royal Poinciana Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
Terry’s brother, Henry A. Vadnais, Jr., predeceased her in 1996. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia A. Clerkin, of Naples, Florida, and Morristown, New Jersey, and nieces and nephews.
Interment will be private in the Chipman Family Mausoleum at the Easton Cemetery, in Easton, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers all are asked to make a contribution to a charity of their choice.
Jon DeLuca, 46, a resident of Darien, CT, passed away on July 14, 2018 in Darien. Jon was the eldest son of Al and Mary Ann DeLuca. He was 46.
Jon graduated in 1992 from Trinity College with a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics. Jon was a Managing Director and Operating Partner at Digital Bridge Holdings, LLC. Prior to that, Jon served as President & CEO of Wilcon Holdings, LLC from 2011, when he founded the business with Pamlico Capital, until its sale to Crown Castle International Corp. in 2017. He also worked for FiberNet Telecom Group based in New York from 1999-2009 and in investment banking at Bear, Stearns & Co, Inc. and Lazard Freres & Co. LLC.
While an excellent leader, mentor and friend, Jon was best at being a father to Julia and Alex. He was completely devoted to his children, spending all his non-working hours with them and he was incredibly proud of them. He followed the philosophy: a time to work and a time to play, and play was always with his kids. Jon loved to travel — whether to tennis or soccer tournaments, LA for work or on wonderful family vacations.
Jon is survived by his children, Julia and Alex, his father, Al and his brother, Doug.
A Celebration of Jon’s Life will be held at the Country Club of Darien, 300 Mansfield Avenue, Darien on Sunday, July 22, 2018 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Donations can be made in Jon’s name to: Norwalk Grassroots Tennis: www.norwalkgrassrootstennis.org/ or The DeLuca Scholarship Fund, FC Westchester: 36 Hickory Lane, Thornwood NY 10594.
Carl Emil Hathaway, age 84, of Norwalk, formerly of Darien, passed away peacefully on July 15, surrounded by his family.
Born in Boston, the son of Carl Barbour Hathaway and Tekla Neumaier Hathaway, he graduated from the Baker Elementary School, then Brookline High School in 1951, and Harvard University in 1955. As an R.O.T.C. student at Harvard, he played hockey and baseball. He served in the US Navy to Lieutenant J.G. and tried out for the 1956 Olympic hockey team, before getting his M.B.A. at Cornell Business School in 1959.
He began his 22 year career at 23 Wall Street with the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, where in 1968 he became the youngest Senior Vice President in the firm’s history, managing over $9 billion of assets in corporate pension accounts, and was labeled the Go-go Kid of Wall Street.
In 1981 he left the House of Morgan and founded Hathaway & Associates, Ltd in Rowayton. For the next 27 years he could be seen riding his bike to work and running his two miles every day with a stopwatch.
Carl loved the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Cod Bay and Long Island Sound. Early in his career, summer vacations were spent lobstering and fishing in his 3 hp powered dory off of Manomet, Ma. Those summer vacations transitioned to the ocean beaches of Wellfleet, golfing at Eastward Ho! in Chatham, and fishing Cape Cod Bay in his beloved red runabout, the Bloody Mary. During the “regular season” Carl really developed a passion and a love for the game of golf. Learning at Woodway, Carl moved on to Eastward Ho! in Chatham, Shorehaven in Norwalk, and Blind Brook in Purchase.
At The Blind Brook Club, he served on the Board of Directors and was Chairman of Golf and Greens. He loved his golfing community including the Tin Whistlers, and the Musketeers, and when he physically could no longer play in the matches, he stayed on all of his teams as Captain.
Carl’s other passions were coaching Babe Ruth Baseball and Darien Youth Hockey and later attending his sons’ and his grandchildren’s games and events. He also had to complete The New York Times Crossword Puzzle every Sunday and keep track of every Boston Red Sox baseball game.
Carl not only played a great game of golf, he played a great game of life. Both had to be done with integrity and effort. With strength and courage, and more optimism than most people could ever muster, he battled cancer and tried to win, right to the end.
He is survived by his wife Martha. He is also survived by his three sons from his marriage to Gail Oglee Hathaway; Brian Kent Hathaway, and his wife Sue of Darien, Carl Nichols Hathaway and his wife Sarah of Darien, and Andrew Oglee Hathaway, and his wife Amy of Phoenixville, PA and his nine grandchildren, Drew, Brendan, Matty, Henry, C.J., Kelly, Aidan, Bennett and Cole. He is also survived by his brother, Kent and his wife Judy of Winston-Salem, NC. In addition, he is survived by his stepchildren Henry Joseph Dostal III, Mary McGee, Marshall Dostal and their families.
Per Carl’s wish, a family only service will be held at Martha and Carl’s beloved United Church of Rowayton.
In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates any contributions in Carl’s memory, be made to The Fairfield County Hospice House, One Den Road, Stamford, CT 06902.
Hope McEldowney Kobak, a resident of Darien for over fifty years, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2018 at the age of 96 in her home in Redding, CT.
She was born on July 2, 1922 in Englewood, N.J. to the late Polly and Howard McEldowney.
Hope is survived by her beloved husband, James Kobak. They were married for 76 years.
She is also survived by — two sons, James Kobak, Jr. and Thomas Kobak; six grandchildren, James Kobak, III, Kathryn Stuart, Marcie Kobak, Kelley Kobak, Thomas Kobak, Jr. and Ezekiel Kobak; and four great-grandchildren, Dean Stuart, Hannah Stuart, Olivia Kobak, and Graham Kobak. She was predeceased by her son John Douglas Kobak.
Hope was graduated from the Emma Willard School and attended Syracuse University. After her children were grown, she was president of the leading book review journal, Kirkus Reviews. Books were her love and avocation. She chaired the Book Review Committee of the Darien Community Association and supported the Darien Public Library, and organized the book club at the Ha’Penny Club in St. Croix, V.I. where she and her husband Jim had a second home.
Besides her ongoing love of books, she was also a supporter of independent off-Broadway theater. Her other passions included film, gardening, travel and entertaining.
Known fondly as “Grumpsie” to her family, she will be dearly missed. Her family will celebrate her memory at a private service.
Mary Lukovsky was born May 21, 1926 to Andrew and Mary (Szanto) Lukovsky of Darien, CT. Mary was predeceased by her parents, a sister Emma and a brother Elmer.
After the passing of her sister, Mary was placed with DDS at Mansfield Training School from 1970 through 1974 and then moved to a home in Danielson, CT. Mary had many roommates over the years and was loved by all.
Mary’s favorite pastimes were planting flowers in her Brooklyn garden and frequent visits to local garden centers. Mary was passionate about her many cats over the years and happily shared her space with them. Mary called everyone she knew “friend” and people always felt the same. She was easy to love, she loved people! She always had a smile for everyone and happy to have visitors.
A special thanks to Donna Copeland who loved Mary dearly and was a good friend, and to Bernice Ramirez and all the staff at Matulaitis for the loving care given to Mary over the years. A very special thanks to Dr. Joe Botta who changed Mary’s life for the better over the last two decades.
A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, CT.
In memory of Mary, donations may be made to Paws Cat Shelter, 240 Woodstock Avenue, W. in Woodstock, CT 06281. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com.
Joseph Austin Kilbourn of New Canaan, Connecticut died peacefully on July 21 at Calvary Hospital in Bronx, New York. He was 92. Mr. Kilbourn was a longtime Rowayton resident, and a member of one of the seaside town’s oldest families.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 16, 1926, he was the seventh of eight children of Jonathan Francis Kilbourn, Sr., and Clara Vivell Kent Kilbourn. Raised in Rowayton beginning at age 11, Mr. Kilbourn’s parents and their children occupied a 9-bedroom Victorian-era home, which had been purchased by his maternal grandfather, William J. Kent, in 1909.
Mr. Kilbourn was a 1942 graduate of Norwalk High School and earned a post-graduate diploma from the Loomis School in 1943. Later that year he matriculated at Yale University. Mr. Kilbourn served a two-year U.S. Army hitch from 1944-46, exiting the service from Camp Croft, South Carolina, with the rank of staff sergeant. He returned to Yale and graduated in 1948 with prominent fellow classmate, George Herbert Walker Bush, who would become the nation’s forty-first president. Mr. Kilbourn served on the class Executive Committee as treasurer for a decade and as class secretary from 1982-88.
In 1998, Mr. Kilbourn was elected governor general of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America. He was a council member for four decades of The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut. His membership had understandable origins given that Mr. Kilbourn was a 10th generation descendant of Thomas Kilbourn, who immigrated from Cambridgeshire, England, and settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1635.
A 1952 graduate of Columbia University Law School, Mr. Kilbourn joined the New York firm Bigham Englar Jones & Houston the following year, an association that would remain intact for more than five decades. He retired from the practice of law in 2012, as a member of the firm Cone & Kilbourn in Mt. Kisco, New York.
A member of the Rowayton Hose Company for over 60 years, Mr. Kilbourn served two terms as president (1975-79; 1983-84), and was a volunteer firefighter for 45 years in its adjunct Rowayton Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Norwalk Yacht Club, the Turf & Field Club, and the Yale Club.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Elaine Deran Kilbourn of New Canaan; a sister, Olivia Kilbourn Birdsall of Ann Arbor, Michigan; five children: Mary Kilbourn Miner of Plano, Texas; Pamela Kilbourn Smith of Great Falls, Virginia; Kent Kilbourn of Madison, Connecticut; and Connor Kilbourn and Andrew Kilbourn, both of Norwalk; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, July 27, at St. John Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, Connecticut 06820. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Springdale.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Rowayton Hose Company No. 1, 136 Rowayton Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06853.
Michael Zeman, age 67, the dynamic and beloved Minister Emeritus of Talmadge Hill Community Church in Darien, died on July 18 in the loving embrace of his family. The son of Inez and Erwin Zeman, Mich was born in Ogden, Utah (1950) and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska where he co-founded the infamous Rubber Band.
A graduate of Colorado College (1972), he married Mary Tidball (1971) and together they moved to East Africa to teach and lead the construction of a village school and water pipeline in northern Kenya. Mich earned a Master of Education from the University of Nebraska (1977) and a Master of Divinity from Yale University (1982) after which, he served as Associate Pastor and led for many years the youth ministry at Norfield Church in Weston. He received a degree from the Westchester Center for the Study of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis Institute (1990).
As the Pastor of Talmadge Hill from 1995 until his retirement in 2018, Mich and his colleagues transformed a very small congregation into a thriving, service-focused community with a mission, “To Know the Love of God and Share It.” Pastoral counselor and certified psychoanalyst, Mich was also a devoted lover of poetry and music, a keen observer of human nature, and a wonderful conversationalist with a gift for going straight to the heart.
He is survived by his sister, Zoya Zeman of Lincoln, Nebraska, his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. William F. and Ann Zeman of Eugene, Oregon, and brother Albert Zeman of Maui, Hawaii. He is also survived by his wife, Mary; his son and daughter, Benjamin and Joanna, their spouses, Fiona Zeman and Brian Lane, and four exceptionally devoted grandchildren, Maximus (7) and Theodora Zeman (5), Sawyer (5) and Oscar Lane (3).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Zeman Legacy Fund at Talmadge Hill Community Church, 870 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien, CT 06820. A celebration of Mich’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Talmadge Hill Church on Saturday, September 8, 2018.
A memorial service for Charles Billings England will be held on Thursday, June 21st at 2:00 PM at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Darien, CT. Charlie, as he was known to all, died peacefully at his home in Norwalk, Ct. on March 17, 2018. He was 76.
