Carol V. Troxell

Carol Wentworth Vosburgh Troxell died peacefully in her sleep on Friday April 1, at her home in Redding with her loyal dog Rufus at her side.

She was born on Feb. 21, 1932 to Marianne Wentworth Neff and Frank Arthur Vosburgh, Jr. of Orange, N.J. She graduated from The Kent Place School, and earned a B.A. in Classical Greek from McGill University in 1953.

She married Dana Chase Troxell of Montclair, NJ in 1956. They raised a family in Darien and Short Hills, N.J. before moving to Chatham, Mass. and, later, Amelia Island, Fla. She moved to Meadow Ridge in Redding in 2010.

She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, who died in 2010.

For many years, she was a teacher, working with autistic and special needs children in the Summit, N.J. school system. A lifelong interest in ancient Greek and Egyptian history and art led her to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where she studied textile history at the Fashion Institute and became a museum docent.

She was active in the Junior League and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She is survived by daughter Amy Powell of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and husband Greg; daughter Holly Ruhlin of Hilton Head, SC, and husband Peter; and son Dana of Weston, and wife Anne. Her 10 grandchildren called her “Grandy:” Molly and Catherine Powell; Welles, Whitney, Lydia and Charlotte Ruhlin; and Chase, Preston, Gray and Leila Troxell.

She is also survived by her brother Peter Vosburgh of Canaan, and her sister, Whitney Selover of Ponte Vedra, Fla., and husband Ed.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at Norfield Congregational Church in Weston on Thursday, April 7, at 11 a.m.

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Gustave Johnson

Gustave Raymond Johnson age 90, loving husband of Dolores Johnson of Weston, CT passed away peacefully on March 10, 2016 into the loving arms of our Lord at Norwalk Hospital.

Ray was born on September 28, 1925. He was the son of the late August and Olga Johnson.

Ray proudly served in the United States Army during World War II, receiving a Victory Medal, Sharp Shooter Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Campaign Ribbon and Honorable Discharge.

Ray retired from the Wilton Board of Education after 45 years. He was also an active member of the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department for almost 60 years, a member of the Danbury Horseshoe Club well into his 80’s receiving many trophies and being inducted into the Greater Danbury Horseshoe Hall of Fame. Ray was also a member of the American Legion and a member of the Inter State Fireman’s Bowling Congress. He was also known as a great pitcher for the Georgetown Athletic Association. Being a very active member of Black Rock Congregational Church, Ray served for the Young at Heart.

In addition to his wife Dee, he is survived by his daughter, Tammy and her husband Mark, and his son Kevin and his wife Polly. Also surviving Ray are his grandchildren, William and his wife Jessica, Amber, Patrick, Kristi, Alyssia, Nathan and great-grandchild Hailey. His brothers, Lawrence and Samuel also survive him. Ray was predeceased by his sisters, Judith, Herminia and his brother Rawl.  

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service to celebrate Ray’s life on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 11 am in the Black Rock Congregational Church, 3685 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT followed by Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s memory to the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company #1, PO Box 544, Georgetown, CT 06829-0544. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bouton Funeral Home 31 West Church Street Georgetown CT 06829.

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Hilda Cole

Hilda Bloom Cole passed away peacefully at home on Monday April 4, 2016 following complications from two surgeries earlier this year, with her daughter Laurie and granddaughter Erika at her bedside. She was 89 years old.

Hilda was a resident of Westport for more than twenty years and an active member of the Westport Center for Senior Activities. Hilda was predeceased by her husband Howard Bloom in 1971, husband Robert Cole in 1991, daughter Joanne “Jo” Bloom Wagner in 2005, and sister, Lillian Rossen of Westport in 2015.

She will be missed in loving memory by her daughter Laurie Bloom and son-in-law Nicholas Bell of Weston, grandchildren Erika Bell of Fairfield, Wesley Bell of Fayston, VT, Aaron (and wife Stephanie) Bell and great-granddaughter Alexandra of Medford, MA. She is also survived by her nephew Jeffrey Ohlbaum and his family, of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, niece Lyn Oswald and nephew Jack (and Anneke) Oswald, of San Francisco, CA, and three step-sons, Peter (and Myra), Roger (and Patty), Jim (and Abby) Cole and seven Cole grandchildren.

Hilda was a devoted and beloved teacher at P.S. 81 in the Bronx, where she took great pride in her gifted and diverse fourth grade students, retiring in 1991. In her retirement, Hilda enjoyed gardening, travel, playing bridge, was an avid reader, appreciated opera, musical theater, classic films, public television and the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, and recently her great-grandchild. Hilda will be missed by her many friends and extended family.

Donations may be made in Hilda’s memory to the Westport Center for Senior Activities or the Westport Public Library.

A memorial service and celebration of Hilda’s life will take place at Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road in Westport on Thursday April 7th.

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Gabriel Jeantheau, a longtime resident of Weston, Connecticut, and a beloved fourth-grade teacher for many years in New Canaan, died on April 11 in Wayland, Massachusetts, after a short illness. He was 87.

“Gabe” was very popular with both his students and fellow teachers, and took particular pride in helping students overcome academic and social challenges. He was fond of telling his students, “You’ve got to accomplish something in your little green lives.”

He was born on March 22, 1929, in Queens, New York, the son of Gabriel and Margaret Jeantheau, and grew up in New York City’s Flushing neighborhood.

He graduated from Marietta College in Ohio, where he met his wife of 50 years, Sara, and went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Ohio State University.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56, and was stationed in Canada and Arizona.

Following his honorable discharge, he joined Dunlap & Associates, where he worked as a research analyst focused on human factors. His professional focus was determining the effectiveness of systems used by the military to train personnel.

He left Dunlap to pursue a second career as a teacher. He earned a master’s degree in education from Bridgeport University, and served as a student-teacher at Weston Middle School. After earning his degree, he joined the teaching staff at East Elementary School. He later worked at Center Elementary School.

After retiring in 1991, he enjoyed woodworking in his basement shop, monitoring national politics and following the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. He died six days after the Huskies won their 11th national championship.

He lived in Weston for more than 60 years before moving to Massachusetts a few months ago to be closer to family.

Gabriel was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Sara. He leaves his brother, Jean, and his wife, Martha, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; two daughters, Anne, and her husband, Tom, of Beloit, Wisconsin, and Susan and her husband, David, of Sudbury, Massachusetts; his son, Richard, and his wife, Suzan, of Mechanicsville, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Stephen and Jeffrey Rudisill, Abigail, Daniel and Jennifer Nathan, and Claire and Rebecca Jeantheau; and two great grandchildren, Ethan and Evelyn Rudisill.

There will be no public burial.

Gifts in his memory may be made to the Parmenter Foundation (parmenterfoundation.org or Care Group Parmenter, Home Care & Hospice, One Arsenal Market Place, Watertown, MA 02472), which supports the hospice facility where he spent his final days in peace and comfort with his family.

—by the family

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Barbara Benisch of Forest Hills, N.Y., passed away peacefully at Norwalk Hospital on March 28, following a month long battle with pneumonia. She was  87.

She was born in Brooklyn Hospital on April 21, 1928, daughter of the late Catharine E. Benisch and Henry J. Benisch and was a life­long resident of Forest Hills, N.Y..

She was a graduate of Miss Beard’s School for Girls, class of 1945, and Cornell University, class of 1949 and the president of her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma.

She was an active member of the West Side Tennis Club, the Church­-in-­the-­Gardens and the Women’s Club of Forest Hills. She worked part­-time for Benisch Brothers Monuments & Memorials, Brooklyn, N.Y., a 4th generation family business.

She is survived by her sister Margaret A. Anderson of Weston (late husband Carleton J. Anderson, Jr.), her nephews Jay Anderson of Alexandria, Vir., John Anderson of Hopkinton, Mass., Bill Anderson of Chula Vista, Calif., and her niece Lyn (Anderson) Kimberly of  Weston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: Cornell Annual Fund for Human Ecology, Cornell University, P.O. Box 25842, Lehigh Valley, PA 18003­.

A memorial service and celebration of Barbara Benisch’s life will take place at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 285 Lyons Plain Road, Weston, on Saturday, April 23, at 11 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bouton Funeral Home, Georgetown.

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David W. Sloan, longtime resident of Weston, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 17.

A familiar face at the local school ballfields as he attended countless soccer, baseball and basketball games for his grandchildren, Joshua, Zachary and Sloan Karpen.

He was a member of Temple Israel in Westport and Rolling Hills in Wilton.

A graduate of Columbia College and Columbia Law School, he was a partner at Proskauer Rose of New York and passionate about his work and his clients, and enjoyed mentoring at SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses.

He was married to Joan Goodman Sloan for 55 years and adored by his children Deborah Ann Sloan; Pamela Sloan Karpen and Andrew Karpen; and Jennifer Beth Sloan (deceased) and Bo Laraia; and by six grandchildren: Marin and Sabine Gang, Joshua, Zachary and Sloan Karpen; and Michelle Laraia.

Gifts in his memory may be made to Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street, Norwalk, CT 06845; or the soon-to-be-opened Fairfield County Hospice House, 22 First Street, Stamford, CT 06905.

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Martha Laffaye

Long-time Weston resident Martha Laffaye passed away on April 24, after a struggle with metastatic lung cancer. She was 78.

She was a breast cancer survivor and had recovered from a disabling brain stroke.

Martha Susan Headen-James was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 12, 1938, the first child and only daughter of John Arthur and Maria Magdalena Headen-James. She was a direct descendant of 19th century British settlers in Argentina. Her education was at Michael Ham Memorial College, an institution run by Irish nuns. She obtained a degree in teaching and later a registered diploma in nursing.

She married Dr. Horace Laffaye in 1961 and they emigrated to the United States in 1962. She taught Spanish at Notre Dame High School, now Sacred Heart University, in Bridgeport, and also served as a part-time operating room nurse at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. When the family moved to the Boston area after her husband obtained a fellowship at Lahey Clinic, she taught Spanish at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, now part of Boston College.

Upon their return to Fairfield County, she was a Spanish teacher at Kathleen Laycock School, now Greens Farms Academy, and headed the Spanish Department, eventually becoming head of the foreign languages department. The Annual Martha Laffaye Prize in Spanish was created in honor of her dedication to the school and is given every year at commencement for the most outstanding Spanish student. She left GFA in 1988 and began a successful career in real estate with Mila Grieb Realty, and later with Coldwell Banker Schlott.

A doer, Martha chaired several benefits at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, including the American Cancer Society, Leukemia Society of America, Save the Children Federation, New England Institute, University of Bridgeport and several other charities.

She was pre-deceased by her parents and two brothers, John Herbert “Jackie” and Charles Louis “Charlie.”

She is survived by her husband; her son Patrick, daughter Gisele, son-in-law Trent Pansze, M.D., and grand-children Martina, Derek and Grace Pansze, Mark and Todd Laffaye, and cousin Lucille Brookes.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 2 p.m. at the Country Club of Fairfield, 936 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to her grand-children’s Animas High School, P.O. Box 4414, Durango, CO, 81302, or a charity of choice.

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Henry Kolbusz

Henry (nee Henryk) Michael Kolbusz, Sr., age 89, of Weston and formerly of Fairfield, the loving husband of the late Lillian Leucwinko Kolbusz, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 4, 2016.

Born in a village outside of Kolbuszowa, Poland, he was a member of the Polish Underground Resistance during WWII. Mr. Kolbusz was contracted to the U.S. Armed Forces, American Sector in Germany as a guard of prisoners of war accused of war crimes at the Nuremberg Trial, Nuremberg, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1948, after which he served in the Army Reserves, 318th Operations and Signal Battalion.

Mr. Kolbusz was the President of Kolbusz Building and Land Developing, a family owned and operated building and real estate business since 1960.

He was a longtime member of Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Fairfield, a member of Port 5 Naval Veteran’s Club and a past member of the Home Builders Association.  

His interests included many years of sport and tournament big game fishing in Central America with his two sons.

Mr. Kolbusz is survived by his two sons, Henry Kolbusz, Jr. and Thomas Kolbusz and his wife, Lorraine, all of Weston; three brothers, Casmir Kolbusz and his wife, Frances of Fairfield, Joseph Kolbusz and his wife, Christine of Stratford and Edward Kolbusz of Rzesow, Poland; and many nieces and nephews.

His wake service was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road in Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield. Interment to follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery with full Military Honors. To send an online condolence, please visit shaughnesseybanks.com.

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Catherine Rita “Keehan” McAleenan, 89, of New Bern, North Carolina, formerly of Westport, died on May 17, at her home in the company of her family. She was the widow of former Weston Police Chief Joseph A. McAleenan.

Rita was born in Westport on Jan. 21, 1927, the daughter of the late Leo and Isabel (Remlin) Keehan. She had been a lifelong resident of Westport until 1994 when she and her husband retired to New Bern, NC.

She was an accomplished bridge player and quilter and also enjoyed playing golf with Mac and their friends. Prior to retiring to North Carolina, Rita’s main focus was raising her family, after a successful career at Burndy Corp. in Norwalk.

Survivors include two daughters, Sheila Baker and her husband Jim of Bolivia, NC (formerly Fairfield), Kathleen Lucas and her husband John from Trumbull, one son Shaun McAleenan and his wife Bonnie from Loveland, Ohio and eight grandchildren and three grandchildren-in-law, James & Kristen (Walsh) Baker, Matthew & Katelin (Koebbe) Baker, Ryan & Kelly Lucas and William, Glenn and Erin McAleenan and Shannon (McAleenan) & Ken Rutz and three great grandchildren, James H. Baker IV, Madeline & Jack Rutz.

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Austin McAleenan, her parents, and one sister Mary Jane (Keehan) Hanley and one brother Edward Keehan.

Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Church, 3005 Country Club Drive, New Bern, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Rita McAleenan may be made to Craven County Hospice, 2818 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC 28561.

Private online condolences may be sent to the family at brunswickfuneralservice.com, Brunswick Funeral Service, Southport/Oak Island.

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Mary Elizabeth ‘Sis’ Sullivan died on April 21 after a short illness at the home of her daughter Dale Blackwedel. She was 96.

She was born on Sept. 23, 1919 in Oak Park, Ill., the daughter of George Clark and Frances (Hyland) Morrison.

She was married for 25 years to Edward F. Sullivan who preceded her in death. They had five children together. She grew up and was educated in the Chicago area for which she had an enduring love and moved to Connecticut in the 1950s where she lived for many years; first in Westport, then in Weston and finally in Norwalk.

A devoted mother and homemaker, in later years she worked as a legal secretary. She loved sports and the outdoors. She was a competitive bridge player and took great pleasure in completing the N.Y. Times Sunday crossword puzzle practically every week of her adult life. She was a talented musician and had a great love for music. She had an intrepid spirit and an unshakable faith in a merciful God.

She is survived by her children; Dale E. Blackwedel and husband William of Lehigh, Fla., Edward F. Sullivan of Forest Hill, Md., Mark M. Sullivan and wife Nancy of Forest Hill, Md., and four grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Leslie Ann Rohan, in 1997 and a daughter, Valerie Joan McIntosh, in 2015.

There will be a memorial funeral Mass to celebrate her life at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Hickory, Forest Hill, Md. on Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m. A reception at the home of Mark and Nancy Sullivan will follow.

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Hollis N. Truax, of Weston, Connecticut, died peacefully at Norwalk Hospital on June 1, 2016 after a brief illness. Hollis was born in Burlington, Vermont on November 15, 1930 to the late Elburn and Effie Truax.

Dr. Truax graduated from the University of Vermont in 1953 and from the University of Vermont Medical School in 1957. After a brief time at the Armed Forces of Pathology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Dr. Truax was a pathologist at Norwalk Hospital from 1965 until his retirement in 2001.

Hollis was an avid golfer and member of Aspetuck Valley Country Club. He was an active member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, having once served as its Senior Warden.

He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Mary P. Truax. He is survived by his four children, Stephen Truax and his wife Ruth, Louise Truax and her wife Scotty Galganowicz, Dorothy Truax and her husband Paul Wyzga, and Patricia Truax and her fiancé Kellie Wiggins; his two grandchildren, Colleen Yarger and her husband Christopher, and Daniel Truax and his wife Mollie; and his great granddaughter Robin Yarger.

A service celebrating his life will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 285 Lyons Plains Road, Weston, Connecticut on June 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m..

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, Connecticut or Weston EMS, 52 Norfield Road, Weston, Connecticut.

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Christine Wendell

Christine Ourania Bolella Wendell, Servant of God departed this life to be in the Kingdom of the Heavens, at the home of her cherished sister Maryanne and loving brother in law William Miller in Weston, CT surrounded by family, precious friends and beloved Thumbie.

She is survived by her loving husband Kjell Wendell whom she has been together with for 38 years and married to for 28 years and resided in Wilton, CT, and many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, extended family and also held a separate special place in her heart for all of her friendships and everlasting childhood friends and teams of Doctors from Whittingham Cancer Center, Norwalk, CT and Dana Farber, Boston, MA.

Christine has touched the lives of so many quietly.  Always giving, caring, sharing, and forgiving with genuine love, affection and sincerity. Her good deeds un-paralled by few.  She had a passion for reading, poetry, music, playing the guitar, cooking, the NY Yankees and all of God’s wonders and creations. Having worked from age 14 she independently rose to founding and leading her own mortgage broker business, AF Capital Resources, LLC in Westport, CT which she maintained with her business partner for over 20 years.

Christine’s faithfulness in her religion, Greek Orthodoxy and the wisdom and learned teachings from her most loved and valued V. Rev. Fr. Sylvester Berberis empowered her to maintain her strength, courage and bravery during her many years of illness. She is now in a place “where from pain and sorrow and mourning have fled away” and is with all those departed souls she has missed so dearly and loved so much

Relatives and friends are welcome at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 W. Church Street, Wilton, CT 06897 on Thursday, June 9, 2016 during the hours of 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Church services will be held at11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2016 at Zoodohos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church, 3573 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10461.  Burial will be at Mt Hope Cemetery, Jackson Avenue and Saw Mill River Road, Hastings on Hudson immediately followed by the Makaria at Niko’s Greek Taverna, 287 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY.

Memorial contributions in Christine’s name are welcome at: Zoodohos Peghe Greek Orthodox Church, 3573 Bruckner Blvd., Bronx, NY 10461 and/or St. Basil’s Academy, 79 Saint Basil Rd, Garrison, NY.  10524

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Henry Loomis

Henry Robert Loomis passed away at his home on June 8, 2016, he was 91 years old. A memorial graveside service will be held at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport, 395 Main Street on June 25, 2016 at 11:00 AM.

Bob Loomis was born in Paris, France where he resided with his French mother Danielle Giraud du Poyet, American father William Fitch Loomis and his brother, Richard. In 1941, the family was able to escape Nazi occupied France and returned to the United States. He attended the Loomis School of Windsor, CT.

Bob returned to France with the US Army, landing in Normandy on D-Day with the 4th Infantry Division. He fought with his unit during the battles of Normandy, Northern France the Ardennes, the Bulge and Central Europe. Sergeant First Class Loomis was honorably discharged from the Army. His decorations include: The Silver Star, the Bronze Star, The Combat Infantry Badge, The Presidential Citation, The Army Meritorious Citation, The French and Belgian Fourrageres and most recently, The French Legion of Honor.

After the war, Bob returned to France to further his studies in the Fine Arts. He attended the Ecole National des Beux Arts and the Academie Julian in Paris. There, he met his American wife (former Joan Paul of West Hartford, CT) who was studying at University of Paris through Connecticut College.

Returning to the United States, Bob completed his studies at the University of Hartford. He and his family moved to Westport in 1958. He worked as a vice president and Art Director of the Robothom Advertising Agency, Promotional Marketing Corporation and Teaching/K:8 magazine. Mr. Loomis also free-lanced as a graphic artist for clients in New York City. He was a member of the Art Director’s Club of New York and the Society of Illustrators.

Bob was also active in the Westport/Norwalk communities. For twenty five years he served as an EMT Volunteer with the Norwalk Hospital Emergency Department and the Westport Emergency Medical Service. He was a certified EMT and CPR Instructor and often helped his wife with Meals on Wheels.

Bob also maintained a lifelong interest in tennis, hiking and horseback riding.

He leaves his wife Joan, daughter Margaret, son-in-law Scott, and grandchildren Jonathan and Rachael Buddenhagen. His son William pre-deceased him in 2006.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to minister’s Discretionary Fund.

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Richard ‘Bob’ Knapp, Senior

Richard “Bob” Knapp Sr., 84, of Redding, co-founder of Knapp Tree Co., husband of Elizabeth “Betty” (Haen) Knapp, died on Friday June 17, 2016 at the health center at Meadow Ridge in Redding. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, June 23, 2026 at 11 a.m. in the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 25 Cross Highway, Redding with the Rev. Dean C. Ahlberg, Pastor, officiating.

Interment will take place in Umpawaug Cemetery, Redding at the direction of the family. The family will receive friends in the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Contributions in Mr. Knapp’s memory may be made to the Redding Volunteer Fire Company #1 – PO Box 1130; Redding, CT 06875,  or to the First Church of Christ, Congregational – 25 Cross Highway Redding, CT 06896.

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Benjamin B. Davis Jr.

Mr. Benjamin B. Davis Jr., 85, husband of Kay Davis and forty year resident of Weston, CT passed away at his home on Saturday June 25, 2016.

Benjamin was born in New York City on November 20, 1930 and was the son of the late Benjamin and Gene (Lustbader) Davis. Benjamin attended the Ethical Culture /Fieldston Schools, Duke University and the Wharton School of Business.

He was a former racehorse owner and breeder, an avid tennis player, a philanthropist and a member of the Dinner and Dance Club of Fairfield County. Ben loved the opera and his cats Lauren, Chowder, Reverie and Rhapsody.

In addition to his wife Kay of 47 years Ben is survived by one stepson, Robert B. Davis of Cleveland, Ohio and cousins Peter Israel and Susan Ronson.

A short gathering in memory of Benjamin will be held on Tuesday July 5, 2016 in the Harding Funeral Home 210 Post Road East, Westport, CT from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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Jacqueline N. Schneider passed with peace and grace on Saturday, July 16, with her family by her side. She was 90.

She was predeceased by her husband E. Lee Schneider, and survived by Derek Allen, her son, his wife Diane Orado, her granddaughters, Emma and Tessa Allen as well as her stepson Tom Schneider, his wife Leanne, and their children Whitney and Leighton.

Jacqui was born in Philadelphia, Penn., attended Pennsylvania University for undergraduate and graduate studies and was valedictorian of her class.

Her life as a school psychologist served many children and families over the years. She worked for New York City schools and Darien schools during her long career as a psychologist. Volunteerism was one of her many community commitments. She worked with the Fairfield County Nature Center, Weston Historical Society and the Meadow Ridge Residential Living Center where she resided at the end of her life. She enjoyed many of the activities offered at the center and through these experiences she made many friendships. Her family said she was loving, kind and always made time for others.

A memorial service will be held at St. Timothy’s Church, 4670 Congress Street, Fairfield, on Friday, July 22, at 11 a.m.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Fairfield County Community Foundation, Meadow Ridge Scholarship Fund, 100 Redding Road, Redding, CT 06896.

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Yolanda Dagata

Yolanda Michelucci Dagata died peacefully at home in Weston on July 1, 2016 after a long and joyful life. Born in Van Voorhis, Pennsylvania on June 25, 1912, the fifth of seven children, to Angelo and Assunta Michelucci, she grew up in the nearby coal-mining town of Slovan, Pennsylvania.

She married Harold Dagata in 1933 and moved to New York. When she was a young bride during the Great Depression, she found a job as assistant to the pastry chef at the Shelton Hotel in New York City. Later, she became a top salesperson for women’s clothes at the department stores, Lerners and PJ Young. She and Harold moved to Somerset, New Jersey in 1965. After organizing block parties and welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood for years, her neighbors elected her Mayor of Hill Avenue, their little street.

She began working at MacAfee Elementary School as a paraprofessional in 1980, extending a lifelong love of helping children. She retired from MacAfee when she was 82 but she was called to substitute there until age 92. Yolanda moved to Weston to live with her daughter, Lois Coogan in 2010. She quickly grew active in the Weston Senior Center, where she danced at her 100th birthday party.

She was a spiritual person who lived her faith in an active life of kindness. She was a parishioner at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Somerset, New Jersey and a member at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Weston. Recalls her grandson, David Coogan, “She was so generous and conscientious. She loved life. And people were attracted to this. She genuinely cared about them. She made friends wherever she went. She couldn’t help herself. She collected people.” These character traits shone in her unpublished memoir, Just a Little Street, written in 1991 at the age of 79, describing her coming of age in poverty in a large Italian family, witnessing death through a child’s eyes, yet still managing to find joy and hope in the lives of others.

When asked by the Weston Forum about her philosophy on the occasion of her 100th birthday, Yolanda said,  “Always remember not to hurt anyone. Don’t leave anyone behind who is hurting.” She is predeceased by her husband, Harold Dagata, and her brothers, Amedeo and James Michelucci, by her sisters Lizzie Bertini, Jeanetta Michelucci, Jennie Scarcello and Laura Lombardo. She is survived by her daughter, Lois Anne Coogan (retired teacher, Hurlbutt Elementary School), by her son-in-law Joseph Coogan, by her grandsons David and Christopher Coogan, by her daughter-in-law Joan Coogan, by her great-grandchildren, Lucy and Leo Coogan, and by her nieces and nephews, Susan DeTorre, James Star Michelucci, Carol Jones, Salvatore Scarcello, Denise Thompson, Gina Iudica and Celeste Denny.

A memorial service will be held on Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 35 Norfield Road in Weston with a reception following in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Yolanda’s memory can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50 Memphis, Tenn., 38101-9929 or at stjude.org.

—by the family

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Richard G. Lyon

Dr. Richard G. Lyon of Wilton died on Sunday, July 31, at Masonicare Health Care Center in Newtown. He was 76.

Born in New York City, the son of the late Jack and Dorothy (MacEaney), Lyon was the loving husband of Gail (Flanagan) Lyon for 51 years.

He received his undergraduate degree from Colgate University and his dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He received his post-graduate oral surgery training at Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry and did his internship and residency at King’s County Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y.

He served two years on active duty as an oral surgeon with the Air Force, during which time he was a member of the staff at Malcomb Grow USAF Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Washington D.C.. After his military service he entered private practice in 1971, with Dr. William Stephanak and later with Dr. Alan Rissolo as “Oral Surgeons Associates of Norwalk.”

He retired in 2005 after 34 years. He was a member of the Greater Norwalk Dental Society, The CT State Dental Association, The American Dental Association and the American Society of Oral Surgeons. He was also a member of the medical staff at Norwalk Hospital and a former long time member of Silver Spring Country Club.

In addition to his wife Gail, he is survived by their children, Sean Lyon and his wife Cindy of Weston, and Dr. Tracey Lyon Cacciatore and her husband Vince of Sudbury, Mass,, four grandchildren, Scott and Sydney Lyon and Lauren and Maddie Cacciatore, his brother Jack and wife Karen of Ohio, and sister Susan Geliebter and husband Mel of Calif..

Friends are invited to attend a Mass and celebration of Richard’s life, which will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Wilton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bluefield Project to Cure Frontotemporal Dementia, 637 Carolina St., San Francisco, CA 94107.  To leave an online condolence go to: magnerfuneralhome.com

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Peter “Jay” Faillace, a longtime resident of Weston and Westport, died Aug. 2 following a valiant battle with cancer. He was 65.

He graduated from Washington & Lee University with a degree in English Literature in 1973 and matriculated at Washington & Lee Law School the following year. After finishing law school, he moved to Stamford where he met his future wife, the late Joanna Coll Faillace, and began a long career in finance.

He was a successful fixed-income securities trader, real-estate speculator, and restaurateur.

A longtime member of the Connecticut Golf Club, he was as passionate about golf as he was about his career and family.

Faillace is survived by his children Adam Faillace of Baltimore, MD and Matthew Faillace of Weston.

A celebration of his life will take place at 323 Main Street in Westport from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7.

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Groundbreaking children’s filmmaker Mort Schindel, founder of Weston Woods Studios, has died at the age of 98. —Bruce Ando photo

Award-winning children’s filmmaker, Morton “Mort” Schindel of Weston, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 20. He was 98.

Schindel was the founder of Weston Woods Studios and was a pioneer in the iconographic style of animated filmmaking,

Credited with promoting children’s literacy worldwide, Weston Woods Studios turned more than 500 classic children’s books into high-quality films and recordings. The studio’s animated works, including Make Way for Ducklings, Harold and the Purple Crayon, and Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are, have been translated into more than 20 languages.

This past December, a “three-dimensional” exhibit showcasing Schindel’s filmmaking techniques and the films produced by Weston Woods, opened at the Weston Historical Society, and ran for several months. In January, the town of Weston honored Schindel by declaring Jan. 27, his birthday, Mort Schindel Appreciation Day.

Honoring Mort Schindel on his 98th birthday, back row from left, Susan Gunn Bromley, Fran Sheff-Mauer and Dallas Kersey from the Weston Historical Society. In front, Weston First Selectman Nina Daniel, Mort Schindel, and Pam Kersey, historical society member. — Patricia Gay photo

Schindel was born in Orange, N.J. in 1918, and moved to New York City after college, working as a clerk in Stern’s Department Store. He moved to Saranac Lake, N.Y. in 1944, while battling tuberculosis. In 1949, he worked for Teaching Films, which went bankrupt and he then became an independent producer. In 1951, he was recruited to serve as Film Officer and Attaché in the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

Schindel returned to Connecticut in 1953 and launched Weston Woods Studios, which he named after the bucolic area of Newtown Turnpike in Weston where he lived. The late author Maurice Sendak was quoted as saying,  “It was nirvana in Weston Woods; there was such great freedom. Looking back on it, you can hardly believe it existed. Weston Woods was a flourishing, happy world, and I was one of the happy ones who was there.”

Schindel made films at Weston Woods using the iconographic technique, taking still images from the book’s own illustrations and making them move and come to life. This approach drew appreciation from authors who regaled Schindel for remaining faithful to their books.

The first film made by Weston Woods was James Daugherty’s Andy and the Lion in 1954. Gaining nationwide attention, Weston Woods films appeared regularly on children’s television programs such as Captain Kangaroo and Eureeka’s Castle.

In 1986, the Weston Woods film Dr. DeSoto, based on the book by William Steig, received an Academy Award nomination for best animated short. In 1995, the studio received the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video for Owen, based on the book by Kevin Henkes.

A number of beloved characters in films produced by Weston Woods Studios.

Schindel received numerous awards and honors for his work, including The Regina Medal for a lifetime contribution to the field of children’s literature, the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Education Technology, The Action for Children’s Television Hall of Fame Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Connecticut Center for the Book, and a plaque from the International Storytelling Center which acknowledged his contribution for “Blazing New Trails for Storytelling.”

In 2008, Purdue University awarded Schindel an honorary doctoral degree in education, and its College of Education created a study of Weston Woods films for an undergraduate children’s media course. Schindel also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Teachers College, Columbia University as the only graduate “who never earned a dime as a librarian or a classroom teacher,” but nonetheless became “a teacher to millions.”

Weston Woods Studios was acquired in 1996 by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, with Schindel staying on as an advisor.

From 1982 to 2016, Schindel served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Weston Woods Institute, a non-profit organization for the support of innovative techniques for educational and cultural communications with children. In 1996, he founded Mediamobiles, Inc., a company that developed mobile multimedia learning environments.

Schindel graduated from the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in economics and received his Masters in curriculum and teaching at Columbia Teachers College.

He is survived by his wife, author Cari Best, a sister, Elaine Martens of N.J., children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mort Schindel and pals. — Photo courtesy of Scholastic, Inc.

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