Dr. Henny P. M. Risom

Dr. Henny Panduro Madsen Risom, 97, passed away Oct. 10, 2015.

Henny was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on Dec. 18, 1917. Her parents were Holger Isodoro Panduro and Maria Sophie Gornitzka Panduro.

In 1943 she married Frits Madsen, an engineer, in Copenhagen. Henny finished medical school in German-occupied Denmark in 1945. They had two children, Michael an internist in Vancouver, Canada, and a daughter, Helle Jacobsen, a lawyer, in London, England.

In 1951 Henny and Frits moved to London. Henny created an osteopathy practice that lasted for the next 25 years. Frits died in 1975.

In 1979 Henny married Jens Risom and they have lived in New Canaan ever since. In 2010 they moved to The Inn. Besides being an accomplished doctor and osteopath, Henny was an incredible sewer, knitter and gourmet cook. She and Jens traveled around the world together visiting family and friends and seeing new places. She is survived by five grandchildren: Jade (Jacobsen) and Trevor Moore of England, Charlotte Jacobsen of Brooklyn N.Y., Jay, Christian and Kiera Madsen of Vancouver; a son-in-law, Kjeld Jacobsen of London,  and a daughter-in-law Laura Madsen also of Vancouver. Also D’Ann Madsen of Vancouver.

Henny had two great-grandchildren, Annabel and James Moore of England. She was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother making annual trips to London. She was also stepmother to Helen Risom Belluschi, Peggy and Sherman Bull, Tom and Pam Risom of Old Lyme and Sven and Laura Risom of Block Island, R.I. She also was step-grandparent to 11, and step-great grandparent to 10.

The family is so thankful for the loving care throughout all these months from Teyona and Hospice and everyone at the Inn.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.

In lieu of flowers Henny asked for donations to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County, Norwalk, or The Inn, Waveny Life Care.

For directions or on-line condolences please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Family

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John S. Adams

John Steiger Adams, aged 93, died peacefully in Drumore, Southern Lancaster County, Pa., at his family’s beloved country haven where he was happy to spend his retirement years. He was born Sept. 25, 1922, in Lancaster, Pa., the older son of the late Katharine Edgerley Clark and John Mehaffey Adams. His younger brother was the late William A. Adams II.

John graduated class of 1940 from JP McCaskey High School in Lancaster, and attended Franklin and Marshall College and MIT, in Cambridge, Mass., before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II. During those years, he was sent to Auburn University in Alabama for tactical engineering training. He was eventually deployed to the European theater based finally in Biarritz, France, where he was a member of a map making unit to facilitate bombing missions for the North Africa efforts. Although he insisted he never saw combat during his time “over there.” his stories did include his harrowing times in London during the Blitz, as well as celebration in Paris on VE Day.

On Jan. 2, 1944, he married the love of his life and high school sweetheart Loretta Mae Quade, with whom he shared more than 66 years of marriage until her death in 2010. Their life restarted after the war in Cambridge, where John completed his education with dual degrees in mechanical engineering and business.

Upon graduating in 1948, he started his career in Lancaster at Bearings Co. of America and later as chief engineer at Federal Mogul in Southfield Michigan as well as the research lab at Ann Arbor where his team was awarded many patents for the automotive industry. As his career drew to a close in the early 80’s, he appreciated the chance to serve as board member and chair of the International Bearing Standards Commission. He and Loretta traveled to China and Eastern Europe among other places enjoying the camaraderie and experiences of that group.

As well as spending numerous cherished times with their extended family, John and Loretta also enjoyed good times together playing golf and bridge, as well as a general love for their life on their farm. John volunteered with the Lancaster County Conservancy, was co-auditor for Drumore Cemetery Association and was a life member of Media Heights Golf Club.

John’s family left behind include three children, Kathleen A., wife of Paul Weaver of New Canaan, John S. “Kip” Adams, Jr. and partner Jennifer Carter, of Drumore, and Abigail M. Adams, wife of Jordan Miller, Elburn, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Amanda, wife of Jeff Meiler, Bryn Mawr, Pa., Jocelyn, wife of Tom Jandovitz, Naples, Fla., Bradley Weaver, husband of Kaisa, Norwalk, Conn., Terra Adams, wife of Jim Rothenberg, Boston, Mass., Jacob Adams, husband of Cassie, Phoenix, Ariz., Jeremy Adams, husband of Jennifer, Chester Springs, Pa., Elizabeth Kanaan, wife of Chris Kanaan, Royal Oak, Mich. and Benjamin Miller of Grand Rapids, Mich.; 11 great-grandchildren, Katharine, Victoria and Madeline Meiler, Kathleen, John, Nathaniel and Meredith Jandovitz, Zachary Weaver and Henry and Oliver Adams and Brody Adams; four nieces, Becky Reever of Millersville, Pa., Vicky Kegel of Drumore, Barbara Harick of Minneapolis, Minn., and Beth Batista of Fort Worth, Texas, and his faithful dog Obie.

A visitation will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m., at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31. S. Duke St., Lancaster, Pa. The Rev. Timothy A. Mentzer and Deacon Augustus G. Mauro will officiate. Interment with military honors will take place in Drumore Friends Burial Ground.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to MISS Foundation, P.O. Box 9191, Austin, TX 78766 missfoundation.org or to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 www.jdrf.org

To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661.

— The Family

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Charles A. (Charlie) Startup, age 70, of Oberlin, Ohio, died suddenly on Oct. 10, a victim of a hit and run automobile accident near Oberlin.

Charlie was born on Nov. 21, 1944 in Middletown, N.Y. He grew up in New Canaan and attended Saxe Junior High School, New Canaan High School, and graduated from St. Luke’s School, class of 1962. He loved football and played for legendary coach Dick Whitcomb at St. Luke’s. In 1967 he earned an undergraduate degree from George Washington University and spent the following two years with the Peace Corps in India. Upon his return from India, he obtained a masters degree in social work from Oberlin College. He eventually settled down in Oberlin where he lived the rest of his life and where he had a rewarding career as a social worker.

Charlie was extremely proud to be a New Canaanite. He loved the town and the people he grew up with here. As an adult, he always made a point of returning to New Canaan to visit old friends whenever he was in the area. He is survived by his mother, Jane Startup, of Fairfield, Conn.; his sister, Ann, of Rowayton, Conn.; his brother, Thomas, and wife Rita of Westport, Conn.; and a son, Joshua, and his wife Mai of El Cerrito, Calif.

— The Advertiser

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Allan D. Russell

Allan David Russell, 91, of Southbury, Conn. and Queensbury, N.Y. died unexpectedly on Oct. 11 at his home in Southbury. Husband of Patricia Abernethy Russell, David was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Allan MacGillivray Russell and Marvel Codling Russell. He attended University School, Phillips Exeter Academy, Yale University and Yale Law School.

Shortly after arriving at Yale in the fall of 1942 he enlisted, joining the United States Army Air Force. At the Aero Medical Laboratory at Wright Field he participated in high altitude experiments with the B-17 using AAF oxygen equipment originally developed by his father. A member of the Ten Miles Up Club he was one of the first men to attain such an altitude without the benefit of pressurized equipment, and set the world’s non-pressurized altitude record of 52,000 feet on April 4, 1944. He later served with the 7th Air Force on Saipan in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. He received numerous decorations for distinguished military service.

After the war he returned to Yale, a member of the venerable class of 45W, to finish his studies and marry Lois Anne Robinson on June 12, 1947. Secretary and senior counsel for Sylvania Electronic Products from 1951 to 1976, he moved to Sylvania’s parent company GTE Corporation in 1976 becoming vice president and associate general counsel, and serving as general counsel in the early 1980’s. In a dogged effort to correct what he felt was an anti-competitive and discriminatory piece of antitrust law, he initiated and tried the Continental Television suit, overturning Schwinn in the United States Supreme Court in 1977. He was a member of the Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York State, and Supreme Court bars, served on or chaired a number of electronics industry, corporate counsel and corporate secretary associations and was an instructor at Yale Law School in the 1970’s.

Retiring from GTE in the mid 1980’s, he moved to Redding, Conn. with Lois where he had a sole law practice and pursued with great joie de vivre a number of civic, gastronomic and sporting interests. He served on the board of directors of the Planning Commission for the town of Redding, was president of the Redding Ethics Committee, and served as warden of Christ Church, Redding.

Sharing the wry wit and keen observations of Redding’s most famous humorist, he was president of the Mark Twain Library from 1987 to 1994. A loyal Yale alumnus to the end, he was a member of the Yale Alumni Association, served for many years as president of the Danbury Yale Club, and was president of the Class of Yale 45W at the time of his death. With his first wife Lois, with whom he shared an abiding interest in collie dogs, he established their Cannondale Collies kennel and enjoyed breeding, training, and showing their collies in obedience and field trails. In 1986 he co-founded the Collie Club of America Foundation and was its president from 1989-1990. An assiduous student of wine, he also became a Chevalier of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Baseball, which along with soccer he played at Yale, resonated throughout his life, extending from his early years as a devoted fan and ball boy for the Cleveland Indians. Rarely defeated by a recalcitrant trout, he was a skilled and cunning angler, and with his second wife Pat, was an avid golfer. A 55-year member of the Sports Car Club of America, he was a nationally ranked sports car rally competitor, winning numerous prizes and awards in his quest to zero checkpoints and stay on course.

He was a member of the St. Nicholas Society, the Society of Colonial Wars, the Sons of the Revolution, Phi Delta Phi, the Collie Club of America, and Youth Foundation where he had served as director, secretary, president, and was at the time of his death president emeritus.

Following the death of Lois in 1997 he married Patricia Abernethy Ellis in 2003 and is survived by her, his three children, Lisa Stockman of Princeton, N.J., Robinson Russell of Salt Lake City, Utah, Martha Davis of Concord, Mass., their spouses, 10 grandchildren, and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. at the Church of the Epiphany, 262 Main Street North, Southbury, Conn. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Road, West Redding, CT 06896, 203-938-2545 (marktwainlibrary.org) or to the Yale Class of 1945W Scholarship Fund, Yale University, P.O. Box 2038, New Haven, CT 06521, 203-432 7621.

Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home is charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be submitted at munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

— The Family

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Patricia E. Smith

Patricia E. Smith, a longtime New Canaan resident, passed away on Oct. 16, 2015 at Norwalk Hospital, after complications from a fall. She was 84. Smith was born on Oct. 25, 1930 at Norwalk Hospital. She was the only daughter of Patrick E. and Dorothy Waters Smith.

Smith’s father was a captain in the Tyneside Scottish Brigade of the British Army and was wounded in the Battle of the Somme in World War I. After the war, he traveled extensively in Asia, Australia, and America as a journalist and evangelical lecturer. In WWII, he was a volunteer in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He died in 1947. Pat’s mother, with whom she resided on Whitney Avenue, died in 1989.

After graduating from New Canaan High School in 1948, Pat attended Goucher College receiving her B.A. with honors in 1952, with a major in history of fine arts. She attended the Institute of Fine Arts, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at New York University, and in 1971 received her M.S. in Library Science from Columbia University. She also studied Biomedical Communications at the School of Library Science at Columbia University at the Library of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

Pat was cataloger of collections at Sleepy Hollow Restorations at Van Cortlandt Manor, Sunnyside, and Phillipsburg Manor. Acting as a hostess, Pat escorted Mrs. Lyndon Johnson through the Van Cortlandt Manor. In addition she was librarian of the slide library at New York University, Institute of  Fine Arts, under the supervision of Dr. Schoenberger.

Pat had numerous interests. She was a member of Irvington, N.Y. Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and Charter member of the Irvington Historical Society. In recent years Pat was a member of Staying Put, a group that brought her much joy.

Edgar was a parrot she rescued that loved opera, he lived to be over 50 years old. Anyone who knew Pat knew her first love was her dogs, she took pride in the  dogs she trained for shows and in later years the dogs she trained as volunteer service dogs. Pat’s dogs came first, even before herself; her kindness was repaid with their unquestioned love.

Pat is survived by her uncle, Kenneth Waters of New Canaan, and a cousin, Suzanne Waters, of New York City. Pat’s family and friends will miss her humor, wit and welcoming smile.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the chapel of the New Canaan Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA or Staying Put.

— The Advertiser

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Ann J. Knechtle

Ann Johnston Knechtle of New Canaan died peacefully at home on Oct. 19, 2015.

Ann was born March 5, 1923 in Brooklyn, N.Y. as the fourth daughter of F. Cliffe and Grace Palmer Johnston. She attended Packer Academy in Brooklyn and then Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Mass. before attending Sarah Lawrence College for one year at age 16, Wheaton College, (Ill.) for two years, and then obtained her BSN from Columbia University in New York.

She worked for Dr. Frank B. Berry, thoracic surgeon at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and designer of the Berry Plan for funding medical student education after WWII. In 1950 she married Emilio B. Knechtle at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York, and after three years in the Dominican Republic the couple made their home on Smith Ridge Road in New Canaan, where they converted a historic barn into a house and raised their six children.

Ann regularly entered the annual flower show as a member of the New Canaan Garden Club, enjoyed tennis and golf at New Canaan Country Club, and taught classes at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan where Emilio was a founding elder. They later attended Black Rock Congregational Church in Fairfield, while Ann led Bible classes in New Canaan. In 1963 Ann and Emilio bought St. Luke’s School with Harriet and David Findlay and operated it as a private boys school in the 1960’s and 70’s. Ann retreated to South Haven, Nova Scotia during summer months. She taught her children horseback riding, tennis, and encouraged them in any and all sports.

She is predeceased by her husband Emilio to whom she was married for 56 years, and by sisters Grace Kiesewetter, Jean Wort, and Constance Hammond and by her granddaughter Ann Walker Knechtle. She is survived by her sister Pat Johnston Hayward of Rosemont, Pa. and Ann’s six children: Cliffe and Sharon Knechtle of New Canaan; Stuart and Mary Banks Knechtle of Hillsborough, N.C.; John and Heather Knechtle of Trinidad; Heidi Knechtle of Rockville, Md., Grace Knechtle of New Canaan, David and Katie Knechtle of Greenwich, Conn.; and 11 grandchildren: William and Juliana Knechtle of Durham, N.C.; Robert, Stuart and Ian Knechtle of New Canaan, David and Stephanie Knechtle of Hamilton, Mass., Peter Knechtle of Hillsborough, and Lily, Matthew, Blake, and Lucy Knechtle of Trinidad.

Ann actively pursued the development of special education for her daughter Grace when such services were just being developed in New Canaan, and Grace continues to live and work in New Canaan. Her son Cliffe is pastor of Grace Community Church in New Canaan, where Ann attended since its founding in 2000.

She will be remembered by her family and friends for her cheerful, generous, and indomitable spirit, her deep faith, her artistic and athletic skills, and her abiding love for family and friends near and far. Her family is grateful for the compassionate team of caregivers who lovingly supported her at her home.

A memorial service is planned for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd., New Canaan, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Give Me An Answer, P.O. Box 1692, New Canaan, CT 06840 (givemeananswer.org).

To send the family online condolences or for directions, please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com or call (203) 966-0700.

— The Family

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Robert T. McDonald

Robert Thomas McDonald, age 77, a resident of New Canaan for 38 years, died on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015 at home with his loving family by his side. He fought a courageous battle with lymphoma for a year and always maintained a positive attitude.

Born in Jersey City, N.J. on May 1, 1938, he was the second child of the late William McDonald and Gertrude Flanagan McDonald. Robert was the husband of Barbara Brennan McDonald for 41 years.

Robert earned his bachelor of engineering and masters of management science degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. He served two years in the U.S. Army. Robert worked as a project engineer for both US Gypsum and Nabisco in New York City. The majority of his career was with Clairol in Stamford, Conn., a division of Bristol-Myers Squibb. He retired as vice president of operations.

Robert was on the board of ARI of Connecticut, United Way and Stamford Area Commerce and Industry Association (SACIA). He was president of Bromley Village Association in Peru, Vt. At St. Thomas More Church in Darien, Conn. he was a lector and eucharistic minister. More recently, he was a eucharistic minister at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan and Waveny Care Center.

Robert was a true family man. He was happiest when spending time with his wife, three sons, four grandchildren and relatives. He was referred to as the “mighty oak” of the family because he was so humble, strong, generous, and caring. Robert enjoyed skiing on Bromley Mountain and playing golf in Vermont.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by three sons, Robert McDonald Jr. and his wife Eliana of Needham, Mass.; James McDonald and his wife Jennifer of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Thomas McDonald and his wife Lauren of Natick, Mass.; sister, Joan Hughes and her husband John of Clifton, N.J.; and four grandchildren, Cailey, Sarah, Brendan and Ryan. Robert was predeceased by his brother William. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan. Interment will be private. Family and friends were welcomed to the Hoyt Funeral Home on Sunday, Oct. 25.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), Lymphoma Foundation of America and Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County.

For online condolences and directions, visit hoytfuneralhome.com.

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Mary Jo Wolcott Wilson

Mary Jo Wolcott Wilson, 79, died Sept. 30, 2015 due to complications from a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was surrounded by her family. A long-time resident of New Canaan, she was living at the Cape Heritage retirement home in Sandwich, Mass.

She is survived by her three children: Elizabeth Jane (Lisa) Wilson of Waltham, Mass., Bruce Garner Wilson, Jr. of New Canaan, and Mary Jo Wilson von der Heyde of Sandwich, Mass.; her four grandchildren: Maxson and Charlie Wilson, and Christina and Peter von der Heyde. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Wolcott Ready of Norwalk, Conn. and Jonathan Giles Wolcott of Barnstead, N.H. She was predeceased by her brother, James Lister Wolcott of Ocala, Fla.

Mary was raised in Darien and attended Westover School, Vassar College and Katherine Gibbs School. She was introduced to society in 1953 at the Darien-New Canaan Autumn Cotillion and the Debutante Cotillion and Christmas Ball in New York. In 1957 she married Bruce Garner Wilson from Darien. Although divorced in 1974 they remained good friends throughout their lives.

Mary was musically talented. She sang in the Glee Club at Westover and was a member of a small singing group, “the Gold Dusters,” at Vassar that performed at many of the Ivy League colleges. In later years, she was a member of the Blue Notes, the Junior League singing group. An accomplished pianist, she played the organ at Westover and later at Saint Mark’s Parish where she taught Sunday School for a number of years. She was a member of Family and Children’s Aid and volunteered her time for the semi-annual sales at the Ziegler estate and later Roton Point. While her children were in school, she supported their activities by attending all their events — whether sports or Walter Schalk dance reviews. In 1977 and 1978 she was the sole publisher of the New Canaan Rams Football Guide.

She enjoyed a long career, which began in New Canaan, working for the local law firms of Hicks and Sturges. In 1977 she joined Conoco, Inc., when the company was headquartered in Stamford. She was the executive administrator and paralegal to the vp general counsel, and after three years she became an officer of the company in the position of corporate secretary.

Throughout her life, she enjoyed her family and took great pride in all their accomplishments.

Friends and family will gather for a memorial service to be held on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Canaan.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.

— The Advertiser

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Mark S. Bulger, 53, of Keene, N.H. died Oct. 22, 2015 amid loving friends and family after a period of failing health. Mark was born in Stamford, Conn., son of Edward and Mary Jane Bulger.

He graduated from New Canaan High School in 1980. Mark faced many challenges during his life but through it all maintained a charm and sense of humor that will be missed by many friends and all of his family. His loving parents died previous to Mark as did his Aunt Allie with whom he may now cheer on the N.Y. Mets.

Mark is survived by three siblings and their families. David and Sally Bulger of Keene. N.H. and their three children, Sarah, Blaine, and Molly; Bruce and Holley Mead Bulger of Deer Isle, Maine and their two sons Larkin and Aaron and their grandson Zane; and Peter and Mary Alice Fox of Franklin, N.C. and their two sons Peter and Douglas.

Generosity and thanks can be donated or devoted to the staff and administration of the Westwood Care and Rehabilitation Center, 298 Main St. Keene, N.H.

— The Advertiser

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Nicholas “Skipper” Lappitalo of Tennessee and formerly of New Canaan, died Oct. 8, 2015. He was 63.

He is predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Antoinette Luciano Lappitalo. He is survived by a great-aunt and several first, second and third cousins. He was an avid sportsman, playing for New Canaan Rams as quarterback, a horseman and a dancer for Walter Schalk. Skipper will be missed by all who knew him.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct 29, at St Aloysius Church, followed by burial at St. John Cemetery in Norwalk, Conn.

— The Advertiser

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Theodore Craig

Theodore Craig, 94, of New Canaan, departed this life on Oct. 15, 2015.

He was born Jan. 18, 1921 to the late Ned and Ida (Patton) Craig of Meridian, Miss. He was predeceased by his wife Hilda of over 63 years, his son, James Harold, his sisters Christine, Jeanetta, Charlotte, Laura, Rebecca, and brothers: Lloyd, Leroy, Thomas and Levi. He is survived by his sisters Flora Butler (Rev. Ben) of Chicago, Ill. and Ida Craig-Durham of Meridian, his sons Theodore Craig, Jr. (Phyllis) of Stamford, Conn., Timothy Craig (Maria) of New Canaan, and daughters: Shirley Gibb of Charlotte, N.C., Mary Craig of New Canaan, and Jacqueline Becton of Accokeek, Md.

Also, he leaves to cherish his memories are his grandchildren: Jeffrey and Courtney Craig of Stamford; Richard Gibb (Ayshia) of Emeryville, Calif.; Jheryl Parson-Mason (John) of Temple Hills, Md.; James W. Preston, II of Laurel, Md.; Daniela and Matthew Craig of New Canaan, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mr. Craig was a World War II veteran in the United States Army stationed in New Guinea, South Pacific and received an Honorable Discharge.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at Community Baptist Church, 174 Cherry Street in New Canaan. Greeting of guests at 10:30; service from 11 a.m.-12 noon, followed by a brief gravesite Military of Honors Ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan.

The family request that you join them in a repast back at the Church.

 — The Advertiser

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Margaret E. Hamilton

Margaret Edgar Hamilton, age 74 of Wilton, Conn., formerly of New Canaan, died Tuesday evening Oct. 27, 2015 at Norwalk Hospital.

Born in Elderslie, Scotland, June 22, 1941 she was the daughter of the late John and Annie Caig Edgar.

Margaret enjoyed Scottish highland dancing for most of her life and her Saturday morning outings with friends. She worked for many years for the Tandett Center, part of the Stamford Healthcare System.

Margaret is survived by her daughter, Nichole Connery and her husband Todd of Enfield, Conn., a brother Bobby Edgar of Palm Coast, Fla., and four granddaughters, Shannon, Meghan, Kaitlyn and Erin. She is also survived by her longtime companion Thomas Beddington. Margaret also leaves behind three furbabies, Hadley, Harris, and Hailey.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. The Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan is in charge of the arrangements.

For online condolences visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Advertiser

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Mary Wainwright Liebtag, 93, passed away at her home in the Meadow Ridge community of Redding, Conn. with her loving family by her side.

Mrs. Liebtag was born Feb. 13, 1922 in Stamford, Conn. to the late Thomas W. and Helen M. (Buffum) Ashwell of New Canaan. Mary attended New Canaan Country School and The Low-Heywood school in Stamford. She graduated from Vassar College in 1943.

Mary worked for the Ethyl Corporation in Michigan as a chemist during WW2, where she met and married Edward Jalmer Johnson. She was widowed in 1960, and returned to New Canaan to care for her ailing mother. She received her MSEd — specializing in children’s literacy — from the University of Bridgeport and worked in local schools. In the late sixties she became a children’s librarian at New Canaan until she retired more than twenty years later.

She married Wesley Liebtag in 1992.  They moved to Meadow Ridge a few years later.

To the last week of her life Mary was active in the Meadow Ridge Knitting Club, which she founded, making caps and blankets for newborns at Norwalk Hospital. She has been a lifelong member of St. Mark’s Church in New Canaan and was especially involved in putting on the St. Mark’s May Fair.

Mary is survived in life by Wesley Liebtag, her wonderful husband, her three children and their spouses: Mark (Eleanor), Ann (Stanley), David (Barbara); also by six grandchildren Edward, Adam, Michael, Andrew, Christopher, and Francis, and one great-grandchild Ezekiel.

A Memorial Service to honor Mary’s life will be held on Friday Oct. 30, at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Church in New Canaan with a reception at 4:30 at Meadow Ridge.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be sent to Fairfield County Community Foundation (memo: Meadow Ridge Scholarship Fund). Alternatively, donations can be made to the outreach fund of the St. Mark’s May Fair.

For online condolences and directions please visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Family

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Joan Ziac Pankosky, 76, of Greenwich, Conn. died August 15, 2015 of heart failure.

She was born Sept. 27, 1938 in Greenwich and was the daughter of the late John and Catherine  Coughlin Ziac.

Following her graduation from Greenwich High School, she attended and graduated from the University of Connecticut. She spent most of her adult life as an educator of young children and was a founding teacher at the Mead School. Joan also enjoyed teaching the many things she loved, such as quilting, to all ages.

Joan was very active in the Town of Greenwich as a member of the RTM  and was president of the GREATS Senior Center. She was an active member of the Mianus River Boat & Yacht Club, a lifelong member of Sokol USA and a member of many singing groups including the Silvertones and the Grace Notes. She loved spending time in her summer home in Becket, Mass.

Joan was predeceased by her husband Charles Pankosky (Chuck) of 43 years in 2003.

Joan leaves two sons, Jay R. Pankosky and his wife Jill of New Canaan and Christopher J. Pankosky of Germantown, Md. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Bradley Pankosky of Los Angeles, Sarah Pankosky of New Canaan, and Emily, Hayley and Jack Pankosky of Germantown.

Joan is also survived by her brother, John Ziac and his wife Nancy, two sisters, Mary Benoit and her husband Joseph, and Linda Ziac, all of Greenwich, as well as many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of Joan’s life Saturday, Nov. 7, at The Country Club of Darien. The celebration begins at noon.

Donations can be made in her name to the Bennet Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital.

— The Advertiser

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James D. Schlumpf

James David Schlumpf, age 85, a longtime resident of New Canaan, died peacefully Tuesday evening Oct. 27, 2015 at Norwalk Hospital.

Born in Evansville, Ind., Oct. 11, 1930, he was the son of the late Albert Elmer and Margaret Heseman Schlumpf and the husband of Suzanne Coglizer Schlumpf.

Jim met Susie while he was pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering at Purdue University. He and his family moved to 14 cities while he worked first for Standard Oil and then IBM. They finally “got it right” when they moved to New Canaan in 1973. He retired after 31 years with IBM in 1987 and began to pursue his passion for volunteerism. He was a member and leader of countless clubs and organizations, including, but not limited, to the Poinsettia Club, Exchange Club, Gridiron, Senior’s Men’s, and presided for 13 years as a New Canaan Police Commissioner. He was honored in 2011 as a Distinguished Senior Man of New Canaan “in recognition of thousands of hours of unpaid volunteer service.”

“Jim [went] far above and beyond the average both as a worker and in leadership positions,” it was written of Schlumpf. He brought the same devotion to his large family, starting the tradition of an annual family reunion to Holden Beach, N.C. (a tradition that lives on over 30 years later). His commitment to family and hard work is well summed up by a favorite quote of Abraham Lincoln’s, “I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.”

In addition to Suzanne, his wife of 63 years, Jim is survived by his three children, John and his wife Lynn of Lexington, Ky., Laura of Woodstock, Ga., and Robert and his wife Althea of Marysville, Wash., seven grandchildren (Jennifer, David, Tia, Michael, Stephen, Katelin, and AJ) and three great-grandchildren (Brandon, Kylie, and Natalie).

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. in the Congregational Church of New Canaan, on Park St. in New Canaan.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or to the charity of your choice.

For online condolences and directions visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Family

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Warren Bätjer Pond, Jr. died Oct. 26, 2015 at age 91 in Houston, Texas.

He was born Feb. 15, 1924, in New York City, graduated from The Taft School and Yale University. He served in the Army Air Corps as a bombardier in World War II.

In 1952 Mr. Pond moved to Houston to take a job with Gulf Oil Company as a landman, buying oil leases for the company. He then became an independent oil operator and later was vice president of sales for American Banknote Company.

He was married to Virginia Kirkland for ten years and then Shirley Baker until her death in 1993.

Mr. Pond had a great interest in sports, especially tennis, which he loved to play with his buddies at the Bayou Club. He also loved skiing and spending time in the mountains where he and Shirley had a second home in Crested Butte, Colo. He had an abiding passion for music, especially New Orleans jazz, and was active in various charities, including The Family Service Center and Family Connection, and the Episcopal Church where he was on the Vestry at Christ Church Cathedral and Palmer Memorial Church.

He is survived by his children, Stephen Warren Pond and wife Cate, Barbara Pond Baker and husband Richard, Laura Pond Ballard and husband Tripp, and his grandchildren, Alexander Kirkland Baker, Marvin Kendrick Ballard, John Stewart Ballard and Margaret Shaw Ballard, as well as a niece and two nephews and many cousins.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Shirley Baker Pond, his son David Bredt Pond and his sister Helen Pond McIntyre. The family is very grateful to Margot Leonard’s many years of loving companionship with their father.

A memorial service will be held at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 5 at 4 p.m. with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Warren Pond to Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6221 Main Street, Houston, TX 77030, or to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030.

 — The Family

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Vona Hopkins Bach

Vona Hopkins Bach, 81, of New Canaan, passed away on Nov. 1, 2015, at Waveny Care Center after a long illness. Vona was born on March 11, 1934, in Perry, Iowa, to the late Emery Victor and Nellie O. Hopkins.

Vona was the valedictorian of her class at Perry High School. She later attended Cornell College earning a BA degree. Later in her career, she was awarded an MBA degree from New York University.  She held the Certified Financial Planner designation.

In 1964 Vona joined Reynolds Securities, the predecessor of Morgan Stanley, where she became the firm’s first female officer. After a 40-year career in the financial services industry, Vona retired to New Canaan with her husband A. James Bach, one of the three sibling owners of the Melba Inn. Vona was a longtime service volunteer at Waveny Care Center as the leader of the exercise program. She was also active in the Garden Center and served as treasurer of its Festival of Trees. She also enjoyed extensive world travel as well as summers in Maine.

In addition to her husband, Vona is survived in life by her brother-in-law, Robert M. Bach of Portsmouth, N.H., and her sister-in-law, Lucy-Ann Morrow Bach of Madison, Conn.

A memorial service to honor Vona’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made in Vona’s memory  to The Waveny Care Center or the charity of one’s choice.

For online condolences, please visit:  www.hoytfuneralhome.com

— The Family

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Frank A. Daughn

Frank A. Daughn, 92, loving husband, devoted father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully Oct. 20, 2015 in Orange City, Fla. from congestive heart failure.

A former longtime resident of New Canaan, he was born in Wilkinsburg, Pa. to the late Edward and Irene Daughn. After graduating from high school, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve his country during WW ll. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant serving with the 12th AAF B-25 Mitchell Air Group in the Mediterranean Theater. Among his many decorations and citations, he was awarded two Bronze Stars.

After the war ended, he returned to civilian life and entered the Univ. of Florida later transferring to The College of Wooster in Wooster Ohio. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary Jane Stroh. They married after graduation and moved to Milwaukee, Wis. and subsequently Green Bay, where Frank became national sales manager for Krueger Metal Products, now KI.

During that time, he completed his graduate work at the Harvard Business School.

While in Green Bay, Frank and his wife started a family with a son Scott and daughter Pamela. They were also blessed with making many endearing lifelong friendships. He was an active member of the Service League of Green Bay and the Green Bay Kiwanis Club. He also enjoyed his membership at the Oneida Golf Club and being a season ticket holder to the Green Bay Packers.

In 1967 Frank started his own company as a manufacturers representative and set up offices in Manhattan. With his wife and two children, he moved to New Canaan, where they had a wonderful life for 25 years. In 1981 Frank and his wife co-founded MicroMate Inc. specializing in furniture for computerized offices. He was a longtime member of the New Canaan Congregational Church serving as trustee and deacon, a member of the Silvermine Golf Club, New Canaan Dance Club, and the Senior Men’s Club. Along with his wife, he loved spending time with their many wonderful friends, dancing, hosting dinner parties, playing bridge, golf and tennis. Frank loved traveling and reading, especially history books and the daily newspaper.

In 1991 Frank and his wife moved to The Landings in Savannah. Ga. to enjoy retirement together, but his heart was broken when, soon after the move, Mary Jane passed away after a long battle with cancer. They were married 41 years and Frank remained devoted to her, still wearing his wedding ring 24 years later. After his wife’s passing, Frank left Georgia and set his sights on sunny Florida, first living in Stuart then later moving to John Knox Village in Orange City.

Frank Daughn embodied the American dream. Hard work, honesty, loyalty and integrity were all qualities he lived by. He was passionate about his family, friends and work and cherished his time with his grandchildren. He always strove to do his very best at whatever he took on and excelled at everything he did. Frank had a wonderful and dry sense of humor and he would often remind his children to “live without regret.”

Frank is survived by his daughter Pamela, two grandchildren; Nathan and Callie and a son-in-law David Cannan. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Jane, son Scott and four brothers; Edward, Robert, James, and William.

A memorial stone will be placed in his honor next to his wife and son in the Memorial Chapel Garden at The Congregational Church of New Canaan, and a memorial is being planned at a future date in the spring in New Canaan. Interment will be next to his wife in Youngstown Ohio.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s memory to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation. https://netrf.org/donate/

Funeral Arrangements by Deltona Memorial Funeral Home.

— The Family

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Helen C. Duffendack

Helen Culley Duffendack, age 95 passed, away peacefully in her home on Friday, Oct. 30, 2015. She was born on Jan. 29, 1920, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the daughter of Hunter and Edna (Barclay) Culley.

She graduated from the University of Michigan in nursing, where she met the love of her life, Stanley C. Duffendack. On Sept. 4, 1943 they were united in marriage in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. and together they raised three beautiful children. In the 1950’s, the family lived in Iran and traveled through Asia. This experience broadened her understanding of humanity and seemed to deepen her commitment to giving her gift of love to all who crossed her path.

Professionally she gave back as a nurse working in psychiatry, home health, geriatrics, and women’s health. In her spare time, she thoroughly enjoyed quilting, weaving, gardening and serving on craft guilds. Helen was an active citizen, serving her community through the League of Women Voters and her church. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Helen is survived by her son, A. Stanley (Judy) Duffendack; two daughters, Deborah (David) Hall and Katherine (Brian) Duffendack; seven grandchildren; Robert (Tracey) Duffendack, Erica Wittenmeier, Kara Hall, David (Virginia) Brys, Nathan Hall, James Brys, and Evan Hall; five great-grandchildren, Emma, Riley and Carter Duffendack and Jordan and Grayson Brys. She is also survived by other loving family and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Stanley C. Duffendack in 2006, a brother, Hunter Culley and sister, Betty Jean Chandler.

A Celebration of Helen’s life was held at Cress Funeral Home, in Madison, Wis. on Saturday, Nov. 7. A service to celebrate Stan and Helen’s life together will be held in Florida later this year.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., 434 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001. Go Blue!

— The Family

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Page P. Wright

Page Parrish Wright, resident of Westminster Canterbury in Richmond, Va. died peacefully on Nov. 7, 2015 at the age of 87 with family at her bedside.

Wright was the daughter of Elinore Page Parrish, and granddaughter of James Morris Page, noted mathematician and professor who served for 30 years as dean of the University of Virginia. Her father, Robert Randolph Parrish, was a prominent Richmond attorney whose family was associated with the Richmond Cedar Works from its formation to its heyday as the largest employer in Richmond.

She was predeceased by her brother Robert Randolph Parrish Jr and is survived by her three sons: George Wright IV (Barbara Gleason) of New Canaan, Robert Randolph Parrish Wright of New York City, Cary Page Wright (Harriet Middleton) of Richmond, six granddaughters, including Elinore Page Wright and Catherine Hendy Wright of New Canaan, and one grandson.

Page attended St. Catherine’s School, where she was elected president of her senior class.  She continued her education at St. Mary’s College in Raleigh N.C., where she served as president of the student body. Page’s life as a working mother included employment at multiple Richmond brokerage firms including Wheat & Co, Dean Witter, Scott & Stringfellow, Anderson & Strudwick, and Davenport & Company, where she became the first female licensed trader on the OTC desk; as well as at both St. Christopher’s School and St. Catherine’s School, where she managed and greatly expanded the bookstore.

Through her engagement in various school activities Page took great pride in the relationships she cultivated with so many of the girls who were St. Catherine’s students during those years.  Her devotion to Saints athletics of all kinds was evident in the many hours she spent cheering her sons alongside the pitch, the diamond and the gridiron.

A member of St. James’s Episcopal Church, Page was active for many years on the Altar Guild.  Her extensive community memberships included the Richmond Junior League, The Women’s Club, Three Chopt Garden Club, and the Country Club of Virginia. Most of all, Page was a devoted mother who dedicated her life to the raising and education of her sons, and she took great pride in their success. The pleasures of her later years included her grandchildren, her friends, her garden, and her pets.

The family expressed their appreciation for the compassionate care provided to Page by Westminster Canterbury, in particular the nursing staff of Parsons Healthcare.

A burial service will be held at the Parrish family plot in Hollywood Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, and a memorial celebration of Page’s life will be held at St James’s Episcopal Church at 3 p.m. with a reception following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to St. Catherine’s School Foundation, St. Christopher’s School Foundation or to the Westminster Canterbury Foundation.

— The Advertiser

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