John “Jack” Wesley Davis III, of Shelton, and formerly of Pearl River, N.Y., died on Thursday, Jan. 9. He was 89.

Born in New York City on Sept. 6, 1924, to the late John Wesley Davis II and Anna Ahrens Davis, he is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Claire Harding Davis, and brothers Robert K. and Charles E. Davis. He is survived by three children: John Wesley Davis IV (Cecily Hunt-Davis) of Woodbury, Kathryn Davis Craig (Edward Craig) of New Canaan, and Thomas H. Davis of Austin, Texas, as well as a niece, Mary Lynn Maher Vecchione of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. Additionally, eight grandchildren survive him: Caitlin, Gillian and Griffin Davis, Mackenzie, Kelsey and Taylor Craig, and Emily and Timothy Davis.

Proudly serving his country during WWII, he was a Staff Sergeant in Company A 80th Tank Battalion and a tank gunner in the Central European Campaigns from March of 1943 until March of 1946. Upon returning from the war, Mr. Davis attended NYU , where he received his B.S. in accounting. Following graduation, his early professional career included work as a New York State bank examiner. He soon rose to a position as vice president of Pearl River Savings and Loan Association and remained a banking executive for the entirety of his career.

Memorial donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. His family is planning a private celebration of his life in the spring.

For online condolences, visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

Editor’s note: Sometimes news still takes a while to make it to New Canaan. The Advertiser received the news of Mrs. Aderer’s death by mail in late January, more than six months later. The former longtime New Canaan resident moved to New Hampshire in 2005.

Janice Elaine Garfunkel Aderer of Marlborough, N.H., formerly of New Canaan, died Wednesday, July 3, 2013. She was 98.

Born Dec. 30, 1914, in New York, N.Y. to Nathan J. and Bertha (Levy) Garfunkel, she attended the University of Arizona and earned her B.S. in 1936, and her master’s degree in 1938 from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She married Alex Aderer in New York City in May 1938.

Mrs. Aderer and her family lived in New Canaan for 60 years.

Her 60-year professional career began as a secretary to James Roosevelt during the time that his father, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was President. While raising two children in New Canaan, she and her husband founded and managed independent business ventures in manufacturing and real estate brokerage.

Mrs. Aderer returned to Teacher’s College, earning a professional diploma in guidance in 1962. She worked as a guidance counselor in Danbury, acted as a educational director for a foster-care agency in NYC, started the first para-professional teacher education program at Manhattan Community College, and worked for the Manpower and Training Program in Harlem and the Community Action Program in New Rochelle, N.Y. She was a job placement counselor until she retired at the age of 83.

She was a member of the New Canaan Democratic Town Committee, was co-chairman of the New Canaan High School Parent’s Council as well as the Parents Council of New Canaan Mounted Troop.

Mrs. Aderer left New Canaan for Keen, N.H. in 2005 to be closer to her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Noel Aderer of Marlborough, N.H., her son, Alex Aderer and his partner, Karen Rosado of Acton, Mass.; and her grandsons, Brian and Kevin Aderer.

A celebration of her life was held on Saturday, July 20, in Marlborough, N.H.

Rita Schloth of New Canaan passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 26, at Waveny Care Center after a courageous battle with Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she had enormous love for her husband of 54 years, her three children, their spouses, and her eight grandchildren.

Rita was born on Feb. 27, 1940, in New York, the daughter of the late David and Dorothy Reilly. She attended St. Barnabas Grade and High School in the Bronx, N.Y., and Marymount College in Arlington, Va.

She spent most of her summers in Breezy Point, N.Y. There, at the Sugar Bowl, she met the love of her life, William (Bill) Schloth, in 1955. They soon married and moved to New City, N.Y., where they lived for 38 years.

Rita was a wonderful cook, avid bridge player, golfer and conversationalist who always made people feel welcome in her home. She spent many hours volunteering at St. Augustine School and Nyack Hospital.

She and Bill retired and, after many years of traveling the world, moved to New Canaan in 2002 to be close to their grandchildren.

She leaves behind her husband, William P. Schloth of New Canaan; children, Dorothy Barat (Scott) of Vienna, Va., William E. Schloth (Mary Ellen) of Fairfield, and Lynn Turiano (Gary) of New Canaan/Katy, Texas; and her eight grandchildren, Rebecca and Andrew Barat, Jennifer, Jessica, William Jr. and Robert Schloth and Evan and Michael Turiano. She is also survived by her brother, David Reilly of New City, N.Y.

Her family will receive friends on Friday, Jan. 31, from 3 to 7, at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10, at St. Aloysius Church, Cherry Street New Canaan. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Waveny Care Center. Their dedication, love and compassion for Rita and her family will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s name to Waveny Care Center, Three Farm Road, New Canaan, CT 06840.

For online condolence as and directions visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

Rita Schloth

Marie ‘Taffy’ Sisk Muller

Taffy Muller, resident of Darien since 1963 and wife of John H. Muller Jr., died on Friday, Jan. 24, following complications from Alzheimer’s.

Taffy moved to Waveny Care Center of New Canaan in 2001.

She was born in Lynn, Mass., on April 1, 1926, to the late Joseph W. Sisk and Marie Donovan. She attended Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and graduated from Barat College in Lake Forest, Ill.

She worked as a Veterans Administrator at Harvard University before marrying John (Jack) Muller on May 6, 1950. Taffy enjoyed golf, paddle tennis, ice skating and bridge. She was active in the Junior League, Children’s Theatre and Bible study. She was a member of Wee Burn Country Club and Wianno Club in Osterville, Mass.

Taffy is survived by her devoted husband, Jack Muller, of New Canaan; three children, Marie Elliott, Ann Powers and Stephen Muller; two grandchildren, John and Charlie Muller and one brother, Donal Sisk.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Waveny Care Center in New Canaan or St. Thomas More Church in Darien.

Funeral mass will be held at 10:30am on January, 30 at St. Thomas More Church in Darien. Interment will be private.

Milton Dexter Coe

Milton Dexter Coe, most recently of Stamford, died at home on Thursday, Jan. 23, surrounded by his loving family. He was 93.

Born at home in Oswego, N.Y., Oct. 10, 1920, he was the son of the late Nelson Webster Coe and Amber Geer Coe. Milton graduated from Oswego High School in 1938 and Cornell University in 1943. While at Cornell, Mr. Coe majored in agribusiness, was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, a member of the honorary Sphinx Head Society, a walk-on turned starting guard for Cornell’s basketball team and earned a lieutenancy in the U.S. Marine Corps.

After graduation, he was posted as an instructor at Officer Training School in Quantico, Va., where he met his beloved future wife, the former Constance Kathleen Thomas. After a six-week courtship, they married on Jan. 21, 1945, in Aquia, Va., shortly before Lt. Coe was shipped overseas. Upon his return from World War II, Milton established himself as a very successful sales representative in the nursery supply business.

The Coes resided in Newark, N.Y., (where Mr. Coe played semi-pro basketball); Patchogue, Long Island; Ridgefield, Conn.; Hobe Sound, Fla.; and New Canaan. After the death of his beloved Connie in 2004, Mr. Coe moved to Edgehill, in Stamford.

Milton loved to garden, was an avid sports enthusiast — especially of basketball, and delighted most of all in sharing in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He was always civic minded: President of the PTA, member of the Kiwanis Club, the Domino Yacht Club, and the M&M Club, all of Patchogue, an active member of two Congregational churches and, most recently of the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.  He is remembered for his abiding faith in God, love of family, devotion to friends, service to country, fairness and modesty, unfailing optimism, and wonderful wit. He never met a stranger, always saw the glass as æ full, and always had a ready joke.

Mr. Coe is survived by: three daughters, Katherine Edwards and her husband John of New Canaan, Dr. Virginia Coe and her husband John Orlando of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Nancy Oakley and her husband Clyde of Sayville, Long Island; six grandchildren, Jaety Edwards and his wife Geraldine, Melissa Edwards Pearson and her husband John, Amy Orlando and Johnny Orlando, and Caroline Oakley and Weston Oakley; and four great granddaughters, Caitlyn and Hayley Edwards, and Katherine Louise and Margaret Edwards Pearson; as well as several nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents and wife, three brothers, Nelson, Vincent and Donald, predeceased him.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 8, at First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan, the Rev. Paul Gilmore officiating.

Interment with military honors will be in Fredericksburg, Va., on Monday, Feb. 10.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donation remembrances may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, Habitat for Humanity, or a favorite charity.

For online condolences and directions visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

John “Jack” Fawcett

John Roger “Jack” Fawcett, 77, of Ridgefield, formerly of New Canaan, died on Jan. 22, 2014.

He was born in Greenwich on April 17, 1936, son of Roger Knowlton Fawcett and Helen Aline Berquist.  He attended Greenwich Country Day School, graduated from Eaglebrook School, Lawrenceville, Lehigh University, and received his law degree from Vanderbilt University.

He was a member of Chi Psi fraternity. He practiced law in New York City and was legal counsel for the sale of Fawcett Publications to CBS in 1976.

After retiring from law practice he moved to Avon, Colo., where he served on the Town Council and was mayor from 1996-98. He was an avid skier and an accomplished trapshooter and was chairman of the New York Athletic Club Trapshooting Association.

He is survived by his life partner, Helen-Ann Comstock; children, Roger, Scott, Nancy Pietrorazio and their mother, Betsy Wurtmann; son, Travis and his mother, Diana Fawcett; two grandchildren, and his brother Thomas.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue, 45 South St., Ridgefield, CT 06877.  A memorial will be held in the spring.

Deirdre Stillman Marsters, a former New Canaan resident and teacher, died at her Little Compton, R.I., home on Tuesday, Jan. 28, of advanced stage breast cancer. The wife of Ralph Evans Watson, she was 68.

Ms. Marsters was born Oct. 9, 1945, in New York City to Theodore and Katherine Marsters. She attended St. Margaret’s School (now Chase Collegiate) in Waterbury, was a member of the first class of women at Kent School (1963) and graduated from Briarcliff College (1965). “She married Ralph Watson in 1978 and happily raised his two children alongside her own two from a previous marriage,” her family said.

They lived in New Canaan from 1978-92 and Providence and Little Compton, R.I., thereafter. Ms. Marsters worked in early childhood education for most of her career and was passionate about learning and teaching, her family said. She taught at the New Canaan Presbyterian Nursery School from 1985-91, then taught pre-school at the Wheeler School in Providence, R.I., from 1993-2007.

She served as the Head of the Deacons at the United Congregational Church in Little Compton, was on the Board of the Sakonnet Golf Club and an active member of the Little Compton Garden Club.

Later in life, she began weaving beautiful Nantucket baskets with the Handicraft Club in Providence and enjoyed bridge and golf with wonderful friends in Little Compton, her family said. “More than anything, Deirdre was passionate about her four children and six grandchildren.”

Besides her husband, Ms. Marsters is survived by her children, Jamie McCleary, Lucas Watson, Kate McCleary, and Nicole Watson; and grandchildren, Bell McCleary, Naomi Watson, Sophie McCleary, Teddy Watson, Wagner Watson and Suzie Watson.

A memorial service will be held at the United Congregational Church in Little Compton on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11.

Memorial donations may be made to the Kent School, Class of 1963 Memorial Fund; or the United Congregational Church.

More info: waring-sullivan.com

Robert B. Ross

Robert B. Ross, 89 of Ridgewood, N.J., recently relocated to Falls Church, Va., passed away peacefully, and unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 31.

He was born in Jacksonville, Fla., on July 11, 1924, to the late Joseph and Gertrude Ross. Bob graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, and then went on to continue his education at Harvard College where he earned a BA degree in 1946. He was then commissioned in the U.S. Navy. With the end of the war, he returned to Cambridge and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and JD from Harvard Law School.

Bob practiced law for over 60 years and was the founding partner of Katz & Ross, a New York law firm. One of his many passions was to use his legal skills to assist people of challenged means. He also felt strongly about helping inner city youth strive for higher education. He was the chairman of the Schools Committee of the Harvard Club of New York City for 30 years, where he recruited and interviewed applicants for the university. He was an avid tennis player at Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club and continued to play with his grandchildren well into his 89th year.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maureen F. Ross. Devoted father of Maureen Elizabeth Ross, Robert B. Ross, Jr. (Thea) of New Canaan, Alison Ross Tompkins and Elizabeth Ross Dann (Michael). He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Matsu, Kandy, Ariana, Robert III, Olivia, Sophia, Kira, and Ross. Brother of late Dr. John Ross (survived by Nancy), Gainesville, Fl and Jeanne Jinks (survived by Bert), Panama City, Fla.

A visitation will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, from 7-9, at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 3304 Washington Blvd., Arlington, on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2.

A veteran of World War II, he will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to: A Better Chance Inc. of New Canaan, PO Box 355 New Canaan, CT 06840 wor at ABetterChance.org

For obituary and online guest book, please visit MurphyFuneralHomes.com.

Elizabeth J. Lewis, 77, resident of New Canaan for over 35 years died suddenly Sunday, Feb. 2, at her home. Born Oct. 23,1936, in West Caldwell, NJ, Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Carl Ivan and Ruth Kyle Johnson.  She was predeceased by her husband, Richard S. Lewis, in 1995.

Liz (or “Zard”, as she was affectionately known to some) grew up in Norwalk, graduating from Norwalk High School.  She attended Smith College and graduated with a degree in government. After college, she moved to New York City where she worked at McGraw Hill. It was in New York, when he came with a friend to help paint her apartment, that she met the love of her life, Dick Lewis.

They got married in 1958, had their daughter, Kyle, and after the birth of their second child, Nick, moved to Norwalk and then later New Canaan.  Dick and Liz shared a love of the beach, travel, backgammon and Boggle and enjoyed 37 years of wonderful marriage.  After Dick’s death, Liz continued to lead a busy life, enjoying many games of bridge, British crosswords and an obsessive love-hate relationship with needlepoint.  She dearly loved her children, grandchildren, her good friends, her book group and Woodway Beach Club, where she was queen of the beach, holding court at her special place.  She is active at St. Mark’s Church and was a member of Staying Put in New Canaan.

Survivors include her daughter, Kyle Paige and her husband Robert of Miami, FL; a son, Nicholas H. Lewis and his partner, Lisa Gottheil of NYC; as well as a brother, Robert Kyle Johnson of Aiken, SC; and grandchildren Madeleine, Connor, Jaya and Hudson.

A Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, February 8th, from 2:00-5:00 PM at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan, CT.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Mark’s Church, New Canaan in the summer at a time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Staying Put in New Canaan, PO Box 484, New Canaan, CT 06840; or the Josh Gottheil Memorial Fund for Oncology Nurses, 509 E. Holmes, Urbana, IL 61801.

Zard, you will be greatly missed.

For online condolences, visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com

Dr. Horace Ingraham Crary, a New Canaan resident for 58 years, died at home on Friday, Feb. 7. He was 89.

Dr. Crary was president and co-founder, along with Dr. David S. Brown, of the New Canaan Medical Group. From their initial partnership, the group grew to include 11 physicians and a medical lab at the time of his retirement. House calls were made at all hours of the night and on weekends and were an important part of the practice, his family said.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1924 to Miner D. Crary and Edith Ingraham Crary, he was the last surviving grandchild of Jerry, a Civil War veteran, and Antoinette Crary. He was raised in Warren, Pa., and at their family home on Duck Island, in Northport, N.Y. He graduated from Deerfield Academy and received a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College in 1946. During World War II, and while at Amherst, he entered the U.S. Navy Reserve, which included a year at Williams College as part of the wartime accelerated program.

He obtained his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, interned at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, N.Y., and did his residency at Rhode Island Hospital. His training was interrupted by the Korean War, during which time he served in Portland, Ore., as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. Following military service, he completed his training with a cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins, before starting an internal medicine practice in New Canaan.

Dr. Crary was active in the medical community. He was the last volunteer chief of medicine at Norwalk Hospital and was instrumental in the founding of Waveny Care Center and was a member of its board of directors. In addition, he was chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at the Visiting Nurse Association.

He was also active in retirement, serving as president of the Greenwich Research Partners, a local investment club, and was a board member of the Senior Men’s Club of New Canaan.

Being an avid athlete, he won tennis and squash tournaments in college and after, fly fished for salmon and took up paddle boarding in his 80’s. In his later years, golf became his passion, family said, and he had three hole-in-ones.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Arline G. Crary, his brother Miner D. Crary Jr. and his sister, Winifred A. Valens. He is survived by his four children: Jane, Horace, Jr. and his wife, Susan, Dianne and Robert; three grandchildren: Gardner, Nicholas and Ian; as well as his dear friend, Margaret M. Campbell.

“He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, his former patients and many a deer, turkey, wren and red-headed woodpecker that regularly came to pay a visit at his home,” his family said.

Services will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 11 at St. Marks Church in New Canaan. Memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County (VisitingNurse.net) or Waveny Care Center (Waveny.org).

— Advertiser

Thomas Thornton

Thomas Thornton of Westport and formerly New Canaan, died Wednesday, Feb. 5. He died at home, surrounded by his family. He was 75.

Mr. Thornton was born on April 17, 1938, in Perrysburg, Ohio, to Jeannette (Wiser) and Floyd Thornton, who was the mayor of Perrysburg.

After he earned his bachelor’s degree at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1961, he received his master’s degree in economics from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio.

Mr. Thornton was married twice. In 1962, he married Ann Woodley (divorced 1982), an art teacher at New Canaan High School. They had four children: Brett, Laura, Katherine and Emily. All four were raised in New Canaan and attended New Canaan High School.

In 1993, he married Cameron Hayward (divorced in 2012), and they had three children: Alasdair, Alexandra, and Jillian. The family resided in Westport.

Throughout his life, Mr. Thornton experienced success as an inventor and “has been described by many as having achieved the American dream,” his family said.

He was first employed in the corporate world and worked for six years on Wall Street in institutional sales. He then moved to develop a  patentable invention, the interproximal toothbrush called Super Floss. He had written his master’s thesis in economics on non-price competition in 1964, and wanted to create a product for the foundation of a future company. In 1972, he founded Educational Health Products Inc. to develop production technology, raise capital, perform market research and plan the commercialization of his invention.

In 1974, his special machinery builders completed a prototype production machine and moved it to a new 2,000 square-foot factory in New Canaan. In 1975, he moved with a new mass-production machine to a large plant in Norwalk. Large orders from Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden provided working capital to finance further expansion.

Each year, from 1977 to 1982, Super Floss was promoted at major industry events such as The Greater New York Dental Meeting in November, the Chicago Mid-Winter Meeting in February, the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta and the Anaheim Dental Meeting in the spring.

Educational Health Products also had a presence at the annual American Dental Association meeting, which was held in a different city each year. Additionally, Mr. Thornton attended major dental meetings in Europe, such as the IDS meeting in Koln, Germany.

In 1983, Educational Health Products Inc., merged with Cooper Laboratories, Inc. Cooper owned the Oral-B Laboratories.

Ten years later, after completing a non-compete agreement with Cooper, Mr. Thornton re-entered the market in 1993 with Thornton 3-in-1 Floss, and two new patented products, Thornton Bridge and Implant Cleaners and Thornton Periodontal Floss.

Sales of Super Floss and Mr. Thornton’s products over the past 35 years are estimated to exceed 10 billion units.

When he was not working, he was out on Long Island Sound sailing his boat “Sandy,” or walking the “loop,” as he called it, around Southport Harbor with his beloved Jack Russell, “Sophie,” his family said.

Mr. Thornton is survived by his seven children and six grandchildren, “who will always fondly remember him as ‘Grandpa Tom,’” said his family.

His funeral was Monday, Feb. 10 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 651 Pequot Ave., in Southport.

— Advertiser

Barbara H. Ertel

Barbara Herrin Ertel of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., formerly of New Canaan, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the McGraw Center for Caring in Jacksonville, Fla. She was 81.

Mrs. Ertel was born in New York City to Evelyn and Gareld Herrin and grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. She graduated from Ridgewood High School, then earned her associate’s degree from Green Mountain College. After that, she went on to earn her bachelor’s and nursing degrees from Columbia University, and her master’s degree from the University of Maryland.

She married Samuel Ertel in 1956, and after several moves, they lived in New Canaan, where they raised their two children. She was active in many civic affairs, as well as school and church activities. She returned to the nursing profession at NIH and George Washington University Hospital after the family moved to Potomac, Md., and finally retired as the associate director of nursing for critical care.

She and her husband moved back to New Canaan where she joined the New Canaan Board of Realtors and worked as a real estate agent until they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach and Sawgrass in 1991.

During her years in Sawgrass, Mrs. Ertel served as the clerk of local precinct 409 for 10 years, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, cooking and serving meals at Mission House, was an active DAR member, and served on numerous Sawgrass Country Club committees, as well as three years on the board of governors.

She loved traveling, playing golf, the beach, camping, playing bridge, cooking, and entertaining friends and family, her family said.

Mrs. Ertel was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Gary and her husband, Sam. She is survived by her daughter, Linda of Greensboro, N.C.; son, Steve of Rockville Md.; grandchildren, Jason, Christine and James; great-grandson, Lucas; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30, Thursday, Feb. 13, in the parlor at Vicars Landing of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Interment will follow at a later date in Potomac, Md.

Memorial contributions may be made to Columbia University School of Nursing, 617 West 168th Street, Office of Development, NY, NY 10032.

Services under the care and direction of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. For online tributes, visit Quinn-Shalz.com.

— Advertiser

Charles P. Stackhouse

Charles Peter Stackhouse, a longtime resident of New Canaan, passed away unexpectedly while on vacation last week in the Caribbean. He was 70 years old.

Charles was born on Sept. 22, 1943, to parents Rose Stackhouse and Charles Edward Stackhouse.

Charles graduated from Syracuse University in 1965, served in the U.S Army Intelligence Corps for two years, and went on to receive his MBA in marketing and finance at Columbia Graduate Business School. His career began with General Foods, and continued as an executive with other companies such as Booze, Allen & Hamilton, J. Walter Thompson, Donelley, United Media, and Enewsrelease.

Outside of his outstanding career, Charles’ most notable legacy was as a husband, father, son and brother. He married his wife, Carole Hesse Stackhouse, on June 29, 1968, and went on to have three children. He loved spending time with family, reading and he had a passion for sailing. As a longtime member of the Stamford Yacht Club and the Singles under Sails club, he made long-lasting friendships and spent time on the water doing what he loved most. He will always be remembered for his warm smile, generous heart and the love he has passed on to his family and friends.

Charles is survived by his mother, Rose Stackhouse; sister and brother-in-law, Grace and John Magill; children, Charles William Stackhouse, Amy Vandervort Stackhouse, Jeffrey Hesse Stackhouse; and two grandchildren, Alexa Koromvokis and Gavin Stackhouse.

A memorial service will be held at First Church of Christ Scientists, 49 Park St., in New Canaan, on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m., followed by a reception at Charles’ home.

In lieu of flowers, in his tradition, we ask that you spend the day with family and loved ones.

Sail on sailor, sail on …

— The Family

Mae L. Roche DePalma died Saturday, Feb. 8. She was 92.

Born March 5, 1921, Mrs. DePalma was the youngest and last surviving daughter of Charles and Amelia Roche. She grew up on the banks of the Silvermine River in the area, then known locally as Rocheville because of the many members of her family who had lived there since the mid-19th Century. Her active childhood included a passion for swimming in the river in her backyard like generations before and after her, her family said.

Mrs. DePalma and her sisters, Edith and Letty, attended a one room schoolhouse on the New Canaan side of the river, and later progressed to New Canaan High School. There, she met local sports hero Dominick “Skeeter” DePalma. When Skeeter entered the Army in World War II, Mae followed him to Little Rock, Ark., where they married. Mrs. DePalma was undaunted at having to start her married life residing in a converted hen house near the post, family said.

After the war, she and her husband settled back in New Canaan, where they raised daughters Mayetta and Emmy. Never one to sit idle, said her family, she had a career as a bookkeeper for local establishments, including Weed & Duryea, the F.B. Morse Agency, Karl Buick, Louis Lee Company, the Lake Club, and the Low Heywood Thomas School.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Mayetta St. John. She is survived by her daughter, Emmy and by her grandchildren, Jonas and Timothy St. John, Elizabeth Naylor, and Sasha Hastings.

Visiting hours will take place  Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11-1 at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main Street, New Canaan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lt. John Corr Memorial Award Fund, c/o Tom Sinchak, Esq., 30 Deacons Lane, Wilton, CT 06897.

For online condolences visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

— Advertiser

Frank J. Natonski of New Canaan died Sunday, Feb. 9, at Norwalk Hospital with his family by his side. He was 93.

Mr. Natonski was born on Jan. 10, 1921, in Amsterdam, N.Y., to the late Joseph and Sophie Natonski. He graduated from Wilbur Lynch High School in Amsterdam, N.Y. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps out of high school, working at Yellowstone National Park. In 1940, he joined the U.S. Marines and served in the infantry before an injury cut short his enlistment. During World War II, he served as a civilian aircraft mechanic for the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor.

In 1946, he married the love of his life, Sadie Strenges. They were married for more than 67 years.

After the war, he joined General Electric’s Flight Test Operation in Schenectady, N.Y. He subsequently moved to New Canaan in 1954 and worked for the GE Executive Flight Service at White Plains, N.Y. as a flight engineer and aircraft mechanic. Mr. Natonski worked for GE for more than 35 years. He loved aviation and had numerous pilot qualifications, his family said. He was also an avid golfer and speed skater and was a member of the Senior Men’s Club of New Canaan and a parishioner of St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

In addition to his wife, Sadie, he is survived by his son,  Lt. Gen. Richard F. Natonski USMC (Ret), and his wife, Barbara of Alexandria, Va., and three grandchildren, David and his wife, Pepper and granddaughters Katie and Elizabeth.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church  on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 10.

For online condolences and directions, visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

— Advertiser

Todd Craig

Todd Alan Craig, 52, of Wallingford, and formerly of New Canaan, died on Feb. 4 at the Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut

He was born in Worcester, Mass., on March 7, 1961. He enjoyed a happy and busy life in sports, traveling and living around the globe with the family. He had a league of friends.

Todd grew up in New Canaan and attended the public schools there. At that time, his addictions to alcohol, various drugs, a rod in his thigh and a craniotomy resulted in permanent brain damage, poor vision, immobility, incontinence and labored speech. It all culminated with three decades of suffering in several nursing facilities. Most recently, Todd was diagnosed with liver cancer and a systemic infection which could not be resolved before his death.

Todd was predeceased by his younger brother, Matthew A. Craig in 1992, and his father, Captain Donald G. Craig in 2010. He leaves his older brother, David A. Craig of Palm Beach, Fla., and his mother, Nancy M. (Andrews) Craig of Falmouth, Mass.

A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, Feb. 17, at 11  a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 511 Main Street, Falmouth.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Matthew Andrews Craig Scholarship Fund, c/o WPI University Advancement, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280.

Please pray for Todd’s immortal soul. God bless us all.

For online guestbook, obituary and directions, please visit ccgfuneralhome.com.

— The Family

Barbara Herrin Ertel

Barbara Herrin Ertel of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., formerly of New Canaan, died Tuesday, Feb. 11, at the McGraw Center for Caring in Jacksonville, Fla. She was 81.

Mrs. Ertel was born in New York City to Evelyn and Gareld Herrin and grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. She graduated from Ridgewood High School, then earned her associate’s degree from Green Mountain College. After that, she went on to earn her bachelor’s and nursing degrees from Columbia University, and her master’s degree from the University of Maryland.

She married Samuel Ertel in 1956, and after several moves, they lived in New Canaan, where they raised their two children. She was active in many civic affairs, as well as school and church activities. She returned to the nursing profession at NIH and George Washington University Hospital after the family moved to Potomac, Md., and finally retired as the associate director of nursing for critical care.

She and her husband moved back to New Canaan where she joined the New Canaan Board of Realtors and worked as a real estate agent until they moved to Ponte Vedra Beach and Sawgrass in 1991.

During her years in Sawgrass, Mrs. Ertel served as the clerk of local precinct 409 for 10 years, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, cooking and serving meals at Mission House, was an active DAR member, and served on numerous Sawgrass Country Club committees, as well as three years on the board of governors.

She loved traveling, playing golf, the beach, camping, playing bridge, cooking, and entertaining friends and family, her family said.

Mrs. Ertel was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Gary and her husband, Sam. She is survived by her daughter, Linda of Greensboro, N.C.; son, Steve of Rockville Md.; grandchildren, Jason, Christine and James; great-grandson, Lucas; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30, Thursday, Feb. 13, in the parlor at Vicars Landing of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Interment will follow at a later date in Potomac, Md.

Memorial contributions may be made to Columbia University School of Nursing, 617 West 168th Street, Office of Development, NY, NY 10032.

Services under the care and direction of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. For online tributes, visit Quinn-Shalz.com.

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Paul Murray

Paul Brady Murray, 90, of New Canaan, died on Friday, Feb. 14, at his home.

Mr. Murray was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 2, 1923, to the late Thomas and Marie Brady Murray.

Paul Murray served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After being discharged he married Anne McVoy of Chicago, Ill., in November 1946. He graduated from Fordham Law School and subsequently entered the family business, Murray Manufacturing.

Later in his career he became president of the East New York Savings Bank following which he served in the same capacity with M & T Bank from which he retired.

He was a member of the Order of Malta and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. He was also a member of Woodway Country Club in Darien, Ekwanak Country Club in Manchester, Vt., and University Club in New York.

In addition to his wife, Anne, Paul is survived by eight daughters and three sons, three brothers and one sister. Paul also leaves 23 grandchildren and three great -grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Hoyt Funeral Home, New Canaan, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 5–7. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 10:30am at St. Thomas More Church in Darien.

Interment will take place at a later date in Manchester, Vt.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul’s memory can be made to Crudem Foundation, PO Box 804, Ludlow, MA 01056.

For directions and online condolences, visit HoytFuneralHome.com.

Joseph S. Canino of New Canaan and Fort Pierce, Fla., died Friday Feb. 14. He was 91.Mr. Canino was born in New York City on Oct. 6, 1922, to Petrina and Joseph Canino. He was a retired tool and die maker, spending most of his career at Elinco until his retirement. He was a distinguished World War II veteran and served as a private first class in the United States Army, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was also a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. Miller Council.Mr. Canino is survived by his daughters, Deborah Donofree of Brookfield, and Karen Canino Portanova of New Canaan, and his son, Joseph Canino Jr. of Chicago, Ill. He is also survived by five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his longtime companion, Teresa Spenard; and his sisters, Angelina LaRocca, Jean Canino and Ann Kilborn. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret.He had a green thumb and loved to garden, his family said. “He was an avid Yankee fan and enjoyed spending time with his family.”The family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society. Services will be held at a later date.— Advertiser

Anita Grasso of New Canaan died Friday, Feb. 14, at Norwalk Hospital with her loving family at her side. She was 81.
Mrs. Grasso was born on July 21, 1932, in Lucera, Foggia, Italy, to the late Giuseppe and Maria Altieri DeVivo. She received her education in Italy and worked for many years as a seamstress.
“Anita was a beautiful, gentle and loving soul. She loved being surrounded by her adoring and loving family. She touched the lives of everyone she met,” her family said.
On Sept. 26, 1955, she married the love of her life, Anthony P. Grasso Sr., in Lucera, Italy.
In addition to her beloved husband, Tony, Mrs. Grasso is survived by her two sons, Anthony P. Grasso Jr., and Joseph M. Grasso Sr., both of New Canaan, and her daughter, Elizabeth A. Buzzeo, and her husband, Ralph of New Canaan. She is also survived by her three brothers, Mario DeVivo, of Newtown, Armando DeVivo, of Italy and Leonardo Devivo of Norwalk; and three sisters, Elvira Marotta of New Canaan, Lucille Pellegrino of New Jersey and Enza Ruggieri of Norwalk. She was pre-deceased by her brother, Antonio Devivo. Mrs. Grasso is also survived by her grandchildren, Samantha J. Grasso and Joseph M. Grasso Jr. In addition, she leaves behind her two sisters-in-law, Grace Grasso and Connie DeLong; and her brother-in-law, John Pagliano, and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her memory can be made to St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry St, New Canaan, CT 06840.
For online condolences and directions, visit HoytFuneralHome.com.
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