Victor R. Hanford, 92, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at his home in Harwinton, CT. Previous to residing in Harwinton, he lived with his family in Wilton, CT for 30 years. He also owned a house on L''Hammock Island in Norwalk harbor and spent many summers enjoying the island life and harvesting lobsters and clams from Long Island Sound. Born May 2, 1918, in Norwalk, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Charles N. and Evelyn T. Hanford. Mr. Hanford attended Norwalk High School, received a bachelor''s degree from Western Connecticut State University and his master''s degree from New York University. He worked as a teacher and administrator in the Norwalk school system for 14 years, eventually serving as principal for Lincoln Elementary School and also for Rowayton Elementary School. Victor was a lifetime member of the National Education Association and served as president for the Norwalk Teachers'' Association. Later in life Mr. Hanford directed his energy into innovation in the manufacturing business, and was responsible for the design and production of plastic vacuum forming machinery, and specialized machinery for the garment industry. Throughout his life, he cultivated varied passions and hobbies with enthusiasm and focused energy which included building midget race cars, scuba diving, sailing, fishing, coin collecting, carving waterfowl decoys and preservation of our environment. As a young man Victor served as a volunteer with the East Norwalk Fire Station and later in life as an Earth Team volunteer for the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. Mr. Hanford is survived by his wife Bernadette, his daughters Kathleen Johnson of Harwinton, CT, Bernadette Justus and Mary Kelleher of Vista, CA, and his seven grandchildren, Jack and Michael Johnson of Harwinton, Leah and Bree Justus of Vista, CA and Nick, Jessica and Jon Kelleher of Vista, CA, and his sister Mildred Warm of Norwalk, CT. He was predeceased by his first wife Mary Beebe and his brother Charles of East Norwalk. Friends may call on Saturday, September 4th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM at the Collins Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Ave., Norwalk, Connecticut. Donations in his name may be made to: Harwinton Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 165, Harwinton, CT 06791 or to the Harwinton Land Conservation Trust, Inc., P.O. Box 113. Harwinton, CT 06791. Please visit www.collinsfh.com to leave condolences.
Obituaries
Norma Arnold Hishon
Longtime Resident of Rowayton
Norma Arnold Hishon, a long time resident of the Rowayton section of Norwalk, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2010. Born in the family home in Rowayton on August 21, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Herbert M. and Sarah P. Arnold and granddaughter of the late John Dietrich Plander who built the house on Crockett Street in 1869. Mrs. Hishon was predeceased by her husband Neil in 1943 and it was on Crockett Street that she raised her two daughters. The house served as home to five generations of family members. Prior to her retirement in 1979, Mrs. Hishon was a long-time employee of J.M. Layton Insurance Company beginning there when it was a small office on Washington Street in South Norwalk. She was a member of the Rowayton Historical Society and a founding member of The United Church of Rowayton where for many years she taught Sunday school. Mrs. Hishon''s family was first and foremost in her heart. It has been their honor and privilege to have lived with and been loved by her. She is survived by: her two daughters, Sheila Hishon Potter and her husband Donald and Donna Hishon Gauthier and her husband Frank; four beloved grandchildren, Robin Potter Bradshaw ( Michael ), Carolyn Potter Poole ( Chris ), Marissa Elizabeth Jaye ( Brooke Gaede) and Douglas Ronald Jaye ( Karen); six great grandchildren, Connor and Gregory Bradshaw, Brittney and Mykayla Jaye, and Zachary and Jacob Poole. She also leaves behind two step granddaughters, Elizabeth Gauthier and Aimee Gauthier Carpenter. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The United Church of Rowayton, 210 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT 06853 or the First Congregational Church of Branford marked for "Fishing With The Vets," 1009 Main Street, Branford, CT 06405.
Obituaries
Sylvester Henry Lippa
Rowayton Resident
Sylvester Henry Lippa, Age 88 of Rowayton, passed away on Monday, August 30, 2010 at St. Vincent''s Medical Center, Bridgeport. He was born on July 26, 1922 in Swoyerville, PA, son of the late Henry and Margaret Lippa. A graduate of Bridgeport Engineering Institute, Mr. Lippa worked for Sperry Remington Rand Corp. In later years, he was the Dept. Head of Drafting for J.M. Wright Technical School. A Navy Veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific as a Quarter Master 1st Class, aboard the USS Manlove. He was also a member of The Knights of Columbus, Council #46 and New Horizons. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Carole(DeMio) Lippa, loving daughter Louise Tyler and her husband Keith, 2 cherished grandchildren, Andrea and Jason Tyler, 3 sisters, Margaret Sterbinski of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Elizabeth Sipple of White Haven, PA. and Theresa DiFrancesco of Bluffton, SC, and other loving family members. Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, (TODAY) from 4 to 8pm at The Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 3, at 11:00 at St. Joseph Church, Norwalk. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at St. John Cemetery, Norwalk. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, 85 South Main St. Norwalk, CT 06854
Obituaries
Dorothy Starzyck
Fairfield Resident
Dorothy Starzyck, 87, of Fairfield, CT passed away peacefully in the company of her family on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Ludlowe Health Care Center in Fairfield. Ms. Starzyck was born September 28, 1922 in Springfield, Massachusetts, and is the daughter of the late Paul and Antonia Starzyk. Ms. Starzyck spent the first five years of her life in the Springfield/Chicopee area of Massachusetts, then moved to the Stratfield area of Fairfield, CT, where she resided until 1943 when she moved to Bridgeport, CT, where she lived for most of her life. During the war and up until the 1960’s she worked at Sikorsky as the secretary to the General Manager and then worked at Pepperidge Farm until her retirement in the 80’s. Ms. Starzyk loved to spend time at Compo Beach, Seaside Park and Marnick’s in the Lordship section of Stratford. She also enjoyed traveling to Vermont and New Hampshire. Survivors include one sister, Eugenia Reale and her husband Art of Westport, CT, one brother, Michael Starzyk and his wife Galy of Westport, CT and seven nieces and one nephew. She was also predeceased by three sisters, Mary Starzyk, Cecelia Claire and Adonia Starzyk, one Brother, Stanley Starzyk. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 11:00 in Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport, CT. Interment will take place in Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Rd., Westport, CT. The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Rd. E., Westport, CT on Saturday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 AM. Contributions in memory of Dorothy may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111.
Obituaries
Rev. DeWitt Stevens, Sr.
Retired Pastor and New York Life Insurance Agent
Reverend DeWitt Stevens Sr., a beloved husband, father and friend, died unexpectedly on August 22, 2010, surrounded by family and friends at the age of 82. He expired while living out his faith displayed in the form of singing, dancing and praising God at the fifty-fifth Jack Summerall Family Reunion in Baxley, Georgia. Reverend DeWitt Stevens Sr. was born on January 7, 1928 to the late Washington and Beatrice Stevens in Surrency, Georgia. He was the second youngest of nineteen children. Reverend Stevens served in the US Army for several years and after receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he married his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life, Eva Jones. The two shared 62 years of marriage. Born from this union were five children: Raymond (deceased), Diantha, Norma Jean, DeWitt, Jr. and Gary. As a youngster, Reverend Stevens took a special interest in music. He learned how to play the piano and cultivated his singing abilities. His passion for music greatly influenced his children and evolved into a family tradition. Recognizing that his children demonstrated exceptional singing abilities, Reverend Stevens encouraged them to both sing and play the piano. He later formed a gospel singing group featuring his children which was called “The Stevens Stars”. The group quickly gained notoriety throughout the country which allowed them to perform on various platforms. Meanwhile, Reverend Stevens’ knack for promotion allowed him to encourage top recording artist such as Shirley Caesar, James Cleveland, The Raymond Raspberry Singers, The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Gospel Caravans to perform in the Norwalk and surrounding areas. Reverend Stevens also pursued other career paths and became a licensed real estate broker and an insurance agent for New York Life Insurance Company. In his twenty year career with New York Life Insurance Company, he was afforded many honors, including becoming a qualifying member of The Million Dollar Round Table and a Notary Public. He received awards such as the National Quality Awards, National Sales Achievement Award and Top Club Award. Reverend Stevens also served as a member of the NAACP and National Association of Life Underwriters in which he was featured and received recognition in Life Magazine as one of the top African-American male Life Insurance Underwriters. Reverend Stevens’ entire life consisted of living out his faith in Jesus Christ and in serving others. During his middle-age years, he believed that he had a call on his life to enter into ministry and to preach the gospel. In 1964, Reverend Stevens was called to pastor Goodwill Baptist Church in Ridgefield, Connecticut where he served until 1969. He later went into evangelism until 1978 after which he organized and founded the Macedonia Church in Norwalk, Connecticut. Within that year, he called for his son, Reverend DeWitt Stevens Jr. and wife, Addie Stevens to assist him in ministry. Under their leadership, many souls were brought into the Kingdom of God and the ministry began to grow. After many years of pastoral service, Reverend Stevens Sr. retired with wife, Eva leaving his son, Dewitt Stevens Jr., to continue the ministry. After retiring, Reverend Stevens Sr. and Eva, his wife of 62 years, leisurely spent time between their homes in Norwalk, Connecticut and West Palm Beach, Florida. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and traveling to various countries. During his travels, he had the opportunity to meet boxer Mohammed Ali and recording artist Stevie Wonder. His favorite hobbies were singing, playing the piano, and swimming. He will be forever remembered for his wise story telling and moniker “Big Daddy”. His life and legacy will forever live in the hearts of those he touched. Reverend Stevens is survived by his beloved wife, Eva years; his four children, Diantha (Bobby), Norwalk, Connecticut; Norma Jean (Curtis), Waikiki Hawaii; Reverend DeWitt Stevens, Jr. (Addie), Norwalk Connecticut; and Gary, Orange County, California. He is further survived by two brothers Caesars Stevens (Jesse), Daytona Beach, Florida and Eugene Mosley (Janet), Norwalk, Connecticut; nine grandchildren, Tammy (Sam) Jones, Raquel (Sean) Giddiens, Gary Hurdle, Nicole Prince, Christopher Reid, DeWitt Stevens III, Janeen (Walter) Perry, Tiffany (Jermaine) Nash, Kelly Perkins; ten great-grandchildren; four adopted daughters, Carolyn Shular, Patricia Hudson, Dr. Shirley Carlos and Angela McFarlane; one adopted grandson, Juan Sanchez; a close friend and adopted brother, Michael Cameron; the beloved Barnes family as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his son Raymond Stevens; his brothers Norris, Herman, Jessie, Tharon, Ondra, Dalton, Grovernor, Washington, Jr., Earl, Tippins and three sisters, Mareline, Merle, and Dessie. A Special Musical Tribute celebrating the life of Reverend Dewitt Stevens, Sr., will be held on Friday, September 3, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service on Saturday, September 4, 2010, at 9 a.m. at New Beginnings Community Church, 65 Tokeneke Road, Darien, Connecticut. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT. To leave a message of comfort to the Stevens family please visit our website www.hkhfuneralservices.com
Obituaries
Sonia Tolmich
Norwalk Resident
Sonia Tolmich, 79, wife of Herbert Tolmich of Norwalk, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the Norwalk Hospital. Born April 7, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Tillie Lipner Sandler. Mrs. Tolmich loved gardening, cooking, knitting and sewing. She also loved to travel with her husband and grandchildren and was always there for her family and friends with unconditional love and support. In addition to her husband of 60 years Herbert, Mrs. Tolmich is survived by her daughter Phyllis Conklin of Norwalk, and by her two sons Alan Tolmich and his wife Vivian of Shelton and Steven Tolmich and his wife Sherry of Norwalk. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Michael Conklin, Daniel Conklin, Andrew Tolmich, Justin Tolmich, Ryan Tolmich and Allie Tolmich. She was predeceased by her brother Larry Sandler. Services will be held Thursday at 12:00 PM in Congregation Beth El, 109 East Avenue, Norwalk. Burial will follow in Beth El Memorial Park, Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Contributions in her name may be made to: Congregation Beth El, 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. Please visit www.collinsfh.com to leave condolences.
