James W. Davies, III, “Jungle”, of Stratford, formerly of Norwalk, died Monday, June 13, 2016 in Bridgeport Hospital.

Born in Mt. Vernon, NY, on September 6, 1951, he was the son of the late James W., Jr.  and Pauline Cortazzo Davies. Mr. Davies had been a member of both the Neptune Boat Club and the South Norwalk Boat Club, before relocating to Stratford in the late seventies. After a twenty-six year career with the City of Norwalk, he retired as superintendent of the water treatment facility. Mr. Davies also worked as a chauffer for a period of time. Jim had a passion for classic cars.

Survivors include two sisters; Elizabeth Choma and her husband Andrew, of Milford, Katherine M. Davies, of Ansonia, a niece; Nicole Lynn Cardillo-Scranton, nephews Steven Choma, Matthew Choma and Anthony Cardillo, Jr., several grandnieces and grandnephews.

A service will be conducted Sunday, June 19^th, at 7:30 P.M. in the Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk.

The family will receive friends and relatives prior to the service, starting at 4:00 P.M.

Richard James Connors, 85, of Canfield, Ohio, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2016.

Richard was born on February 17, 1931 in Norwalk, Connecticut to John and Alice Connors. After serving in the Navy aboard the USS Northampton CC-1, he graduated from the University of Connecticut and began his career as a Certified Public Accountant at Perkin Elmer where he met his wife of 53 years, Judy (McInerney) Connors. They relocated to Ohio where he continued his career as CFO at Wean United.  Richard was a kind and gentle man who always put his family first. He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughter Jenn Connors of New York City, his daughter Erin Ashley Stehn and her husband Dan of Boston, his grandchildren Nicholas and Caitlin Stehn of Boston, his sister Eileen (Ireland) Shaughnessy and her husband Jack of Norwalk and many loving nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Richard will be reunited in heaven with his brother Fred O’Connor, sister-in-law Gladys, brother-in-law Ralph Ireland, nephew Danny Ireland & niece Sharon (O’Connor) Amato.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 2, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Church, 669 West Avenue, Norwalk. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org).

Ida Adele Calitri, a lifelong resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully in Norwalk Hospital on June 29, 2016.

Ida was born on July 7, 1924 in Stamford CT to the late Fedele DiCarlo and Marianina Benedetti. In her early years, she enjoyed singing in the church choir, and acquired a love for great Italian cooking by watching her mother put together meals for their family of seven. She assisted on the home front during WWII working industry, after which she met her beloved husband, Vito Calitri, a veteran. Mrs. Calitri was a faithful wife and mother who had a great love for her family and strong devotion to her Catholic Faith. She volunteered at Greenwich and St. Vincent Hospitals. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Vito Calitri, and daughter Barbara Calitri. She is survived by her daughter, Joanne Calitri, and grandson John Burke.

Calling hours are: Tuesday, July 5, from 4:00PM to7:00PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue Norwalk. Mass of Catholic Burial will take place Wednesday, July 6, 10am, at Collins Funeral Home. Burial immediately following at Lakeview Cemetery, 352 Main Street, New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to SEA, Inc., PO Box 854, Norwalk, CT 06856. (Catholic Education Association).

Irene Mamchur, 92, of Norwalk,  wife of  the late Rev. Dmytro Mamchur, passed away Wednesday, June 29, 2016 in Autumn Lake Assisted Living, Norwalk.

Born January 14, 1924 in the Ukraine, she was the daughter of the late Olexsiy Rybalchenko and Anna Slyvchenko Rybalchenko.

Services will be held Wednesday at 10:00 AM in St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church, South Bound Brook, NJ .  Burial will follow in the cemetery at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Sarah Jane Pender passed away peacefully July 1^st, 2016, in Norwalk Hospital. She was born August 20^th, 1976, in Norwalk. Sarah is survived her parents Jane and Brian Pender and her brother John. She attended Brien McMahon High School and graduated from Franklin Pierce College in 1998. A private service was held at St. Paul’s on the green, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Collins Funeral Home.

John Pierce Butler, 30, husband of Lauren Mola of Norwalk, passed into eternal rest on Tuesday July 12, 2016 with his family at his side. Born January 6, 1986, in Greenwich, CT, he was the son of Jerry and Linda Butler.

John loved playing sports. He was a skilled carpenter and hard worker. He had a great sense of humor and put a smile on the face of everyone he encountered. John was excitedly awaiting the birth of his first child.

In addition to his parents, his wife Lauren and his child, he is survived by his sister Tara and Sal Mattera, and his niece and nephew Madelyn and Sal, who he adored. He is also survived by his grandma Rose Butler and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends may call on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 AM in St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Road, Norwalk. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk.

Donations in John’s memory may be made to a fund dedicated to the baby at: http://gofundme.com/BabyButlerLegacy.

Annette Carolyn Wendell, 99, of New Haven, CT, formerly of Darien, CT and Delray Beach, FL, peacefully passed away Wednesday July 13, 2016.

She was born and raised in Stamford, CT, the daughter of Benjamin and Rose Greenberger, and sister of the late Rena Greenberger of Patterson, NJ. Annette was a graduate of Stamford High School, where she met and later married her late husband, Robert David Wendell.

Annette was the grandaughter of Rabbi/Cantor Efriam Greenberger of NYC. She is survived by sons Gene (Sue) Wendell, of Norwalk, CT, and Steven (Charlene) Wendell, of Newport News, VA, grandchildren Lauren Wendell, of Norwalk, CT, Adam (Sarah) Wendell, of Silver Springs, MD, David Wendell,of Burlington, VT, Regan Wendell of Arivaca, AZ, Jessica Wendell, of Fairfield, CT, great grandchildren, Alexander and Maxfield Wendell, of Silver Springs, MD, and nieces Shiela Herman, of Escondido, CA, Lenore (Ray) Sturm, of Oxford, CT, and nephews Alan Heinman, of Groton, CT, Lyle (Kathleen) Wendell, of Jacksonville, FL.

Annette worked most of her professional career in the offices of Branson Ultrasonics and Acme Backing in Stamford, CT. She was active in B’nai Brith, long serving president of her condominium association in Delray and loved playing Mah Jong with “the girls” most of her life. After her husband’s passing, she moved from Darien, bought a condominium in Norwalk, and volunteered as a class room assistant at Jefferson Elementary School for many years. She then moved to Delray Beach where she spent the next 30 years until moving to Tower One in New Haven 10 years ago.

Annette was an avid baseball fan and changed teams from Yankees, to Giants, and finally to the Marlins. As a child, Annette would often sit on the lap of Babe Ruth’s wife, as her father Benjamin had a box seat near the Ruth’s at Yankee Stadium. She will be remembered for her daily and brisk walks well into her 90′s, her forever endearing smile, contagious laughter, love of music, bold earrings, family pride, and independent spirit.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 18, 10:30am, at Temple Shalom, 257 Richards Ave. Norwalk, CT. Shiva will be Monday evening at the home of Sue and Gene Wendell, 6:00 to 8:00pm, and Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the home of Charlene and Steven Wendell.

Donations in Annette’s memory may be made to: Towers Foundation, 18 Tower Lane, New Haven, CT 06519, att: Vivian Kantrow, or online, www.towerone.org

Leslie Orpeza (71) passed away peacefully on July 18, 2016. He was born in Iloilo, Philippines to Teofilo Orpeza and Clara Lubaton, and was the oldest of four children. He went on to graduate from the Centro Escolar University School of Dentistry.

Leslie proudly served in both the United States Air Force and Coast Guard and was a veteran of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Storm). He received numerous citations and awards, including a National Defense Service Medal as well as various marksmanship ribbons. He was also an employee of the United States Postal Service for many years.

Leslie loved hunting, camping, Elvis, and his beloved black and white 1972 Mustang.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Nimfa, and his daughter Clarmila.

Friends may call on Saturday, July 23, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk.  A funeral service will be celebrated at 7:00 PM in the funeral home.

Donations can be made in Leslie’s name to the National Stroke Association.(www.stroke.org) or the Coast Guard Foundation (www.coastguardfoundation.org).

Pauline Mashel Vincini of Stratford, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 with loving family by her side.

Pauline was born on November 5, 1935. She grew up in Bronx, NY and graduated from Roosevelt High School. She later moved to Norwalk, CT where she raised her family. Pauline worked hard for many years as a legal secretary and eventually moved her way up to become a paralegal.

Pauline was known as a strong person and a fighter who overcame many obstacles. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother who would do anything for her family. Laughing with her at family celebrations will be forever in our hearts.

Pauline is survived by her son Scott Vincini and his wife Carol Anne of Hilton Head, SC and her daughter Karen Canal and her husband James and their two children James and Jillian of Monroe, CT. She was predeceased by her parents Karl and Suzanne Mashel and her six brothers and sisters: Jean, Rae, Sam, Mike, Ben, and Ruth. We will miss our Mom and “Grammy” dearly.

Her family will receive guests on Sunday July 24^th at 10:30 at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, with service to begin at 11:00 followed by a burial service at IHS/Temple Shalom Cemetery, Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

Helen-Marie McBennett, 84, wife of the late Patrick Gerard McBennett of Norwalk, slipped away peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at Wilton Meadows Health Care Center.

Born November 23, 1931, in the Bronx, New York, she was the daughter of the late Floyd E. and Helen M. Beers.

Helen and her family relocated to Norwalk, CT while entering into her senior year of high school and graduated from Norwalk High School with the class of 1949.  She was primarily a homemaker and mother to her 7 children, while becoming the first female Water Commissioner for the 1^st District Water Dept. in Norwalk.  Once her children finished school, she re-entered the workforce as a receptionist.  During her retirement, Helen volunteered teaching a computer course at Norwalk Senior Center.

She is survived by her daughter Kathleen and her husband Stephen Sasloe of Norwalk, Patrick and his wife Bonnie McBennett of Stratford, Joan McBennett of Norwalk, Ann Raab and her husband Alexander of Ridgefield, Peter and his wife Sasha McBennett of Ashland, Oregon, Robert and his wife Joan McBennett of Fairfield.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kyle, Ryan and Taylor Sasloe, Claire and Daniel McBennett, Sierra Raab and James and Keira McBennett.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Helen was predeceased by her beloved son Kevin and her grandchild Alexander.

Friends may call on Sunday, July 31, from 4:00 to 6:00PM at the Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 1, at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

Donations in her name may be made to:  Norwalk Senior Center, 11 Allen Rd, Norwalk, CT 06851.

George Cooper, of Norwalk, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on July 30^th, 2016, at the age of 89.

He was born in Mt. Vernon, NY, the son of the late Charles and Naomi Cooper, brother to the late Berta Schoen.  George was a WWII Army Veteran, 9^th Infantry, member of Congregation Beth El, Business owner of Charles Stores in South Norwalk, member of MENSA, Post and State Commander of the Jewish War Veterans.

George is survived by his children, Russell Cooper and his wife Randi, Julie Meckley and her husband Stephen, eight grandchildren, Roger, Stephanie, Amanda, Samantha, Joshua, Aaron, Zachary, Adam, two Nieces & one Nephew.

He was an amazing man who always wanted to help others, whether working at the South Norwalk soup kitchen, delivering bagels to the senior center or driving his grandchildren around, he loved feeling needed.

Services will be held on Tuesday, August 2^nd, at 11:30 am at the Congregation Beth El, 109 East Avenue, Norwalk.  Interment will follow at the Beth El Memorial Park, Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

Memorial contributions may be made to any VA hospital or organization.

Eileen McGuinness Preston passed away August 11, 2016 at Lord Chamberlain Manor, Stratford, CT after a long illness. Born in Norwalk, CT August 29, 1923, the daughter of the late James J. and Clara Grumman McGuinness, she was a 1940 graduate of Norwalk High School.

Her first job post-graduation was with Nash Engineering where she met her husband, the late Irving Preston. Widowed in 1965, left with two small children, she went to work for the Norwalk Board of Education where she eventually became the Administrative Assistant to the Head of Teacher Personnel. She retired in 1988 to enjoy grandmotherhood.

She is survived by her family, daughter Paula (Clifford) Hurlburt and son Mark (Jane) Preston and by her two grandsons, Douglas and Jeffrey Hurlburt. Survivors also include her sister-in-law, Merlin McGuinness, her nephews James P., Brian and Matthew McGuinness and her nieces Sheila Sweet and Laura Corbo and their families.

Her children wish to express their gratitude to the aides and nurses at Lord Chamberlain for the great care they took of Eileen throughout her stay.

Friends may call on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 AM in St. Philip Church, 1 Father Conlon Place, Norwalk. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Arthritis National Research Foundation, 5354 E. 2^nd Street, Suite 201, Long Beach, CA 90803.

Anna (D’Emidio) D’Attilo, 51, wife of Salvatore D’Attilo of Shelton, CT, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on Friday, August 12, 2016 in Norwalk after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.

Born October 7, 1964 in Pescara, Italy, she was the daughter of Gravino and Palmina (Orsini) D’Emidio.

Anna graduated from Brien McMahon H.S. in 1983 and attended Norwalk Community College. She later worked as a secretary. She was married to her husband Salvatore on September 17, 1988 in Norwalk, CT.

In addition to her husband, Anna is survived by her loving daughters Alessandra and Marcella, twin sister Ivana DiFederico and her husband Gabriele, sister Patrizia Somma and her husband Antonio, and by her parents Gravino and Palmina D’Emidio. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and beloved brother- and sister-in- laws.

Friends may call on Tuesday, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk. Entombment will follow in St. John Cemetery, Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

Marie L. Saymon, 81, wife of Richard F. Saymon Sr. of Norwalk, passed away peacefully Monday, August 15, 2016 at home.

Born April 20, 1935 in Norwalk, she was the daughter of the late John F. Langellotti and Frances Cianci Langellotti.

Marie graduated from Norwalk High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She worked as a paralegal in the Corporation Counsel of the City of Norwalk for over 40 years. She was also a Eucharistic Minister at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk.

She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Richard, sons Richard and his fiancée Sue of Norwalk, Robert and his wife Laurie of Milford, CT and daughter Donna of Norwalk; grandchildren Ricky, Jacqueline, Matthew, Jenna and Michael. She is also survived by her sister Catherine and her husband John Vigilante of Norwalk as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts uncles and loved ones.

Friends may call on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 AM in St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

Dorothy Whelan Larson passed away on August 19, 2016, in New Canaan, CT, with her son, Luke, by her side.

Dorothy was born in Mt. Vernon, NY, in January, 1923, to George and Helen Kemble Whelan. Dorothy married Theodore Thomas Larson in 1949. Dody and Tom lived the next years in Holden, MA; Setauket, Long Island.; Old Saybrook, CT and Darien, CT, before moving to Marco Island, FL in 1972, where they enjoyed the best years of their lives.

Dody worked in the guidance office of Lely High School in Naples, FL, for over 10 years where she thoroughly enjoyed working and supporting the students. Dody loved the beach, gardening, bridge and dogs. Bur her true love was playing tennis in the local Marco Island leagues with her best friend and sister-in-law, Mary O’Neill.

In May, 2007, Dody and Tom returned to their New England roots by moving to Wilton, CT, to be closer to their daughter, Christine.

Dody was predeceased by Tom in August, 2007.

Dorothy Larson is survived by her 3 children, Christine Lorusso, and Luke and Timothy Larson, son-in-law Rick Lorusso, and two grandchildren, Alex and Nina Lorusso. She will be sorely missed.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, August 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 27, at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Assumption, 98 Riverside Avenue, Westport. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.

Mildred H. Warm, 100, life-long Norwalk resident and descendent of Rev. Thomas Hanford, first minister of Norwalk, was born on December 10, 1915 and died August 16, 2016.

She was predeceased by her parents, Charles Nettleton Hanford and Evelyn Tobin Hanford, her brothers, Charles and Victor, and her husband, Alfred Edward Warm.

Mrs. Warm is survived by her daughter, Anna Warm, her son-in-law, Michael Roedel, and her nephew, James Hanford, all of Norwalk.

She was a graduate of the College of New Rochelle, class of 1934 and received her Master’s Degree from Fairfield University.

A mathematics teacher at Benjamin Franklin Junior High School for over 30 years, she was a woman committed to order in her personal and professional lives. In accordance with the wishes of the deceased, there will be no calling hours and no funeral service.

Memorial contributions are requested to P. A. W. S. [Pet Animal Welfare Society, Inc.], 504 Main Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851

Wake:

Friends may call on Friday from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT

Services:

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph Church, 85 Main Street, South Norwalk, CT.

Burial:

Burial will follow the services in Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, CT following the Mass.

Charlotte M. Kaplin, 76, wife of Gerald J. Kaplin, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 23, at the Norwalk Hospital. Charlotte and Gerald had been married for 52 years and were totally devoted to one another.
Born on July 23, 1940, in Bridgeport, CT, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Charlotte Kwoka. Charlotte was predeceased by her sister, Eleanor Peet.
Charlotte had a career in medical records working for 27 years at the Norwalk Hospital and then several years at Soundview Medical Associates in Norwalk prior to retiring.
In addition to her husband, Gerald, Charlotte is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Samuel and Julie Kaplin of Blaine, MN and her daughter and son-in-law, Paige and John Jiemback of Gilbert, AZ.She is also survived by four grandchildren – Sarah Kaplin and Tyler, Zackery, and Casey Jiemback. Charlotte will be dearly missed and remembered.

Services will be held graveside on Friday, August 26, at 11 a.m at the Temple Shalom Cemetery, 143 Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

John A. Gribosky 92 passed away August 24, 2016 at Norwalk Hospital after a brief illness. A first generation American John was born to Louis and Elizabeth (Kovach) Gribosky on November 17, 1923 in Vintondale Pennsylvania. He was the eleventh child of twelve. John graduated from Norwalk high school and married Sophia Raad in November 1951.

John was compelled to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in December of 1942. John was a Corporal while in the service. His tour of duty included Midway Islands. He was 1 of 3000 who volunteered to fight at Majuro and Kwajlelin (Marshall Island). Receiving an honorable discharge December 25, 1945.

John started his roofing business in June 1955 and retired 1990. John was involved in swimming, diving, boxing and fencing and was a member of the Norwalk fencing club. He won the Connecticut AFLA’s Saber Championship in 1963 and he took second place in the foil and at one time was a fencing instructor. Other hobbies that he enjoyed were pencil sketching, sculpting and gardening. John like his father had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. He sang as the First Tenor at the United Congregational Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was always quick with a joke, a song and a smile. He was the best dad a bunch of kids could want.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Sophia, brothers Louis, Joseph and Stephen Gribosky, sisters Bertha Newman, Helen Novak, Elizabeth Capuano and Margaret Ferris.

He was deeply loved and will be sadly missed by his daughters Belinda Fedeli of Waterford Ct., Jeannette Gribosky of Oxford, Ct., Elizabeth Stabile of Brookfield Ct. and a son John L. Gribosky of Norwalk, Ct. and his trusted four legged companion Chloe Gribosky. Grandchildren Joseph (Meghan) Stabile, Michelle (Jeffery) Meade and Nicole Stabile. Great grandchildren Lauren, Aiden, Gavin, Vincent and a sister Barbara Capuano.

The family will be receiving visitors Saturday August 27, 2016 from 9 – 11 at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, Ct. Burial to follow at St. John’s Cemetery.

John T. Maloney ,Sr. 80, of Roxbury, CT beloved husband of Florence Miller Maloney died August 15^th in the Danbury Hospital.

Born in Norwalk, son of the late John W. and Rosine Kaiser Maloney, he was a 1954 graduate of Norwalk High School , and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Mr. Maloney moved to Roxbury in 1965 and owned  a Cabinetry and Carpentry business for nearly 50 years.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his children, John,Jr., (Diane),  Douglas (Roula) and David (Krista) Maloney; one sister, Joan Maloney Bloom of Norwalk, CT and brother, James Maloney of Ft. Lauderdale, FL ,three  grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held September 12^th at 11:00 AM in St. Patrick’s Church, 25 Church Street, Route 317, Roxbury, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Roxbury Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 106, Roxbury, CT 06783 or the American Heart Association, 95 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel, NY 10512.