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Obituary: Andrew J. Perniciaro, Sr., 88, WWII Army Veteran, Minor League Baseball Player

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Mar 132013

Andrew J. Perniciaro, Sr., 88, formerly of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at his home in Orange, CT. He was born in Stamford on April 5, 1924 to the late Anthony and Tillie Scarpulla Perniciaro. He was a graduate of Stamford High School.

Andrew was a WWII Veteran in the U.S Army. He took part in five major battles: France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. After being honorably discharged, Andrew was drafted by the New York Giants Minor League Baseball Team in 1944. He was also a member of the Holy Name A.C and employed at the Chemical Testing Corp as a salesman for 5 years before his retirement.

Andrew is survived by his loving wife Marilyn E. Young Perniciaro of Orange, CT, his loving son Andrew J. Perniciaro, Jr. of Stamford and five loving daughters: Sharon Campanella of Hamden, CT, Patricia Beauregard, Esq of Trumbull, CT, Virginia Wilk and her husband Stephen of Redding, CT, Marilyn Perniciaro of Chennai, India and Josephine Cushman and her husband Mark of Silver Spring, MD, including his sister Julia Chalikis of Stamford and twelve grandchildren, one great grandson and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters Virginia, Josephine, Ann and a brother, Peter.

Friends and family may call at The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, on Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 PM.

A funeral procession will be leaving the funeral home at 9:30 AM on Friday, March 15, 2013.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St. John’s RC Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien.

Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Darien.

The family requests that donations be made in Andrew’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (CTChapter), 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

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Obituary: Baselio G. (Joe) Zorzanello, 95, WWII Veteran, Will Be Buried At Arlington

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Jan 232013

Baselio “Joe” Zorzanello

Baselio G. (Joe) Zorzanello, LCDR USN retired, died of complications from a stroke Saturday, January 19, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Conn. He was 95.

Mr. Zorzanello was born in West Stockbridge, MA, the son of Guglielmo Zorzanello, a baker, and Bianca (nee Collalto), a homemaker.

He did not learn English until he went to school but excelled academically, eventually skipping a grade. He entered the United States Navy in 1935 and served in World War II, earning more than a dozen medals, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Valor for heroism in a combat zone. He was captured by the Japanese during the battle of Corregidor and survived 39 months in a Japanese prisoner of war camp.

There, he became friends with Louis Cusano who later introduced him to his sister, Margaret Cusano. Joe and Margaret married in 1952 and remained together until her death in 2006. Mr. Zorzanello retired from the Navy in 1957, and he and Margaret moved to Niantic, CT. They raised their family there until 1978, when they moved to Frederick, MD. They spent 20 years there, where he pursued hobbies such as wine tasting and photography.

In 1998 they moved back to Connecticut, settling in Orange in order to be closer to children and other family. Margaret was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2001, and he cared for her until her death in 2006. Mr. Zorzanello leaves two sons, Bill (Jill) of Mullica Hill, N.J., and Barry (Tami) of Sandy Hook, CT; three daughters, Mary of New Haven, CT, Carolyn Byron of Southington, CT, and Elizabeth Emery of Havertown PA; a sister, Lydia Gerard of Great Barrington, MA., nine grandchildren, Destiny VonHof, Billy and Sophia Zorzanello, Arthur Abeshouse, Julia and Joseph Byron, Elisabeth, Marissa and Nicholas Emery and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their deep thanks to his caregiver for the past two years, Sena Grandison, and to the caring people of Connecticut Hospice.

Calling hours will be Friday evening, January 25, 2013 from 5 to 8 pm at Smith & Sefcik Funeral Home, 135 Broad St., Milford CT.

A funeral Mass will be held Saturday at 10:30 am directly in Holy Infant Church, Racebrook Rd., Orange, CT.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Connecticut Food Bank or the Alzheimer’s Association .

To leave condolences or for directions, please visit our website at: www.georgejsmithandson.com

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Obituary: Harry Witmer Jones, Sr., 91, WWII Veteran, Past Pres. Orange Historical Society, OCC Church Historian

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Dec 312012

Harry Jones

Harry Witmer Jones, Sr., age 91, retired President of Trans-Lite in Milford, resident of Orange for 56 years, beloved husband of Dr. Jean F. Jones, entered into eternal rest on Friday, December 21, 2012 at Golden Hill HCC.

Born on April 15, 1921 in Renova, PA he was the son of the late Harry Witmer and Alma Martz Jones. He graduated from Mercersburg Academy, Lehigh University and New Haven College School of Executive Development. At Lehigh University he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. As a Lehigh Alumni he was a member of the Tower Society and was awarded the highest alumni honor. He was the former President of the CT Valley Lehigh Club (CT and Western MA), and served as Regional Vice President of all of New England and New York state. He was also on the Senior Council.

During WWII he served in the US Army 5th Armored Div. where he fought in the European Theatre. In 1945, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre at the liberation of Luxembourg by the 5th Army. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve until 1955 when he retired with the rank of Major. He was a member of the 5th Armored Association for 60 years and thoroughly enjoyed attending the annual reunions for many years throughout the Midwestern and Eastern states.

Following his discharge from the army, his first job was at Safety Car Heating and Lighting in Hamden, a railroad equipment manufacturer. In 1957 he and a friend bought the lighting division and renamed it Trans-Lite. They manufactured lighting for mass transit. Harry was the 3rd generation of his family to be involved in the railroad business. He was President of Trans-Lite Inc. in Milford from 1957 to 1991 when he retired.

While President, he served as Chairman of the Milford Chamber of Commerce and as an Advisory Board member for Platt Tech High School.

He was a member of the Orange Historical Society and served as President for 15 years. He also served on the Orange Historic District Commission and was the Treasurer of the Connecticut League of History Organizations. He co-authored “Orange Images of America”.

Harry was a founding member of the New Haven-Derby Railroad Club and the Annual Railroad Show at High Plains Community Center. For these events, he received the Living Treasurer Award from the Town of Orange. Harry was a dedicated member of the Orange Congregational Church for over 50 years and was the Church Historian. He was a past chairman of the Trustees, of Deacons, and the Outreach Committee.

He was a devoted member of the retired Men’s Maintenance Group of 5, “The Tuesdays Guys”. He was a member for 25 years of the New Haven Association of U.C. C. churches and served on several committees. He was a member of the OC Marsh Fellows of the Peabody Museum, the New Haven Mineral Club and the Pennsylvania RR Historical and Technical Society.

In addition to his wife of 55 years, he is survived by his son, Harry Jr. and his wife Lisa of Orange, daughter-in-law Carol Doak Jones of Deep River, and four cherished grandchildren; Liza Louise Jones, Samuel Fenway Jones, Peter Emerson Jones and Harry Witmer Jones, IV.

He was predeceased by his son David Emerson Jones.

Burial was private on Thursday, December 27, 2012 with military honors.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11 am at the Orange Congregational Church, 205 Meetinghouse Lane, Orange, CT 06477. Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange Congregational Church at the above address.

Arrangements are being handled by the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT 06460.

To leave online condolences please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com.

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Obituary: Benjamin G. Biancur, 90, Renaissance Man, WWII Veteran, Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather

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Oct 072012

Benjamin Biancur

Benjamin G. Biancur, 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Orange, CT, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Irma Cappelloni Biancur. Ben leaves a son Robert and his wife Geraldine and their sons Douglas and Patrick of Wallingford, CT, a daughter Janet Veenema and her husband Ralph and their daughter Kristin and husband Joseph Delaney, their son Ralph III and his wife Erin MacDonald, and their son Derek Benjamin of Rocky Hill, a daughter Lorraine Gioco and her husband Anthony and their son Anthony Benjamin of West Hartford.

Ben was predeceased by a brother, 1st Lt. Andrew Biancur, a test pilot killed in a crash at Eglin Field, FL in 1944. Ben will be sadly missed by his nephew, Col. USAF (retired) Andrew Biancur and his wife Carole of Colorado Springs, CO, and their children Beverly and Christian. He leaves many nieces, nephews, and friends as well.

In Memory of Benjamin Biancur

Ben was born on Portsea Street in New Haven and spent his youth in a place that was very dear to him. He was a dedicated family man who loved life and showed us how to live it with dignity, humor, and grace.

He attended Commercial High School and earned an athletic scholarship for fencing which went unfulfilled as Ben was called to serve in the army during WWII. He loved his country and served with pride in the 17th Bomber Wing Group.

Upon discharge Ben started his career with the former New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad (MetroNorth) in 1946 and worked his way up to supervising accountant. He remained with the company for forty-three years.

Ben married Irma, his childhood sweetheart, who was to the very end the true love of his life. They took great pleasure in restoring their colonial home.

He was a true renaissance man, an avid reader and golfer. He spent much of his leisure time painting in his basement studio and was recently featured in the New Haven Register (Hidden Talent: A Lifetime of Painting, August 14, 2011). His extensive art collection of oil paintings, water colors, and stained glass work was exhibited for the first time last year at the Stanley-Whitman House, Farmington, CT. Two of his oil paintings were featured during September in Art of Experience at Pomperaug Woods, Woodbury, CT.

It is impossible for us to express how much Ben’s wit, compassion and concern, and zest for life will be missed in our lives.

A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, October 13th in the Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St. (Cor. Dwight) New Haven at 10:30 AM. Friends may call one hour prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Entombment will follow in the St. Lawrence Garden Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, Closer to Free Fund, PO Box 7611, New Haven, CT 06519.

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Obituary: Kenneth Arthur Larson, 90, WWII Army Veteran, Carpenter, Church Deacon

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Aug 262012

In memory of Kenneth Larson

Kenneth Arthur Larson, 90, of Wallingford, husband of the late June Larson, passed away on August 20, 2012.

He was born in New Haven on December 18, 1921 to the late Oscar and Emelia Johnson Larson who were Swedish immigrants.

Kenneth leaves his three children, Elise Gordon and her husband Jeffrey of Wethersfield, Ken Larson, Jr. of Hamden, and Dr. Matthew Larson of Milton, MA and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by seven siblings, Eric, Paul and Elmer Larson, Edith Grandstrand, Lillie Johnson, Ethel Lind, and Irene Glatfelter.

Kenneth grew up in New Haven before joining the U.S. Army during WWII as a topographic engineer.

After the war, he joined the family business where he worked as a carpenter for the rest of his career.

Kenneth and June raised their family in Orange before moving to Southington and most recently living at Ashlar Village in Wallingford. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed a good game of golf or went bowling. For many years he was also a Deacon at the Congregational Church in Orange. Trips to Cape Cod were cherished and he enjoyed Florida in the winter.

Friends are invited to visit with his family at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, on Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

A Memorial Service will be held in the future.

Memorial contributions in Kenneth’s memory may be sent to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford, CT 06492. To send a condolence please see obituary at: www.beecherandbennett.com

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Obituary: Ralph A. Carloni, 85, WWII Veteran, Involved With Boys and Girls Village Board, Gov.’s Footguard, Racebrook Country Club

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Jul 262012

Ralph A. Carloni, 85, of Orange and East Haven, passed away peacefully on July 24 at his summer home in East Haven, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born the son of the late Vincenzo Carloni and Elvira Capecelatro Carloni on August 6, 1926, in the Hill section of New Haven. He graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1943.

Merchant Marine Service Emblem

After completing a year at Fordham University, he entered the Army and Merchant Marines. After serving honorably in World War II, he attended Wagner College, earning his B.S. in Business. He played for the Wagner Seahawks football team and served as class president.

Ralph began his career in transportation with the Adley Express Corp. of New Haven before joining Florida Texas Freight in 1968, where he became president and owner.

Upon his retirement in 1985, he worked part-time with Armellini Express Lines and Sunrunner Transport.

Throughout his professional career, Ralph was the campaign manager for the Honorable Congressman Robert N. Giaimo for his full eight terms in office.

Ralph A. Carloni

He served on the board of Boys and Girls Village of Milford for 57 years since the board’s inception, completing terms as President during his tenure and was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also started the Village Foundation, which provides financial support to children in need at Boys and Girls Village. He received the Public Service Award from the Secretary of the State of Connecticut.

He was a founder of the Orange National Bank and served on the lottery commission for the state of Connecticut.

He was a lifetime member of the Amity Club, Scungilli Club and the Marchegiana Society, belonged to the Governors’ Foot Guard and the Ten Club, and served on the Board of Governors of Racebrook Country Club.

Ralph was predeceased by his two brothers, Achille (Augie) and Louis (Gigi) Carloni and his grandson Brennan Patrick Hart.

He lives on through his beloved wife of 57 years, Joy Adley Carloni, and his family: his son, Daniel Carloni of Branford and his daughter, Gina Joy Hart of Orange and New York City; his grandchildren, Courtney Leigh Hart of Brooklyn and Connor Garrett Hart of New Haven; his son-in-law, Kevin Joseph Hart of Orange and New York City; and the rest of his family. He received wonderful care from longtime caregiver and friend Isabel, as well as hospice nurses Karen, Pindon, Marsha, Marissa, Christine, and April.

He was an avid sports fan, loyally supporting his beloved New York Yankees and Miami Dolphins for his entire life. “If there was a friend in need, he was a friend indeed.”

Relatives and friends may call Friday from 4-8pm at the IOVANNE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 11 Wooster Pl. and are asked to go directly to Holy Infant Church Saturday morning at 10 for a Mass of Christian Burial.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park.

Contributions in Ralph’s memory may be made to Boys and Girls Village Foundation 528 Wheelers Farms Rd. Milford, CT 06461.

http://obit.iovanne.com/obitdisplay.html?id=1094857&listing=Current

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Obituary: Sidney Abrams, 88, WWII Veteran, Father of Larry Abrams (Recreation Showroom)

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Jul 102012

Sidney Abrams

Sidney Abrams, 88, of Heritage Village, husband of Muriel A. (Albert) Abrams died, Tuesday, July 10, at the Lutheran Home of Southbury.

Mr. Abrams was born November 21, 1923 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, son of the late Benjamin and Esther (Abeloff) Abrams.

He was raised in the Bronx, New York where he attended Dewitt Clinton High School and took classes at City College of New York, and graduated from Casey Jones Academy of Aeronautics.

In 1942, Mr. Abrams volunteered to serve his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War Two. As a crew chief he was stationed in Hawaii, Okinawa, Angaur and in the Palau Islands of Western Carolines. He served with the 99th Bomb Squadron, 494th Bomb Group, a wing of the Seventh Air Corps. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 with the rank of Staff Sergeant and earned several area medals.

After the War he joined his father in the trucking business and helped form Abrams Freight Corp.

In 1963 he and his family moved to West Haven where he and his wife founded The Recreation Showroom, a retail operation dealing with pool tables and other game room furnishings. Now known as Encore Billiards and Game Room, it has remained a family business in Milford, CT.

In later years Mr. Abrams and his wife moved to Heritage Village, Southbury. Mr. Abrams was a lifelong airplane hobbyist; he built many ready to fly planes which were appropriately displayed.

Besides his wife whom he married August 12, 1950, he is survived by 2 sons, Lawrence “Larry” and his wife Catherine Abrams of Orange, Edward and his wife Lorraine “Lorrie” Abrams of Roxbury, a daughter, Lynne Abrams Cornwall and her husband David Cornwall of Roxbury, 3 grandchildren, Jennifer and her husband Tye Schlegmilch, Michael Abrams of NYC, Jayden Cornwall of Roxbury, 4 great grandchildren, and 2 nieces, Linda of NJ, Barbara of LINY.

He was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Seif.

Graveside services will be held in the Roxbury Cemetery on Thursday July 12 at 3:00 p.m.

The Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main Street North is in charge of arrangements.

To send an online condolence visit: www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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