Beecher and Bennett Flatow Funeral Home- Meriden

William M. Schaeffer, 89, of Southington, passed away on May 25, 2022. Born in Meriden on April 8, 1933, he was the son of the late William E. and Minnie Gerschefski Schaeffer. He was predeceased by his brother Warren Schaeffer, and his late wife Dorothy LaCroix Schaeffer. He was a US Army veteran. He retired in 1999 from Modern Woodcraft as a draftsman. He is survived by his wife, Camilla Ogint, and her children, Mary Ogint, Jill Therrien, and John Ogint. William enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening, talking with neighbors, and home decorating. He was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church, serving as a deacon, an elder, and a Eucharistic minister. A funeral service celebrating...

Carol Lee Miller, 89, of Wallingford, loving wife of the late Paul H. Miller, passed away on May 8, 2022 at MidState Medical Center. Born in Cincinnati, OH on August 3, 1932, a daughter of the late Carl and Helen Hummler Jensen, Carol is survived by her daughters, Linda Miller and Kimberly Bradley, and son Paul Miller, Jr. She was the proud grandmother of Rachel Miller, Michael (Ale) Miller, Ian Miller, Colin Bradley, and Harry Bradley, as well as proud great-grandmother of Tara Miller. After attending Middlebury College and Northwest University and receiving her Bachelor's degree, Carol married Paul in 1955 in Cincinnati, OH. They then spent some time living in NYC and Woodbury, NJ. While...

David Silverstein, 85, of Boynton Beach, FL, formerly of Delray Beach, FL and Meriden, CT, passed away on April 30, 2022. He was born in Boston, MA, on September 15, 1936, a son of the late George and Beatrice Maletz Silverstein. He is survived by his children Karen Stoohs and her husband Brian of NJ, Diana LaPiene and her husband Tracy of TX, and Eric Silverstein of TX, brother Barry Silverstein and his wife Berta of VA, and grandchildren Deborah Padilla, Nicholas Padilla & Brianna Stoohs, Angelique (Jonathan) Moore, Jessica, and Lindsey LaPiene, and Reed and Sasha Silverstein. He was the owner and operator of Barry Pharmacy in Bloomfield, CT, for many years until his retirement....

Arnold Lazaroff, founder of Arnold's Jewelers, a 65-year old family business, an icon in the community, passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2022 with his family by his side. Arnold was born on August 27, 1932 to the late William and Frances Lazaroff. He attended Quinnipiac College, and then faithfully served his country in the U.S. Army. In 1957 he opened Arnold's Jewelers in Hamden. He moved the business to its current location in North Haven in 1967, and it has remained there ever since. His smile, honesty, and integrity will always be remembered and cherished. Arnold affected so many lives and was an integral part of so many organizations that his passing is sure to touch many people. His...

Thomas Theodore Beeson, age 84, died peacefully surrounded by his family on April 27, 2022 at his home in Bedford, NH. He was born in Meriden, Connecticut, on February 19, 1938 to the late Orville D. and Lois L. Beeson. Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife of over 60 years, Linda Usher; his son, Thomas Theodore Beeson, Jr., "Ted," daughter-in-law, Teresa, grandson, Thomas Theodore Beeson, III "Trey," step-granddaughters, Janna and Brianna of Blythewood, SC; daughter, Christine Pattison, son-in-law, Michael, grandchildren, Emily and Thomas Pattison of Bedford, NH; and daughter, Jennifer Anne Beeson, partner, Daniel, and grandchildren, Benjamin and Anna Kalber of Bellingham, MA. Tom...

Our family is saddened to announce the death of William Hastings of Meriden, CT, who passed away on April 27, 2022 at the age of 92. He was the loving husband of 65 years to the late Virginia (Samtzevich) Hastings. Bill was born on March 29, 1930 to the late Robert and Martha Horsey Hastings. He was predeceased by his daughter Lynn Lombardo, whom he cherished, brothers Robert Jr. and Henry Hastings, and sister Alison McDowell. He is survived by his son Jeffrey of Wallingford, grandsons Evan Hastings of Orlando, FL and Jonathon Hastings of Boston, MA, and several nieces and nephews. Bill honorably served in the U.S. Army, having been deployed to Germany during the Korean War. He then went...

Winifred E. Miller, 90, beloved wife of 60 years to the late Edward P. Miller, Jr., passed away April 6, 2022, after a brief illness. Mother of Diane E. (Harvey) Burgess of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Edward P. (Sandra) Miller, III of Northford. Sister of Frank (Betsy) Fowler of Guilford, Ethel Nann of Northford, Muriel (Bud) Tiedemann of Wallingford, and Jean Carlson of Woodstock. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Betty Kircher. Winifred was born in Waterbury on November 5, 1931, a daughter of the late Frederick J. and Edith Parke Fowler, and was a longtime resident of Wallingford. She was a member of the...

Kenneth D. Gertz, Sr., 89, loving husband of 66 years to Joan Laine Gertz, passed away March 27, 2022 after a brief illness. He was born in Torrington, March 1, 1933, a son of the late Arthur and Ruby Stacker Gertz, and had resided in Cheshire since 1960. He is survived by a daughter and her husband, Donna and Gary Thompson of New Milford; his grandchildren and their spouses, Scott (Jillian) Thompson of New Milford, Corey (Kimberly) Thompson of Middlebury, Courtney (Daniel) Mingrino of Cheshire, Heather Gertz of Tennessee, and Kyle Gertz of Meriden; 10 great-grandchildren, and his brother Gustav Gertz of Killingworth. He is predeceased by his son Kenneth Gertz, Jr., his grandson Kenneth...

Gary Joseph Uscilla, 60, of Cheshire, loving husband of Lourdes Chaparro Uscilla, unexpectedly passed away at home on March 26, 2022. He was born in New Haven on May 13, 1961, a son of Mariann Castellani and the late Paul Uscilla. Besides his mother Mariann and her partner Jennifer Minori, Gary is survived by his children, Alexander Frenkel and Sara and Matthew Trowbridge; and siblings, Michael Uscilla and his wife Charlotte, Carolyn Ewers and her husband Christopher, Deborah Grillo, and Sean and Paula Uscilla. He is also survived by his nephews, Jack and Eddie Uscilla. After graduating from North Haven High School, Gary went on to work at AT&T for 36 years until his retirement, and was...

Rev. Thomas Lionel Samson, 63, of Trinity, FL passed away unexpectedly on March 25, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Judith Durdan. Born and raised in Meriden, CT, he was the son of the late Leo William and Doris (Rioux) Samson. He was educated in the Meriden school system. After graduating he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for six years as the Chaplain's Assistant before being Honorably discharged in 1982. One of Tom's greatest passions was his faith. He graduated from Emery University, earning his Master's degree in Divinity towards becoming a Methodist Minister. He served as a Pastor with the United Methodist Church Conference of Mississippi for 19 years. In addition to his...

Ana Hilda Rodriguez, 88, wife of the late Felix Rodriguez, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2022 surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on July 26, 1933 to the late Angel and Petra Lopez Cruz. Ana is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Miriam (Edwin) Molina of Meriden, Ana Elkins of Wallingford, and Iris Wyman of Meriden; grandchildren, Kevin (Michelle) Molina, Melissa (Rich) Giammarco, Kelly (Seamus) McNeally; and great-grandchildren, Nicole and Anthony Molina, Lilli and Mia Giammarco, and Kinsley and Emmeline McNeally. Ana was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest moments in life were times spent with her family and she cherished her...

Charles A. Prentiss, 77, of Meriden, loving husband of Nancy Gagnon Prentiss, passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2022 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Crystal Lake, Ellington, CT, on March 5, 1945, a son of the late Milton and Evelyn (Furnace) Prentiss. Besides his wife Nancy, he is survived by his children; Lisa Christensen, Betsy Kovacs, and Chuckie Prentiss, and grandchildren; Joshua, Jessica, Joseph, and Johnathan Christensen, and Hanna and Jeremy Kovacs. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Owen and Johnny Rodriguez. Services will be held at a later date per the convenience of his family. For online condolences, please see Charles's...

William D. "Bill" Schultz, Sr., passed away on March 12, 2022 at the age of 90 in Cheshire, CT, after a fall resulting in a broken hip and subsequent, multiple other health complications. Bill grew up in Meriden, CT, son of William and Nellie Marie (Carlson) Schultz. He was predeceased by his brother, David and sister, Betty Heines and her husband, Donald. Following high school at Northfield Mount Herman School in Massachusetts, Bill enlisted in the US Army, after which he attended Yale University, Upsala College, and Columbia University Graduate School. Bill met Lillian Canfield at Upsala College and they were married on September 7, 1957. They lived in Meriden, CT, until they moved to...

Donald J. Craig, 95, of Meriden, loving husband of the late Dorothy O'Connor Craig, passed away on March 11, 2022 at Kensington Village in Meriden. He was born on September 9, 1926 a son of the late Walter and Verna Brown Craig. He is survived by his children Garry Craig and his wife Linda of Meriden, Barry Craig and his wife Kathleen of Meriden, and Allen Craig and his wife Trudy of Meriden. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Christina Craig-Grahek (Adam), Thomas Craig, Kaitlyn Siena (Stephen), Justin Craig, Austin Craig, Britany Craig, and great-grandchildren Sebastian Siena and Edwin Donald Craig . Besides his wife Dorothy, he was predeceased by his siblings; Dale and Freda Craig,...

Cynthia Stiles (Waller) DellaCamera, 79, of Cheshire, passed away on March 5, 2022 at LiveWell in Plantsville, CT. She was born in Meriden on March 31, 1942 a daughter of the late Theodore and Jeannette Chalker Stiles. She is survived by her son, Donald Waller and his wife Donna Libby of Meriden, and daughters, Jennifer Brazel and her husband Tim of Meriden and Wendy Bert and her husband Jeffrey of Amelia Island, FL. She is also survived by her sister Pamela Stiles, and grandchildren, Alison Pehr and Bryan, Ethan, and Logan Brazel. Cynthia attended Cheshire High School and went on to graduate from Quinnipiac College. She worked for many years at Liberty Bank in the Facilities Department...

Frances (Merritt) Clark, 101, of Meriden, loving wife of the late Theodore B. Clark, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2022 at The Arden House in Hamden. She was born in Greenwich on April 3, 1920, a daughter of the late Clarence and Caroline M. Merritt, and is survived by her daughters; Carol Post and her husband Thomas of Branchville, NJ, and Janice Gawlik of Meriden. She is also survived by her grandson Thomas Post and his wife Dana of Brocton, NY, 4 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Besides her husband Theodore, she was predeceased by her son-in-law Frank Gawlik. Frances was a graduate of the Guilmont Organ School in New York City, where she studied with Willard...

Margaret K. Hultgren, 89, of Middlefield, formerly of Meriden, passed away on February 10, 2022 at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown. She was born in Meriden on May 6, 1932; the daughter of the late Henry Karrer and Martha Kolb Karrer. Margaret is survived by her children Krista LaBrie and her husband Kenneth of Middletown, and Eric Hultgren and his wife Corrin of Rockfall, along with her grandchildren Tyra and Tatum Hultgren. Margaret worked for General Electric for many years until her retirement and was a long-time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Meriden. A memorial service celebrating Margaret's life will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM in St. John Lutheran Church,...

Carolyn Priebe Thompson, 81, of Haddam, CT, wife of Robert W. Thompson, passed away on January 24, 2022 at the Saybrook at Haddam in the Safe Harbor Memory Care section. She was born on February 26, 1940 to the late Walter and Catherine Bisek Priebe. Carolyn grew up in Meriden, graduating from St. Rose Grammar School and the Meriden High School class of 1958. In 1961 she received her Registered Nurse Degree from Meriden Hospital School of Nursing. Carolyn was employed by the State of Connecticut Department of Health Services for thirty years, first as a head nurse at Cedarcrest Hospital in Newington, and for the last 15 years as a nurse consultant with the hospital and medicare division. She...

Edith A. Drapeau, 95, of Meriden, formerly of Wallingford, widow of John Brown, Sr. and Raymond Drapeau, passed away at her home on January 22, 2022. She was born in Wallingford on March 16, 1926, a daughter of the late Anthony and Mary Hebor Erdos. She was the loving mother of the late John Brown, Jr., and sister of the late Marion Rabito and nine brothers. Edith worked for several companies before retiring, including Chandler Evans, Revere Corp., Cable Wave Systems and Wallaces Housework. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in her memory on Friday, January 28, 2022 at in Our Lady Queen of Angels-St. Joseph Parish in Meriden. She was laid to rest in Walnut Grove Cemetery. For online...

Joan Spencer, 68, of Wallingford, passed away on January 11, 2022. She was born in Meriden, CT, on February 14, 1953, a daughter of the late Stanley and Bernice McMahon Kapustinski. Joan is survived by her daughters Joanna Ahmed, her husband Mohammed, and their children Aiylah and Lianna of Norwalk, Sarah Darmofalski, her husband Scott, and their children Caleb, Daniel, Luke, and Hope of Plainville, brothers; Stanley Kapustinski and his wife Sharon of Meriden, John Kapustinski and his wife Cindy of Milldale, Joseph Kapustinski of Meriden, Paul Kapustinski and his wife Patricia of Arkansas, and Robert Kapustinski and his wife Cynthia of Meriden. She is also survived by her friend and...

Rock Douglas Foell, 59, lifelong resident of Meriden, unexpectedly passed away due to a tragic accident, on January 5, 2022 in Hartford. He was born in Meriden on January 26, 1962, a son of the late Alfred Edward and Sandra Burgett Foell. He is survived by his daughter Jenna Lahey-Foell, longtime girlfriend Barbie Poplin, brother Michael Foell and Susan Vaccaro, and sisters; Elizabeth Foell, Deborah Foell, Melinda DuMond and her husband Frank, and Beverly Butcher. Predeceased by his sister Laurie Fredrickson. He also leaves behind many cousins and friends. Rock had been working as a self-employed general contractor until his passing. Rock was a friend to many and loved by all. He was...