The Advocate

Patrick Conner, 84, passed away Monday, August 8th, 2022, in Abilene, Texas peacefully with family by his side. Patrick was born May 8, 1938, in Palo Alto, CA to Bill and Kay Conner. He graduated from Antioch College in Southern Ohio. After college he went to work for Merrill Lynch where he would stay until he retired in 2006. Patrick married Patricia Fallon in 1960 and they had 2 children, Hadley and Ken. They divorced in 1976. Patrick moved to Washington, DC where he met his second wife, Carol. They married in 1982 and had a daughter together, Kelly, and shortly after moved to Stamford, Connecticut. Patrick officially retired in 2006. After retirement, he was able to pursue formal...

WEST HARTFORD- Sister Mary Kelly (Sister Marie John), a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford, CT died at St. Francis Hospital on August 6, 2022 after a short illness. Born in Hartford, CT on August 2, 1933 of the late William Joseph Kelly and Agnes Marie O'Brien Kelly, Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 1, 1951 and celebrated her Profession of Vows on August 24, 1958. At the time of her death, Sister Mary was 89 years of age and in her 71st year of Religious Life. Sister Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from the Diocesan Sisters College, West Hartford, CT, a Masters Degree in Education and Reading from Boston College and Intermediate...

Dorothy Hardvall Trantanella of Naples, FL and Sunapee, NH and formerly of Lexington, MA, died peacefully at home surrounded by loving family, on July 30, 2022 in Sunapee, NH at the age of 85. "Dottie" was born in Stamford, CT to Louis and Janet Hardvall. She was a graduate of Stamford High School and Northeastern University. Dottie loved life and participated fully. She enjoyed tennis, golf, skiing, figure skating and bridge and was an accomplished seamstress and artist. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Frank, and children Mark, Carl, and Paul Trantanella and Pamela (Timothy) Stoddart, grandchildren Alex Trantanella and Perry, Isabel and Miles Stoddart, and sister Olivia...

Our beloved Antonio ("Tony"), a man as kind as he was generous, a force of friendship and love, passed away peacefully, on May 13th, surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Tony exemplified whole-hearted love, an openness to embrace without bias, a welcoming laugh, and the generosity of advice and invaluable wisdom. Tony embodied a wonderful American immigrant story. Born in Ururi, Italy on July 5, 1941, he immigrated to Connecticut in 1960 where he met the love of his life, German-born Helga (Rippe) in English school. They fell in love, married, and settled in Stamford, CT where they lived for almost 50 years and raised their two daughters,...

Elsie Ann (Totaro) Roda Elsie Ann Roda, passed away peacefully at age 97 in Bennington, Vermont on Tuesday, May 3, 2022. She was born in the Springdale area of Stamford, CT on March 25, 1925, to James Totaro and Jennie (Beffero) Totaro, who owned the Park Liquor Shop in Stamford for many years. Elsie was born in her family home, at 20 Cerretta Street, built by her grandparents Nicola and Carmella Beffero in 1917. Elsie graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and worked for Pitney Bowes in the billing department until her retirement. She married Joseph John Roda, a WWII veteran of the Army Air Force, in January 1951 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. They were married for 51 years when he...

David Ernest Tellier of Hendersonville, NC passed away on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. Dave was born in Warwick, RI on February 21, 1953 to Ernest Tellier and Ona (St. Jean) Tellier. An only child, Dave grew up in Coventry, RI, graduating Coventry High School in 1970. He attended University of Connecticut in Storrs where he graduated in 1974 with a degree in Political Science. In 1978, Dave was a member of the first graduating class of the Stamford Police Academy in Stamford, CT. It was there and over the next several years as a Stamford Police Officer that Dave met his Brothers, some of whom would remain his lifelong friends. Dave ultimately left the Force to pursue a career...

Rev. Jesus Garcia Jr., of New Britain, CT, passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on February 12, 2022. He was born on April 26, 1946, in Humacao, Puerto Rico to the late Jesus Garcia Sr. and Atanacia Garcia Perez. Jesus served as an ordained Minister with the Spanish Eastern District of the Assemblies of God for over 35 years. Jesus was a poet and self-published author of two poetry books and several other books dedicated to the instruction of Pastoral and Christian Ministry. The Church that He Loved was his first passion project about his time as the pastor of Pentecostal Christian John 3:16 in Stamford, CT, which he pastored for 28 years. Along with his beautiful and loving wife of 53...

Janice Hay DiSesa, 93, of Madison, CT. passed away on January 14, 2022 at The Hearth at Tuxis Pond after a long battle with dementia. She was the wife of Leonard "Sonny" DiSesa since 1949, widowed since his death from renal cell cancer in 1991. Janice was born August 16, 1928 in Stamford, CT to the late Robert S. Hay and Jessie Lovett Hay Chiappetta, previously residing in Stamford before settling in Madison in 1994. She graduated from Stamford High School in 1946, Green Mountain College with an Associates Degree in 1949 and was employed by the Stamford Advocate until retiring in 1951 (as was custom at the time) when she became pregnant. She was active in the Madison Winter Club, Old...

Joel Bruce Worra, 76, of Rochester, Minn. died on December 11, 2021 at Benedictine Madonna Towers in Rochester. Joel was born on June 24, 1945 to parents Luther Krueger and Doris (Stafford) Worra in South Haven, Michigan. He grew up in Bangor, Michigan, spent his summers in Rushford, Minnesota, and graduated from college at Winona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Math. He married Margaret Glenna on August 12, 1967 in Peterson, Minnesota. They lived in Trempealeau, Wisconsin where their daughter Caroline was born. Joel taught math/science and coached football/basketball at Trempealeau and Galesville schools. Joel, Margaret, and Caroline moved to Onalaska, WI in 1978 and...

Forrest Lee Griffith III, 74, died peacefully and comforted by family at Tufts Medical Center on December 5, 2021 from heart failure. Lee was born on September 3, 1947; grew up in New Canaan, CT with his brother and parents Elizabeth (Betty) Lines Griffith and Forrest Lee Griffith Jr.; and eventually settled with Beth, his wife of 21 years, in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. After graduating from Taft School (1965), Lee attended Williams College (1969) where his deep love of the Berkshire mountains grew. A natural athlete, he captained the football team at Williams, was selected to play in the premier Cape Cod Baseball League, toured Europe playing rugby, and was a member of the...

MaryLou Rigat, 83 of Clinton, beloved wife of the late Raymond Louis Rigat Jr, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday November 10, 2021. Born in Stamford, CT on April 16, 1938, she was the daughter of Ralph and Donata Carlo Morgan. She was raised in Stamford and graduated from Stamford High School. Marylou was a hairdresser who for many years owned and managed the Brush and Comb Beauty Salon in Clinton. She lived in Clinton since 1972, and was an active member of the St. Mary's Altar Society for many years. She is survived by her son, Raymond Rigat and his wife Karen of Clinton; her beloved grandchildren Raymond and Elizabeth. Her grandchildren were the light and...

Dolores Sanchioni, 86, passed away at Hanover Hill Health Care Center in Manchester, NH on Friday October 15, 2021 following a lengthy illness. She was born on September 22, 1935 in Newark, NJ to Charlotte and John Adamkowski. She moved as a young child to Stamford, CT where she attended Holy Name grammar school and Stamford High School. Dolores was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She married on January 21, 1956 and spent 61 years with her sweetheart Rino Sanchioni who died on April 18, 2017. The couple lived in Stamford and Darien, CT before moving their family to Francestown, NH in 1972. Dolores thoroughly enjoyed people. She loved being with family and friends and would...

Mary Ann Ferro went home to eternal life with our heavenly Father on October 1st, 2021, at age 81. Mary Ann was born to James and Dorothy Madison on September 30, 1940, in Norwalk, CT. She met her husband Samuel Ferro Sr. in Stamford, CT, and the two were married on May 30th, 1959, and went on to have three children, Wendy, Frank, and Sam Jr. They lived in Stamford, CT until 1972, when they moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida in Rotonda West. Mary Ann retired as a rural carrier for the U.S. Post Office and relocated with their son Sam Jr. to Madisonville, TN in 2007. She enjoyed time spent with her children and grandchildren. She and her husband traveled within the U.S. and spent time in...

Phyllis Roberts Pursley, wife of Lieutenant General Robert E. Pursley of the United States Air Force, died peacefully on Saturday, September 18th at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut, surrounded by family. She was 90 years of age. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Phyllis possessed a kindness, grace, and elegance that was remarked upon by all who encountered her. Born in San Antonio, Texas on April 10th, 1931 to Kenneth Phillip Roberts, an engineer for Caltex, and Ruby Lorraine Roberts (n?e Stewart), a housewife and businesswoman, Phyllis was shaped by a youth spent in the multicultural crossroads of the Texas and Mexico border town of Laredo where her family moved when she...

Monroe, NH- Ralph F. Nau,87, of Littleton Road, died on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at his home. Ralph was born on May 17, 1934, in Stamford, CT to Ralph and Emma (Hoth) Nau. On November 21, 1952, he married Carol J. Nau at the Roxbury Methodist Church. Together they owned and operated Ralph Nau Lake Dredging Over the years he enjoyed traveling all over the country with his family to show Rose Comb Bantom Chickens with his family. He and his wife traveled all over the U.S with their camper, they would take family vacations on their properties in Vershire and West Fairlee, VT. While living and working in Stamford he was a member of the long ridge fire company and served as assistant...

James M. Dunn, Jr. of Southbury, CT, died peacefully on August 31, 2021. Jim is predeceased by his father James M., Mother Lillian Greene Dunn, and sister Jean Wickenden. Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Irma Rose Hinchliffe Dunn, his three sons, James III, William, and Thomas. Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church in Southbury. The family will receive friends and visitors prior to the mass from 9:30 - 10:45 AM in the Daily Chapel of Sacred Heart Church. To leave a message of remembrance please visit www.CarpinoCares.com.

Mark Jeffrey McNamara, 56, of Houston, Texas, died on August 20, 2021 following a difficult battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Karen and his son Patrick, his brothers Frank (Lisa) of Marblehead, MA and John (Christa) of Darien, CT, his sisters Moira (Lance) James of Marblehead, MA and Kathy (Bob) Hugin of Summit, NJ, his stepmother Lois McNamara of Vero Beach, FL and many nieces and nephews. Mark was born in Stamford, Connecticut to Francis J. McNamara, Jr. and Noreen O'Connor McNamara, and he lived in California, Washington, D.C. and Connecticut before relocating to Houston in 2011. Mark was devoted to his family and loved spending time with Karen and Patrick. Mark and Karen...

Monroe, NH- Carol Janice Nau, 88, of Littleton Road, died on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at her home. Carol was born on April 26, 1933, in Norwalk, CT to Samuel and Carolyn (Hopfer) Wadhams. She was a graduate of Stamford High School, Class of 1952. On November 21, 1952, she married Ralph F. Nau at the Roxbury Methodist Church. Over the years, Carol worked as the secretary and bookkeeper for Ralph Nau Lake Dredging. She was a talented artist, enjoying painting and ceramics. She was an active 4H leader in Connecticut and New Hampshire, she taught a ceramics class for the 4H children. In her free time, she enjoyed having a flower and vegetable garden, traveling all over the U.S with their...

Monroe, NH- Carol Janice Nau, 88, of Littleton Road, died on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at her home. Carol was born on April 26, 1933, in Norwalk, CT to Samuel and Carolyn (Hopfer) Wadhams. She was a graduate of Stamford High School, Class of 1952. On November 21, 1952, she married Ralph F. Nau at the Roxbury Methodist Church. Over the years, Carol worked as the secretary and bookkeeper for Ralph Nau Lake Dredging. She was a talented artist, enjoying painting and ceramics. She was an active 4H leader in Connecticut and New Hampshire, she taught a ceramics class for the 4H children. In her free time, she enjoyed having a flower and vegetable garden, traveling all over the U.S with their...

Donna Ann (Bochicchio) Ramsdell passed away at home in her bed on June 13, 2021 while sleeping. She fought a courageous battle with dementia. Donna was born on June 26, 1946 in Stamford Connecticut to Mary Margaret (Cappiello) and Joseph Anthony Bochicchio. She graduated from Stamford High School in 1965 and was so proud of attending classes with Jackie Robertson, Jr. She then attended Merrill Business College. Donna then was employed by CBS. Donna was also very proud of being employed at Digital Equipment Corp where she was known as "The Power Point Queen". She was very appreciative of the friends she acquired at DEC especially Deb Tuttle and Jay Wood. Donna loved to cook and be...

James Leon Odle, 98, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of the late Dorothy Geer Odle, entered into eternal rest Thursday, June 10, 2021. His Funeral Service will be held Monday, June 21, 2021 in Epworth United Methodist Church, 1540 Camp Road at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. Lee was born May 5, 1923 in Coeburn, Virginia, son of the late Melvin Harrison Odle and Nolie Bitner Odle. He served in the United States Navy as a Radioman First Class during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He received a PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION "For exceptionally meritorious achievement in the performance of outstanding combat service...