Obituries

HUMPHREY, LT., Col. Samuel S., Ret. Lt., Col. Samuel S. Humphrey (US Air Force Retired) died Friday, (July 10, 2009) at the John Dempsey Hospital, UCONN Medical Health Center after a brief illness. Lt. Col Humphrey was born April 25, 1923 in Canton Center. He married a local Canton woman, the late Mary (Mills) Humphrey in February, 1945. They had been married 61 years before she passed away in 2006. Lt Col Humphrey attended Canton public schools, including the one room school house in Canton Center, and graduated from Canton High School in 1941. He entered the Army Air Corps in World War II, working his way through Aviation Cadets to become a Master Navigator. He was stationed in the South Pacific with the 433rd Troop Carrier group during the war including New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Japanese mainland. He navigated the first US airplane into Hiroshima after the bomb to measure the remaining radiation. After the war he graduated from the University of Connecticut majoring in Physics. He continued his education at Wesleyan University where he obtained a Master's Degree in Physics. He completed doctoral studies in Physics at the University of Utah. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and remained on active duty until retiring from the Pentagon as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1971. Lt Col Humphrey completed 29 years of military service, he returned to his home town of Canton and began 38 years of civic and public service. He was elected to the Board of Finance and served as the board's chairman for four years. He was then elected to the Board of Selectmen for six years. He served as the First Selectman for the Town of Canton from 1983 to 1987, during which time he oversaw the town's adoption of its charter form of government. After First Selectman, he returned eventually to the Board of Finance where he was at the time of his death and served for 18 years. He was member of the National Ski Patrol for 40 years. He and his wife Mary patrolled at Sundown Ski area, becoming Senior Patrollers and Hill Captains. He was named Sundown's Ski Patroller of the year in 1993. He joined the North Canton Volunteer Fire Department in 1974 and served for 24 years as a fireman and fire policeman. He was a prominent Christmas tree grower managing Humphrey's Cherry Brook Farm Christmas tree plantation. He was a member of the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association, serving as their President and receiving the association's Merit Award in 2000. He was a member of the New England Christmas Tree Growers Alliance, serving as chairman of the alliance's Eastern States Exhibition Christmas tree exhibit for many years and assisting the New England Christmas Tree Conferences. He was awarded the alliance's Certificate of Appreciation in 2005. Locally in Canton, he was chairman of two Historic District Study Committees (Canton Center and Collinsville). He served on the Republican Town Committee for 36 years. He was treasurer and a trustee of the Canton Center Congregational Church for 13 years. He was a Justice of the Peace for 34 years. He taught Math and Physics at Canton High School. He was selected into the Canton High School Wall of Fame in 2004 for outstanding leadership, scholarship, and civic responsibility. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Warren and Deborah Humphrey of Groton MA, Ken and Mary Ann Humphrey of Canton and Marianne and Harold Burbank of Canton; his grandchildren, Harl Humphrey, Samuel Humphrey, Patrick Humphrey, Katie Humphrey, Benjamin Humphrey, Harold Haley Humphrey Burbank, and Anna Burbank. He is also survived by his brothers Harold Humphrey of Harwinton, Fred Humphrey of Guilford VT, and his sister Lucy Wong of Woodstock. He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Humphrey of Canton Center. He leaves many loving nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews. He was especially proud of saying that he, his two sons, his daughter-in-law, and his grand-daughter contributed 73 years of active military service serving during five wars. Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, Tuesday, July 14, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A memorial service will be celebrated Wednesday, July 15, 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Canton Center, 184 Cherry Brook Road, Canton Center with the Reverend Susan M. Prichard officiating. Private burial with military honors will be in Dyer Cemetery, Canton. Memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church, PO Box 133, Canton Center, CT 06020. For online condolences please visit www. vincentfuneralhome.com

Bill Plink

Bill Plink passed away on Friday September 26, 2008. A former Powder Ridge Patroller. There will be a memorial service at the Marlboro Congregational Church on Sunday at 3PM Sept 28.

Jamie A. (Savanella) Messenger

Jamie A. (Savanella) Messenger, 52, of Scoville Hill Road, Harwinton, CT died Sunday, December 23, 2007 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. She is the wife of Thomas Messenger. Born June 4, 1955 in Torrington, CT, she is the daughter of James and Ruth Savanella of Harwinton, CT. She was self-employed by T J Mess Trucking Business and as a pet sitter. An avid skier, she participated in the Ski Patrol at Ski Sundown. She loved animals of all types. In addition to her husband Thomas, her father James and her mother Ruth, she is survived by her daughter, Regina Dimmock and son-in-law Daniel of Norfolk, CT, one brother, Derek Savanella and sister-in-law Pat of Harwinton, CT, two sisters, Jennifer Savanella and Janis Savanella both of Torrington, CT, and two nieces, Christine Savanella and Domenica Perkins. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2007 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The LaPorta-Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at The LaPorta-Cook Funeral Home. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Torrington Animal Hospital, LLC., 765 East Main St., Torrington, CT 06790 to the attention of Dr. Peter Humphrey, DVM. Condolences may be sent to the Messenger family by visiting www.laportacookfuneralhome.com

Joseph Swindells

Joseph Henry Swindells, 88, of the 3100 block of Sterling Way, passed away Monday (October 15, 2007) in Maryview Hospital. A native of Windsor Locks, he was the son of the late Joseph and Edith Swindells. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Captain and was a veteran of World War II. He also retired from Golf International Inc. after 15 years of service. He volunteered for over 30 years with National Ski Patrol and was an E.M.T. volunteer in Simsbury. He was a graduate of Williston Academy in North Hampton, MA and the University of Connecticut. Joe was a decent, kind, caring and a wholly pleasant person. Joe is survived by his wife Jeanne Carter Swindells; and his son, Jonathan Swindells of Atlanta, GA; step-children, Christine Amirratti of Arlington, VA, John P. Carter of Hartford, Carolyn Alzamora of Lakewood, CO, Sally Carter-Keef of Virginia Beach, VA, and Rachel Conklin of St. Cloud, FL.

Betty Kleiner

KLEINER, Betty Betty (Stanton) Kleiner, 79, of Flintlock Ridge, Simsbury, beloved wife of Gilbert N. Kleiner, died Saturday, (November 25, 2006) at Hartford Hospital. She was born July 23, 1927 in Halsey, OR daughter of the late Richard and Dorathea Laurie (Cogswell) Stanton and had lived in East Granby prior to moving to Simsbury, 38 years ago. Mrs. Kleiner was a member of St. Mary's Church, Simsbury, and the Roaring Brook Nature Center, was past president of the Hartford Audubon Society and was the editor of the Connecticut Warbler for 20 years. She was also a past president of the Simsbury Garden Club and was involved with the Bridge of Flowers in Simsbury; she was also a member and board member of the Federated Garden Club of Connecticut and was on the state committee for invasive plants. Betty was a life member of the Hartford Ski Club, 35-year member of the National Ski Patrol System, was a hill co-captain at Ski Sundown in New Hartford, was a CPR instructor and taught First Aid in Windsor Locks. Besides her husband of 48 years she is survived by a son, Tim Kleiner of Vermont; a daughter, Laurie Goodwin of Simsbury; two sisters, Marjorie Knowles and Ann Craig both in Oregon; two grandsons, James and William Goodwin; two nieces, Sandy Sue Sharp and Sister Rita; two nephews Douglas Craig and Bill Casey as well as several other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Colonel Richard Stanton; a sister, Barbara Sharpe and a nephew, Brian Craig. Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Tuesday, November 28, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, November 29, 9 a.m., St. Mary's Church, Simsbury. Burial will be in Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, 06019.

Herbert W. Winkler

Herbert W. Winkler, 74, of Columbia, husband of Elaine (Humeston) Winkler, departed this life on Friday, May 26, 2006 in Hartford. He was born on July 31, 1931 in North Branch, New York, son of the late Walter and Mabel (Odell) Winkler. Herb was retired from the Southern New England Telephone Company after 35 years of service. He served in the U. S. Air Force and was retired from the Army National Guard. He was a communicant of St. Columba Church, a life member and EMT instructor with the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. Herb was a former Boy Scout troop leader, a member of the National Ski Patrol, the Knights of Columbus, the V.F.W. and the American Legion. His interests included skiing, hunting, fishing, scuba diving and dining out. Herb leaves his wife of nearly 55 years, Elaine, two sons, Warren and his wife Kathleen, Richard and his companion Wendy, one daughter, Kathleen and her husband Steve, six grandchildren, Erin, Stephen, Ryan, Kevin, Jessica and Jonathan. He also leaves one great grandson, Austin and one great granddaughter McKenna who were the light of his life and always put a smile on his face. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Columba Church, 238 Rte. 66, Columbia, CT 06237 or the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 26, Columbia, CT 06237.

Mary Mills Humphrey

Mary Mills Humphrey passed away on Monday March 6th. 2006 at 11:30 am.
Calling hours are on Wednesday March 8th. 2-4 pm. and 6-8 pm. at Vincent Funeral Home on Rt. 44. in Canton. The funeral service will be on Thursday March 9th. 2pm. at Canton Center Congregational Church Rt. 179 Canton Center. Since Sam And Mary were long time patrollers at Sundown, Sam has asked that patrollers who attend the Funeral wear their parkas or vests and sit in the reserved seating area.

W. Bryant Merriam

W. Bryant "Beaver" Merriam, 46, of Cherry Brook Road, Canton Center … Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike, Canton, Thursday, May 5, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7 p.m. Funeral Service will be Friday, May 6, 11 a.m at the First Congregational Church of Canton Center Former Sundown Ski Patroller.

Gilles L. Levesque

September 06, 1934 - May 01, 2005 Bristol, CT Visitation: There are no calling hours. Funeral Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will held on Wednesday (May 4, 2005) at 11 AM at St. Ann Church, 215 West St Bristol. Burial: Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Forest & Park Association, 16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT, 06481 or National Ski Patrol Memorial Fund, c/o David J. Nelson, Fund Chairman, 2 Terrace Road, Boonton, NJ 07005.

Stanton "Zeke" Ellison

Stanton "Zeke" Ellison of Haddam Quarter Rd., Durham, died Monday, (February 3, 2003) in New Haven. He is survived by his former wife, Nina Wagner Ellison of Guilford. Father of Stanton Ellison, Jr. of Southbury, Ronald L. Ellison of Guilford, Meili Ann Horiel of Drexel Hill, PA, Joanne Ellison Taylor of Pepperell, MA, Sulynn Euler of LaPine, OR, Frank H. Ellison of North Branford and Nicole Hjort of U.S. NAVY. Brother of Carl Ellison, Jr. of Ivoryton and Bret Ellison of Willimantic. Also survived by 11 grandchildren, Stanton (Justin), Kirsten, John, Janis, James, Megan, Ian, Aarron, Zackery, Eligha and Kendra. Funeral service at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford, Sat. Feb. 8, at 4 p.m. Friends may call prior to the service from 2-4 p.m. Burial private. Contributions in Mr. Ellison's memory may be made to CT Regional Ski Patrol, c/o Robert Cassello, 96 North Cherry St., Wallingford, CT 06492. Published in the Hartford Courant

Debbie Lynne Flynn

Debbie Lynne Flynn, 48, of Highland, NY and formerly of Bristol, died Tuesday, (July 9, 2002) at St. Francis Hospital & Health Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, due to injuries sustained from an automobile accident. She was born February 17, 1954 in Bristol, daughter of the late Clarence M. and Marion (Cowles) Ritter, Jr. Debbie was employed as a Pharmacy Technician for the Eckert Pharmacy in New Paltz, NY. She was a nursing student attending the Suny Ulster Community College and was a former member of the National Ski Patrol at Ski Sundown in New Hartford. She is survived by a son, Tom Flynn, of Bristol; a daughter, Jennifer Flynn, of Bristol, and presently living in New York; her former husband and father of her two children, Thomas Flynn, of Bristol; a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Susan Ritter of Bristol; a sister, Nancy Ritter of Farmington; a close friend of the family, Emily Perretta of Farmington; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, 11 a.m. at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Forestville. Burial at the convenience of the family will be in the Forestville Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home Sunday, 5-8 p.m. Published in the Hartford Courant on 7/12/2002.

Gary M. Knox

BUCKLAND — Gary M. Knox, 59, of 119 Elm St. died Thursday (8-15-02) at home. Born in Gardner, Maine, Jan. 24, 1943, he was the son of Kenneth and Phylis (Wells) Knox. He graduated in 1961 from Bristol (Conn.) Eastern High School and from Hartford State Technical College. He had lived in Connecticut most of his life, with brief sojourns in Delaware and Pennsylvania, before settling in Buckland 12 years ago. Knox was an engineer for DuPont for 23 years before transferring to Remington Arms and then Kennametal Industries in 1991 in South Deerfield. He was a record-setting champion swimmer, Boy Scout leader, Ski Patroller and golfer. He enjoyed woodworking and making furniture and other pieces for family and friends. Besides his parents of Bristol, he leaves his wife, the former Kathleen L. Ierardi, whom he married on Nov. 30, 1963; a son, Kenneth J. of Middletown, Conn.; a daughter, Karen S. Dettmer of Torrington, Conn.; a sister, Pamela Roberts of Bristol, and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 87 Franklin St., Greenfield. Memorial contributions are suggested to Franklin Medical Center Oncology Department, 164 High St., Greenfield, MA 01301, or to the International Myeloma Foundation, 12650 Riverside Drive, Suite 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607-3421.

John W. Schaffer Jr.

Patroller at Mount Southington John Winter Schaffer Jr., 24, of 31 Middle St., Lyndonville, Vt., and 387 Andrews St., Southington died Monday, Jan. 3, 2003 in Lyndonville, VT. John was born on Oct. 27, 1978 in New Britain, the son of John Winter Schaffer Sr. and Mari (Bitel) Schaffer. A lifelong Southington resident, John was a 1997 graduate of Southington High School where he participated in Lacrosse and football. John had been a member of the National Ski Patrol since the age of 14 at Mount Southington. He had completed four years at Lyndon State College and was serving his internship in ski area management at Burke Mountain. In addition to his parents, he leaves a brother, Matt Schaffer of Southington; and his maternal grandparents, Helyne and Walter Bitel of Kensington. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:15 a.m. from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington to St. Dominic Church for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to Eastern Division Memorial Fund, c/o Mt. Southington Ski Patrol, P.O. Box 347 Southington, CT 06489.

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Memories Of Those We Lost

Sam Humphrey