Robert B. Morris Jr. (Bob) long time resident of Ridgefield and recently of Roseville, CA died on August 10, 2017.

He was 93.

Born in Ossining, N.Y., Bob was proud of his Hudson River Valley roots. He graduated from high school at 16 and, after an additional year of classes in advanced mathematics, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Pacific during WWII. He became a Master Sergeant.

After the war, he was a telephone lineman and crewed on an ore boat on the Great Lakes. Returning to college he received an electrical engineering degree from Michigan State University.

During the Korean War, he and his wife Barbara (Jago) Morris were stationed at Cherry Point, NC with the USMC. Bob then joined IBM. His career took him to Poughkeepsie, NY, Rochester, MN, Burlington, VT, the World Trade Division NYC, San Jose, CA and finally Armonk, NY.

His responsibilities included manufacturing, international expansion, real estate development and environmental control.

IBM sent him to the MIT Sloan Fellowship Program, where he received a Master’s Degree in Industrial Management. Retiring from IBM in 1988 as global Director of Environmental Programs, Bob and Barbara returned to California and lived in Roseville. Bob had a deep commitment to public service.

For over a decade, he and Barbara provided a home for foster and Native American children. He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America (he was an Eagle Scout and, as an adult, he was on various BSA local and national committees), the United Way, the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, the Campfire Girls, the Sun City Roseville Community Association, Inc. and Saint Clare Church, Roseville.

Bob will be remembered for his very active and sharp mind, his radiant smile, his ever-probing wit and his ability to converse with anyone on a first-name basis. An IBM colleague recently described him as “a man of great honesty, courage and high morals.”

He loved the “Corps,” the “Scouts,” cross-word puzzles, PBS mystery programs, mystery novels, RV’ing with Barbara and his grandchildren, and his dogs.

Bob is survived by his children Robert III (Trey), Andrea, Leah and his grandchildren: Bremner, Anamaria, Sonia and Leah.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife Barbara and his 12 dogs.

Memorial donations may be made to St Clare Church, Roseville, CA or Marine Corps League, Merrifield, VA.

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Bradley W. Bechard

Bradley W. Bechard passed away unexpectedly August 10, 2017. Born November 13, 1959, he was the youngest son of the late William Bechard and Helen Spear.  He is also predeceased by his older brother Bill Bechard.

Brad is survived by his loving and devoted wife Helen Masterson Bechard of Danbury, CT and sister Michelle Bechard (John Weber) of Kensington MD. He will be missed by his UGEM buddies, and his many close friends.

Brad attended Ridgefield schools before moving to Bethel and eventually Stamford CT. While in Ridgefield he developed life-long friendships with Jason Kessler and Greg Logsted. Brad graduated from Western Connecticut University with a BA in Theater Arts – acting was his life-long passion. He was a founding member of the Danbury Actors Repertory Theatre (D’ART). He served this group as an Actor, Director and Producer. His passion for theatre was only exceeded by his love of dogs – most notably the late Louis, Norman, Ceilidh and the now ever-present Fletcher. He was a dedicated Mets fan, which is a credit to his loyalty and optimism. Brad had a wicked keen sense of humor and loved cooking, playing his guitar, Words with Friends, political discussions, and wished for a return to sanity in the current political climate.

Helen and Michelle would like to thank our family and friends for their love and support especially Jane and Tom Matson of Danbury, CT and the Michael Reese family of Redding, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Danbury Animal Welfare Society, 147 Grassy Plain Rd. Bethel, CT or online at their website:  http://www.daws.org/gifts-and-memorial-donations.  

Friends may call at Danbury Memorial Funeral Home, 117 South St., Danbury, CT on Friday, August 18, 2017 between the hours of 4 to 7 p.m.  Brad’s wish was to be cremated. There will be a celebration of Brad’s life at the convenience of his family and friends.  

We hope that you have found peace and will love you forever.

To light a candle or leave a condolence in his memory, please visit Danburymemorial.com

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Frank E. Ruccia

Frank E. Ruccia, a 34-year resident of Danbury, CT passed away Aug. 9. at Hancock Hall in Danbury after a two-and-half-year illness. He was surrounded by the love of family and friends as he passed. In his 92 years, Frank was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, highly specialized Mechanical Engineer, dedicated volunteer, life-long devoted Catholic, and a caring, loving friend to young and old as he lived a full and accomplished life. He valued family and always maintained a close relationship with his large, extended Italian family, his wives’ families and his many friends.

Frank was born February 9, 1925 in New Haven, CT to Carmela and Nicola. He grew up primarily in Brooklyn, N.Y., but lived about five years in the Hudson Valley area of New York.  He graduated from Haaren High School in New York City in 1943 and shortly after enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1943-1946. Following extensive technical training, he  served as a Navy electronics technician on the destroyer escort,USS Defilho, in the Pacific, with responsibility for maintenance of the radio/radar equipment. After his military service ended, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He was an engineer’s engineer — meticulous and exacting in everything he did. His career spanned 36 years with Monsanto in Boston and St. Louis, Arthur D. Little (ADL) in Cambridge, MA. and Perkin-Elmer Corp. in Danbury. He specialized in development and implementation of critical thermal protection processes for the aerospace industry. Much of his work during the 1960’s was for NASA experiments on Apollo Missions. He authored and co-authored dozens of technical papers dealing with his specialties and was recognized with three Arthur D. Little presidential Awards for outstanding performance.

In 1952, he married his first wife, Katherine B. Petrucci. In the couple’s 26 years of marriage they made their home in Framingham, Mass., and raised four beautiful daughters. Katherine died of cancer in 1979.

Frank married his second wife, Donna Runberg, in 1981. The couple moved to Danbury, CT in 1983 when Frank accepted an engineering  position with Perkin-Elmer Corp. They have lived in Danbury 34 years.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and Founders Hall senior center, both in Ridgefield. He was an active volunteer at Hancock Hall’s recreation center, a local soup kitchen, food pantry, and in all the churches he belonged to over the years. In Danbury, he also served many years as president of his neighborhood association.  

Frank is survived by his loving wife, Donna, of Danbury, CT., three daughters and six grandchildren.  Frank’s oldest daughter,Elissa J. Ruccia. died of cancer in 2006, leaving her husband, David Aaronson and his son, Max Aaronson of Ridgefield. The three surviving daughters and their families are: Pamela Ruccia Duffy, her husband, Michael Duffy. and children Michael John and Anna Marie of Hopkinton, MA.; Valerie Ruccia Eagan, her husband Michael Eagan, and daughter Julia of Sudbury, MA.; and Kimberly Monson and her ex-husband, David Monson, and granddaughters Mariah and Ilayna of Blackstone, MA.

The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 22 at Kane Funeral Home 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. CT. The Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m.

Frank’s life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 23 at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield, CT. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 110 North Street, Ridgefield.

Following the Interment, family and friends are invited to a reception/light buffet lunch in McKeon Hall (downstairs at St. Seton Church).

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Frank’s name to: Hancock Hall Recreation Fund, 31 Staples St., Danbury, CT 06810; Founders Hall Foundation, Inc., 193 Danbury Rd., Ridgefield, CT 06877; or St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 520 Ridgefield Road, 06877.

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Rochelle Bluestein (nee Ginsberg), fondly known as Rokki, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 20 after an extended illness. Rokki was born in Los Angeles, California where she spent most of her childhood. She married her high school sweetheart, David, on September 4, 1966. Together they had two children, Marcus and Matthew, who were the loves of her life. The joy of Rokki’s life was being an incredible mother to her boys. She was their biggest fan, their greatest supporter, and most important teacher. Rokki loved her grandchildren beyond measure and relished every moment spent with them. They will miss her terribly. Rokki will be remembered for her legacy of incredible selflessness, generosity, and kindness.       

Rokki was a long-time resident of Ridgefield, where she was passionately involved with the MacDonald-Pin dancers for 34 years. She particularly loved being involved in the production of their annual recital. Rokki loved dancing, reading, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends. Rokki is survived by her husband David of Ridgefield; son Marcus and wife Christina of Wilton; son Matthew and wife Alexandra of Fairfield; brother and sister in-law Arthur and Judy Gross of Casa Grande, Arizona; niece Raemi Gross of San Francisco, California; nephew Benjamin Gross of Phoenix, Arizona; and four grandchildren: Tyler, Ben, Drew, and Molly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 25, 2017 at 12 p.m. at Kane Funeral Home in Ridgefield. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rokki’s name to organizations she generously supported, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.cff.org) or Boston Children’s Hospital (www.childrenshospital.org).   

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Bill “Pops” Dent

Bill “Pops” Dent, age 90, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2017. Bill was a long-time resident of Ridgefield, where he was active in youth sports, including coaching Little League and his beloved Pop Warner Red Raiders for over 20 years. Bill influenced the lives of many young people during his years of coaching, and he cherished each and every minute on the field.

Bill and his wife Gloria had moved to Spring Hill, FL after retiring in 1993. Gloria predeceased him in 1999. For the past 3 years, Bill lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area. These were happy years of his life, as he loved being surrounded by his family.

Bill was born in Taylor, PA., the fourth of seven children to Arthur and Olga Dent. He enlisted as a 16-year-old for Military Service during World War ll. He served in the Pacific from 1943-1946, in the Seabees of the Navy, primarily building advance airfields and other infrastructure for the Allied forces.

Upon his return, he moved to Connecticut, where he met the love of his life, Gloria, and were soon married in 1948. Bill had a career as a plumber / pipefitter / steamfitter – serving in the Trade Unions.

Bill is survived by 3 sons: Bill, and his wife, Karen, from Alpharetta, GA.; Tom, and his wife, Carolyn, from Pooler, GA.; and Tim, and his wife, Mary, from Ridgefield, CT. He has 6 grandchildren along with 6 great grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Jessie Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Ridgefield. There will be a brief Committal Service at Saint Mary’s Cemetery following the Memorial Service. His Son, The Rev. Tom Dent, will officiate. A celebration of life reception will follow at the home of Tim & Mary Dent in Ridgefield. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Ridgefield Youth Football and Cheer (RYFC) at P.O. Box 68, Ridgefield, CT, 06877.

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Marie Nora Cohan, 76, of Danbury, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, August 27, 2017.

Mrs. Cohan is survived by her husband Edward Joseph Cohan Jr. and by her six children and spouses: Jeanne and Kevin Clune, Mary Ellen and Chris Alberti, Colleen Cohan, Micci Cohan, Caroline and Stephan Bernstein, Brian and Kristen Cohan; and by her 11 grandchildren: Christopher Alberti, Sean and Jodi Alberti, Meaghan Clune, Tucker Birbilis, Colleen Alberti, Tara Clune, Bridget Alberti, Mary Alberti, Carina Bernstein, Adelyn Marie Cohan and Connor Cohan. She is predeceased by her son Edward Joseph Cohan III.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church; 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. Interment will be private and at the direction of the family. Friends will be received on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield.

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Julia T. (Sheila) Hefferon

Julia T. (Sheila) Hefferon, 85, of Plantsville, formerly of Ridgefield, passed away on August 26, 2017. She was the loving wife of the late George J. Hefferon.

Mrs. Hefferon was born on December 27, 1931 in New York City; a daughter of the late James and Honora (Healy) Kissane. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Manhattan where she was honored as a Reagent Scholar.  Mrs. Hefferon worked for several years for the National Assurance Company prior to being wed.

A resident of Ridgefield for 50 years, Mrs. Hefferon was a volunteer for Ridgefield Meals on Wheels and a past employee of the Bring and Buy Thrift Store.

Mrs. Hefferon was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary Church of Ridgefield and she was an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to the homebound.

Mrs. Hefferon is survived by her seven children and their families: George J. Hefferon, Jr. and his wife, Marguerite, James S. Hefferon and his wife, Lynne, Thomas M. Hefferon and his wife, Elizabeth, Dennis J. Hefferon and his wife, Kathi, Mary Jean Mangione, Theresa A. Kamradt and her husband, Jeffrey and Noreen E. Thomas and her husband, James.

In addition to her children and their spouses, Mrs. Hefferon is survived by 18 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and a brother, James Kissane.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Hefferon was predeceased by two brothers; Jeremiah and Daniel Kissane.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 10:15 a.m. at St. Mary Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield. Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation: 8085 Saltsburg Road – Suite 201; Pittsburgh, PA 15239 or online at www.umdf.org

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Mary Jo Calamai

Mary Jo (Bunsa) Calamai, 60, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2017, with her beloved husband, Robert T. Calamai, at her side.

Mary Jo was born on October 15, 1956, to the late Robert and Mary Bunsa in Jersey City, N.J., and grew up in Basking Ridge, N.J. The eldest of six children, she was lovingly considered their trusted leader and friend.

Mary Jo graduated from Ridge High School and received her B.S. degree in Travel, Transportation and Tourism from Niagara University, where she formed lifelong friendships.

Early in her career, Mary Jo worked in various roles at IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where she met her husband, Bob, of 35 years. Her last position at IBM was as an operations manager, before she left for what she considered her ultimate career and vocation: raising their children, Dan and Laura. Although she always placed her family first, Mary Jo was also dedicated to her community. A woman of strong faith, Mary Jo was very active at St. Mary Catholic Church in Ridgefield. She taught CCD for many years and served as a bible study leader, a member of the parish council and in various other church roles.

Mary Jo delighted in every detail of her family members’ and friends’ lives, always sharing in both their joys and sorrows. She had a gift for making others feel uniquely loved and valued.

Mary Jo was revered as the heart and matriarch of her large extended family, whom she loved dearly.

She worked tirelessly to nurture traditions and tight-knit bonds. She shared close relationships with her many nieces and nephews, who affectionately called her “Aunt Jo.”

Countless others were inspired by the steadfast faith with which she enthusiastically lived her life — and then, in more recent months, with which she courageously battled cancer.

Mary Jo held the deepest love for her devoted husband and their children. In December she joyfully welcomed into the family a son-in-law, Matthew Mol, of Baltimore, Md. She is also survived by five siblings: Robert Bunsa Jr. (Karen) of Pennington, N.J., Beth Finn (Steve) of Kennebunk, Maine, brother J. Rahl Bunsa of Tallahassee, Fla., Fred Bunsa (Donna) of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Ann Walker (Rick) of Peachtree City, Ga; sister-in-law Joyce Brousseau (Richard) of Great Barrington, Mass.; brother-in-law Edward Calamai (Joy) of Portsmouth, N.H.; as well as 22 nieces and nephews and one great-nephew.

The Calamai family extends its sincere gratitude for the wonderful help and support given to Mary Jo and her family—not only during her recent illness but also throughout her life.

A Mass of Resurrection was held on Aug. 28, 2017, at St. Mary Church.

Memorial donations may be made to The Brotherhood of Hope, PO Box 200057, Roxbury, MA 02120 (a Catholic consecrated community whose mission is outreach to college students; Mary Jo’s brother, Rahl, is a member). Or, donations may be made to the Saint Joseph Parenting Center, Yerwood Center, 90 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902.

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Allison Rubin and Chris O’Shea

Allison Rubin, daughter of Gwen and Jon Rubin of Ridgefield, was married to Christopher O’Shea, son of Karen and Dave O’Shea of Ridgefield, on June 24. The officiant, Sally Reiner, performed the double-ring ceremony at the Inn at Longshore in Westport. 

Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a light ivory tulle ball gown by Hayley Paige, and a matching cathedral-length veil. Lindsay Rubin of New York City was maid of honor for her sister. Bridesmaids were Liz Fleming and Melissa Geltzeiler of New York City, Julie Hughes of Atlanta, Ga., the groom’s sisters Jennifer Purcell of Spokane, Wash. and Nicole O’Shea of Ridgefield. The bridesmaids wore navy J. Crew bridal cocktail dresses. The flower girl was the groom’s niece, Hailey Purcell, and she wore a white tulle dress with a yellow sash.

Groomsmen were John Mahlstadt, Steve Rowella and Mike Valentine of New York City, Andrew Kamensky of Ridgefield, and Tommy Purcell of Spokane, brother-in-law of the groom. The groom and the groomsmen all wore custom slate gray suits. The entire wedding party, with exception of Tommy Purcell, grew up in Ridgefield.

After a reception at the Inn at Longshore, the newlyweds honeymooned in Bali and Seoul, Korea. They live in Long Island City, N.Y.

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Mary Rindfleisch

Mary Frances Rindfleisch, who selflessly supported the arts and her community while helping build the Ridgefield Library into a beacon of knowledge and delight, died unexpectedly on April 5. She was 63 and lived in Sherman.

Working at the Ridgefield Library for more than 20 years, she helped create programs to expand the library’s appeal to all ages.

“The Ridgefield Library is a reflection of who Mary was as a person and as a librarian,” said Brenda McKinley, the library’s director. “Her brilliance shines in every corner of our light-filled building.”

She was also an ever-present source of encouragement and volunteer leadership for community organizations as diverse as the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, the Danbury Friendly Visitor Program and the Sherman Library.

Rindfleisch was a loving partner to her husband, Joseph Keneally. She was an expert cook and a skilled seamstress who sewed her own and her sisters’ wedding gowns and numerous Halloween costumes for her nieces and nephew. She and Joe, who were married for nearly 30 years, enjoyed a succession of thoroughly spoiled cats.

Born in Long Beach, Calif., to Norval Rindfleisch, an English teacher and prize-winning writer from St. Paul, Minn., and Carol Olson, a South Dakotan who became a librarian after raising four children, Rindfleisch was one of the first women to graduate from Phillips Exeter Academy. She attained a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in comparative literature at Wesleyan University, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Later, she earned a master’s degree in library science from Southern Connecticut State University.

Before pursuing a career in libraries, Rindfleisch brought her imagination, encouragement and sense of organization to a variety of artistic and progressive organizations. She was a company manager for both the Camden (Maine) Shakespeare Company and the Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians, and executive director of the National Lawyers Guild.

Rindfleisch left her imprint throughout the Ridgefield Library. An avid lover of books, she started as the adult services librarian and rose to become the library’s assistant director. She helped extend the library’s outreach, making it a place for learning, doing and enjoyment — from book discussion groups to local history contests to “maker fairs.” She played a central role in the library’s recent $25-million expansion.

Her byline appeared hundreds of times in The Ridgefield Press, in a column called “Library Lines,” where she loved to puncture the notion that libraries were just dusty bookshelves.

“Sure, we have 100,000 books and other traditional library materials available for checkout. We do scores of story times and other programs each year designed to aid in early childhood literacy skills development, and dozens of old-fashioned book discussions,” she wrote in a 2017 column. “We offer familiar reference and readers’ advisory service and now-expected technology access.  

“But at the Ridgefield Library, there is always something completely unexpected on the horizon as well, all intended to bring the community together to read, discover, question, connect, and thrive.”  

McKinley recalled the first time she met Rindfleisch.

“I met Mary some 27 years ago when she and I worked together at the New Fairfield Free Public Library. We immediately bonded over our mutual love of libraries, literature, music, art, and, as she reminded me not so long ago, Patrick Stewart. I will miss her wisdom, her dedication, her work ethic, her deep belief in community outreach, her excitement over cutting-edge technologies, and her incredible institutional knowledge. Mary never worked for accolades but she was our own superhero to all of her Ridgefield Library family.”

Beyond Ridgefield

Among her wide network, Rindfleisch kept many warm friendships over the years.

“Mary was the person you would want if you were stranded on a desert island,” said Julia Lane, a close friend from high school. “She was always grounded and resourceful but could see the humor and possibilities in just about any situation. She would always bring you back to yourself in an appreciative way, as if to say, ‘You know you can do well, so do it!’ Her standards were high, but she would encourage people to go beyond their own expectations by clearing away the clutter. I will miss her support and camaraderie, but I can still rely on her voice in my ear when I doubt myself. … Thanks for that gift, dear friend.”

For more than 20 years, Rindfleisch was executive director at the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, a post whose responsibilities ranged from fund raising and publicity to hosting post-concert receptions. Eliot Bailen, a co-founder of the group, recalled Rindfleisch’s impact.

“Under Mary’s supportive and caring stewardship, SCE grew in wonderful ways, expanding its offerings, its reach and quality. Her indefatigable efforts also provided Sherman with a unique and proud musical community. She was completely selfless. We could never have thanked her enough and we are devastated that she didn’t have more time to savor her own accomplishments.”

Family

Mary’s interests were broad, her energy immeasurable and her impact wide. To her husband, family and friends she was a source of boundless love, joy and wise counsel, and she was a devoted caregiver for her parents in their later years.

Rindfleisch died surrounded by Joe and her siblings a few days after suffering sudden cardiac arrest. But in a very real way, she lives on. She had directed in her living will that she wanted to be an organ donor. Although very few people die in such a way as to permit this procedure,  Rindfleisch’s devastating loss was a life-giving gift to others unknown to her.

She is survived by her husband, Joe; her two sisters and their husbands, Julie and Kevin Granville of Sussex, N.J., and Kate and Tom McGrath of Drexel Hill, Pa.; her brother, Joe, of Cambridge, Mass; and her nieces and nephew, Nora, Jane and Peter Granville and Hannah and Sarah McGrath; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles and cousins across the country.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Sherman Library, P.O. Box 40, Sherman CT 06784.

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Caroll Jean Bancel

On Wednesday, July 4, 2018, Caroll Jean Bancel, beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister, passed away in her home in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She was 62 years old.

Caroll’s life was devoted to her family, friends, and community. A native of Greenwich, Connecticut, she graduated from Greenwich High School in 1974 before receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in Clinical Dietetics in 1979. Along with her twenty-five plus years of Registered Dietician employment in nursing facilities and hospitals throughout Connecticut, she found tremendous fulfillment as the Director of Operations at Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield from 2005 to 2015. 

She was never more contented than when in the saddle. She was a pillar of the Bedford Riding Lanes Association—a volunteer organization dedicated to the maintenance of the historic riding trail system throughout Bedford and Pound Ridge, New York. Here she blended her passion for community and horseback riding for over thirty years. Her hard work was most visible during the B.R.L.A’s legendary Hunter Paces, twice-annual events she organized which have brought countless riders of all ages to the trails.

Caroll will be lovingly remembered by her husband Chris, and their children, Terence and Ashleigh, by her mother Joan Carhart, and her sisters Sue Humphrey and husband Jim Humphrey, Diane Carhart and husband Jay Ankenbrock. Caroll will also be missed by nieces Jill Humphrey, Sara and Sophie Senter, her nephew Bobby Humphrey, her great nephew Jack Gallagher, her extended family and many, many friends.

A service will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church, in Riverside Connecticut, on Saturday July 14, 2018 at 11 o’clock in the morning.

All are welcome.

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Rochelle Bluestein (nee Ginsberg), fondly known as Rokki, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 20 after an extended illness. Rokki was born in Los Angeles, California where she spent most of her childhood. She married her high school sweetheart, David, on September 4, 1966. Together they had two children, Marcus and Matthew, who were the loves of her life. The joy of Rokki’s life was being an incredible mother to her boys. She was their biggest fan, their greatest supporter, and most important teacher. Rokki loved her grandchildren beyond measure and relished every moment spent with them. They will miss her terribly. Rokki will be remembered for her legacy of incredible selflessness, generosity, and kindness.       
Rokki was a long-time resident of Ridgefield, where she was passionately involved with the MacDonald-Pin dancers for 34 years. She particularly loved being involved in the production of their annual recital. Rokki loved dancing, reading, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends. Rokki is survived by her husband David of Ridgefield; son Marcus and wife Christina of Wilton; son Matthew and wife Alexandra of Fairfield; brother and sister in-law Arthur and Judy Gross of Casa Grande, Arizona; niece Raemi Gross of San Francisco, California; nephew Benjamin Gross of Phoenix, Arizona; and four grandchildren: Tyler, Ben, Drew, and Molly.
A Celebration of Life will be held on August 25, 2017 at 12 p.m. at Kane Funeral Home in Ridgefield. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rokki’s name to organizations she generously supported, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.cff.org) or Boston Children’s Hospital (www.childrenshospital.org).   

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Marie Nora Cohan, 76, of Danbury, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, August 27, 2017.
Mrs. Cohan is survived by her husband Edward Joseph Cohan Jr. and by her six children and spouses: Jeanne and Kevin Clune, Mary Ellen and Chris Alberti, Colleen Cohan, Micci Cohan, Caroline and Stephan Bernstein, Brian and Kristen Cohan; and by her 11 grandchildren: Christopher Alberti, Sean and Jodi Alberti, Meaghan Clune, Tucker Birbilis, Colleen Alberti, Tara Clune, Bridget Alberti, Mary Alberti, Carina Bernstein, Adelyn Marie Cohan and Connor Cohan. She is predeceased by her son Edward Joseph Cohan III.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church; 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. Interment will be private and at the direction of the family. Friends will be received on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield.

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