Ahern Funeral Home Condolences

Ernest S. Muro, of South Palm Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 29, 2010. His only child, Heather Maguire, was at his side. Ernie was predeceased by his wife Margaret (McGavigan) Muro, who left us in April 2007. Born May 29, 1921 in Rockville Centre, New York, the son of the late Domenic and Anna (Ferrara) Muro, Ernie lived much of his life in Freeport, New York. He received a BA from Hofstra University, a Master of Education from Hofstra University and a Master of Library Science from Queens College. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, serving in New Guinea with the 38th Infantry Division. Ernest was an elementary school teacher and media specialist for 33 years on Long Island, 30 of which were with the Baldwin Public Schools. He was an active member of the Rotary Club, becoming president in 1978. Following their retirement, Ernie and Margaret moved to South Palm Beach, where he became actively involved in the Palm Beach Harbour Club and the Town of South Palm Beach. Ernie was elected to the Board of the Palm Beach Harbour Club and served as President in 1991. He chaired the South Palm Beach Community Affairs Board and was a member of the town’s Budget and Finance Committee. Ernie was elected to the South Palm Beach Town Commission in 1994, serving as Treasurer, and was Vice Mayor from 1998-2000. Ernie is survived by his daughter Heather and her husband, Jeffrey Maguire of Avon, CT, three beautiful grandchildren who were the light of his life, Maggie, Sean and Matthew Maguire, Ernie’s brother Joseph Muro and his wife Doris Muro of Freeport, NY, his sister-in-law Elizabeth Fitzgerald and her husband John Fitzgerald of Pismo Beach, CA, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Don Clayman, Tony Caserta, Sol “Doc” Davidson, Tony Donofrio, and Jackie Morrissey for their extraordinary support, care and friendship. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Wednesday (Dec. 8) from 4:00-8:00pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Thursday (Dec. 9) at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you extend a smile to everyone, hug your loved ones, have lunch with friends and offer kindness to a stranger in his memory. Ernie was a kind and gentle man who will be greatly missed by all.

June Irene Lange, 62, of Farmington, died Sunday, November 28, 2010 surrounded by her family and friends. Born September 27, 1948 in Hartford, June was the daughter of the late George and Marjorie (Booth) Lange. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University, her Masters of Science degree from Central Connecticut State University and her Sixth Year Post Masters degree from Southern Connecticut State University. June was an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church and was involved with numerous church activities and programs including serving as a teacher and educational director of the Churchery School and the superintendant of Sunday School. June also developed and implemented the first two year old nursery school program in the Avon/Farmington area in the early 1980s. Prior to retiring, June worked as an elementary school teacher in Wallingford for 20 years. She was honored as the 2009-2010 Yalesville School Teacher of the Year and touched many families’ lives over the course of her career. June spent her retirement visiting family and friends as well as spending time at her beloved cottage by the beach in Maine. She is survived by her two daughters; Julie (Dario) Zehren and her husband John of Simsbury and Jodie (Dario) Kazlauskas and her husband Paul of Burlington, her two grandchildren Emily and Brody (Zehren), her sister Pamela Waterman and her husband Edward of Farmington, her brother Robert Lange and his wife Sandra of Glastonbury, an aunt and uncle, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and many special friends. June and her family were also very grateful for the extraordinary care provided to her by Donna and Melissa. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Saturday (Dec. 4) from 11:00am – 1:00pm followed by Memorial Services at Memorial United Methodist Church, 867 West Avon Road, Avon at 1:30pm with Rev. Florence Eddins officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children Cancer Fund of CCMC, 282 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106 or the Memorial Garden at Memorial United Methodist Church, 867 West Avon Rd., Avon, CT 06001.

Josephine M. Pahl, 83, of Avon, widow of P. Edward Pahl, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 27th. Born in Unionville, December 15th, 1926, daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Gerger) Neulinger. Josephine worked for many years in the Claims Department at Aetna Insurance Co., and later at J.C. Penney in the jewelry department (which her daughter enjoyed). She had been active in the mentoring program in town, even appearing on the big town poster with her cat and mentee and was a lifelong communicant at the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Unionville. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family, both in the US and Europe and loved all things Austrian, especially music and family functions. Josephine loved her family, her cats Princess and Pumpkin, life, and could convince anyone to do the Chicken Dance. Her ready smile and kind words will be missed. She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Nancy Ann (Pahl) and Richard B. Newton of Alexandria, VA, Edward J. and Linda J. Pahl of Southington, her sister Mary D. Neulinger of Unionville and two grandchildren, Jason Jones and Matthew Jones both of Enfield. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Wednesday (Dec. 1) from 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Thursday (Dec. 2) at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville at 10:00am. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, 1.800.272.3900, alz.org.

Yolande Dominique Michaud, 72, of Avon, beloved wife of Olivin Michaud, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 27th surrounded by her family. She fought and battled cancer for years. Born August 21, 1938 in New Brunswick, Canada, daughter of the late Evelyn (Oakes) Cyr and Frank Dominique. Prior to retiring, she was employed at Heublein Inc., for 25 years. Besides her loving husband of 54 years, Yolande is survived by her two children Cynthia Michaud-Innarelli of Simsbury, and Mark A. Michaud of Manchester, two grandchildren Arianna Innarelli and Albert V. Innarelli III of Simsbury, five sisters, Lorraine Levesque of St-Francois, New Brunswick, Canada, Verna Gagnon of Stuart, Florida, Maureen Dominique of Connors, New Brunswick, Canada, Edwina Cyr of Berlin and Linda Dominique of Plainville, her sister-in-law Joann Dominique of Plainville, her brother Francis Dominique and his wife Jackie of Southington and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by three brothers, Leandre Dominique of New Britain, Gerald Dominique of Connors, New Brunswick, Canada, Herold Dominique of Meriden and her sister Jeanne Dessalier of Rocky Hill. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Wednesday (Dec. 1) from 10:30am – 12:30pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be at 12:30pm followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Ann, Arch Rd., Avon at 1:00pm. Burial will be in the family plot at St. Ann Cemetery, Avon.

Richard H. Petersen, 79, of Farmington, husband of the late Barbara (Blinn) Petersen, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 25th at the home he built. Born in Elmwood, September 1st, 1931, son of the late Hans E. and Olive (Farrel) Petersen, he has resided in Farmington since 1938. He was a graduate of Farmington High School, Class of 1949 and was a United States Navy veteran of the Korean War where he served as a 3rd Class Petty Officer Pipe Fitter. Prior to retiring, Richard was partners in the building business with his brother Robert for 42 years with Petersen Bros., Inc., where they built many homes in the Farmington Valley. Later he was the founder, along with his wife, of Small Wheels of America. He served on several building committees for the Town of Farmington. Richard joined the East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department in 1957 and held the positions of Treasurer, Vice President, President, was the first Captain in the department and Assistant Chief. He proudly served as Chief from 1979-1981. He was on several truck purchasing and refurbishing committees. He was a member of the Windsor Horseshoe Club, the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association, the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and was the author of a poem in 1995 about the Town of Farmington, which he wrote for the town’s 350th birthday. Along with his father, his brother Robert E. Petersen and his son Gary R. Petersen, established the Petersen Award Fund which is annually presented to an outstanding member of the East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department. Richard is survived by his son Gary Richard Petersen and his wife Katherine A. Petersen of Farmington, his daughter Deborah Petersen Swift and her husband M. Michael Swift of Palo Alto, CA, his brother Robert E. Petersen and his wife Edna Petersen of West Hartford, his sister Barbara P. Woodward and her husband Henry Woodward of Denton, TX, two grandchildren, Melissa Petersen Buono and her husband Anthony Buono of Farmington and Christopher G. Petersen and his wife Lauren Petersen of Cromwell and his beloved great granddaughter Adrianna Irene Buono. He was predeceased by his brother Edward Petersen and his sister Elsie Dixon. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Monday (Nov. 29) from 5:00-8:00pm. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday (Nov. 30) at 10:00am in the Meetinghouse at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, Main St., Farmington with Rev. Douglas Clark officiating. Burial with full military and fire department honors will be in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Petersen Award Fund at East Farmington Volunteer Fire Department, 94 South Road, Farmington, CT 06032.

Elizabeth W. Strom, 91, of Maple Hollow Road, New Hartford, formerly of Farmington, passed away at home on Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, 2010 with her family by her side. Elizabeth/Betty/Liz/Aunt Bub/Beach Grandma/Mom, left this world a much better place for all who knew her. Elizabeth- a true angel here on earth, who loved her family and her friends unconditionally and faced adversity with determination, courage and an uncanny sense of humor-will be forever missed. We hold in our hearts and give Thanks for the life Elizabeth, born May 4, 1919 in Bennington, Vermont to the late Fred and Laura Waite. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, John Edwin Strom. She so fondly reminisced about their earlier days of hiking, skiing and making snow angels in the beautiful Southern Vermont Mountains and their later days of long evening walks on the beaches of Florida enjoying countless Floridian sunsets. Of all of her treasures here on earth, she was most proud of her children: son and daughter-in-law Jeffrey and Sharon Strom of Avon, daughter and son-in-law Laura and Bruce Wearne of New Hartford. “Beach Grandma” cherished her grandchildren: Ah-Jing Chen and husband Andrew (their children Amelia, Alex and Ava) of Short Hills, NJ, Joel Strom and wife Kimberly of Morristown, NJ, Adam Strom of Cheshire, Kimberly Wearne and her fiancé Jason Levesque of Maplewood, NJ and Jodi Wearne and her fiancé Richard Langer of Barkhamsted. Though a true friend to so many- she held dear the “sister hood” she shared with her Wednesday Luncheon “Golden Girls” – Phyllis Leszuk, Lea Maloy and Alice Dickenman. Supported by a community of friends in Farmington, Liz enjoyed the friendship and special bond with neighbors Kenny and Irene Harvey. She is predeceased by her dear siblings, sister Frances Lewis of Rutland, VT, sister Evelyn Cufari, brother-in-law Johnny Cufari, brother Joe Waite, sister-in-law Rita Waite of Bennington, VT, and brother-in-law Raymond Josephson of Farmington. She is survived by her sister Jane Latif and her brother Bobby Waite of Bennington, VT and her sister-in-law Eleanor Josephson of Farmington. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Tuesday (Nov. 30) from 4:00-7:00pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (Dec. 1) at 10:00am in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 51 Church St. N, New Hartford. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. Memorial contributions may be made to Foothills Visiting Nurse and Home Care Inc., 32 Union St., Winsted, CT 06098 or to My Sister’s Place, 102 Pliny St., Hartford, CT 06120.

Ruth Allen Gear, 94, of Farmington, CT passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 24th. She was born on May 10, 1916 in Lynn, MA to May Farris Allen and George Edwin Allen, MD. She spent her childhood from age 8 on in Montpelier, VT where she met her husband, Frederick T. Gear to whom she was married for 70 years. Ruth graduated from Colby Junior College and Trenton State Teachers College and earned an MA from Central Connecticut State University. She was a “master teacher” of third grade at the Noah Wallace School in Farmington, CT for over thirty years. Ruth was an active member of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, where she taught Sunday School and served as a Deacon. Her interests included travel, gardening, bridge, knitting, and Early American decorating. She was predeceased by her son, Allen F. Gear and his wife, Sara Gear; she is survived by her husband, Frederick, daughters Jean Lamont of Hamden, CT and Nancy Gear of NYC, son-in-law Nicholas Lamont, 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was lovingly cared for by Olive Clarke at the Gables where she lived with her husband during the last four years of her life. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends who will treasure their memories of her. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 4th in First Church of Christ, Congregational, 1652 at 75 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to VITAS: Innovative Hospice, 255 Pitkin St., East Hartford, CT 06108. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

John Aloysius Kelly, 75, of West Hartford and Farmington, passed away Monday, November 22, 2010, surrounded by his family at St. Mary Home in West Hartford. Born in Hartford, January 8, 1935, he was the son of the late William J. and Agnes M. (O’Brien) Kelly. John is also predeceased by his wife of 32 years, Nancy Greene Kelly. He attended Catholic University, lived in West Hartford for over 30 years and found fulfillment as a self-employed Salesman. He was a communicant at the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Unionville. John was a deeply spiritual man who loved animals, gardening, sharing meals with his family and could not resist a good tag sale. John leaves four children and their spouses, Ellen (Kelly) and Larry Siuta of Unionville, Anne (Kelly) and Philip Moller of Hellerup, Denmark, Jack and Betsy Kelly of Winchester, MA, and James and Paige Kelly of Castro Valley, CA. In addition he leaves 10 grandchildren that he adored, Andy, Jack, Will and Robert Siuta, August and Ian Moller, Sam and Jane Kelly, and Griffin and Phoebe Kelly. In addition John leaves two sisters and a brother, Sister Mary Kelly CSJ and Connie Toohey of West Hartford and William Kelly of North Granby and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Sunday (Nov. 28) from 4:00-7:00pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Monday (Nov. 29) at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville at 10:00am. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Memorial donations may be made to The House of Bread, 1453 Main St., Hartford, CT 06120.

Thomas Ennis, 81, of Farmington, passed away Saturday, (November 20,2010), peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born February 5, 1929 in Lexington, MA. He was the son of the late Charles and Cora Ennis. He was employed for many years in radio advertising , notably at WPOP, WSOR, and WEXT before retiring due to illness. He served in the Navy during World War II, stationed in Hawaii and China. He was a member of VFW Post 992 in West Hartford and the Disabled American Veterans of the Unknown Soldiers Chapter 12. Tom will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and love of old movies. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Claire. He leaves behind two daughters, Cora Ennis of Plainville and LeeAnn Barrieau and her husband Paul of Farmington, two grandsons, Daniel Barrieau of Farmington and David Barrieau and his wife Kelle of Bristol, two sisters, Marjorie Carlson of Jacksonville, FL and Eleanor McCelland of Toy, AL and many nieces and nephews. Tom was also predeceased by two brothers, John and Robert Ennis. Friends and family may call at the Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Tuesday, (November 23, 2010) from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the Ahern Funeral Home on Wednesday, (November 24, 2010) at 11 a.m., with burial to follow at the State Veteran’s Cemetery , Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society , www.cancer.org or the University of Connecticut Neag Cancer Center, Farmington. The family wishes to extend gratitude to VITAS Hospice for the care and dignity extended during Tom’s final days.