Ahern Funeral Home Condolences

Robert L. Getz Sr., 81, of Farmington, beloved husband of Marcella Getz, passed away peacefully Tuesday (March 29, 2011) at his home. Born in New Britain, Connecticut, March 7, 1930, he was the son of the late Ethel Potts Getz and step-father Gilbert Getz, and father Gordon Prescott. Bob was proud to be a veteran of the U.S. Army, seeing active duty in the Philippines. Upon discharge from the Army, Bob started a career of police work that would last a life time. He started as a patrolman with the West Hartford, Connecticut Police Department. From there he joined the U.S. Border Patrol where he was assigned to posts in Arizona, Vermont and Maine. Bob’s last assignment in police work was his longest, joining the Farmington Police department in 1961, and retiring in 1987 as a sergeant. Bob was very proud to have been a police officer, and very proud to have worked with many fine men and women along the way. He was particularly proud of the young officers who he worked and/or interacted with, including some of his sons, who went on to accomplished careers in the field of police work. His family owes him much and will miss him always. Bob is survived by his seven children Karen Cyr and her husband Don of Castalia, OH, Robert L. Getz Jr. and his wife Margaret of Bristol, CT, Gilbert K. Getz and his Karen of Ft. Myers, FL, Jeffrey A. Getz and his wife Carla of New Britain, CT, Stephen J. Getz of Bristol, CT, Peter A. Getz and his wife Janette of Canton, CT and Richard D. Getz and his wife Elizabeth of Avon, CT, a brother Richard Prescott and his wife Carole of Higganum, CT, 15 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years Marcella, a first wife Audrey who tragically died at a very young age, an infant daughter, Cheryl, from his first marriage, and a brother, Gordon Prescott Getz. The Getz family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the professionals at the Gables in Farmington, Dr. Henry Maresh, Dad’s caregivers Ida and Geneveva, and McLean’s Home Hospice, all of whom showed compassion and professionalism at all times. Family and friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Unionville, TODAY, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Saturday (April 2nd) at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville at 10 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate contributions to be made to the Farmington Police Benevolent Association, P.O. Box 312, Unionville, CT 06085. The Farmington PBA is a non-profit association that benefits the police officers of the Farmington Police Department.

Kevin Ross Putney died suddenly on March 29, 2011 while at college at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Kevin, born on May 29, 1991, is the son of Lisa and Alan Putney of Farmington. He was born in Hartford and raised in Farmington. He graduated with honors from Farmington High School in 2009 and was a computer engineering and mathematics double major at Vanderbilt, planning to graduate in 2013. During his high school years Kevin played volleyball for two years and was very active with the Unified Sports program. He was active with the Pilgrim Fellowship youth group at First Church of Christ in Farmington. He was a gentle and curious young man. At Vanderbilt he was a member of the Men’s Club Volleyball team. He also developed a love of rock climbing and outdoor adventures with Vanderbilt’s Wilderness Skills group (WilSkills). Kevin is survived by his parents and his brother, David, of Arlington, VA, as well as a grandmother, Marion Schwinn, of Penney Farms, FL, and a grandfather, Richard Putney, of Louisville, KY. He is also survived by aunts & uncles Debra Schwinn & Robert Gerstmyer of Seattle, WA, Faith & Glenn Parker of Lexington, MA, and cousins Anna & Heidi Gerstmyer and Mariliza Parker. A Memorial Service will be held in the Meetinghouse at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 75 Main St., Farmington on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Vanderbilt University-Wilskills and mailed to Vanderbilt Gift processing, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

Margaret (Peg) C. Wehrly, 80 of Farmington died Saturday, March 26, 2011, peacefully at UConn Health Center surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Charles A. Wehrly II, who died in 1998. She lived in Farmington for 50 years. Mrs. Wehrly was born in Buffalo, N.Y. on October 8th, her father A. Stuart Collins’ 35th birthday. Her mother was Helen McMichael Collins. She grew up in the Buffalo area on Lancaster Ave. and then on Bidwell Parkway. As a young girl she enjoyed ice skating, playing the piano, acting in school plays and attending the theatre. Mrs. Wehrly attended elementary school at Buffalo School of Practice and graduated from Buffalo Seminary in 1948. She attended Michigan State for one year-and-a-half and then transferred to University of Miami where she met her husband Charles A. Wehrly II, who was also studying at University of Miami. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and continued to be actively involved in the local Connecticut chapter. With the goal of completing her college education, Mrs. Wehrly later went on to Trinity College in Hartford and received her B.A. in English in 1983. She was very proud of this achievement and her family was also. She continued her interest in English and was an avid reader and writer, especially enjoying biographies and historical non-fiction. Peg enjoyed researching her family ancestry and spent several years researching her ancestors in New York State. In 1992 she published her book, “Gold is Tried by Fire” based on her ancestor Asher Freeman’s diary which described his pioneer struggles from 1777-1825, the Battle of Saratoga to the completion of the Erie Canal. She more recently wrote her autobiography for her family and was in the process of writing a sequel to her first book. Mrs. Wehrly was a Daughter of the American Revolution and was very active in the local DAR Chapter for many years. She began as a member of the Ruth Wyllys DAR Chapter of Hartford in 1967. Peg was the Registrar for over five years, Regent for three years and was the Chaplain this past year. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends and traveling. She enjoyed playing the piano throughout her adult life, cross-country and downhill skiing. Mrs. Wehrly was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Farmington and was active in the women’s group, St. Anne’s Guild. In her free time, she was involved in volunteer work teaching English to adults in the community and worked as a volunteer at the VA hospital in Newington. She is survived by her son, Charles A. Wehrly III, daughters June Wehrly Szretter and Margaret Wehrly Moore, her daughter-in-law, Shelley Silk Wehrly, her son in law, Henry P. Szretter, Jr. and her grandchildren, Stuart B. Wehrly, Christopher B. Wehrly, Elizabeth G. Wehrly, Katelyn M. Szretter, Greyson S. Moore and Jordan K. Moore. Her brother, A. Stuart Collins, Jr. predeceased her. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Monday, April 18, 2011 at 12 pm at St. James Episcopal Church in Farmington, Ct. Interment will be in the family plot in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her name to The American Heart Association and St. James Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 3 Mountain Rd., Farmington, CT. 06032.

Janet E. Gilmour, 76, of Plainville, beloved wife of Robert D. Gilmour, passed away unexpectedly Sunday (March 20, 2011) with her family by her side. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, February 19th, 1935, daughter of the late Donald S. and Elizabeth (McMaster) Smith. Family was everything to Janet and she treasured the time she spent with them. Her grandchildren were the loves of her life. Besides her husband of 52 years, she is survived by her three daughters, Beth Wojtusik and her husband Michael of Bristol, Linda DiOrio and her husband Mark of Burlington, and Laura Gilmour of Bristol, her four grandsons, Jeffrey Wojtusik, Matthew DiOrio, Michael DiOrio, and Danny DiOrio, her sister, Barbara Williamson of Mayfield Heights, OH, and several nieces and nephews. In honor of Janet’s wishes, funeral services will be private. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

Sarah Sanford “Sally” Buchardt, 90, of Farmington, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 17th. Born Feb 8th 1921, Sally grew up in Torrington and lived in Farmington most of her life. She was predeceased by her husband Ernest L. Buchardt. Sally was a Town of Farmington Planning Department employee for many years and elected Farmington Tax Collector. She was a life long member of the First Church of Christ Congregational in Unionville and member and treasurer emeritus of the Frances Richards Club. Sally was a member of the Eastern Star, a Red Hatter, a duck pin bowler, an avid bridge player and a swimmer. She and her late husband loved to travel and took some very memorable trips with close friends bicycle riding and staying at Hostels. Sally volunteered for several years delivering Meals on Wheels and was quite involved with the community. During the last two years she lived at Middlewoods of Farmington where she leaves several good friends. Sally was a devoted mother and grandmother. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Elaine Buchardt and Don Keener and Carolyn Eckert and John Eckert, as well as her grandchildren Dan Keener, Sam Keener, Geoffrey Eckert and Kendra Eckert and husband Clinton Hogan. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and F. Dwight Douglas and several nieces and nephews. We will all miss her smile. Friends may call at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 61 Main St., Unionville on Saturday (Mar. 26) from 10:00-11:00am followed by a Memorial Service in the Church at 11:00am. Donations may be made in memory of Sally Buchardt to the First Church of Christ Congregational, 61 Main St., Unionville, CT 06085. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

Sally (Spector) Hammerberg, cherished wife of Donald O. Hammerberg for nearly six decades, died on March 17, 2011, after a long illness. She was raised in Willimantic, CT, the daughter of the late Nathan Moses Spector, M.D., and his wife, Mary Margaret Crawford Spector. She was a graduate of the University of Connecticut, Storrs, where she majored in English. Sally was an extraordinarily accomplished woman, and volunteered countless hours on behalf of the Visiting Nurse Association, The League of Women Voters, The Urban League Guild of Greater Hartford, the UCONN Health Center, Meals-on-Wheels, the Farmington Land Trust, and most importantly, the Friends of the Farmington Library. Through various foreign exchange programs, she and Don sponsored several newcomers to the United States. A keen competitor, Sally reveled in a good game, be it tennis, bridge or crosswords. She was a long-standing participant in numerous literary groups. As an enthusiastic wordsmith, she deeply appreciated fine literature, especially Shakespeare. In addition to her husband, Don, Sally leaves her daughter, Jill Hammerberg-Fey and son-in-law, Mark B. Fey, of Farmington, and their children, Nathan, Samuel, and his wife, Andrea, and Maxfield. She also leaves her daughter, Peri H. Pogson and son-in-law, John R. Pogson of Farmington, and their children, Sarah and Ellen. She is survived by her siblings, John Spector, Mary Mangano, Naomi Antonakos and Barney Spector, their spouses and children. Friends are invited to share memories of our beloved Sally, and celebrate her life on Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. at the Meetinghouse, 75 Main Street, Farmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Friends of the Farmington Library, 6 Monteith Drive, Farmington, CT 06032. Arrangements are being handled by Ahern Funeral Home, Inc.

Roger L. Bourquin, 84, of Farmington, beloved husband of Elizabeth (Malsick) Bourquin, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 16th. Born in Torrington, October 1st, 1926, son of the late Louis E. and Elizabeth (O’Sullivan) Bourquin, he grew up in Washington, CT. He was a graduate of Washington High School and the University of Connecticut where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. Prior to retiring, Roger was employed at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft as an Engineer for 38 years. He was a United States Army Air Corp veteran of World War II. Roger loved traveling, fishing, skiing and volunteering as a driver for the Red Cross. He was a longtime communicant at the Church of St. Patrick in Farmington where he served as an usher. Besides his wife of 54 years, he is survived by his daughter, Virginia Johnson and her husband Steve of Orlando, FL, his son, David Bourquin and his wife Ann Marie of West Hartford, his daughter, Mary Bourquin and her husband Dan Troxell of Des Moines, IA, his sister, Elizabeth L. Bourquin of Washington, and his grandchildren, Brian Osso and his fiancée Dana Lynn, Alex, Olivia and Samuel Bourquin and Andrew and Sophie Troxell. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Friday (Mar. 18) from 6:00-8:00pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Saturday (Mar. 19) at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Patrick, Farmington at 10:00am. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lyme Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 332, Tolland, CT 06084 or to the Church of St. Patrick, 110 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032.

Will Druzinsky, from Farmington, died suddenly and sadly on March 16. Will was a gentle, kind soul, an adored son of Katie Bradley and Paul Druzinsky and a wonderful brother to Jamie and Bradley. Will’s life was defined by his passion for music and travel, and his friendships with all who met him. Will’s passions were evident as he studied guitar and voice, while quoting Nietzche and Eastern philosophers. Will left us too early, but left everyone he ever touched with memories that will live on forever. In addition to his parents, Will is survived by his brothers, Jamie and Bradley; his step father, Eric Ben-Kiki; step brothers, Kieran and Stanton; maternal grandparents, Orren and Marilyn Bradley; aunts and uncles, Robert and Renee Druzinsky, Michael Druzinsky, Bruce and Karen McElroy, Jay and Beth Bradley, Mark and Dianne Bradley, and cousins: Rachael, Leah, Colin, Christopher, Anna, Tom, Katie, Austin, Caroline, and Allison. We invite friends and family to celebrate and remember Will’s life on Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m. in the Meetinghouse, 75 Main Street, Farmington. Will adored children and music, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Horns for Kids, an organization that supports providing children and schools with musical instruments and musical support in Connecticut schools. Donations may be made online through hornsforkids.org or by check to Horns for Kids, 159 Pelham Ave, Hamden, CT 06518-2524. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

Mariana Tedjasukmana-Chappell, 47, of Farmington, beloved wife of Robert A. Chappell, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 10th. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, October 7th, 1963, daughter of Alfredo and Helena (Tendean) Tedjasukmana of Indonesia. Mariana graduated with a degree in Economics from Trisakti University in Jakarta and received her MBA from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford. She was previously employed as Client Manager at Dentsu Advertising Agency, was an Executive Client Manager at Lintas Advertising Agency, and was VP Corporate Finance at Citibank all in Jakarta, where she received numerous accolades, including ones from Margaret Thatcher and Colin Powell. While in the United States, she was a Premier Banker at Bank of America in Simsbury and most recently had been employed at Merrill Lynch in Farmington. Mariana was a communicant at the Church of St. Patrick in Farmington where she was very active in the CCD program. Besides her husband and parents, she is survived by her daughter, Teresa T. Chappell of Farmington, her sister, Caroline Battaglia and her brother, Marcel Tedjasukmana both of California. She was predeceased by her sister, Cecilia Tedjasukmana. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Sunday (Mar. 13) from 2:00-5:00pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Monday (Mar. 14) at 10:00am in the Church of St. Patrick, 110 Main St., Farmington. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of St. Patrick, 110 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032 or to the St. Francis Hospital Cancer Center, 114 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105.