Ahern Funeral Home Condolences

Gemma T. (Begin) Dubord, 84, beloved wife of the late Albert Dubord, passed away Friday, (July 20, 2012) following a long illness. Born in Bristol, CT, the daughter of the late Emile and Emelia (Gaudette) Begin, she made her home in Unionville for the past 48 years. Gemma was a retired seamstress having served the local community with her expert sewing and alterations capability. In addition to her sister, Gyslenne Ricci of West Hartford and her sister-in-law, Emelda Martin of Florida, she is survived by her three daughters, Elaine Ziolkowski and her husband Kirk of Avon, CT, Jeanne Tinker and her husband Tom of Bristol, CT, Joanne Romitelli and her husband Randy of Granby, CT, her grandchildren, Brian Lee and his wife, Jodi, Jennifer Norfleet and her husband Josh, Robert Taylor and his wife Rachel, Shannon Violette and her husband Phil, Don Tinker, Liz Harris and her husband Dan, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Unionville on Monday (July 23) from 6-8 p.m. The funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Tuesday (July 24) at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Funeral Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church, 144 Main Street, Unionville at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery, Lovely Street, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gemma’s memory to the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association, 8 Old Mill Court, Simsbury, CT 06070 or the Hebrew Health Hospice, 1 Abrahams Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06117-1525.

Emile Edward (Eddie) Yandow, Jr., 78 of Farmington, CT, beloved husband of Suzanne (Bartose) Yandow, passed away Friday, (July 20, 2012) surrounded by his loving family. Eddie was the son of Emil and Mildred Yandow. He was predeceased by his brother Ronald and leaves two sisters, Ruth Hull of Elizaville, NY and Faith MacKesson of West Hartford. A blue eyed cuddly curmudgeon, he was known to family and friends as a knowledgeable, kindhearted, good natured, humble man who was always ready to lend both his expertise and a strong helping hand to anyone he could benefit. Eddie was born in Farmington (Oakland Gardens), on January 30, 1934. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1952 and promptly went to work for Bartlett Brainard Products in West Hartford. Eddie married Patricia (LaFleur) Yandow on October 4, 1952; they were married 34 years. Ed lost Patricia to cancer in 1986 and is survived by their three daughters, Vickie Wysokinski and her husband John of Baltimore, MD, Phyllis Bell and her husband Richard, Cathy Davis and her husband Robert both of Farmington. Eddie later married Suzanne (Bartose) Yandow on October 18, 1986; they were married for over 25 years and is survived by their “bonus baby” Christine Yandow of Farmington. Eddie was a self-made man. Daring to follow his dreams and not afraid of hard work, Eddie became owner of Bartlett Brainard Products in the spring of 1982. He was also Past President of the Farmington Exchange Club, a member of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Farmington Country Club. Eddie was also a golf enthusiast and loved to play when he was able. Eddie was blessed with six grandchildren, John Wysokinski Jr, Wendi (Wysokinski) Vain, Jennifer (Amundsen) Cisowski, Ellen (Davis) Lagassie, Beth (Amundsen) Peterson and Marci (Davis) Grosholz and 14 great grandchildren with two more on the way plus numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, Eddie leaves his best and life long friend, Swede Magnuson of North Palm Beach, FL and Linda Waterman of Farmington who was like one of his own daughters.
Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Unionville on Tuesday (July 24) from 3-8 p.m. The funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Wednesday (July 25) at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Funeral Liturgy at Church of St. Patrick, Main Street, Farmington at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. Memorial contributions may be made to the Farmington Community Chest, P.O. Box 60, Farmington, CT 06034 or the Farmington Exchange Club, P.O. 452, Farmington, CT 06034.

It is with heavy hearts and many happy memories that we announce the passing of Katherine (Seery) Shea on July 15th. Katie was born in Hartford on November 12th, 1933 to the late James T. and Katherine (Brewer) Seery. Kathy attended Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Hartford and received degrees in English and French from Annhurst College. She worked at The Hartford Courant until she married her late husband Jim and moved to Farmington to a start a family together. Kathy leaves behind her five children, Kathleen Shea Piccirillo and her husband Bill of Derby; Sally Wollenberg and her husband Bill of Unionville; James Shea Jr., and his wife Audrey of Farmington; Terence Shea and his wife Colleen of Unionville; and Tracy Fillian and her husband Marshall of Unionville, her brother, James Seery and his wife Barbara of Berlin, and her three sisters-in-law, Jean and Geraldine Shea of Wethersfield and Harriet Shea of West Hartford. Kathy also leaves behind her six beloved grandchildren, Katherine, Christina, Marshall, Patrick, Kelly and Erin and many nieces and nephews as well as many close neighborhood friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband James B. Shea, her son Kevin Shea, her grandson Bernard Shea, her sister Mary Seery, her sister Margaret Rossini and her husband James, her brother Robert Seery and her brother-in-law John Shea. Kathy lived her life with a quiet strength and will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday (July 19) at 10:30am in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville followed by burial in the family plot at St. Mary Cemetery, Avon. (Everyone is asked to meet directly at church). There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunxis Hose Co. #1, P.O. Box 215, Unionville, CT 06085.

Geraldine B. Glynn, “Honey”, “Geri” passed away peacefully on July 15, 2012 with family at her bedside. Born November 27, 1931, daughter of the late James D. and Helen T. Glynn of Farmington. She was a resident of Farmington (Unionville) and Avon since 1950. She graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1949, later graduating from The Cooley Dickinson School of Radiology in Boston, MA. She worked at: St. Francis Hospital, Dr. Paul Kingston’s Office, East Hartford Radiology and Kaiser Permanente, retiring at the age of 65. She was a parishioner at the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville and belonged to St. Mary’s Woman’s Guild and The Farmington Woods Woman’s Club. Geri was a world traveler, well read, fabulous cook, organized, extremely clever and crafty, did beautiful needlework and a great knitter. She was a perfectionist at everything she did. She loved music, the arts and being with family and friends. We could always count on Honey for a special Christmas ornament and platter of cookies. Never married, her nieces and nephews were like her own children. Also very dear to Geri were the Cowans’ and their children. She is survived by her beloved sister Alice Steere of Simsbury, Dr. Thomas & Sally Glynn of Bonita CA, and Richard & Carol Glynn of Farmington. Her special nieces and nephews include: Jay Popielarczyk, David & Marie Popielarczyk, Kevin & Jennifer Popielarczyk, and Amy Popielarczyk; Theresa & John Santa Maria, and Ricky & Julie Glynn; Aaron & Britton Glynn, Brian & Dr. Nicole Glynn, and Allyson & future husband John Bull; and 11 very dear grand nieces and nephews. Honey has touched many lives and will truly be missed by all and is now at peace. Friends and family may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Wednesday (July 18) from 4-7 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday (July 19) at 9:00am in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Main Street, Unionville. Donations may be sent in memory of Geraldine Glynn to: Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Bidwell Square, Unionville, CT 06085; McLean Hospice, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070.

June B. Ray, beloved wife, mother and grandmother peacefully passed away at Arden Courts in Farmington, CT on June 26, 2012 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  She was married to her college sweetheart, Frank E. Ray, Jr. whom she met on a blind date at a Williams College vs. Amherst College football game. They were married in Yonkers, NY on January 23^rd, 1943. June and Frank were married for 69 years before his passing on February 19, 2012. June was born on April 14^th, 1920 in New York City, daughter of the late Dr. Edward A. Bishop and Beatrice (Curry) Bishop. June graduated from Barnard School for Girls in New York City, earned her B.A. degree from Mount Holyoke College and was then employed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  Their married life began in Amherst, MA where their three children were born, before moving to Holden, MA and then to Farmington, CT in 1965. June was active in her community. She was a Past President of the Farmington Garden Club, long time driver for Services for the Elderly Meals on Wheels, and a Friend of the Farmington Library. She was an avid reader and a loyal New York Yankee fan which was a must as her father was Lou Gehrig’s dentist.  June and Frank were  long time summer vacationers in Harwichport, MA, and enjoyed the winter months as snowbirds in Stuart, FL. June loved her gardens, the birds that frequented her bird feeders, her Weimaraner dogs, dining out on Wednesday night’s with her best friends and most of all chauffeuring her grandchildren home from elementary school. June is survived  by her children, Jeffrey B. Ray and his wife Valorie of Auburn, MA, Robin C. Ray of Farmington and Kevin S. Ray and his wife Paula of  Farmington.  June additionally leaves behind her 5 adored grandchildren, Katie, Andrew, Aimee, Hilary and Danny, her brother- in- law and sister- in- law George and Doris Ray of Middlebury, her sister-in-law Anna Lisa Ray of Barnegat Light, NJ, 3 nieces, 2 nephews and several grandnieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law Dr. Charles E. Ray. The burial will be private.  Family and friends are invited to a celebration of June’s life at 12:00 PM Sunday, July 29, 2012 at Apricot’s Restaurant in Farmington. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Farmington Garden Club P.O. Box 129, Farmington, CT 06034. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Arden Courts in Farmington and Masonicare in East Hartford for their kind and compassionate care of our mother.

Colonel Elliott G. Hawley, 95, The portrait of a dashing man, Elliott Hawley, is one of the last of “The Greatest Generation”. War Hero, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, he was gracious, kind, generous and always a gentleman, to the very end. Born Elliott Glens Hawley, on December 2nd, 1916, in Poughkeepsie NY, Elliott was the only son of Earl and Ethel Hawley. Elliott was an avid golfer; playing golf without a handicap by the time he was a teenager. All due to Elliott’s father’s desire to play every golf course in New England with his son. Elliott attended The Trinity Pawling School, and Hamilton College, where he was a member of the varsity golf team, class of 39. He then attended Fordham University where he met his wife to be, Rosalia Manzella, prior to his enlistment in the army, September 1943. He landed on Omaha beach in Normandy as a Second Lieutenant, on D-Day, 1944, after which he was assigned to The Third Army, under the command of General George S. Patton. He was awarded the Bronze Star, “For his heroic achievements during battle, in the vicinity of Coudry, France…” He received a battlefield promotion to 1st Lieutenant in August, 1944, and served under General Patton for the remainder of the war, fighting in The Battle of The Bulge, the liberation of the Flossenburg concentration camp, and was one of four officers who located the Merkers salt mines where the Nazis had hidden the priceless art they had looted from throughout Europe. He was awarded The Purple Heart and a second Bronze Star, Oak Leaf cluster, January 1945, returning home from Germany in March of 1946, a Captain. After the war he married Rosalia Manzella, his wife of 66 years, and went to work for IBM in New York City as an Executive. He continued his military career in the Army Reserve, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel, in 1960, following the Korean War, retiring a full Colonel at the end of the Vietnam War. In 1955 Elliott and Rosalia moved to Farmington, Connecticut due to a transfer from IBM. He had a passion for antiques and automobile collecting. Elliott’s automobile collection included Duesenbergs, Cords, Packards, a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, and a dozen or more different Jaguars. When he wasn’t collecting, or busy bringing up four children and participating in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, he was busy as a longtime member of the St. James Episcopal Church Vestry, and a lay reader. He attended weekly services every Sunday until he was unable, due to his health. In his town, Elliott led the commission that worked in conjunction with the MDC of Connecticut to create the water treatment plant, and a public water and sewer system for the Town Of Farmington – The Farmington Town Council unanimously naming a street “Elliott Hawley Lane” after him in gratitude. Elliott was a Son of the American Revolution, and president of The Hawley Family Society in Hawleyville, Connecticut for more than 10 years. He is survived by, his wife Rosalia Hawley, their four children, Cynthia Hawley Bonilla, Stephen Hawley, Patricia McDermott, and Richard Hawley, their seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, his sister, Ethelyn Mund, and his three nephews, David and Douglas Mund, and Dr. Joseph Manzella. A Memorial service will take place at 1:00 pm, Saturday, July 14th in St. James Episcopal Church, 3 Mountain Road, Farmington, Ct. 06032.

Alicja Mazur, 56, of Avon, beloved wife of Scott Mazur, passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 6^th with her loving family by her side. Born in Poland, June 27^th, 1956, daughter of the late Karzimierz and Genowefa (Cyrulik) Gajda, she resided in the Hartford area for 46 years. Alicja was a self -employed restaurant owner and a communicant at the Church of St. Ann in Avon. She enjoyed gardening, arts and crafts and was an animal lover. Besides her husband, she is survived by her two sisters, Jackie Mulcahy of Ellington and her children John Mulcahy of Ellington and Samantha Mulcahy of Port Wentworth, GA, and Eva Lanza and her husband Anthony Lanza and their children Jessica Lanza and Ericka Lanza all of Kensington, several aunts, uncles, cousins and her beloved dog Ziggy. She will be deeply missed by everyone whose life she touched. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Wednesday (July 11) from 6:00-8:00pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday (July 12) at 10:00am in the Church of St. Ann, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Philip S. Scott, 95, formerly of Farmington and Southington, husband of the late Mildred (Parsell) Scott to whom he was married to for 49 years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 5th. Born in Beverly, MA, May 19th, 1917, son of the late Ernest and Beatrice (Hennessey) Scott. Prior to retiring, Philip was a Production Manager at Pratt and Whitney, Division of UTC, East Hartford Plant for 10 years prior to becoming a Traffic Manager at Connecticut Printers in Bloomfield for over 25 years. He is survived by his seven children, Linda Robbins of Wallingford; Brian Scott and his wife Ernestina of Slidell, LA; Paul Scott and Lorrana of Chalmette, LA; Christopher Scott of Torrington; Deborah Booth and her husband Larry of Millerton, NY; Timothy Scott and his wife Cheryl of Newington; and Jonathan Scott and his wife Gay of Farmington; 16 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his second wife, Dorothy Scott, his son-in-law, Thomas Robbins and his two grandsons, Brian Scott Jr., and Charlie Perez Jr. Funeral services and burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, P.O. Box 78960, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

Anna Baron Broff, 99, of Farmington, widow of Edward L. Broff, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 5th. Born December 5th, 1912, daughter of the late John and Bernice Kairis Baron, she resided in Farmington for many years prior to moving to Jerome Home. Known to all as Nan, she was devoted to her family and especially enjoyed spending her summers with them in Old Lyme. Nan is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marion B. and Michael F. Halloran of Farmington, her daughter-in-law Barbara J. Broff of Middleton, MA, her grandchildren, Maribeth Halloran of Farmington, Katherine Gorman and her husband Senan of Farmington, Kevin Halloran and his wife Kirsten of Seattle, WA, Stephen Halloran and his wife Genevieve of Fairfield, Elizabeth Steffen and her husband Timothy of Farmington, Elena Halloran of Farmington, Crispin Broff of Hawaii, Michelle Broff of Middleton, MA, Gordon Broff and his wife Angi of Waltham, MA, and by her ten great-grandchildren: Senan, Gabrielle and Thatcher Gorman, Zelle, Harris, Smith and Teddy Halloran, Samantha, Drew and Annabelle Broff. She was predeceased by her son Edward L. Broff Jr. Nan’s family express their thanks and appreciation to the staff at the Jerome Home for their loving care of Nan in her final years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 10th at 11:00 AM in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville. Prior to the funeral mass family and interested friends may meet at 10:15am at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville, to pay their respects. Burial will be in the family plot at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jerome Home, 975 Corbin Avenue New Britain, CT 06052 or the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, 282 Washington Street Hartford, CT 06101