William Jerome Bellis (Bill), of Darien, CT, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023, at the age of 92 surrounded by his family. He bravely fought lung cancer for over a year.

Bill was born on May 12, 1930, in New York, NY to the late William Bellis and Anne Gallagher Bellis. His parents were immigrants from Liverpool, England and Donegal, Ireland respectively. Bill graduated from Blessed Sacrament High School, in New Rochelle, NY, where he played on the basketball and baseball teams. He went on to earn a BA in History from Iona College in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 training for the Korean War.

Bill married the late Norma De Rosa Bellis in 1958 in New Rochelle and later moved to Darien, CT in 1965 where they raised their family. He served on the Representative Town Meeting for three terms and as the Personnel Advisory Commissioner for the Town of Darien in the 1970s. Bill was an active member of the Darien Men’s Association and founded the Happy Wanderers who enjoyed many walking tours of NYC through the 1990s and early 2000s.

He worked for 28 years at Olin Corporation in Stamford, CT as a computer programmer and systems analyst. Bill was a dedicated mentor to many of his younger co-workers.

He enjoyed the NY Giants, golf, bowling, movies, cooking, long lunches and dinners of all cuisines, jokes, computers, and above all else – his family. Bill traveled extensively with Norma in retirement including trips to: Italy, Ireland, England, France, Greece, Egypt, China, and Israel. He also made a cameo appearance in the 2019 feature film: “The Climb.”

Bill will be remembered most by his family and friends as a good-natured, loyal, and dependable Father, Grandfather, and friend. Bill’s level-headedness, kindness, advice, humor, and generosity will always be valued.

He is survived by three children: Stephen and his wife Barbara Bellis of Shelton, CT, Sandra Bellis Graf and her fiancé Robert Moore of Rowayton, CT, Art and his wife Mary Bellis of Darien, CT; seven grandchildren: Michael and his wife Deanna Bellis, Matthew Bellis, Lindsay and her husband Joseph Druhan, Douglas and Cara Parks, Alison and Sarah Bellis; and two great-grandchildren: Clare and Grace Bellis. Bill’s older sister, Mary Bellis Keilly, passed away in 2020.

A visitation will be held on January 20th from 4:00 to 6:30PM at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. Bill will be laid to rest at a private family ceremony at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Cancer Society to help fund Cancer Research.

https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html

David Macowan Sinclair, 94, passed away at his home in Darien, Connecticut, on December 15th, 2022.
Dave was born in Philadelphia in 1928. He grew up in Germantown, Pennsylvania, where he attended the Germantown Friends School. When his family moved to Riverside, Connecticut in 1941, he spent one year at The Riverside School and then went to The St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, Connecticut.
In 1950, Dave graduated with a B.A. in history from Amherst College and immediately began working for T.D. Helprin, Inc. in New York as a marine surveyor. This was the start of a fascinating fifty-year career with the same firm, of which he later became the sole owner and president. He loved his job, and it took him all over the world. As an independent hired by major insurance and shipping companies, he investigated and solved cases of how, where, when, and by whom multi-million-dollar shipments of goods were damaged, lost, or stolen. His loss examinations and findings formed the basis for thousands of major claim settlements. During the Korean War, Dave served for two years in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California, and attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1957, he received his MBA in foreign trade from New York University.
Dave was a lifelong accomplished sailor, a respected offshore seaman, and a sought-after navigator. At an early age, he learned to sail while summering at Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania. His family joined the Riverside Yacht Club in 1941, where he entered the Jr. Sailing Program, and he later taught sailing at the Pequot Yacht Club. By the time he was eighteen, he had secured a spot in the afterguard aboard the yacht Niña with DeCoursey Fales. He participated in eleven Newport to Bermuda Races and numerous Vineyard, Annapolis, and Block Island Races on Niña, Walter Hanson’s Recluta, and on his brother-in-law Tony Widmann’s Freebooter. He considered himself fortunate to have sailed once on the fabled Ticonderoga, when she finished first in the memorable 1947 Halifax Race. At age sixteen, he was on board the winning Lightning at the 1944 North American Championships, and forty-two years later, he was a crew member on the winning boat at the 1986 Sonar North Americans. He joined the Cruising Club of America in 1956, and at the time of his passing, he was the second longest-standing active member.
In 1956, Dave married Susan Widmann. They first lived in Cos Cob, Connecticut, before relocating to Darien, Connecticut, in 1958. They soon joined Noroton Yacht Club and started racing sailboats together as an inseparable team in their Lightning, Tempest, J-24 and Sonar for the next forty years. They often cruised the New England Coast and the Virgin Islands by themselves and with their family. Sue and Dave had an extraordinary relationship. They were completely dedicated to the common interests and activities that they shared together and were supportive, respectful, and admiring of each other’s individual pursuits. They endured the loss of a 10-year-old son but managed somehow to channel their grief into nurturing and encouraging their own children, as well as supporting and mentoring other kids through their own personal endeavors and/or life challenges.
Dave was tirelessly dedicated to serving the sailing community and volunteering in his town and neighborhood. Among these efforts were co-founding the Darien Jr. Sailing Program, chairmanship of the Jr. Sailing Association of Long Island Sound, commodore of the Noroton Yacht Club, he was a certified US Sailing Judge and Senior Race Officer, a member of the US Sailing Appeals Committee of Long Island Sound, chairman of the US Sailing Area B Jr. Championships, founder and chairman of the Five Mile River Commission, treasurer and longtime board member of the Darien Nature Center, president of the Darien Historical Society, a board member and trustee of the Darien Land Trust, and he served on the Darien RTM and the Planning and Zoning Commission. He also consulted on the specifications and purchase of the Darien Fire Boat. Dave held many of these positions concurrently, and it is a testament to his commitment that he was able to manage it all while working and raising a family. The Darien Nature Center recently established the David Sinclair Volunteerism Award, which “is given annually to an individual in the community who embodies the volunteer spirit and commitment to the land, air, and waterways that Dave Sinclair has shown over his 25+ years of service to the Darien Nature Center.” In 1982, he received the prestigious Ned Anderson Award for his outstanding contributions to sailing on Long Island Sound.
He had an incredibly inquisitive mind and devoured books and publications covering all subject matters. Though history and the natural world were his primary interests, he knew an awful lot about most things and a little bit about everything else. Dave even jumped out of a perfectly good airplane at 12,000 ft. to skydive over Block Island on his 85th birthday to “get a different perspective.” But he will likely be remembered mostly for his grace, his calm demeanor, his thoughtful and sound decision-making, his moral courage, and for showing genuine interest in and kindness towards all those who he knew and met. A neighbor wrote after his passing, “This makes me sad. One of my greatest fears has always been that I will become a bitter old man. Dave was an example of the opposite of that. He serves as an inspiration to me as to how I want to be as my life progresses. He is truly a role model.”
Dave was predeceased by his wife, Susan Widmann Sinclair; a son, Timothy Biddle Sinclair; his parents, Mary Biddle and John Stephens Sinclair; sisters Polly Buck Krakora and Sylvia Carr Berking, and his brother, John Biddle Sinclair. He is survived by his son Craig and daughter Margot, his son-in-law Scott Mannka, and grandchildren Peter, Jason, Chris Mannka, and Lindy Sinclair.
He lived a long, meaningful, and regret-free life that impacted many people and many things. Dave is going to be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, his amazing extended family, and scores of wonderful, caring friends and neighbors. Details regarding a gathering to pay him tribute will be announced this Spring.
To help preserve and protect the place he loved most, his family asks that you consider making a donation in his memory to The Block Island Conservancy, P.O. Box 84, 234 Weldon’s Way, Block Island, RI 02807 https://biconservancy.org

David Dean Lindsay, 75, longtime resident of Norwalk, CT, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep during his favored afternoon nap on April 12th, 2022.
He unknowingly spent his final days doing the things he loved – visiting with dear friends, watching the Masters with his family, volunteering at Person to Person and doing Sudoku in the sunshine with his trusty sidekick, Millie.
David was born and raised in Greenwich CT, son of the late Gordon and Mary Stewart Lindsay. He attended Trinity Pawling School, class of 1964, and St Lawrence University, class of 1968, where he enjoyed lacrosse and razzing SAE pledges.
While not long enough, David lived many lifetimes in his 75 years. He spent his early days teaching skiing at Stratton, working at Olin Ski Company, helping to build Snowbird Ski Resort and ripping it up in a few Warren Miller films. He then returned to his lifelong passion for sailing as Vice President of UK Sailmakers for 15 years. His storied sailing career brought him all over the world – 27,000 miles aboard the Ondine, winning every major ocean race in the Atlantic in 1968, and he would continue on to race in the Southern Ocean Racing Conference and the Bermuda Race 10 times in the next 10 years. When he decided to become an adult he joined his brother-in-law’s company, Rand Insurance, as VP of Sales and Marketing in their New Canaan office where he spent the next 32 years until he retired in 2020.
David was an avid outdoorsman, loving nothing more than a day hunting at Ten Mile River Preserve, shooting (the breeze) at Weston Gun Club or his retirement “job” dog handling at Clove Valley with Millie at his side. Hunting and fishing trips with his buddies to Mexico, Costa Rica, Wales, Columbia and Argentina were never discussed in detail when he returned home. In the summer he enjoyed golfing at Silvermine Golf Club, finally getting a much deserved hole-in-one just last year; and he was so excited when his longtime Noroton Yacht Club finally built a real bar so they could mix up his signature DL specials.
David was also a dedicated volunteer, fundraising for organizations dear to his heart for decades, notably WGC Community Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, CT State Golf Association, and most recently, volunteering at the Open Door Shelter and Person to Person.
David was a man with many nicknames, countless amazing friends and a fabulous mustache, but most importantly, his world revolved around his family. His sweet and patient wife of 43 years, Teal; his loving daughter, Adare; his son-in-law and dear friend, Patrick Kiely; and the light of his life, and perhaps his proudest accomplishment, his beautiful grandchildren, Spencer (6) and Griffin (3). He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Whittaker; and his sister-in-law Suzanne Rand; and their beloved families. He was predeceased by his brother, Gordon Lindsay.
“Davey” will be greatly missed by so many who loved him dearly.
A memorial service will be held later this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Person to Person in Darien or Open Door Shelter in Norwalk.

Austin Richard Schraff passed away on August 17, 2021 at the age of 87. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Austin counted his days as a Cleveland paper boy as a key factor in building the work ethic that would lead him to success later in life. He fondly recalled as a boy taking the bus by himself to Cleveland Browns games at Cleveland Stadium and the Cleveland Zoo, which spoke to his sense of independence. As a high school graduate, Austin enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a pilot navigator in the Korean War. After his service, Austin attended Miami University of Ohio. One of his early jobs was working for International Paper, but he eventually moved on to Wall Street as an institutional investor. He established relationships with clients nationally, with a focus on San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Austin met his beloved wife, Ann (since divorced), while skiing at Mont Tremblant near Montreal. Both were avid sportspersons and sports fans during their marriage, attending college and professional football games, as well as many U.S. Open tennis tournaments at Forest Hills and Flushing Meadows. Austin and Ann passed this zeal for sports to their sons, Scott, Greg and Richard, each of whom played college lacrosse—Scott at Brown University and Duke University, Greg at Duke University, and Richard at Michigan State University.

Austin raised his family in Wilton, Connecticut, where he was a member of the Wilton Riding Club and a multi-year winner of the club’s tennis tournaments. While in Wilton, Austin pursued his passion for flying by piloting his Bellanca Super Viking single-engine plane on the weekends in Connecticut, including buzzing over the family home, and taking trips from coast to coast and to the Caribbean to visit friends and on family vacations. Austin was a member of the Darien Men’s Association, and loved the group’s guided historical walking tours of New York City. He was also an avid bridge player, paddle tennis player and golfer. Austin was a longtime and active member of The Connecticut Golf Club, Easton, Connecticut, and Sankaty Head Golf Club, Nantucket, Massachusetts. He loved playing golf competitively and was a regular participant in, and winner of, the Sankaty member-member, member-guest, and the Fall Classic tournaments. Austin played competitive golf until 2019.

Austin is survived by his former wife, Ann, of Phoenix, Arizona; sons, Scott (Barclay) of Phoenix, Arizona, Greg (Nicole) of Durham, North Carolina, and Richard of Nantucket, Massachusetts; brother Tim (Bonnie) of Vermilion, Ohio, sister Diane Tomlinson of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren Arden Schraff, Quintin Schraff, Meade Schraff, Lucy Schraff and Ellie Andrews; and nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Austin and Gertrude, and his sister Marilyn.

The family was assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.

William Harlowe Miller, Jr. of Norwalk, Connecticut passed away peacefully at Stamford Hospital on August 30, 2021, after a long bout with dementia. He was born on April 22, 1939 in Mineola, NY to William Harlowe Miller and Martha Clarke Miller of Lloyd Harbor, New York. Bill attended Phillips Exeter Academy (class of 1957) where he played on the varsity soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse teams. He then attended Princeton University, where he played on the varsity ice hockey team and was a member of the Ivy Club. After graduating from Princeton in 1961, Bill served in the U.S. Navy, during which time he sailed on a destroyer, the USS Strong, and achieved the rank of Lieutenant. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1963, Bill earned his JD from Syracuse University College of Law in 1966. He also married Jean Piersol of Philadelphia in 1966. After living in New York City for a few years, Bill and Jeanie settled in their current house in Wilson Point, Connecticut.

Bill was a trusts and estates attorney, initially with Humes, Botzow, Wagner, and Miller, and finished his distinguished career as a partner at Davidson Dawson & Clark, LLP of New York and New Canaan. He retired in 2014. Always generous with his time, Bill leaves a legacy of volunteering and service to the activities and cultures that provided him with so much joy throughout his life. He coached his sons’ hockey teams in the Darien Youth Hockey Association, served on the Board of Trustees of Greens Farms Academy, the Board of Directors of the Amateur Ski Club of New York (ASCNY), and the Board of Directors of the Wilson Point Property Owners Association, for which he served as Secretary for 30 years.

In addition to ice hockey and skiing in Vermont and Utah, one of Bill’s primary passions was sailing. He grew up racing Atlantics and other one-design boats on Long Island Sound at the Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club. He went on to race in numerous Newport-Bermuda Races, Block Island Races, Vineyard Races, and Halifax Races. He also loved cruising the waters of the northeast with his family. He was a member of the Norwalk Yacht Club, the New York Yacht Club, the Corinthians, and the North American Station of Royal Scandinavian Yacht Clubs. In addition to his accomplishments on the water, and in keeping with his spirit of giving, Bill served as a board member and Chairman of the Junior Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound in the 1980s. He was also a board member of the Norwalk Yacht Club and its Junior Sailing Program, for which he served as Chairman from 1981 through 1984.

Bill was a modest, unassuming soul who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Jeanie, his two sons, William H. Miller, III (Rachael) of Crested Butte, Colorado and Thomas P. Miller (Sara) of Sammamish, Washington, and four grandchildren, Paige, Ellie, Brooks, and Skyler, who were the little lights of his life. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Miller Massey and his brother, Ludlow Clarke Miller, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

A memorial service will be held on October 9, 2021 at Saint Luke’s Parish in Darien, CT at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Norwalk Maritime Center by posting this link to your browser: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/donate.

Smooth sailing, Grandad.

Michael George Heitz, 71, died unexpectedly on August 26, 2021 in Darien, CT. He was born on November 14,1949 in Indianapolis, Indiana to George and Helen Crofts Heitz. While his dad pursued a career at Aetna, his family moved frequently, and Mike could claim Indianapolis, Miami, South Bend, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Peoria, and Simsbury as “home.” He credited his attendance at three different high schools for his ease in all social interactions. It gave him the lifelong skill of making friends.

Mike graduated from the University of Illinois in 1971 as a Certified Public Accountant and began a career in Public Accounting at Haskins and Sells in Hartford. He was then hired by Coopers and Lybrand and moved to New York City, where he spent most of his career. Mike earned his law degree from Fordham School of Law in 1980 while working full time. He became a Partner at Coopers and Lybrand in 1984, then moved to Arthur Andersen where he became a partner in 1991. Mike had a private practice in Tax Law and Accounting, and then joined TIAA-CREF as the Associate General Counsel. He ended his career as the Senior Tax Counsel for Voya Financial, Inc., and retired in 2017.

Mike wanted to provide his family with the stability of growing up in one community and chose Darien in 1991. Through the years he coached Little League teams and was on the Boards of the Darien Art Center and the Darien Nature Center. He cheered all of his children on through soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and hockey games. When he retired, Mike became actively involved in the Darien Men’s Association and the Representative Town Meeting, serving on the Finance Committee. He never missed a meeting.

Mike was perpetually curious and had a keen interest in politics and history. He thought before he spoke or wrote and recognized the power of words. He was a true friend to many and kept in touch with friends from every aspect of his life. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a ready laugh. He enjoyed traveling, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. He still did all his own yardwork.

Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy Wood Heitz. He was immensely proud of son Matthew, his wife, Ashley, grandsons Harrison and Oliver, of Glen Allen, Virginia, daughter Caitlin Sommer, her husband Lucas and sons Cameron and Benjamin of Lake Oswego, Oregon, and son Nick and his wife, Kelsey, of Darien. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Blanc, her daughter Laura, Laura’s husband, Adam, and son, Hunter.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Tuesday August 31, 2021 at 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Person to Person, 1864 Post Road, Darien, CT.

Howard “Tom” Thompson passed away on May 29. He was 89 years old.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Tom spent his childhood years in New Canaan and ultimately raised his family in Darien. After graduating from Middlebury College in 1953, Tom served in the United States Navy. Tom married Ann Hilton in 1958. Together they raised two children. In business, he enjoyed a successful career as an advertising executive, including vice-president for Benton & Bowles Advertising Agency.

During his 63 years in Darien, he served as Treasurer of Noroton Presbyterian Church, Chairman of the Darien Red Cross, and President of The Darien Senior Men’s Association (2002-2003). Tom volunteered for the Stamford-based Meals on Wheels organization.

 
Tom enjoyed time with his family on numerous vacations in the Caribbean and summers in Plymouth, MA and Cape Cod. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and also cheered for the Patriots, as his granddaughter is a New England Patriots cheerleader.

In addition to his wife, Ann, Tom is survived by his two daughters, Cynthia Thompson Daniska (Michael) of Bethel, CT and Betsy Thompson of Darien. Tom is also survived by two grandchildren, Scott Daniska and Lauren Daniska, both of whom reside in the Boston area.

A private family memorial will take place in Plymouth, MA in August. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s memory to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 27 Cannon Road, Wilton, CT 06897.

David H. Crandall died peacefully on March 13, 2021 with family by his side. He was 89 years old.

Born in Oswego, NY, Dave raised his family in Darien where he was exceptionally active in the life of the community, from church vestry member to volunteer firefighter. He also served on various town committees ultimately becoming Chairman of the Board of Finance for the Town of Darien.

After graduating from Colgate University in 1953 and then serving as a captain in the Marine Corps, Dave met Jane Fox in New York City. They married in 1959. Together they raised four children in Darien. Dave may be most remembered for his genuine connection with people. Regardless of one’s station in life, Dave had an easy way of bonding with anyone. When you spoke to him, you knew he cared about you.

Dave and his family were long-time members of St. Luke’s Parish in Darien where he served as senior warden among other volunteer roles. That participation in the church led to further involvement with the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University where he served as Board Chair from 1991-99 and received an honorary doctorate degree in 1999. In business Dave built a successful career in real estate.

No remembrance of Dave would be complete without mentioning his passion for fire engines. Having served as a volunteer fireman with Noroton Fire Department, Dave loved everything about firefighting. His boyhood fascination never left him.
Dave was an avid sailor. Some of his happiest memories were sailing with his family on Long Island Sound and Buzzards Bay.
In addition to his wife Jane, Dave is survived by his four children, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Robert A. “Bob” Riith, OFS, 83, husband of the late Patricia E. Riith of Darien, passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2021, peacefully at home.

Born November 2, 1937, to Engelbert J. and Frances M. Riith, Bob, raised in Greenwich, CT, was a longtime resident of Darien, CT.  Mr. Riith attended Greenwich High School, and served in the Army Reserves. Bob was Sewer Superintendent for the Town of Darien for over 30-years. Bob was an enthusiastic volunteer, serving as a firefighter with the NHFD, Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 53, and involved in Darien youth athletics.

Bob was a member of St. Thomas More Church in Darien. He was a Third Order Franciscan, and a Member of the Holy Spirit Fraternity in Fairfield. Bob served in the Masons, Shriners, and Knights of Columbus organizations. Bob is survived by his daughter Frances, and sons Robert A. Jr., and Michael. Additionally, Bob is survived by his three sisters, Barbara Gleason, Kathleen Duffy, and Karen Landers. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, a great granddaughter, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated this Tuesday at 10:30AM in St. Thomas More Church in Darien. Attendance is limited. Please e-mail: BobRiith37@gmail.com to attend in person. The Mass is available online at www.stmdarienct.org For more information visit www.collins-funeral.com

Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org. Arrangements are in the care of Collins Funeral Home, Norwalk, CT. Please visit www.collinsfh.com/obituaries for the full obituary and to leave condolences.

Tom Glover, 90, who for years did a caricature of each DMA president for this newsletter, died peacefully on December 17 in Exeter, New Hampshire. Tom was a caricaturist with a unique ability to capture the essence of those he drew, and he touched thousands of people with his cheerful perception.
He was born in New York and raised in Great Neck, Long Island. The course of Tom’s life took a decisive turn when he headed north to St. Lawrence University, where he honed his drawing skills at a local watering hole called the Tick Tock, where his caricatures hung. He graduated in 1952, and after serving in the Army, Tom returned each year to draw new SLU students. A blind date was arranged with one of the new coeds, and Tom’s fate was sealed.

Tom and his wife Diane went on to make a wonderful life based in Rowayton and were married for 62 years. From an ever-busy home studio Tom built a thriving business. A private service will be conducted at Christ Church in Exeter on December 27, with a Committal service to follow during warmer weather in Rowayton.