Category: In Memoriam (Page 9 of 9)

William “Bill” K. Flanagan Jr. was born and raised in South Orange, N.J. in 1926. He graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J., in 1944. Prior to graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and was assigned to the 144th Naval Construction Battalion Advance Base Construction Depot in Guam. He attended Navy officer training at the Univ. of Mississippi and was honorably discharged in June 1945.

In 1949, Bill received a B.A degree in history from Brown University, and in 1952, a J.D, degree in law from Rutgers Law School. He was a member of the bar in New Jersey and New York. He started his legal career as a litigator in his father’s firm in Newark, N.J., where he completed many jury trials. He then went to ITT Corporation where he worked for 30 years as an international corporate transaction attorney. He retired from ITT in 1987 as a senior legal officer of the company. For several years thereafter, Bill was an attorney for Walsh Construction Company, in Trumbull, CT.
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Eric N. Ferguson of Darien and Nantucket, MA passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4th surrounded by his loving family. He was 93.

Eric was born March 26, 1922 to George and Helen Ferguson in Motherwell, Scotland. The family emigrated to the United States in 1926 and settled in West Orange, NJ. He was a graduate of the West Orange High School, class of 1941. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy in Pensacola, FL. After the war, he attended Rutgers University.
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Robert Dale “Bob” Ready passed away at home at age 82 from complications of cancer on June 3, 2015. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 32 years, Jane Wolcott Ready; his children David Reedy (Culver, IN), Lauren Crittendon (Marlborough, MA), Rebecca Fanton (Amherst, MA); and five grandchildren, Rachel, Kyle, Claire, Evelyn, and Henry; a sister, Marjorie Dillabaugh, and a brother, Wayne (Pug) Ready (both of Indiana). A daughter, Eliza Oliver, predeceased him as did his parents, Eldon and Frances Snyder Ready, and two brothers, William and Richard.

Born in Otterbein, Indiana, on March 19, 1933, he was the 4th of five children. Bob enlisted in the Army in 1954 and served in northern Japan at the end of the Korean War.
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Harry Berkowitz brought graciousness wherever he went. Those around him found themselves engaged with someone inquisitive and insightful, with genuine interest in their life. His passion for life and consideration for others was remarkable. Harry, 81, died Saturday, March 15, 2014 while recovering from surgery in New York City.

His career as a retail executive at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sakowitz, and the Zale Corporation spanned 30 years and moved he and his family throughout the southeast United States before returning east to Norwalk, Connecticut in 1986. He served as President of the Yale Co-op for seven years until he retired in 1998. After he retired, he continued to consult, sharing his experience with retailers in need for several years.
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Member Louis J. Pernicka passed away on August 31, 2013, aged 89.

Lou was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army Air Force, and served in WW II as a member of the 57th Fighter Group, 66th Fighter Squadron.

Later, Lou was instrumental in the design and set-up of the P47 Exhibit at the New England Air Museum, where he was also a active volunteer.

He was a retired vice president at American Can Company in the Industrial Engineering Division. Lou was a Life-time Learner at Norwalk Community College and a long time member of the Darien Men’s Club. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 54 years, Violet M. Pernicka, and a daughter Gayle Ann Gabrielli.
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He was born on New York’s upper west side nearly 99 years ago; he was not a big man but he filled a huge space with his enormous intellect and heart to match.

Racing and cruising sailor, adventurer, musician, artist, World War Two superhero, Academy Award nominated film maker, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather -Hank Strauss had it all and did it all in his 98.75 years, and when he died of lymphoma Saturday evening he left a host of friends and disciples who will find a gap in their lives that no one else can fill.
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Members who passed away during the 2012-2013 term of the Darien Senior Men’s Association:

Jerry Vernon,

Dr. John Wilson

It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden passing last week of our great friend and beloved DMA member Wally Pugh.

Wally died on August 6, 2013 at age 78.

Wally was a man we could always count on for good advice, and a thoughtful, well-turned word or two about current activities.
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SMA wishes to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Connie Finnegan on their loss.

SMA wishes to express our deepest sympathy to the family of Jerry Vernon on their loss.

Members who passed away during the 2011-2012 term of the Darien Senior Men’s Association:

Fred Farwell,

Bob Ferguson,

Sal Giarranta,

Jim Harris,

John Hinrichs,

Don Miller,

Phil Morehouse,

Jack Ritchey,

Phillips Terhune