Hartford Courant Obituaries

Former longtime Courant reporter dies after ‘a life well-lived.’

Staff report — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 10:00:33 +0000

Barbara W. Carlson of Branford, wife of the late Lawrence Rasie, died peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2024.

She was 95.

Barbara, (Bobbie, Barcar, Barbie) and Larry, who predeceased her in 2016, were veteran reporters for the Hartford Courant who lived in Middletown before moving to their seaside home in Branford more than 30 years ago.

Born and raised in Middletown, Barbara was the daughter of Arthur and Hester Carlson and sister to her brother, Jack. As a child she knew she wanted to be a writer. She attended the city’s then Woodrow Wilson High School, earned high honors, was named to the National Honor Society, served as editor of the school newspaper and became a high school correspondent for the Hartford Courant. She went on to study her craft, hone her skills and graduated from Wellesley College in 1950 with a B.A. in English. She continued her connection to Wellesley throughout her life by regularly contributing to the college’s monthly magazine.

Following graduation, she lived in Paris and traveled through Europe and returned to the U.S. to work briefly in radio, advertising, and publishing before turning her sights to newspapers. She joined the Hartford Courant in 1957 to work as a general assignment reporter covering breaking news, investigative stories and features.

While working for the Courant, she expanded her news perspective by taking on overseas assignments in the Middle East and Southeast Asia among other areas. Figures she interviewed ranged from Israel’s First Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to dinosaur expert John Ostrom to lion tamer Gunther Gebel-Williams. In 1966 the New England Women’s Press Association honored her with its annual Newspaper Woman of the Year award. After leaving the Courant, she worked as a general assignment reporter for several years at the Louisville Times, where she was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for a series on prisons.

She left the daily news business and became a regular contributor to The New York Times Connecticut Weekly section and for more than a decade filed stories on topics ranging from soup kitchens in the suburbs to the lives of nuns in a cloistered monastery. She also worked as a correspondent for Business Week reporting locally on national stories, and was a contributing editor to New England Business magazine writing profiles, stories on issues and trends, and a monthly feature on unusual entrepreneurial companies. In addition, she wrote for The New Republic, the National Observer, the Boston Globe, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and the Miami Herald, Modern Maturity, New England Monthly, and the Courant’s Northeast Magazine among many others. Her overseas reporting included writing stories from Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Afghanistan, China and the Soviet Union. She interviewed figures ranging from famous to familiar with ease. Her last assignments were at the Shoreline Times weekly when she was 90 years old.

Her longer term projects included writing the book Food Festivals: Eating Your Way from Coast to Coast, co-authoring the book Holidays and Festivals Dictionary, and serving as an editor for a synonym dictionary entitled The Synonym Finder, published by Rodale.

Barbara’s was a life well-lived. She enjoyed an enduring and expansive reporting career, travel to some of the world’s farthest reaches (especially Africa as seen by her large collection of giraffes), living in a century-old cottage on Long Island Sound, a long happy marriage to her beloved Larry, sharing conversations, laughter, and toasts with her close friends, and, of course, the company of the dogs she cared for and loved – the last one being her dear Kipling.

She leaves her niece Joanne (Bill) Kilmartin and faithful friends.

A private gathering to celebrate her rich life and to bid her a fond farewell will take place in the near future.

Memorial donations in the form of checks may be made out to The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (memo line – Bambi Bailey Fund), 70 Audubon St., New Haven, CT 06510.

Online gifts may be made using the link below:

https://www.cfgnh.org/funds/bambi-bailey-scholarship-fund

All information provided by her family.

Donald T. Eberhardt

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Happy Birthday. Greatly missed.
Loving memories will be in our hearts,
Love, Kathie and Children

Robert F. Gorman

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our dear father, Robert F. Gorman on January 17, 2025, at the age of 102. Born in Manchester, CT on July 12, 1922, Bob was the devoted son of the late Michael and Esther (Patton) Gorman, and loving brother of the late Thomas Gorman and stepbrother of the late Clarence Foley.
Bob attended St. James School and Manchester High School. A 1943 graduate of Niagara University, he also attended the University of Connecticut Law School and Graduate School of Business Administration.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the 557 Field Artillery, an experimental Battalion which was attached at different times to the Third Army, Fourth Army, Seventh Army and Ninth Army, participating in four major battles: The Battles of Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Germany.
In his earlier years Bob worked in the automotive and petroleum business, primarily as a senior salesman for Tidewater Oil Co. and as president of Gorman Brothers, Inc. In his later years he was employed by the State of Connecticut in various business and planning capacities with the State Comptroller, Department of Children Services, the Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Developmental Services (formerly DMR).
In his lifetime Bob served his community as President, Chairman or member of a myriad of civic committees and activities in his many different areas of interest, too numerous to list here but each deeply valued. Among recognitions he received were Citations from the Connecticut State Legislature on two different occasions for outstanding commitment in the field of mental retardation. In 1998 he received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Association on Mental Retardation, Connecticut Chapter. A man of deep faith, Bob was a lifelong member of St. James Parish in Manchester.
At the center of Bob’s life was his family. Bob is remembered as a loving husband, cherished father, grandfather and uncle, gifted with a sense of Irish humor and always available when needed. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Eleanor (Cronin) Gorman, mother of his five children, Marion Mooney (Joseph), Susan Mahoney (Paul), Maureen Gorman (Faisal), Michael Gorman (deceased) and Francis Gorman (deceased). He was also preceded in death by his dear second wife, Barbara (Weir-Perkins) Gorman. He leaves seven grandchildren, Christine Peyman (Jeff), Karen Fletcher (Calvin), Kellie Dunn, Meghan Mogan (Thomas), Matthew Mooney (Andrea), Colin Mooney (Beth), Erin Brown (Adam) and sixteen great-grandchildren all of whom he adored. Bob also leaves four nieces and a nephew, children of his deceased brother Tom, all of whom he was very close to. His devoted nephew Brian Foley preceded him in death.
The family wishes to extend a most grateful thank you to the doctor, nurses and support staff at the Arbors of Hop Brook, Beacon Hospice Care and Always Best Care Senior Services for their extraordinary expressions of loving care, compassion and professional excellence in caring for Bob. The family is deeply indebted to these treasured individuals.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Bob’s memory are asked to consider the St. James School Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 254, Manchester, CT 06045 or the Michael J. Gorman Fund for Persons with Disabilities, c/o The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, 68 Federal St., P.O. Box 769, New London, CT 06320.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT 06040. Calling hours are Thursday, January 23, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and Friday morning, January 24, from 9:30 – 10:30 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am at St. James Church, 896 Main Street, Manchester with burial to follow immediately at St. James Cemetery, Manchester, CT. For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.

Ann Marie Demers

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Ann Marie Demers passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 16 at the age of 84.
Born on May 22, 1940, in Peckville, PA to Anna and Frank Sulesky, she attended Onanodaga High School and graduated in 1957, then moved to Hartford, CT to begin work for Air France.
She met the love of her life, Second Lieutenant George A. Demers in 1958. They married in Syracuse NY in 1959 and two years later started a family with the arrival of their oldest son Martin (1961), followed by Christopher (1963) and Randi (1965).
In 1964. They moved to Suffield, CT where they remained until 1998. While Annie raised their boys, George flew around the world as a CTANG 103rd fighter pilot.
Because of her love of politics, she went to work for the CT legislature in 1979 after years of volunteer work on the Republican Town Committee and as a constable for the Town of Suffield.
While in Suffield, she and George developed a lifelong friendship with a special group who became an extension of family, traveling extensively and remaining close throughout their lives.
In 1998, they relocated to Niantic, CT before retiring to Viera, FL and finally Patrick Airforce Base where she became a “surrogate” mother/grandmother figure to many of the young families.
Patriotism was very important to Ann and George and one of her favorite times of day on base was 5:00 Retreat with the playing of our National Anthem.
Annie loved sports and her favorite pastimes were watching the Red Sox and Bruins. Bobby Orr was her favorite player.
Annie’s love of sports was evident from the countless hours she spent entertaining her boys with outside sports, including ice skating, baseball, kickball etc….
She was an active spectator at every baseball and hockey game for her sons, often times accompanying them to the locker room and tying their skates, and later, for her 4 grandsons. The rink was her favorite place to cheer on and support her grandsons who she was so very proud of.
Annie leaves behind her loving husband, Brigadier General George, her son Marty & wife Pam, Chris and his wife Jennifer, Randi and his wife Debbie and 6 grandchildren, including Jake, Trevor, Elliott, Maxwell, Angela and Alaina as well as her brother Jim Sulesky and family.
Her family will receive friends on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 4-7 pm at Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St. N. (Rt. 159), Suffield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 446 Mountain Rd., Suffield. To leave on-line condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com

Herbert Felsenfeld

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Herbert Felsenfeld, M.D., Ph.D. of Stamford, CT, formerly of West Hartford, CT, passed away peacefully in the early hours of January 19, 2025, a few months shy of age 95. He was born in The Bronx, NY to Joseph and May (Klein) Felsenfeld. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science and then enrolled at Columbia University College of Pharmacy where he earned his B.S. He continued at Columbia University earning his M.S. in Microbiology. From Columbia, he moved to New Haven, CT where he earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology at Yale University. After earning his Ph.D., Herbert joined the Commissioned Officer Corps of the Public Health Service of the U.S. Navy. He served as a Lt. Commander at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, doing research at the National Institute of Arthritis & Metabolic Diseases. He returned to Yale University where he earned his M.D. He remained at Yale where he taught Pharmacology & Toxicology before joining the founding faculty at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology. He left UConn to do a residency in Pediatrics at both St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT and at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, ultimately serving as Chief Resident in the Department of Pediatrics at UConn. He was in private practice for 2 years as a pediatrician before joining The Travelers Insurance Company, first as the Associate Medical Director and then as Medical Director. Throughout his medical career he continued to work as a physician in the Emergency Department at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. He was a lifelong Yankees fan, having attended his first game when Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio were on the roster. He was an avid philatelist, loved a good New York deli, enjoyed the opera and had a great sense of humor (although he was a man of few words). He was also a long time member of Congregation Tikvoh Chadoshoh. Despite his many educational and professional accomplishments, Herbert was most proud of his family. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 40 years Rita Ackerman Felsenfeld. He is survived by his devoted family, his daughter Marguerite Felsenfeld, her husband Steven and their children, his daughter Sally Potter, her husband Jonathan and their children. He is also survived by his brother Irving Felsenfeld, his wife Pearl and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Ursula Marx. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation Beth El, 109 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT, The Conservative Synagogue, 30 Hillspoint Road, Westport, CT, the Rita Felsenfeld Scholarship Fund at Solomon Schechter Day School, 26 Buena Vista Road, West Hartford, or the Rita Felsenfeld Fund for Basic Needs of the Jewish Children’s Service Organization (JCSO), P.O. Box 370386, Bishops Corner Branch, West Hartford, CT 06137-0386.
A funeral service is Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 11:00am at Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT followed by burial at Beth El Temple Cemetery, Jackson Road, Avon, CT. Please visit: weinsteinmortuary.com to leave an online condolence.

Lawrence C Deptula

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Lawrence C. Deptula, 54, of Somers, CT, passed away on December 26, 2024, unexpectedly of a heart condition. Born on July 13, 1970, Larry grew up in Manchester, CT where he also dedicated over two decades of his life as a teacher to the Manchester CT School District, nurturing and shaping the minds of countless students.
As a young man, Larry earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. As a passionate outdoorsman, Larry found solace and joy in hunting and fishing. His love for training his hunting dogs was evident as he and one of his dogs notably earned a Versatile Championship with the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, a testament to his dedication and skill. Larry loved to cook for family and friends and grew a large vegetable garden that he shared with all and used in his recipes.
Larry completed his education at East Catholic High School, followed by earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Rochester and Master’s Degree at St. Joseph College. He is survived by his mother, Dolores Deptula; sister, Elizabeth Davis; brother-in-law, Jeff Davis; nephew, Owen Davis; niece, Emma Davis; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as, his best friend Rocco DeSimone, and hunting buddies Neal Cunningham, Darrell York and many other friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Deptula. Larry requested that there be no services upon his death and only to share fond memories when together.

Judith A Mitchell

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Judith Ann (Carles) Mitchell, of Cromwell, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2024, at the age of 86. Born in Elgin, IL, Judy grew up in several homes throughout the Midwest before marrying her late husband Walter N. Mitchell. Together they continued to move several times before finally settling in New England where she built a life she loved with her family. Later in life, Judy found a love for travel both to visit family and friends in the Midwest, as well as the United States and Europe. In between her trips she enjoyed traveling locally to miniature and home and garden shows.
Judy was known for her love of dolls, miniatures, cards, jig saw puzzles, bingo, flowers and baking. She cherished her card groups and the friendships it fostered.
Judy is survived by her three daughters Diane Pillari (Vincent), Gail Emilsson (Rob Snyder) and Laurie Tomlinson (Marc); six grandchildren Vinnie Pillari, Dorian Pillari, Mikaela Emilsson, Alexander Tomlinson, Lily Snyder and Emma Tomlinson, and two great grandchilden Patrick and Eleanor Pillari all of whom she took pride in and cherished. She is preceded in death by her husband Walter N. Mitchell and brother John Carles.
A Celebration of Judy’s Life will be held on February 16, 2025 in the Event Center at Covenant Living of Cromwell, 52 Missionary Rd., Cromwell, CT from 2:00-4:00pm. Light refreshments and beverages will be served. .
Burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetery will be private, at her request.

Burton William Porter

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Burton William Porter, born October 25, 1944, entered into the presence of the Lord on January 11, 2025. He was the husband of Ruth (Higgins) Porter whom he married on January 9, 1961. Burton had resided in the town of Altona since he and Ruth move there in 1987 from East Hartford, CT.

Burton was the father of 3 children: Dianne Porter (Rich Farley), Burton Porter, Jr. (Zosia), and Edward Porter (Linda). He was the grandfather of 6: Sarah Moore (AJ), Burton Porter III (Summers), Jesse Porter, Cheyana Porter-Rizzo, Katrina Porter, and Morgan Porter. Also the great-grandfather of 6: Evelina and Lucille Porter, Isaac, Amelia and Molly Moore, and Eleanor Porter; also many nieces and nephews.

Before retiring, Burton was a truck driver first for Mayflower Movers in Carmel, IN; then for 3J Fuels in Champlain, NY; and finally for H.R. Ewell in East Earl, PA. Burton belonged to the Turnpike Wesleyan Church. He was chaplin of the local Christian Motorcycle Association chapter. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and fishing among other activities. His sister Carol Neilsen resides in CT.

He was predeceased by his parents Arlton and Joan (French) Porter; and 3 sisters: Hope Pinette, Alice Kupfer, and Ruth Attanasio.

A memorial service will be held at the Turnpike Wesleyan Church, 2224 Military Turnpike in Plattsburgh on Saturday, February 15 at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Turnpike Wesleyan Church, or your favorite charity.

Charles L. Hazen

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Charles Lee Hazen, affectionately known as “Chuck” and “Papa”, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Mansfield, Connecticut, at the age of 97. Surrounded by love, two of his daughters were by his side as he departed this life.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Charles spent his formative years in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the eldest son of Clair and Stella Hazen. At the age of 17, he answered the call to serve his country during World War II as a proud member of the United States Navy. After the war, Charles pursued his education at Penn State University, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering and achieved distinction as a wrestling champion.

Charles enjoyed a remarkable 40-year career with General Electric. Beginning in Erie, he applied his engineering expertise to designing trains and subways before transitioning to corporate purchasing management in Connecticut. His sharp mind and personable nature earned him respect both nationally and internationally.

In Erie, Charles met Jean Gott, the love of his life. They married in 1951 and shared an extraordinary journey together for 67 years until Jean’s passing in 2018. Together they raised five children in a home brimming with love and laughter. Charles was an avid golfer and a talented artist with a creative spirit, but his greatest joy came from time spent with family. He cherished organizing camping trips that brought generations together around campfires and picnic tables, up mountains and splashing in the ocean. Known for his playful sense of humor and vibrant personality, Papa often took center stage during shows at family gatherings.

Papa was a huge hearted man, a man of many talents, a man whose heart and joy was his family, a man who exemplified compassion and strength, a man whose humor and smile charmed all who knew him, a man whose hug would comfort our tears away or just as often cry with us during times of sadness. He was such a rock of a man but as soft a heart as there ever was. As he crosses that bridge he can at last be with his wife Gigi, his sons will laugh and give him giant hugs, and many tails will be wagging as he is bowled over by the happy pups he loved.

Charles is survived by three daughters: Nancy Hazen-Swann, Christiane Hazen, and Susie Sandall; nine grandchildren; four great-granddaughters; and many others who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jean and sons Chuckie and Billy.

A Celebration of Life is planned for the spring. Keeping with Chuck’s love of dogs, in lieu of flowers you may donate to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Charles leaves behind a legacy of compassion, joy, and devotion that will forever inspire those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all whose lives he touched. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit
www.adamscremationct.com

Zenija (Jenny) Celms

gqlshare — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:05:00 +0000

Zenija (Jenny) Celms left this life Friday, January 10th, 2025 at the age of 102 at Jefferson House of Newington after receiving skillful and caring nursing services from the staff for many years. Jenny was born in Latvia, May 14,1922 to the late Ansis Rais and Albina Bacanski. In 1944 Jenny fled to Germany with her parents in the face of advancing Russian forces seeking to occupy Latvia.
After several years as a refugee in Germany, she immigrated to the United States where she met and married Karlis Celms who was destined to be her husband and loving companion until his death at age 90, in 2012. They had been members of the Latvian Lutheran Church of Manchester for many years where Karl had served as a deacon and Jenny was an active member helping with the Ladies Guild.
After Jenny’s retirement from The Hartford National Bank, she and Karl spent many years traveling the world.
The principal bequest of her will is ‘Vitolu Fonds’, an organization providing scholarships to youth in Latvia. (see GOOGLE).
Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, January 24, at the Latvian church in Manchester, 2 Winter St. with a reception to follow downstairs at end of service. For online condolences, memories or photo tributes, please visit www.rosehillfuneralhomect.com
Vieglas smiltis.
Rest in peace