Darienite (https://darienite.com/tag/darien-obituaries-january-2018)
It is with great sadness that the family and friends of Kinsley Morse (Hewitt) announce her sudden death from a heart attack on Jan. 21. She was a loving wife to her husband, Clifford (“Kip”) Hewitt for 41 years and a devoted mother to their son, Thayer (age 10). Kinsley was born Aug. 25, 1952 in Alexandria, Va.
John Mitchell Lucas died early in the morning of Jan. 21 in Darien. He had been ill with Parkinson’s disease for a long time. He is survived by his wife Kathy Neilan Lucas (née Krieger) whom he married in June of 2002. They have no children.
Surrounded by his loving wife and children, James Louis Mazurek, 74, of Bradenton, Fl. died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 1, after a long struggle with cancer in Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Born Jan. 26, 1943 in Stamford, he was the youngest son of the late Edward and Mary (Boska) Mazurek.
Michael A. Bologna, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Jan. 31. He was 87 years old. Mike was born in Greenwich to Pietro and Maria Bologna on July 18, 1930. One of six children, he quickly demonstrated his natural talent for all things mechanical.
John Scott Kracke, Sr. of Darien passed away suddenly on Monday, Jan. 22. He was 63 years young. Born Sept. 1, 1954 in New York City, Scott spent his early years in East Williston and Windham, N.Y. The son of Helmut John and Dorothea (Hayden) Kracke, and brother to Janet Kracke Perkins, Scott attended Wheatley High School in Old Westbury, N.Y.
Scott was well educated, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeastern Massachusetts University, a master of science in business administration, industrial relations from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and a juris doctor degree with focus on banking, corporate finance and securities Law from Fordham University School of Law.
Samuel A. Schreiner, Jr., decorated veteran, civic activist and author of over a dozen books, along with numerous articles for leading national and international periodicals, died at his home on Jan. 14. He was 96 years old and a resident of Darien for 66 years. Among Mr. Schreiner’s ongoing contributions to his community were the summer Sunday morning services at Weed Beach, which he organized as an elder of the Noroton Presbyterian Church. Early on, as secretary of the Darien Library board, he took part in the planning and funding of the former library building (1957-2008) located on Leroy Avenue.
After a long fight, John Reed Thompson, 81, lost his battle with lung and heart disease on Jan. 11 in Solana Beach, Ca. He passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side.
He leaves behind Solange, his beloved French wife of 50 years, his loving children, son Philip and daughter Cline, granddaughters Alexandra and Marissa, grandson Ethan, and older brother Bill. Reed also leaves daughter-in-law Anne Thompson, and fianc-in-law Will Miele. In addition, Reed leaves behind a crowd of close friends reaching from the East coast and across the country.
William Laurence Caffrey, Jr., 92, died Jan. 5, 2018 at the Hospice House in Vero Beach, Fl. Born in New York City to Bernice Grapes and William L. Caffrey, Sr., Bill lived a full and loving life with his family at the center. His early years were spent in Darien. He attended Weston High School class of 1943, and played football as one of the few freshman on the team. He attended Portsmouth Priory School, R.I. and was selected to be on the All Rhode Island Football 2nd Team.
William “Bill” Wensley, 65, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 after a courageous fight with cancer. Born in Greenwich on May 22, 1952, he was the son of the late Robert P. Wensley and Muriel “June” Wensley. Raised in Darien and later in Longmeadow, Mass., Bill was a graduate of Longmeadow High School and received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Massachusetts. He was an insurance and investment representative for New England Financial/MetLife for many years.
Homer Clifford Neely Jr., age 87, of Potomac, Md., formerly of Darien, passed on Dec. 9, 2017 at his home after a short battle with cancer. He graduated from the JB Speed School of Engineering. During his long career, he worked for the DuPont Corp., Chemical & Engineering News, Roger Williams, and Merrill Lynch before starting his own company, October Consultants. ________
— This obituary previously was published in Darien News.
James T. Pearson Jr. of Titusville, Fl., passed away very peacefully Saturday, January 13, 2018. He was 80. Born in Darien, he was the son of the late James T. and Dorothy L. Pearson. After graduating from high school in Darien, he began a lifetime career as an engineer at Perkin Elmer Corporation in Norwalk. Jim held many positions including two international assignments over the course of his 40-year career as an employee and consultant at Perkin Elmer.
William Frederick McClelland Jr., a Darien resident since 1958, died on Jan. 7, 2018, at home. He was 92. Born Dec. 16, 1925, in Bronxville, N.Y., he was the son of William Frederick McClelland and Mary Louise Mickel McClelland.
Hildegard Daus passed away in Norwalk on Jan. 12. She was 80 years old. Born on St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1937, in Queens, N.Y., she was the daughter of Joseph and Christina Raab.
Ralph J. Perschino, loving husband and father, dedicated teacher, beloved principal, and highly respected associate superintendent of Darien Public Schools, passed away peacefully at the Meadow Ridge Health Center on Jan. 4, at the age of 93. His family was at his bedside. Although much of his body had been taken by Parkinson’s disease, his quick mind, penetrating memory, and the sparkle in his eyes remained intact. Ralph was born to Mary and John Perschino, on April 30, 1924 in Norwalk, the oldest of seven children.
Matthew James McCurdy, 57, passed away Saturday, Jan. 6 at Bridgeport Hospital from a heart attack. He will be sadly and sorely missed by his loving family. Born in Manhattan, Matt was the son of Walter and Marijane McCurdy. He attended Darien High School and graduated from St.