Obituaries

Obituaries

Homer Neely Jr., 87, Former Darien Resident, Navy Veteran

By David Gurliacci | January 17, 2018

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.

Obituaries

James Pearson Jr., 80, Darien Native and DHS Graduate, Engineer at Perkin-Elmer

By David Gurliacci | January 17, 2018

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.

Obituaries

William McClelland Jr., 92, Pioneer in Computers at IBM, Darien RTM Member

By David Gurliacci | January 16, 2018

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.

Obituaries

Ralph Perschino, 93, Former Darien Schools Official, Honored for WWII Combat

By David Gurliacci | January 16, 2018

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.

Obituaries

Rocco Evola, 98, Taught Drafting for 30 Years, Then Opened an Antiques and Clocks Shop

By David Gurliacci | January 9, 2018

Rocco A. Evola, 98, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 7 at home in Darien. Born on June 29, 1919 in Flushing, N.Y., he was the son of the late Rocco Gaetano and Maria Smania Evola. Before serving with the U. S. Army during World War II, Rocco attended Pratt Institute. He received a bachelor’s degree in drafting and architecture from New York University.

Obituaries

Martha Lawson, 89, Former Darien Resident, Realtor, Owned Floral Business in Town

By David Gurliacci | January 3, 2018

Martha Best Yorke Lawson passed away peacefully at home on New Years’ Day, Monday, Jan. 1. She was born on May 5, 1928, in Concord, N.C., to Aaron Jones Yorke III and Martha Best Yorke. Mrs. Lawson attended St. Mary’s School in Raleigh and then graduated in 1949 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.