Darienite (https://darienite.com/tag/darien-obituaries-january-2024)
Frank J. Kugler, Jr. of Darien died Dec. 30, 2023, after a brief illness. He was 89. UPDATE of the original Jan. 14 obituary:
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday May 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt St., Darien.
Gregory Prestwich Richards of Ridgefield passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2023. He was 76. Editor’s note: Memorial service information has been added to this obituary. Greg was born on March 5, 1947, in Norwalk to Roland and Beatrice “Betty” Richards, both of Darien, and was raised in Darien on the family’s waterfront property on Five Mile River Road.
Carolyn Schreiner Calder passed away peacefully on Jan. 25. She was born in 1951 to the late Doris Moon Schreider and Samuel Schreider Jr. Carolyn grew up in Darien and graduated from Finch College. In 1979 she married the love of her life, Scott Calder. They were married for 44 years until Scott’s passing in May 2023.
Robert “Bob” Thorn Lamkin died on Jan. 31 at age 95. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Robert and Amy Lamkin. Bob’s family moved several times during his childhood, settling in Arlington, VA. Bob graduated from the University of Virginia, served in the Army as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War, and then obtained an MBA from Wharton.
Following a brief, and unexpected, illness, Edmund W. Keeley Jr., 86, passed into eternal rest on Jan. 31 at home surrounded by his family. Ed was born on Dec. 9, 1937, in New Haven to parents Edmund W. and Mary McGarry Keeley. Edmund grew up in North Haven, attending Hopkins Grammar School, where he enjoyed writing and sports and formed lasting relationships with his classmates.
Jacqueline Pasheluk a resident of Norwalk passed away on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Maplewood in Darien with her loving husband Andrew by her side. She was 79. She was born on Aug. 25, 1944 in Larchmont, New York, to the late Robert Strumpen-Darrie and Bae Carte.
Joseph Samuel LaMorte passed away peacefully at his home in Darien, surrounded by family, on Dec. 29, 2023. He was 87 years old. Joseph was born on Jan. 19, 1936, in Greenwich to Mary Ann (Farrell) and Samuel Joseph LaMorte.
Carole R. Coviello passed away on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital with her husband of 56 years, Phil, and her daughter, Sarah, and son, David, at her side. She was 79. Carole was born in Stamford on June 25, 1944 to Henry and Pauline Robertson. They, along with her older brother, Doug, lived in various places in both the United States and abroad, including New Delhi, India and Kobe, Japan.
Richard M. Ludemann of Bridgeport died Jan. 7, 2024 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 71. Born June 23, 1952 in Queens, New York, to Herbert and Mary (Widmeyer) Ludemann, he was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, son and friend, as well as an influential mentor and swim coach to countless athletes in Connecticut and beyond. Fondly known by many as “Doc,” he began swimming competitively at age 13 and attended Martin Van Buren High School in Queens before going to Fulton-Montgomery College in Johnstown, New York.
Judith Whitacre Kessel died peacefully on Jan. 10, 2024, with her family by her side. Judy was born on April 6, 1941 in Chicago. She had a passion for education; after attending Purdue University and earning her master’s degree from Sacred Heart University, Judy taught first grade in Darien for 30 years. Judy was a lifelong learner, avid reader, accomplished quilter, piano player, card player, consistent Scrabble and Rummikub winner, and an OG lake girl having grown up on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and living in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Judith Ann “Judy” Patla, 84, of Arab, Alabama unexpectedly went to be with the Lord from complications during surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Born in Darien on Dec. 10, 1939, Judy was blessed to have many roles in life, to include being a loving wife, an adoring mother, an excitable grandmother, a firecracker sister, a caring daughter, and a dependable friend. She spent most of her childhood in Connecticut, where she enjoyed many adventures with her youthful friends as a self-proclaimed “tomboy” and “leader of the pack.” As she grew into adulthood, she had a strong desire to serve her country, but to also pay for her education, so she chose to serve as a U.S. Army nurse.
John William Hartigan passed away peacefully on Jan. 14, 2024, with his loving wife, Karin, by his side. He was 89. John was born Nov. 28, 1934 in Syracuse, New York to Mary (Perkins) Hartigan and John Joseph Hartigan.
Linda Bland Sonnenblick, 89, died peacefully at the home she shared with her beloved, long-term partner, Henry M. Zachs, in Farmington. She is the widow of the late, distinguished cardiologist and physician scientist Edmund H. Sonnenblick, to whom she was married for 53 years. She was born in Hartford to the late Chester and Shirley Bland and spent most of her life in West Hartford, Darien, and Farmington. Linda was a graduate of The Oxford School and Boston University and an active member of the Noroton Yacht Club, The New York Yacht Club, The Town and County Club, and the Tumblebrook Country Club. She was a longtime supporter of The Wadsworth Atheneum, The Long Wharf Theatre and Wesleyan University.
Elizabeth (Lisa) Manning Leatham Mason passed away Dec. 25, 2023, at her home in Darien. She was 62 years old. Born March 28, 1961, in Savannah, she resided in Darien for over 55 years. Lisa had many accomplishments, but nothing brought her more joy than to be the mother of Caroline.
Alberta “Birdie” DeRosa, of Shelton died Tuesday, Jan. 9, after a difficult battle with ALS. She was 77. Birdie was born in Stamford on Feb. 23, 1946, daughter of the late Anthony and Anna Vieter Carriera.