Darienite (https://darienite.com/tag/darien-obituaries-july-2024)
Robert J. Godzeno (“Bob”) of Norwalk, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 5 at Norwalk Hospital. He was 80. Bob was the son of John W. Godzeno and Lucy LaConte Godzeno, born in Bridgeport on Jan. 21, 1944. Although Bob was an only child, he was part of a large Italian family with many aunts, uncles and cousins living under the same roof.
Michael Rizzo Jr, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 27, 2024. For eight long years with determination and hopefulness, Mike met the challenges of health complications and setbacks that followed two severe strokes
A lover of nature Mike was the owner of Mike Rizzo Landscaping for over 40 years and took immense pride in his work and cared for his client’s properties as if they were his own,
Music was a passion of Mike’s, with Blues being his favorite genre. You could always find him at Jam, wailing on his harmonica with other local musicians who became like family. Mike was a Darien native and made innumerable lifelong friends. He was loved and will be missed by all that knew him
He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer, his adoring daughter, Carlie; his four loving sisters: Arlene (Tommy) Hlavac, Cynthia Rizzo, Susan Rizzo and Lynn (Chris) Blanchard; his nephews, Matthew Hlavac and Freddy (Asha) Rizzo; his great-niece, Nora, and great-nephew, Max.
Kathleen Campbell Fabbri-Benham passed away peacefully at her home in Rowayton on Saturday, July 27. She was 99. Before her passing, she was surrounded by what she would call “oodles” of her loving family and friends. Kay, Kayzie, or Gammy, as she was affectionately known, had almost 100 years of an engaged and active life. Born on March 24, 1925 in Los Angeles, she was the daughter of the late Doreen Kavanagh Campbell (a four-time California state women’s golf champion, as Mom proudly reminded us often) and the late William Wilson Campbell (a frequent contender for the men’s state title).
Carl Jaeger, a beloved figure known for his passion for sports, dedication to his career, and unwavering love for his family, passed away on June 29 in Redding. Born on April 12, 1940, in Chappaqua, New York, Carl was the son of Gustave and Nancy Jaeger and brother of Richard Jaeger. He spent his formative years excelling both academically and athletically at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, where he distinguished himself as the quarterback of the football team. His love for sports continued at Dartmouth College, where he played varsity baseball and was an active member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Throughout his life, Carl maintained close ties with his fraternity brothers and their families, bonding over shared memories and camaraderie.
Robert (Bob) Johnson, 86, passed away peacefully at home on July 6 from consequences related to leukemia. He was born March 1, 1938 in Rochester, New York to Grace and Jasper Johnson, and grew up with his three brothers and two sisters. The family moved to Needham, Massachusetts when he was 12 years old, where he attended the public schools and was captain of the high school football and basketball teams, and president of his class. He attended Williams College, playing football, and later transferred to the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a degree in Economics. Growing up, Bob’s family summered on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, where he met the love of his life, Barbie Grad, daughter of Gladys and Linden Grad of Meredith, New Hampshire.
Margaret (Peggy) Byrne (nee Welsh) passed on July 13, 2024 the way she entered Sept. 22, 1933, surrounded by the love of family. Born to Josephine and John Welsh in Hoboken, NJ she grew up in a close-knit Catholic family; taking to heart the principles of compassion, kindness, and unwavering faith in God that guided her throughout her life. A College of Saint Elizabeth graduate, Peggy worked at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey for a few years before marrying Thomas E. Byrne Jr. Their 60-year union included establishing homes in New Jersey; Pittsford, New York; and New Canaan. They were blessed with children: Thomas (Arden), Edward, John and Maureen.
On Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, Jordice “Jordy” P. Kay (Perry), a devoted mother and grandmother, passed away from a sudden illness at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Arizona, at the age of 72. Jordy was born on Feb. 12,1951, in Rhode Island and was the eldest of three children. Her family moved to Connecticut, where Jordy graduated from Darien High School in 1969.
James Edwin Liedell of Norwalk passed away peacefully at home on July 4, following a lengthy illness. He was 89. Jim lived in Yarmouth Port on Cape Cod for almost 23 years before moving with his late wife, Susan, to Darien in March 2019 and then to Norwalk to be closer to family. Jim was born in Wauseon, Ohio on Aug. 18, 1934, the beloved son of the late Herbert and Eleda Mae Hundstad Liedell.
Robert E. Wolkwitz, passed away on June 29, 2024, with his family by his side. He was 80. Bob remains loved by his wife Robin Ackerman; his 4 children – Alicia (Lex) Mills, Bob, Michael (Araceli Moreno), Rick (Theresa Mataras) and his seven grandchildren, and three brothers. Born in January 1944 to Dr. Robert E. and Margaret Wolkwitz. Bob and his three brothers grew up on Staten Island, New York.
Anthony Wayne Fletcher, 65, of Norwalk died on April 5 at Yale New Haven Hospital from liver and kidney failure. Tony was the son of Alexander C. and Ethel D. Fletcher. He grew up in Darien and graduated from Darien High School in 1977. He earned a B.S. in business from Southern Oregon State College in Ashland, Oregon in 1982. Tony worked in the landscaping and construction businesses throughout his life, including Riedel Landscaping, The Gardeners Center, Don Crawford Landscaping and Blue Wave Construction, among others.
Frank J. Sudell, longtime resident of Darien and more recently at Civita Care Center in Stamford, passed away peacefully on June 18. He was 81. Frank was born Oct. 19, 1942, in Greenwich to the late Frank J. Sudell Sr. and Joan M Faur Sudell. Frank was predeceased by a sister, Joann Sudell and his wife of 58 years, Barbara Ann Sudell.