Darienite (https://darienite.com/tag/darien-obituary-february-2020)
Robert Anderson, 89, of Redding and a former longtime resident of Darien, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2019. He was born in Dec. 1929 to Edwin and Elsie Anderson in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Malvern, New York. Bob graduated from Brown University in 1951, after which he served three years as an officer with the U.S. Navy’s Mediterranean fleet.
John E. Herman Jr. “Jack” passed on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Cape Cod Hospital with his loving family by his side after a period of declining health. Jack as he was known, was born in 1934 to John and Lillian Herman and grew up in Darien, graduating from Darien High School. Following graduation he tried to join the army, and even went so far as to try to “sneak” in — being 6’8” they wouldn’t take him, so he went to work for CL&P and then Southern New England Telephone, where he had a long career as a lineman and telephone repair man. He married Carol Sue Miller and resided in Norwalk while raising their children.
Dr. Lucy H. Swift of Cornwall, New York died peaceably on Leap Day, Feb. 29. She was 93. She was born Aug. 24, 1926, in New York City to Dorothea Valentine Abbott and Dr. Walker Ely Swift and grew up in Darien and New York City.
Sharon K. (Edwards) Kells a 40-year resident of Darien, passed away on March 22 at age 73. Born Sept. 10, 1946 at home in Irwin, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Robert Edwards and Hazel Ruth Edwards both of Irwin. Sharon was a fraternal twin who was raised in rural Ohio with her four siblings (two sets of twins). Sharon loved and cherished eight of her beautiful grandchildren: Adrienne Ross, David ‘Trey’ Maloney, Carys Gallo, Mia Gallo, Charlie Gallo, Addison D’Acunto, Copper D’Acunto, and Collins D’Acunto.
Ainsley P. Crawford of Lake Worth Florida, formerly of New Canaan and Darien, passed away on Feb. 26, 2020 in the loving arms of her daughter and son-in-law. She was 92. She was born Aug. 25, 1927 in Lahore Pakistan, daughter of the late Kenneth and Hortense L’Evine.
Dr. William Christie Tuthill, a retired veterinarian and avid outdoor adventurer who was known affectionately by his friends as “Wild Bill,” died of natural causes on Feb. 8, 2020 while kiteboarding in La Ventana, Mexico. He was 70 years old. Born on Sept. 25, 1949 in Mount Vernon, New York, he grew up in Darien.
Richard Anthes, known as “Dick” and “Pop Pop” to his friends and family, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Feb. 19 2020. Raised in Mamaroneck, New York he graduated from Bellows High School and joined the Navy to serve as a gunner on the USS Roosevelt before starting his life with his wife and family in Darien and eventually Westerly. His booming baritone-tenor was well known throughout his church and across nursing homes in Westerly where he would sing for residents. Dick loved to perform and was a member of the Troupers Light Opera Company for years, performing in Gilbert and Sullivan plays.
Mary Ann Beckwith, 95, died on Feb. 15, 2020. She was born on Nov. 20, 1924, in Newberry, South Carolina, to Thomas Edward Davis and Mildred Purcell Davis. Mary Ann graduated from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities 1946.
Alois (Al) McAvoy, 82, of Naples, Florida passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Feb. 17. Al was born in White Plains, New York on Sept. 11, 1937 and was a graduate of Stepinac High School and Iona College. He was a C.P.A. and headed up the internal audit departments for three Fortune 500 companies: Ciba-Geigy, Burndy, and Foster-Wheeler.
Dwight E. Timbers passed away peacefully at Norwalk Hospital, surrounded by his family on Feb. 11. He was 71. Dwight was born on April 8, 1948, in New York City to Charlotte T. Timbers and the Honorable William H. Timbers, who later served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Dwight was raised in Darien and graduated from Darien High School in 1966.
John D Moynahan Jr, 84, passed away in his home in Brentwood, Tennessee on Feb. 14. Born Dec. 10 1935 in Chicago to Helen and John D. Moynahan Sr., Jack was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he was a member of the Blue Circle and the Honor Society. He was also awarded a MBA from the University of Chicago.
Harriet Andrews Meagher, 96, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2020, surrounded by her family. Harriet was born and raised in Fulton, New York and was one of 13 children of Charles and Maude Andrews. For most of her life, she made her home in Darien and was a longtime member of the Country Club of Darien. She was an avid golfer, winning many club championships and also enjoyed playing bridge.
Guy R. Stretton, age 79, passed away on Jan. 27, 2020 from complications of cancer, in the comfort of his home in Old Greenwich. He was born on Sept. 18, 1940 in Johannesburg, South Africa to Mary and Alan Stretton. He is survived by his wife Barbara and two sisters, Barbara Holden and Mary MacKinnon, who live in Johannesburg.
George Joseph Friend of Norwalk passed peacefully into the Lord’s hands on Feb. 8, 2020 at his home in the presence of family at the age of 88. A devout Catholic, George was a generous man whose acts of goodwill and kindness touched the hearts of family and friends alike. George was born in 1932 to George Murdock Friend and Delia Mary Callahan of Darien. During the 1950s, George served his country honorably in the U.S. Army as a Sound Ranger.
Frank Munson, 92, a former 37-year resident of Darien, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2020 at his home in Rowayton. Mr. Munson grew up in Rockville Centre, Long Island. Frank graduated from Southside High School in 1945 and moved on to attend Dartmouth College receiving his B.A. in 1949. He married Barbara Wright on Sept.