Miscellaneous Fairfield County, CT Obituaries

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Burton W. Kanter 
2001-11-09
Burton W. Kanter, an innovative tax attorney, investor, teacher, writer and prominent member of the Chicago arts community died at his home in Highland Park, Illinois, on October 31 after an eighteen-month battle with cancer. For over forty years, Kanter distinguished himself through his revolutionary tax work and his commitment to education and philanthropy. 

Throughout his career he earned the admiration and respect of his friends, clients, colleagues and adversaries alike. 

Kanter was born on August 12, 1930, in Jersey City, NJ. He grew up in Danbury where his father ran a ladies’ clothing business. A gifted student, he graduated early from high school and was accepted at the University of Chicago, where, in 1952, after five years, he had earned his undergraduate and law degrees. In 1951 he married his hometown sweetheart, Naomi Krakow, and after graduation the couple lived for a year in Bloomington, IN, where Kanter taught law at the University of Indiana. After a stint in Washington, DC, working as an advisor to the U.S. Tax Court, the Kanters settled back in Chicago where Mr. Kanter went into private practice in 1956. Later, he was one of the founding partners in what eventually became the Chicago firm of Neal, Gerber, and Eisenberg. Kanter remained of counsel with the firm until the spring of 2000, shortly after his cancer diagnosis. Throughout his career in taxation, Kanter’s clients included the likes of the Pritzker family, Hugh Hefner, Charles Dolan, Sam Zell, Saul Zaentz, Bobby Hull and many others. 

Not wanting to sacrifice his academic focus while in private practice, Kanter, in the late 1950s, became an editor of “Shop Talk” in the Journal of Taxation, a forum for high level discussion among tax professionals. He remained associated with that publication until this year. Kanter also taught a tax course at the University of Chicago Law School for approximately 15 years, giving it up only when his health deteriorated. 

In 1953, as an early example of his inquisitive nature, Kanter challenged as unfair a state’s right to tax military personnel based on residency of their assigned post. That effort led to a commitment to innovative thinking that was evidenced in over 100 articles authored by Kanter over the course of his career. 

Throughout the 1960s and 70s he turned his curious eye to the tax paying and financing needs of various industries. He was a key player in the initial years of Chicago’s venerable Second City and the Chicago International Film Festival. He was involved with rock bands such as Santana and Creedence Clearwater Revival and with movies such as “Papillon,” “The Longest Yard,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” He was also instrumental in the founding and financing of such companies as Cablevision Systems, Ticketmaster and First Health Group. In the real estate arena, Kanter was deeply involved in the development of Mullet Bay, the first major resort to be built on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. 

In the 1950s, as newlyweds with little money to spend, the Kanters began to collect art. They began modestly. In fact, Kanter once fashioned a series of frames for wallpaper samples he bought for 25 cents, in order to have “art” for the bare walls of their apartment. Through the family-controlled Art Enterprises Ltd., the collection eventually grew to over 1,000 works of art, including masterworks of the 20th century by artists such as Pollock, Motherwell, Dubuffet, Kline, Francis, Rosenquist, Miro, Nevelson, Derain Louis, Arp and Hofmann. Art Enterprises is a sponsor of a number of art tours and often loans certain of its holdings to museum exhibitions across the country. 

By the 1980s, the Kanters had centralized their philanthropic activities through the Kanter Family Foundation that has donated generously over the years to various organizations and causes. Major beneficiaries of the Foundation’s activities have included the Museum of Contemporary Art, where Kanter was a long standing member of the Board of Trustees, and the Law School of the University of Chicago, where the Foundation has funded a chair in honor of Kanter’s teacher and mentor, Walter Blum. 

Kanter is survived by his wife, Naomi Kanter; his brothers, Carl Kanter and Jerry Kanter; his children Joel (Ricki), Janis (Tom McCormick) and Joshua (Catherine); and his five grandchildren. A sixth grandchild is due in December. 

Services were held Friday, November 2, at Chicago Sinai Congregation. The temple is located at 15 W. Delaware Place in Chicago. In lieu of flowers the family requests donation, to be made to a charity of choice.
 

Philip J. Forbes Jr. 
2001-11-09
Mr. Philip J. Forbes Jr., of 123 Legend Hill Rd., passed away at home on Monday Nov. 5, 2001. Mr. Forbes was born in Brooklyn, NY, son of Philip and Mary Ellen Forbes. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty, and son, Philip J Forbes III. He is survived by two daughters, Linda May Lawson and Nancy May L’Heureux, both of Madison. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Dawn Threlfall of Morris and Philip Forbes IV of Oxford and Kimberly Forbes of Bethel. He is survived by three great grandchildren Lauren Marie Foster, Ryan Thomas Threlfall and Kyle Thomas Threlfall of Morris, CT. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Tibbetts of Danbury, and brother, Rev. Alan Forbes of Boca Raton, Fla. 

Mr. Forbes graduated from Amherst College class of 1935 and is a World War II Veteran. He is served with the U.S. Army in Germany. He owned Forbes Radio & TV in Bethel for many years before retiring to Madison. 

Funeral arrangements are being made by New Haven Funeral Services, (203) 777-2309, There will be a memorial service and burial at King Street Church, King Street, Danbury, on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. His brother, the Rev. Alan Forbes will be assisting in the funeral services. Friends and family welcomed.
 

Viola S. Lindsay 
2001-11-09
Viola S. Lindsay, a resident of Redding since 1960, died on Wednesday (November 7) at her home following an extended illness. She was the wife of Willard O. Lindsay, Sr. 

Mrs. Lindsay was born in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late George and Minnie Freda Fauth Boyle. Her family came from Donegal County, Ireland. 

She was a homemaker and attended the Georgetown Bible Church. 

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Lindsay was the beloved mother of five sons, Frank Lindsday of Cape Coral, FL, Willard Lindsay Jr. of Fort Myers, FL, George Lindsay of Naugatuck, CT, John Lindsay of Kent, CT, and Lucas Lindsay of Danbury, CT; four daughters, Alyceanne Martins of Ocala, FL, Grace Erickson of Norwalk, CT, Viola Ross of Woodstock, GA, and Bethe Harding of Danbury, CT; sixteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Ann Alberts, and her brother, George Boyle. 

Viola will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by all her family and her husband of fifty-five years. 

Services will be held Saturday (November 10) at 1 p.m. in the Georgetown Bible Church, located at the corner of Route 107 and North Main Street in Georgetown. The interment will follow in Umpawaug Cemetery, West Redding. 

Friends may call at the Georgetown Bible Church on Friday (November 9) from 4 to 8 p.m. 

Donations in memory of Viola Lindsay may be made to the West Redding Volunteer Fire Department, P.O., Box 9, Redding, CT 06896. 

Arrangements are by the Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown.
 

Deaths
2001-11-09
ARMSTRONG, Diane, 67, of Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 3, 2001. F: Saturday, St. Peter’s Church, Danbury. 

ESTERHELD, Mary Elizabeth “Betty,” 80, of Danbury, Nov. 4, 2001 No calling hours F: Friday, 10 a.m., Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Danbury (Green Funeral Home, Danbury) 

HENNESSEY, Victoria T., 79, formerly of Georgetown/Weston, Nov. 4, 2001 CH: Friday, 7 to 9 p.m. F: Saturday, 10 a.m., Sacred Heart Church, Georgetown (Bouton Funeral Home, Georgetown) 

KOVACS, Rita (Boyer), of Danbury, Nov. 8, 200l. Arrangements to be announced by Green Funeral Home of Danbury. 

LESHURE, Evan. Mother Creona, of 36 W. Wooster St., Danbury, Nov. 4, 2001. CH: Friday, 11 a.m. to noon, New Hope Baptist Church, Danbury. F: Friday, noon, at the church. 

LINDSAY, Viola, of West Redding, Nov. 7, 2001. CH: Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. at Georgetown Bible Church F: Saturday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m., at Georgetown Bible Church, Georgetown. (Bouton Funeral Home, Georgetown) 

POPP, Gertrude (Waterhouse), 75, of 3 Grove Place, Danbury, Nov. 8, 2001. Arrangements to be announced by Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home of Danbury. 
 

CH: Calling hours. F: Funeral.
 

Josephine Morgan 
2001-11-08
Josephine E. Morgan, 82, of 96 Danbury Road, Wilton, mother of Patricia Morgan of Ridgefield, died on Sunday afternoon, November 4, 2001, at her residence. 

She was the wife of the late Edward F. Morgan. 

Mrs. Morgan was born in Ossining, N.Y., September 5, 1919, a daughter of the late Joseph E. and Mary (Hoey) Geoghegan. She moved with her family as a child to Stamford, CT. Mrs. Morgan attended Stamford schools. 

A former elementary school librarian, in later years she was a homemaker. Mrs. Morgan was a member of St. Gabriel’s Church of Stamford. 

In addition to her daughter of Ridgefield, a son, Michael Morgan of Aiken, S.C.; and an additional daughter, Susan Morgan of Los Angeles, CA; as well as five grandchildren, survive her. 

Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. in the Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street Ridgefield. 

Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ridgefield. 

The Kane Funeral Home, 41 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, was in charge of arrangements.
 

Diane Armstrong 
2001-11-08
 

Diane Armstrong, 67, of Sacramento, Calif., passed away peacefully on November 3, 2001, at the Branford Hospice, Connecticut, after a two-year fight with cancer. 

The daughter of the late James and Lucille Johnston, she is survived by her three children; sons, Richard H. Armstrong of San Diego, Calif., and Ross H. Armstrong of Danbury; and daughter Nyna Armstrong-Casey of Orinda, Calif. She was the enthusiastic grandmother of four. 

Diane, a native of Sacramento, was born on April 14, 1934, and was active in Rainbow Girls and Ila Neb. She graduated from McClatchy High School and Sacramento City College. 

Diane enjoyed a varied career life which included real estate at Camelot Realty in Sacramento and construction management at several firms in the Sacramento area. 

Diane lived and traveled extensively throughout the Orient and Europe. 

We will miss her wry sense of humor, her quick wit and her adventurous spirit. 

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 10th, at St. Peter’s Church, Main Street, Danbury, CT. 

A California memorial will be held in Orinda in early December. 

Please send contributions to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405 Attn: Donations.
 

Evang. Mother Creona Leshure 
2001-11-08
Evangelist Mother Creona Leshure of 36 West Wooster Street, Danbury, born July 16, 1908, in Chickasaw, Alabama, departed this life on November 4, 2001, at 10 a.m. at Harborside Hill Convalescent Center, Danbury. 

She is survived by a daughter, Lillian Lee, and a son, Isaac Leshure, both of Danbury. 

Calling hours will be held on November 9, 2001, from 11 a.m. to noon, at New Hope Baptist Church, 10 Cherry Street, Danbury, CT. The funeral service will follow at noon.
 

Deaths
2001-11-08
ARMSTRONG, Diane, 67, of Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 3, 2001. Memorial Mass, Saturday, Nov. 10, St. Peter’s Church, Main Street, Danbury. 

BARKER, Ronald S., 65, of Brewster, N.Y., Nov. 5, 2001. Services were Wednesday. (Beecher Funeral Home, Brewster) 

ESTERHELD, Mary Elizabeth “Betty”, 80 of Danbury, Nov. 4, 2001 CH: No calling hours F: Friday, 10 a.m., Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Danbury (Green Funeral Home, Danbury) 

HENNESSEY, Victoria T., 79, formerly of Georgetown/Weston, Nov. 4, 2001 CH: Friday, 7 to 9 p.m. F: Saturday, 10 a.m., Sacred Heart Church, Georgetown (Bouton Funeral Home, Georgetown) 

LESHURE, Evan. Mother Creona, of 36 W. Wooster St., Danbury, Nov. 4, 2001. CH: Friday, 11 a.m. to noon, New Hope Baptist Church, Danbury. F: Friday, noon, at the church. 

LINDSAY, Viola, of West Redding, Nov. 7, 2001. CH: Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. at Georgetown Bible Church F: Saturday, Nov. 10, at Georgetown Bible Church, Georgetown. (Bouton Funeral Home, Georgetown) 

McCARTHY, Robert J., 73, of Hakim Street Ext., Danbury, Nov. 5, 2001. CH: Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m. F: Thursday, 11 a.m., Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel. (Cornell Memorial Home, Danbury) 

PETERSON, Jean L. (Denton), of Danbury, Nov. 5 2001 CH: Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. F: Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury (Green Funeral Home, Danbury) 

PRIEST, Mary E. (Kelly), 101, of Deer Run Road, Brookfield, Nov. 4, 2001. F: Thursday, 10 a.m., St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, Brookfield. (Brookfield Funeral Home, Brookfield) 

SISSON, Eleanor E., 82, of Benson Road, Bethel, Nov. 2, 2001. F: Thursday, 11 a.m., Bethel Funeral Home, Bethel. 

WEISNER, William, Jr., 65, of New Milford, Nov. 4, 2001. CH: Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Services were Tuesday. (Colonial Funeral Home, New Milford) 
 

CH: Calling hours. F: Funeral.
 

Paul Joyce Sr. 
2001-11-07
Paul Norman Joyce Sr., 55, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001 at his home in Pineville, La. 

Born August 12, 1946, he lived most of his life at 23 Terre Haute Road, Danbury. He lived in Pineville for the past nine years. He attended Danbury schools. He was a special police officer for the town of Danbury. He was the owner of and technician for Knight Watch Security in Danbury. 

He is survived by his wife, Concetta M. Joyce; daughter, Kimberly Anderson of Danbury; sons, Paul N. Joyce Jr. of Danbury and Jamie, Tiberious and Sterling Joyce, all of Pineville. Besides his wife and children, he is survived by two granddaughters, Chantel Flanagan and Shannon Anderson; and five grandsons, Zachary and Tyler Flanagan, Billy Anderson, Xavier Joyce and Paul Joyce III. Also survived by a sister, Karen Winter; nephew Kenneth Winters; and several other nieces and nephews. 

Services were held in Louisiana. 

A memorial service will be held Dec. 8, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Baptist Church of Danbury, 14 Granville Ave. A reception will follow in the church hall.
 

Victoria T. Hennessey 
2001-11-07
Victoria T. Hennessey, 79, a former longtime resident of the Georgetown-Weston area, died Sunday, November 4, 2001 at the home of her daughter in Bedford, NH. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard F. Hennessey, to whom she was married for fifty-seven years until his death in 1998. 

Mrs. Hennessey was born in Scranton, PA on March 9, 1922, a daughter of the late Victor J. and Stella B. Zielinski Janeski. Prior to her retirement, she had been employed by Perkin Elmer Corporation in Wilton for twenty-seven years as a payroll supervisor. She was a communicant at Sacred Heart Church in Georgetown and an avid baseball fan for many years. 

Survivors include her daughter, Patricia Shoals of Bedford, NH; two sons, Howard Francis Hennessey, II of Thomasville, GA and Michael Douglas Hennessey of Mansfield, OH; one sister, Irene Lishock of Ocala, FL; one brother, Leonard Janeski of Scranton, PA; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Hennessey was also predeceased by a daughter, Kathleen V. Hennessey and two brothers, Joseph and Edward Janeski. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 10th at 10 AM in Sacred Heart Church, Georgetown with the Rev. M. Joseph Joaquin, Pastor, officiating. The interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ridgefield. 

Friends may call at the Bouton Funeral home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown on Friday, from 7 to 9 PM. 

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hennessey may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, Inc., Hospice Unit, 1850 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104-2911.


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