Obits

Lydia V. Batterson

Lydia V. Batterson, 63, a longtime resident of Norwalk, died Dec. 7 at Norwalk Hospital. Born Aug. 11, 1946 in the Bronx, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Albert and Ethel V. Whitehurst Carlson. She is the wife of Robert A. Batterson.

She was a homemaker and an avid gardener. In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters, Lydia Brennan, of Norwalk, and Amy Carrier, of N. Walpole, N.H.; sons, Matthew J. Batterson, of Bridgeport, and Neil Batterson, of Kalispell, Mont.; and five grandchildren: Christian, William, Brandi, Dillon and Kassidy.

Robert J. Bonenfant

Robert J. Bonenfant, 63, formerly of Norwalk, died Nov. 30. Known to his friends as Bob, he passed away suddenly of a heart attack.

He resided in Sarasota, Fla. and is survived by his daughter Cheryl-Ann Haley and her husband Keith Haley, also of Sarasota, Fla. He is survived by his mother, Theresa Paul Bonenfant; sister Lisa DeVingo; and brother Norman Bonenfant, all from Norwalk; brother Donald Bonenfant of Brookfield, and sister Pauline Porter of Delaware, in addition to nine nieces and nephews.

His wife Elaine Shreders Bonenfant, son Robert Joseph (RJ) Bonenfant, father Leandre Bonenfant and brother Raymond J. Bonenfant predeceased him.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Jerome's Church, Half Mile Road, Norwalk, on Monday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.

Peter Albright Bray

Peter Albright Bray, 54, beloved husband of Alma Bray, died suddenly Nov. 29, at Norwalk Hospital.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Bray was the son of Joyce V. Bray and the late Paul A. Bray, Jr. He graduated from Norwalk High School in 1973, and his career started by working for the family's firm of Bray Studios, which was founded in 1910 by his great- grandfather, John R. Bray, a pioneer of film animation. Later Peter's father, Paul A. Bray, Jr., redirected Bray Studios into the field of military aviation training films and pioneered in the development of visually reconstructing aircraft accident scenes for presentation at trials. Peter had also been an auxiliary police officer in Norwalk in the 1970s.

Peter established his own firm, Bray's Tax Service, in 1975 after working at H&R Block. He began his tax service by visiting clients in their homes, establishing a longstanding tradition of personalized service. Bray's Tax Service eventually opened offices in Fairfield, Stamford and Norwalk.

In 1985, Bray's Tax Service consolidated its offices in its current location in an historic building in the Saugatuck section of Westport, where he served as president. After preparing tax returns and advising clients for 28 years, he retired in 2003.

His father introduced him to his love of flying and he became an accomplished pilot himself, attaining his private pilot's license before his driver's license. He liked to fly his airplane all over the country, from visiting his extended family in Canada to vacationing in Florida or the Bahamas. He also sailed his boat, the Basta, down the Intercoastal Waterway between Connecticut and Florida a number of times. More recently he and his wife enjoyed many cruises and had visited Mexico, the Caribbean and Greece. The couple also continued his annual visit to the lakeside family vacation home in Canada every summer.

Bray loved to discuss the political situation of the day, sometimes during a spirited game of cards. He was a very loyal friend, always offering positive advice and encouragement. He met the sudden challenges of his life with grace, equanimity and a cheerful disposition.

He will be sorely missed by his wife Alma; his mother Joyce V. Bray of Canada; step-mother Penelope Bray of Florida; brother Steele Bray and his wife Ausra of Norwalk; sister Doreen Bray and her husband Andrew Riddles of Westport, and many nieces and nephews.

The Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk handled arrangements.

Joseph E. "Ned" Condon

Joseph E. "Ned" Condon, 81, of Norwalk, died at the Norwalk Hospital on Dec. 6. He has been married to his loving wife Sheila Bartlik Condon for 50 years.

He was born May 3, 1928 in Port Chester, N.Y., son of the late Joseph and Monica Merritt Condon, and had lived in Norwalk for the past 47 years. He was retired from Barclays Bank in New Rochelle, where he had held the position of vice president. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a graduate of Susquehanna University, Class of 1953. He was inducted into its sports hall of fame for his excellence in basketball and baseball. He was past president of the New Rochelle Jaycee's, Lion's Club and Jr. Chamber of Commerce and served on the advisory board for Iona College. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying golf and tennis. He enjoyed travelling, taking daily walks and most of all spending time will his family.

In addition to his loving wife Sheila, he is also survived by his beloved daughters Lauren Condon, Eileen Condon-Solemene and her husband Joe, his grandchildren Monica, Joseph and Kevin, and many nieces and nephews.

The Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk handled arrangements. Memorial donations in his name may be made to Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, University of Washington, Dermatology, 815 Mercer St., Seattle, WA 98109, for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Research. Checks should be made payable to "University of Washington MCC Research".

Gracemarie Cutmore

Gracemarie Cutmore, 81, of Rowayton, died Dec. 2 in Stamford Hospital. She was the wife of the late Captain Charles M. Cutmore, III.

Born in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Martin F. and Grace Gehan Hession. Cutmore was a longtime resident of Bell Island and a retired school teacher with the New York City School System with 60 years of service.

Surviving are a son, Charles M. Cutmore, IV, of Rowayton; two daughters, Grace Vinci, of New York and Anne Marie Cutmore, of Florida, and a granddaughter Lea Vinci.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today at 10 a.m. in St. John Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, Richards Avenue, Norwalk.

Stacy M. Israel

Stacy M. Israel, 49, of Norwalk, died Nov. 30 of natural causes. Born in 1960 in New Jersey, she was the daughter of Joy Whitmore Goldstein of Purchase, N.Y., (father deceased) and beloved step-daughter of Harry M. Goldstein also of Purchase.

Stacy graduated from Norwalk Community College in 1998 with an associate's degree in fine arts.

She went to SUNY Purchase and was awarded a bachelor's degree and master's degree in art history. She began teaching at Norwalk Community College in the fall of 2002 where she was an adjunct professor in the Department of Art and Humanities at her death.

Dearest one: with compassion, elegance and grace, you courageously confronted life's challenges and happily savored life's gifts. You were friend and inspiration to so many. Your enormous capacity for life, your sincere interest in people and places, and your growing creative talents culminated in such satisfying expression as you passionately pursued your teaching career in art. The lives of so many others were made richer and healthier by your presence. You will be dearly missed, lovingly remembered, and always live in our hearts -- Your adoring Mother, "Dad-2" and family.

Besides her mother and step-father, she is survived by two brothers, an uncle, two beloved nieces, nephew, cousins and many more friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Norwalk Community College Foundation in memory of Stacy M. Israel, 188 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06854.

Aline M. Mahoney

Aline M. Mahoney, 95, of New Milford and former Norwalk resident, died Dec. 5 at the Candlewood Valley health and Rehabilitation Center in New Milford. She was the wife of the late Richard T. Mahoney, Sr.

Born in Norwalk, Oct. 19, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Gabriel and Elisa Mosching Mages. She was retired from Microphase Engineering where she had been an engineering technician for more than 20 years. She had previously worked for Sperry-Rand. She was a wonderful artist and seamstress and enjoyed bowling, reading and crossword puzzles. She enjoyed her time and involvement with both St. Mary and St. Matthew Churches in Norwalk, Sacred Heart Church in Kent and loved taking care of her loving family.

Survivors also include 11 children, Aline Spanier of Ocala, Fla., Patricia Wendling of Belle Mead, N.J., Richard Mahoney, Jr. of Newport, N.C., Judith Socci of Norwalk, Daniel Mahoney of New Fairfield, Michelle Bennett of Springfield, Va., Colette Polard of Newtown, Kevin Mahoney, Sr. of Phoenix, Ariz., Dennis Mahoney of Bow, N.H., Damien Mahoney of Watertown, and Matthew Mahoney of Kent, a sister, Louise Gregory of Vt.; 33 grandchildren, a multitude of great grandchildren, many great, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was also predeceased by a son, Timothy Mahoney, three brothers and a sister.

The Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk handled arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN, 38105.

Mary Joanne Mellott

Mary Joanne Mellott, 76, of Norwalk died Dec. 1, in the Notre Dame Convalescent Home of Norwalk, following a long illness.

Born on Nov. 1, 1933 in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, Penn., she was the daughter of the late George W. and Edna (Oler) Wills and attended local schools. She met and married her beloved husband of 50 ears, Judson P. Mellott, Jr., who died in 2003.

Despite the many moves due to her husband's employment with IBM, she took devoted care of her family and home. She always loved the challenge of decorating each new residence. She enjoyed gardening and crossword puzzles. In each place she lived, she quickly made friends and was soon a member of the local garden and bridge clubs. The family spent two years in France in the 1970s and she and her husband traveled to places as diverse as China, Mexico, Japan and Italy.

She is survived by her son, Judson P. III and his wife Debra Mellott of Norwalk; her two daughters, Rose C.L.M. and her husband, Jeffrey M. Sandick of Riverdale, Bronx, N.Y. and Deborah Mellott of Virginia. Also included is her adoring granddaughter, Margaret T. Mellott of Norwalk.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Notre Dame Convalescent Home for their extraordinary care they provided during Joanne's stay. They ask that memorial contributions in Joanne's name to be made to the Notre Dame Convalescent Home, 76 W Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851 or to the Christian Community Action, 98 S. Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06854.

Mathew J. Mitaly

Mathew J. Mitaly, 38, of Waterbury, died Dec. 1 at his home in Waterbury.

Mitaly was born in Norwalk, on Jan. 13, 1971 and is the son of John and Kathy (Frazer) Mitaly. He was a resident of Easton for most of his life and is a graduate of Joel Barlow High School. He enjoyed fishing, rollerblading and loved to spend time with his daughter Kylee.

In addition to his parents John and Kathy Mitaly of Easton, he is survived by one daughter, Kylee Mitaly of Seymour; one sister, Kimberley Mulas and her husband Gian Carlo of Ansonia; his paternal grandparents, John and Helen Mitaly of Norwalk; his maternal grandfather, Charles Frazer of Fairfield; two nieces, Isabella and Sophia Mulas of Ansonia, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Harry W. Walczuk

Harry W. Walczuk, 86, of Norwalk, died Dec. 1, at Norwalk Hospital. He was the husband of Mary O. Walczuk, to whom he was married for more than 56 years. He was born in Stamford on April 22, 1923, son of the late Panko and Mary Walczuk, and had been a longtime resident of Norwalk.

He was a graduate of St. Basil Preparatory School in Stamford and retired as a foreman after 43 years at Machlett Laboratories. He proudly served his country in WWII as a staff sergeant in the Pacific.

A great husband, father and a friend to all, with never a bad word to say and quick to strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He enjoyed attending and hearing about his grandchildren's activities and walking his dog Honey.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Stephen Michaelson for the many years of excellent healthcare and his advice to the family and the staff at Norwalk Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; brothers Paul and George of Beacon Falls; sons Robert (wife Donna) of Oak Park, Calif., John (wife Kathleen) of Leawood, Kan., Ronald (wife Farah) of Norwalk and grandchildren Matthew, Christine, Michael, Kimberly, Mary, Katherine and Ryan.

The Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk handled arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Basil Preparatory School, 195 Glenbrook Rd., Stamford, CT 06902.