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Jowdy Kane Funeral Home, Danbury & Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield, 9-11 Granville Avenue, Danbury, CT (2026)

04/18/2026

Elsie Joyce Halem O’Keefe, 92, of Ridgefield, CT, died after a long illness with her three daughters by her side.

Joyce was born on September 22, 1933, in New York City. She grew up in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, where she attended public schools. After graduating from Hunter College with degrees in English and French, Joyce worked for Sperry and Hutchinson Company, where she met her future husband, Jim. After residing in several places in New York, the family moved to Ridgefield, CT, in 1971.

While raising six children, Joyce worked as a substitute teacher at East Ridge Middle School, often filling in for foreign language teachers. After leaving substitute teaching, she utilized her exceptional attention to detail, working for import/export companies in Ridgefield and New Canaan. The final career move led Joyce to TMP Associates in Ridgefield, where she made lifelong friends.

Seeking new horizons in her retirement years, Joyce was feeling the pull of adventure, sunshine, and warmth. She moved to Bluffton, South Carolina, where she joined longtime friends and made new and lasting friendships in her Sun City Hilton Head Community. Many happy hours were spent poolside reading and chatting with friends.

She is survived by her six children: David (Lourdes), Susan Kozak (Frank), Eleanor Anderson (Jim), Richard, Cynthia, Stephen (Lauren), and seven grandchildren: Sydney and Jennifer Kozak, Jones and Layla O’Keefe, and Liam, Sam, and Caitlin O’Keefe.

She is predeceased by her grandson, David Anderson, her husband James O’Keefe, her parents Mabel and Samuel Halem and her stepmother Josephine Halem.

A celebration of life will be private.

Contributions in Joyce's memory may be made to RVNA Health in Ridgefield CT, http://https://rvnahealth.org/.

Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

04/18/2026

Richard J. Cronin, 85, husband of Dr. Mary (Palanzo) Cronin, died on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Danbury Hospital.

Mr. Cronin was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on February 28, 1941, a twin son to Robert and Mary (Dolan) Cronin. He attended school in Lynn and graduated from St. Mary’s Boys High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire.

He proudly served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army’s First Cavalry Division, including overseas service in Korea. Mr. Cronin was an operations manager for PIC Design of Middlebury, CT, where he worked for over 40 years.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who found his greatest joy in spending time with his family, especially his two granddaughters, who brought him immense pride and happiness. Known for his quiet strength and generosity, he was a selfless provider and a constant source of support to his entire family. A history buff and voracious reader, he had a deep appreciation for learning and was an engaging storyteller. He also took particular pleasure in cooking for family gatherings, especially during holidays and football Sundays. His menu reflected what he grew up with, and he had a familiar roster of dishes that became part of those traditions. Many cherished memories were made together cheering on his beloved New York Giants.

A resident of Danbury for the past sixty-seven years, Mr. Cronin was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church of Danbury, served as an usher and was a member of the Holy Name Society.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Mary M. Cronin of fifty-eight years, he is survived by a son, Thomas R. Cronin and his wife Susan; two grandchildren, Lindsay and Haley; three brothers, twin brother Robert (Carol), Dennis (Carol), and Michael (Pat); a sister, Mary Frasca (Fred); a sister-in-law, Jean Cronin; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Cronin was predeceased by a brother, James.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Danbury, with the Rev. Gregg D. Mecca officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Ave., Danbury from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

04/18/2026

Robert H. Stefanelli, 98, of Danbury, formerly of Ridgefield, died on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at St. John Paul II Center for Health Care, Danbury.

Mr. Stefanelli was the husband of Dorothy (Scott) Stefanelli who died on February 24th of this year.

Mr. Stefanelli was born in New York, NY on June 30, 1927, the son of the late Arcadio Stefanelli and the late Sylvia Latanzi.

He moved with his family in 1933 from New York City to Ridgefield and attended Ridgefield schools. He has been a resident of Danbury since 2008.

A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Stefanelli was a retired ticket agent with Metro North Railroad.

He is survived by a son, Robert S. Stefanelli and his wife, Julie, a step-brother, Lewis Latanzi, two grandchildren, Emily and Joseph and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Stefanelli was predeceaesed by two sisters, Marie Russo and Alice Besse.

Services and interment in Mapleshade Cemetery, Ridgefield will be private.

There will be no calling hours.

04/14/2026

Charlotte Hampden Camillos, long time resident of Ridgefield, CT, died on March 27 after 87 remarkable years. She died peacefully in her sleep due to complications from COPD.

Charlotte was born in New York City to Margaret Charnley Hampden and Paul Hampden, and lived her early years in Ridgefield and Suffern, NY. After high school, she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, Walter Hampden, a well known stage actor of the time, and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London before pursuing an acting career in New York City. It was during this time, while working as a page in NBC studios in Rockefeller Center, that she met her husband Angelos.

Charlotte and Angelos moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1962 where they lived for 15 years and raised their family. They enjoyed a fun-loving ex-pat lifestyle in Brazil while also sowing their roots in the local culture, cementing a lifelong appreciation for adventure and travel. They moved back to Ridgefield in 1976, and opened the Kouros Art Gallery in New York in 1981, which they ran as a husband and wife team until its closing in 2013. During this period, Charlotte re-engaged with her love of acting through off broadway and local community theatre, giving her friends and family many memorable performances.

Following the death of Angelos in 2017, Charlotte settled into an apartment in Ridgefield and began her final life chapter. In addition to her ongoing acting gigs, she relentlessly pursued new commitments that kept her mind sharp and her social circles expanding. She kept the books at the Ridgebury Congregational Church. She acted as an SP (standardized patient) at Danbury Hospital helping to train new doctors. She enjoyed classes at Founders Hall, of particular note, a writing class which inspired many wonderful memoir style essays.

Charlotte was a woman of many talents with an energy that drove her to push her boundaries. Her indomitable personality never left anyone guessing what she was thinking and kept us all on our toes. She is survived by her daughter Danae, her son Jason, her siblings Michael, Edmund and Dorothy, four grandchildren and her cat Cinza (who was lovingly adopted by a friend).

A date will be announced in the near future for a celebration of Charlotte’s life.

04/14/2026

Marcia Mead Thomas, 87, of Ridgefield, longtime resident of Pound Ridge, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. She was the loving wife of Mr. Robert Lawrence “Larry” Thomas.

Mrs. Thomas was born in Aurora, IL on September 23, 1938; a daughter of the late Ralph and Elizabeth (George) Mead. She attended DePauw University where she met Larry and was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She obtained her master’s degree at Indiana University in Speech and Language Pathology.

A longtime resident of Pound Ridge, Mrs. Thomas most recently resided in Ridgefield for the past four years. During her time in Pound Ridge, she enjoyed volunteer work at the Katonah Museum, the Katonah Library and the John Jay Homestead. Marcia held a profound appreciation for beauty in all its expressions. She derived great pleasure from her own artistic endeavors and inspired those around her to discover and nurture their creative talents. Mrs. Thomas particularly enjoyed quilting with the Bedford Presbyterian Church, sewing at Founders Hall in Ridgefield, and watercolor painting. She enjoyed pursuing her family heritage in Vermont and was an active supporter of The Friends of the Morrill Homestead. While living in the south of France in 1972 and later in Paris in 1986, Marcia developed a lasting love of travel, museum-going, and the study of art history. She was also an avid ukulele player and a member of the Desert Strummers in La Quinta, California. She was a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and later joined the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield.

Mrs. Thomas is survived by her husband of 65 years, Larry, and their three children: Catherine Thomas and her husband, Jeffrey Vamos; Laura Standard and her husband, Sam; and Emily Boland and her husband, Matthew. She will be warmly remembered by her grandchildren as a devoted, attentive, and spirited “Dahlia”: Will Vamos; Elias and Maya Standard; and Julia, Charlie, and Henry Boland. In addition, Mrs. Thomas is survived by her brother, Larkin Mead.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, April 13, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral service will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the First Congregational Church; 103 Main Street, Ridgefield. Interment will take place privately in Pound Ridge Cemetery.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to The First Congregational Church of Ridgefield - 103 Main Street; Ridgefield, CT 06877, https://www.firstcongregational.com/ or the Friends of the Morrill Homestead - PO Box 98; Strafford, VT 05072, https://www.morrillhomestead.org/giving/

04/14/2026

Valerie M. Cosgrove, of Ridgefield, CT, passed away peacefully at home, on April 10, surrounded by her loving family. Valerie was born in Tarrytown, NY, the eldest of five children. She took great pride in her Italian heritage and love of “famiglia.” Valerie learned from a very young age the importance of responsibility, leadership and excelling in all that you endeavor. These would be traits that she exemplified throughout her life.

Valerie prided herself on academic achievement and governance. She demonstrated this by maintaining her place on the high honor roll throughout her school career. In high school she was elected as class treasurer and class secretary respectively.

Though some of her proudest achievements in high school were successfully completing a one-year world history course in two months, achieving a perfect score on the Regent’s exam and studying Russian for two years. It was these educational and leadership accomplishments that earned her an induction into the National Honor Society and admittance to Marymount College, a private women’s college, where she was again elected to the student council for each of her four years.

After graduating Magna Cum Laude, Valerie was chosen to participate in an uncharted, accelerated Master’s degree program at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY.

She often reveled in the fact that she obtained her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and “Mrs.” all in one year, as three weeks after graduation, she married John J. Cosgrove of Yonkers, NY.

They went on to create a family of their own having three daughters: Alyson and her husband Roger, Kerry and her husband James, and Elise and her husband Thomas, in addition to having seven wonderful grandchildren; Seamus, Catherine, Tara, Patrick, Sean, Margaret (Maggie) and Erin.

While raising her children, Valerie taught as a substitute teacher, served as a Eucharistic Minister, was installed in the Catholic Daughters of America as well as the American Association of University Women. Later in life, she combined her love of teaching and books and worked as a librarian for many years in Armonk, NY.

Valerie loved reading and was a consummate learner. She was passionate about all things beautiful and could find beauty anywhere, whether in a kind heart, a colorful, fragrant flower or piece of art. She loved music, gardening, visiting museums, playing bridge, enjoying a good meal with her friends and talking to people about their lives. From her aunt, she inherited a sense of adventure, love of the ocean, elegant style and love of travel. Valerie did not just love beauty, she embodied it with her warm smile, kind heart, easy laugh and love of life.

Valerie is survived by and will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, siblings Janice, Richard (LeeAnn), Gail (Brent) and Roger (Pattie), nieces, nephews and companion, Raymond Goddard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 24 at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT. Interment will take place privately and there will be no calling hours.

If you wish to send flowers, they can be sent directly to Saint Mary's Church. Or, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Bennett Cancer Center - 1 Hospital Plaza; Stamford, CT 06902, or online at Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center

Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in care of arrangements.

04/10/2026

Hickey Jack “H.J.” Lubus, 93, of Hawleyville, CT, husband of the late Joan (Telenko) Lubus and father of the late Catherine “Kate” Simmons, died on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at his home.

Mr. Lubus was born in Danbury on March 12, 1933, a son of the late Charles M. and Catherine (Betar) Lubus. He attended local schools, graduated from Danbury High School with the Class of 1951 and from the University of Bridgeport with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Mr. Lubus became a well-known Danbury CPA establishing H.J. Lubus Inc. CPA. Hickey’s sense of humor was infectious, enjoying family and friends that he treasured throughout his life. He will be remembered for his love of hats and ci**rs.

He was a member and former president of the Lebanon-American Club, a member of the Scott Fanton Museum, was a former cast member of the Brookfield Theatre and a parishioner of St. Anthony Maronite Catholic Church of Danbury.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, daughter, and parents, he was predeceased by seven brothers, Edward, Morris, Charles, Robert, George, Wilson and Raymond and by three sisters, Viola Harriet Dorr, Gala Elizabeth Estefan and Victoria Peggy Evans.

Graveside funeral services will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11 a.m. in Section 20 of St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.

There will be no calling hours.

Contributions in Mr. Lubus’ memory may be made to the Christian Counseling Center of Greater Danbury Inc., 2 Old New Milford Road, Suite 2A, Brookfield, CT 06804.

04/04/2026

Albert Corbin Emmens, “Ace”, born October 19, 1942 in the Bronx, New York, died on March 24, 2026. He was a devoted husband to Kathleen (McDonnell) Emmens (d. 2022), loving father to Celeste, Phillip (Rosemary), and Matthew; grandfather to Casey Rose Walters, Finola Catherine Emmens, and Molly Kathleen Emmens; brother to Susan, Christopher, and Matthew; and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Albert was loved by countless other family and friends.

After spending his childhood in California and New Jersey, Albert graduated from Newark College of Engineering with a degree in chemical engineering. Soon after graduation, Albert began his career with Union Carbide in West Virginia as a chemical engineer, where he stayed until his retirement in 2001. Albert formed lifelong friendships with co-workers, who were truly family.

Albert and Kathleen moved to Ridgefield, CT with Celeste, Phillip, and Matthew in 1976. Their doors were always open to family and friends. All were welcome. There are so many people in Albert’s life who are grateful for memories of holidays and happy gatherings spent at their home.

Albert enjoyed exploring the stars with his telescope, listening to jazz, taking in a classic movie, spending time on the golf course, and solving the New York Times crossword puzzle every day (always in pen!). Albert was forever a dog lover and faithful companion to pups Friskey, Rex, Honey Bear, Seamus I, Seamus II, and Seamus III. Albert enjoyed seeing the world around him. He spent many fun times with family in Lake George, NY, and traveled to Ireland, England, Scotland, Italy, Japan, Alaska, and many other memorable destinations.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A graveside service and interment will follow on Monday afternoon at 1:30 PM at Ridgebury Cemetery, Ridgefield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

04/04/2026

William Francis “Bill” Somers, a longtime resident of Ridgefield, CT and more recently of Calabash, NC, passed away in the comfort of his home on Thursday, March 26. He was the devoted husband of 62 years to Laurain (Tuttle) Somers.

Bill was born on December 30, 1941, in Norwalk, CT, to John and Edna (Coombs) Somers. He was raised in Norwalk and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1959. Shortly after, he proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in France and developed an early interest in computer programming using key-punch technology.

Following his military service, Bill settled in Ridgefield, CT, where in 1963 he married the love of his life, Laurain. Together, they built their family home on Blue Ridge Road, next door to Laurain’s parents, and raised their four daughters. They remained there until retirement, when they relocated to Calabash, NC, to enjoy a warmer climate.

Bill’s professional career spanned decades in the evolving field of information technology. He began working for Emery Worldwide in 1968 as a key punch operator and rose to become Director of Information Services by 1983. During his time there, he also enjoyed playing on the company’s men’s softball team. He later founded his own computer consulting business, managing large-scale IBM systems for a variety of clients. He concluded his career with Avon Products before retiring in 2014.

An avid lifelong fisherman, Bill had a deep love for the Long Island Sound. He was the proud captain of his charter fishing boat, Somertime, docked at Captain’s Cove in Black Rock, where he delighted in taking family and friends out on the water. One of his greatest joys was teaching each of his grandchildren how to fish.

Bill was an active member of St. Stephen’s Church in Ridgefield, where he regularly served as an usher at early morning services and volunteered at the annual Nutmeg Festival.

In addition to his beloved wife, Laurain, Bill is survived by his four daughters: Laurain Small and her husband David of Dallas, GA; Pamela Milkowski of Sebring, FL; Brenda Somers Jewell and her husband Robert of Ridgefield, CT; and Victoria Hughes and her husband Christopher of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He was the proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him immense joy.

He was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Nancy Vetare and her husband Richard “Dick” Vetare; and his brother, Jack Somers, all of Norwalk.

Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew him.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral service will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church; 353 Main Street, Ridgefield. Interment with US Air Force funeral honors will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill's memory may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice - 1414 Physicians Drive; Wilmington, NC 28401, https://lifecare.org/donate/ or the Alzheimer's Association - 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17; Chicago, IL 60601, https://www.alz.org/.

04/04/2026

Bruce J. Daab, 85, of Brookfield, CT, died on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at Maplewood of Stony Hill, Bethel. Mr. Daab was born in New York, NY to C. Charles and Charlotte (Nimphius) Daab. He attended Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York and was a resident of Brewster before relocating to Danbury and then to Brookfield in 1970.

He attended Western Connecticut University and graduated with a degree in Education. Mr. Daab was a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran and a member of St. Joseph Church of Brookfield.

The owner of the former A-1 Service Center of Danbury, Mr. Daab enjoyed gardening, taking pride in his lawn, golfing and most especially NASCAR. He was both a fan of the NY Giants and New England Patriots.

Bruce is survived by 3 children, a daughter, Mary E. Doris (Kevin), his son, Michael Daab (Michelle), and his son Mark Daab. He had six grandchildren, Derek Pierson(Lisa), Anthony Doris (Elizabeth), Stephanie Doris (fiancée A.J. Singh), Kody Daab (Becky), Hunter Daab and Jordyn Daab as well as nine great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Daab was predeceased by a brother Charles Daab and by a sister, Lois D. Bowman.

Friends will be received in the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Avenue, Danbury on Monday, April 6, 2026 from 4 PM to 7 PM.

03/26/2026

Jean Marilyn Losee (April 27, 1925 - March 24, 2026)

Jean Marilyn Losee, 100, completed her earthly journey on March 24, 2026, passing bravely and intentionally, surrounded by her loving family.

Jean was a proud, lifelong resident of Danbury, CT, born to John and Mary (Walsh) Roche on April 27, 1925. She attended Saint Peter's School and graduated from Danbury High School before continuing her education at Saint Vincent's Nursing School in Bridgeport, CT where she became a Registered Nurse. Jean went on to work at Filosa, Danbury Hospital, Glen Hill, and then became a school nurse for 25 years. She retired from Rogers Park Junior High in 1990. She was a faithful member of St. Gregory the Great Church where she had been a Eucharistic Minister.

Jean approached life with boundless appetite. After raising her six children, she took up cross-country skiing, golf, and became a card shark. There were a few things you could always count on from Jean: a Friday trip to the hairdresser, Mass on Sunday, a glass of Riesling in the afternoon, and coaching the UConn Women's Basketball Team from her chair.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Boyd Losee, who passed on July 31, 2015. She will be deeply missed by her six children: Gregory (Ellen), Jeffrey, Barbara Webb, Mary (Tony Pasqualoni), Brian, and Meg Riefberg (Larry) and two cherished sons-in-law, Bill Webb and Dennis Haddad. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Matt (Jen) and Dan (Sarah) Losee; Michael and Mallory Webb; Sean (Steph) and Christian (Ardita) Haddad; Catherine (Logan Vidal) and Taryn Pasqualoni; and Rachel and Leah Riefberg; as well as great-grandchildren Katie, Jake, Connor, Patrick, and Maddie Losee; Jack, Will, Haley, Noah, and Theo Haddad (and another girl on the way). Her nieces Debbie Mamis and Maureen Harrington held a special place in her heart. We will remember her for the strong, capable person she was and for all she gave us.

Friends may call on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9–11 Granville Ave., Danbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Gregory the Great Parish, 85 Great Plain Road, Danbury. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, 71 Lake Ave. Ext., Danbury.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lions Club of Danbury Charities, P.O. Box 461, Danbury, CT 06813, or Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810.

Jowdy Kane Funeral Home, Danbury & Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield

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