EULOGY FOR MARK BRICKLEY  Weds. November 27, 2002

Mark was my best friend.  I mean that in every sense of the word.  Not just that he was my best man and I was his.  From the time we were 16 our lives we intertwined.  We played sports together, applied to college together and were in business together.   We went away together, double dated and even went out with some of the same girls, just not at the same time.  Whatever was going on in either of our lives we always found time for each other.

The Mark I know is best embodied by his toast to his guests on the day he married Suzanne, “To a room full of optimists”.  Mark was an optimist. It’s a testament to him that brought us all here today, despite short notice, snowstorms and Thanksgiving being tomorrow.  Mark was as smart as a whip.  The last time he was at my house he’d finished the NY Times crossword almost before I’d finished my first cup of coffee.  Mark was one of the best card players I ever met.  When it came to sports trivia, fugetaboutit!  He was also thoughtful and considerate and had a great sense of humor.  Mark was a great guy to just hang out with.

Mark always gave to everyone in every way imaginable.  He was there at my father’s funeral back in his Union College days.  Ironically so was another great friend and classmate from the Staples High School class of 1970, Drew Lubarsky.  Mark and Drew and I were partners in the Limelight Dinner Theatre immediately after we got out of college.  Now Mark has joined Drew and Ann Craig and others from that class who left us too soon.

For those of you who lost touch with Mark after high school he was clearly one of the stars of our peer group.  By the age of 30 he was Vice President of the New York Cosmos, the team of Pele and Franz Beckenbauer and Gorgio Canalia.  When the North American Soccer Link went south Mark created Sports Link, a successful sports marketing company involved in Major League Baseball and the National Hockey league.

As a result of Mark’s thoughtfulness some of my three daughter’s earliest and best memories involve him.  My eldest, Jessica was featured in an early Cosmos television ad.

One of my middle daughter Jaclynn’s great thrills was to be the batgirl for the NY Mets.  She got to sit in the dugout and visit the locker room thanks to Mark’s thoughtfulness.  It’s not a big surprise that she is now in sports marketing herself, working for DC United the professional soccer team.  My daughters all insisted on being here today.  As my youngest, Rebecca said, “Mark was a part of the family, dad.”

When I was between relationships and careers Mark and Suzanne were there for me.  They put me up and put up with me in their home in Stamford for six months.  I would probably have stayed longer but Mark’s first child Erin was soon to come.  My wife Alicia and I are proud to be her God Parents.  Erin was joined five years later on Christmas Eve by her brother Sean.  Look at them today.  Erin got the highest grade in her school on her science test-a chip off the old block.  And Sean’s hustling quarters playing table hockey, just like the old man! 

Earlier this year Mark told me that he’d heard a rumor there was going to be a class reunion this summer.  I told him that seemed odd.  It would be a 32nd reunion.  “This is the year we all turn 50” he said.  Mark turned 50 this August.  Tragically, he won’t turn 51.  But I hope you will all do what I plan to do.  Remember the good times we all had with Mark through the years.  Tomorrow I’m going to give thanks for the great times I got to share with Mark.  To try and get our thoughts moving in that direction I’m going to leave you with Mark’s favorite song, the hauntingly beautiful “For Emily Wherever I may Find Her.”  I love you Mark.  A lot of people love you.

Mark died of a heart attack. As a life long sports nut he appropriately enough had the TV clicker in his hand.
- - Scott Shearer

Ann Craig 1952 – 1987

EULOGY:
Ann was a loving sister and a real unique individual who made a great impression on everyone she met. As a young girl she regaled us siblings with magical stories of Mary Poppins and set up a family Olympics with the broad jump and other events chalked out on the floor in the garage to coincide with the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. As she grew, she loved to sing with my brother and I in our family music group. Ann made sure that every chore, like washing dishes, "had an element of fun" as we sang and comically acted out ShaNaNa songs while scrubbing and drying. She traveled the world and we knew someday she would have chronicled her experiences which she told to enthralled audiences of family and friends. People may recall an article that appeared in the Westport News with her picture after she returned from a extended adventure that took her from Egypt to South Africa in the early 70s. She always "kept fun in her heart" and inspired siblings, parents and the next generation of nephews and nieces to get the most out of life. Ann passed away on Sept. 4, 1987. She will always be loved and missed.

– – Rich Craig (72)

William Deegan 1952 – 2012

Sadly, my brother Bill Deegan passed away suddenly and quietly in his sleep on April 26 2012. Bill was a wonderful brother and family man and will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.
- - Sharon Deegan Pelletier

Billy and his brothers were baseball lovers and part of the Compo contingent. They had round faces and ears that branded them like Americans in a Norman Rockwell painting. We would be out on the mall playing basketball, football, or baseball as weather permitted. I always considered him the best athlete of the neighborhood during the glory days of our youth. I figured his father must have taught the boys lots about sports, where my dad had no such interest. I was jealous. - - Mark Smollin

I went to Assumption with Bill, hung out on Murvon Court during those days, after school. Played baseball with him on Schaefers, played baseball with him at Staples. While not the most gregarious person, he was a loyal team mate and friend. Later played softball with Bill!! Always had a smile!! Always asked how you were doing!! To Jim, Bob & Tom Deegan, I am very sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies and condolences. Billy Loved to play the game, whether it was baseball or basketball or touch football or softball, He Loved to play the game! I'll miss #10!! - - Tom Wall

I remember Bill very well. We were great friends all through Assumption. Played little league and basketball for years. Will miss him. RIP - - Peter Morris

I remember Bill from classes - the thing I recall is that he was pleasant and always seemed sincere. Sorry to hear this news. - - William Kemmis Adler

Paul Emmett 1952-2015

From The Sun Sentinel:
Paul Emmett, president and owner of Duffy's Sports Grill, died Tuesday,11 February 2014 of complications from cancer. He was 62.

He died surrounded by family at his home in Palm Beach. Emmett moved to South Florida in 1999 from New York after 25 years as president of Restaurant Associates' sports and entertainment division and as president of its Charlie Brown's Steakhouse chain. In Florida, he led Duffy's expansion to nearly 30 restaurants with a vibrant sports environment and customer focus. He represented the company on TV ads and was a presence among employees and customers. Although a staunch supporter of the sports bar concept, Emmett wasn't even a sports fan. "The word is "clueless,' " he said in a 2007 interview. "When someone says, 'How 'bout those Jets?' I have to ask if it's baseball or football."

Stephen Cournoyer founded Duffy's near Lake Park in 1985, and Emmett joined the chain as his partner in 2001. Cournoyer later sold most of his stake, and Emmett assumed control of the company. (Cournoyer rejoined the company in summer 2014 as director of real estate and new store development.) Under Emmett's leadership, the once small chain expanded aggressively throughout South Florida, becoming known in the industry for succeeding in locations where other restaurants had failed. Emmett created a hugely popular dining card that rewarded customers for their repeat business. He also started offering a 40 percent discount during the traditionally slow weekday period of 2 to 4 p.m. "People said, 'You're just going to delay customers from coming in at noon,' but he proved them wrong," said Richard Lackey, a Palm Beach Gardens restaurant consultant who brokered real estate deals for Duffy's. Emmett targeted local residents rather than tourists and made fast decisions about where to open restaurants, Lackey said. "It was total brilliance in restaurant operations and marketing," he said. Emmett served on the board of directors for the Palm Beach County Economics Council and the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Duffy's supports and partners with the Special Olympics of South Florida, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida and Honor Flight of South Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Geri Emmett; his three children, Heather, Jason and Alexander; his father, Jay Emmett; and two brothers, Steven and Andrew. A public celebration of Emmett's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Christ Fellowship, 5343 Northlake Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made in Mr. Emmett's name to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

On 14 September 2006, Ronette Evershed Stoddard passed away after a courageous fight with lung cancer at the age of 54.  Apparently she had been ill for several months. The lung cancer she had was rare and is termed a "non to light smokers cancer".  The cancer was deemed terminal, and was caught too late for conventional medicine . A precious few have won the battle of bronchio alveolar carcinoma.  She was misdiagnosed 5 times with pneumonia over the winter into the spring- she passed away 8 weeks after her initial diagnosis, surrounded by her family.

Ronette is survived by her husband, Dan Stoddard of Kennebunk ME, and children Mareike Every Muszynski (&husband Josh) of Waltham MA, Morgan Chisholm and Robin Stoddard, both of Kennebunk ME.  Mareike is also the daughter of David Every, from our class.  

Funeral services were held on September 20, 2006 in Kennebunk.  Ronette's family is planning a Celebration of Life Service in the near future.  Anyone wishing to attend, please contact me...and I will let you know the date as soon as I hear from the family.

Ronette was a beautiful, sweet, unique and spiritual person, and I know many of us will miss her.

- - John Kyle

Ms. Virginia Coleman Eyes, 55, died Tuesday evening at her home surrounded by her children, parents, brothers and two cousins, Anna and John Coleman, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Eyes was born in Stamford, CT, the daughter of Anne Coleman Eyes and Raymond Eyes, both of Redding, CT, formerly of Westport, CT. She graduated from Staples High School in 1970 in Westport, CT. She moved to Chapel Hill in 1988, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UNC in 1999. Ms. Eyes was a devoted member of the Baha'i faith and a former member of the board of directors of Cornucopia, a cancer support Center for families and individuals with cancer. She worked at Rho, Inc. as a web designer. In addition to her parents, Ms. Eyes is survived by daughters, Aimee Phelps of Brooklyn, NY and Jessica Phelps of Chapel Hill; son, Trevor Phelps of Chapel Hill; and brothers, Peter Eyes of Westport, CT, David Eyes of Santa Cruz, CA and Ted Eyes of Fairfield, CT. The family will hold a private service. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Durham Baha'i Center, 5103 Revere Road, Durham, NC 27713. There is no visitation planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cornucopia House, 111 Cloister Ct., Overlook Building, Suite 220, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. The family is being assisted in Durham by Clements Funeral Service, Inc.

Our class mate Chris Fremont died on Saturday July 29, 2006 in Stillwater Oklahoma. Even though he dodged every class reunion, he kept in touch with Frank Barrow, Jerry Stone, Tim Esser and me. He claimed I was his best friend to his friends and I was asked by his family to be his "best man" at the funeral and give the eulogy. It was an honor to be Chris's best.

He leaves two young children Ali (14) and Cameron (12), and three ex wives, and lots of girl friends. He remained a lovable rogue and a man’s man, just like in high school. And judging by the crowd at his funeral, he was admired for his traits.

--Bob Kelly

Sue Hill lived in Westport her entire life.  She had a great laugh and a wonderful smile. She died at age 42 (1994) from a heart attack as she awakedened from her sleep one day. Her two kids were everything to her.

I remember Steve's smile most of all. He had a hearty laugh, appreciated a good joke and told a few himself. He always seemed to have a secret he wanted to tell but never did. He was a really strong guy who liked to rough house. He was known for his athleticism, especially in football, and was a star athlete in his entire school career.  He played guitar like nobody's business. I think he resisted adulthood like most of us.  When we saw each other in later years, it was usually beeping at each other, he'd give me that familiar sweet smile and looked like the same boy I knew in elementary school.
- - Mary Palmieri Gai

John Ryan Kyle died today, February 12, 2008, from Cirrhosis of the liver.  He had a very peaceful passing surrounded with family and friends at Norwalk hospital hospice. Born May 4th,1952, John lived on Steep Hill Road in Weston and graduated Staples in 1970.  John had requested that before he died, his friends and relatives have a party and party we did, this past Saturday. After being on a liquid diet for weeks, he enjoyed, with gusto, a catered Italian feast from Mario's of Westport that was capped off with Cheesecake and Chocolate. Friends flew in from California, drove up from the Carolinas and down from New England to give John his last wish. At the lounge in the Hospice wing, with a backdrop of 60s and 70s music and a web cam hookup with those who couldn't attend,  the party went on for hours and the hospital staff joined in on the fun. We shared photos of John and memories of simpler times; of friendships, road trips, parties, long telephone and IM chats. Later that night he slipped into a coma and never regained consciousness.  He's survived by his mom and his brother David who lives in Oregon. He is also survived by fellow classmate, Jill Rayburn Schnake Roeder, who John told me was as close to him as any sister could ever be. Not only was John an integral part of our reunion committee, helping to plan and contacting classmates far and wide, he was a great, friendly, fun-loving man. Until recent years John was a security operations manager for a major securities firm. A memorial celebration of life will be held at St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Norwalk on February 23, 2008: 10:30 am.

I have known John since 1965.  He was one class behind me.  By the time we went to Staples we were close friends.  We had been through a lot together as kids who lived in homes with an alcoholic and/or abusive parent.  There was a group of us who shared the same pain that bonded us together as close friends who 'understood'.  We were a safety net for each other.  We rescued one other when things got really bad at home.  John was a gentle soul.  He was a good friend.  In high school we both became close friends with Timmy Mastrilillo - who was infamous around Staples and Westport as the guy dressed in black with dark shades.  Some kids feared him.  But, we knew him as a sweet, kind hearted guy who was a good friend - although he did not want that to get around.  We would all go out and race our cars on the CT Through Way, go to the Savaran Inns off the turnpike or International House of Pancakes to drink coffee and talk for hours.  I remember when John and I decided to see how many people we could cram into my Corvair and drive home after school.  It was hysterical with hands, feet and heads all over the place.  I think we got about 10 or 12 people in that little car.  I remember it was so overloaded it bottomed out as we left the driveway from Staples.  Good memories. We kept in touch once we found each other again in California.  we saw each other several times and he was at our wedding in 2001.  But, after he sold his home in San Diego and moved to North Carolina to live with Jill Rayburn and her husband until he got settled he did not write nor call so often.  Last time I heard from him he told me he had purchased a house in Florida and was all excited to move there.  He told me that he was going to have his mother come live with him so he could take care of her.  I knew he had a drinking problem for quite a long time, but I had no idea he was so sick.  I wish he had told me.  I guess he did not want me to know. I do not know how many of you knew John or even remember him, but I thought I would send this information on to share it with you.  We all went to the same schools, Weston Jr. High and Staples, for many years.  I will miss him.

– – Wendy Ahrensdorf Powers

Thomas McGannon 1952 – 2012

Thomas H. McGannon, 62 Thomas Houghton McGannon of Wilmington, N.C., a former Westport resident, died Jan. 10 of leukemia. He was 62. He was born in Connecticut on Sept. 15, 1952, and graduated from Staples High School in Westport and Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. In 1982, he married Janet Caldwell Noakes in Cairo, Egypt. He had an outstanding career with Chemtex International, initially in New York City and then in Wilmington. He started with the company after college as a summer farmhand and retired as the president and chief executive officer in 2007. He is survived by his wife, Janet Caldwell Noakes McGannon, and his two daughters, Margaret Noakes McGannon and Molly Caldwell McGannon. He is also survived by his mother, Mrs. James V. Dunleavy, and his sister, Susan Emery McGannon.

Kay died in an automobile accident while she was working on the business side of Fairpress Newspaper, formerly in Westport.

Charlene Raum 1952 – 2014

Chou's Facebook Page

Claudia Ridington 1952 – 1991

Claudia died on November 13, 1991 as the result of a car accident on the Post Road in Milford, Connecticut. - - Jill (Rayburn) Schnake-Roeder

Clayton Frederick Ruebensaal Jr., a retired Foreign Service officer, died Oct. 19 2005 of heart failure at his home in Bethesda.

He was 53 Born in New Haven, Conn., Mr. Ruebensaal -- known as Rick -- graduated from Staples High School in Westport, Conn., in 1970. He graduated from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1974 and completed two years of graduate work there.

After becoming a Foreign Service officer with the Department of State in 1975, Mr. Ruebensaal administered relief and resettlement operations on the border of Cambodia and Thailand that served more than 500,000 Indochinese displaced by the Vietnam War. In 1982, he was involved in negotiations with Israeli authorities on food shipment procedures needed to continue feeding programs for 100,000 Palestinians.

Mr. Ruebensaal played a lead role as senior economic adviser in designing and negotiating a 20-year economic support program for the Federated States of Micronesia and was actively involved in negotiations to resolve missing-in-action and prisoner-of-war issues with Iraq after the Persian Gulf War.

His career with the Department of State included assignments to Bermuda, Israel, Thailand and Switzerland.

After his retirement in 2000, Mr. Ruebensaal continued to work as a senior foreign affairs officer in the Department of State's Office of Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.

 Within the office, Mr. Ruebensaal had the lead in drafting and coordinating the interagency review of conventional arms-sanctions recommendations.

His family said Mr. Ruebensaal believed deeply in what he did and in the ability of individuals to make a difference in the world through their own actions.

Mr. Ruebensaal is survived by his wife, Blanca Alejandra Luisi Ruebensaal of Bethesda; a son, Clayton Frederick Ruebensaal III of New York City; two daughters, Virginia Alejandra Ruebensaal and Katherine Erika Ruebensaal of Bethesda; two sisters, Virginia Latrobe Humphreys of Lancaster, Pa., and Elizabeth Latrobe Place of Kent, Conn.; and his mother, Virginia Latrobe Ruebensaal of Greens Farms, Conn.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 36 Church Ave., Westport, Conn. 06880.

- - Washington Times

Kay Rovins died from falling off of a ladder in her home and she was survived by her son and her dad.

Notice sent by Edward Wynn Plaut - August 2005

Margaret Fogel 1952 – ?

Margaret Fogel Ellsworth died January 13, 2014, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer and leukemia. She was 61 and had lived with her husband of 22 years, Michael Ellsworth, in the North End of Bridgeport for the past eight years. Maggie, as she was known to her legions of friends, was born in New York City on April 28, 1952, to Benjamin and Helen Fogel, and raised in Westport. She graduated from Staples High School and attended Syracuse University and the University of Arizona, where she studied nursing and child development. A talented chef, she worked in a number of French restaurants, including the Palace, a five-star restaurant in Manhattan; the Homestead in Greenwich; and Chez Pierre in Westport. Before moving to Bridgeport, she and her husband lived for many years in Wilton. Much of Maggie's time in recent years was spent volunteering with the Red Cross and as a tutor in the computer lab at Mercy Learning Center. Mercy was near and dear to Maggie. She went back to volunteer briefly as late as this past November and over the last several months raised significant funds for the Center. Maggie was also a long-time friend of Bill Wilson's, through which she served as a sponsor and an inspiration to many area women. She loved her family, her friends, her dogs and her God. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother; a brother, Donald, of Houston, Texas, and his wife, Jacquie, and their children, Michael, Annie and Madeline; two sisters, Jane Fogel of Stamford and Celia Strong of Charleston, South Carolina, and her husband, Dale; three children from her husband's previous marriage, to whom she was a devoted mother: Adam Ellsworth of New Haven, Ethan Ellsworth of San Diego, California, and Grace Ellsworth of Juneau, Alaska; and a grandson, Lucas Ellsworth of San Diego. She was predeceased by her father. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16, at Spear Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. Services will be held on Friday, 10 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 2475 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Maggie's name be sent to Mercy Learning Center, 637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 - - Connecticut Post

Brian Wanat 1952 – ?

(Some of) What I think of when I remember Brian: his handsome chiseled face; his yellow mustang, love of cars and driving fast; his good friend Jim Berlin; his Old Road home and the mornings, afternoons and evenings we spent there; his father who raised three sons and a daughter after their mother died – too young; his sister Gail (who designed and sewed my prom dress) and his brothers David and Michael; Port Chester, Sunday Vista runs, Chinatown and Hong Fat; his face at my door on Friday nights picking me up to take me out to dinner; #3 in the draft lottery; his homemade spaghetti sauce; his proud demeanor; his gorgeous, sexy smile and strong hands; his swagger; his temper; his gentle, gentle soul. Rest in peace.

– – Polly Preyer

David R Ward 1952 – 2006

From what I can piece together, David Ward died in 2006, in Southington, Connecticut. After high school, he was station manager at the UConn radio station, WHUS, and later was a salesman for the Nimbus waterbed company. He was an enthusiastic amateur "ham" radio operator." His wife of 32 years died recently also. I stumbled upon his yearbook at a house sale, and was amazed at the inscriptions therein. From the evidence of this, he was a strong Christian and inspired many people through his good example. I wish I knew him better.

– – John Motavalli

One of our first classmates to die. She died at age 19 or 20 as the result of a motorcycle accident. She walked away from it but then died from a brain hemmorage shortly afterward. She was a very nice girl, so friendly and sweet. Everyone seemed to like her. She was also known as Chris and Tina… I think Christine was her middle name.