Obits

Helen Martha Borst

Helen Martha Borst, 78, of East Norwalk, died Dec. 11, in Norwalk Hospital.

Born in Norwalk, March 19, 1931, daughter of the late Stephen and Helen Warga Valentik, she was a lifelong city resident. A 1948 graduate of Norwalk High School, Borst was trained as a secretary and had been employed by Remington -- Rand Corp., the Hat Corporation of America; she was secretary to the Norwalk building Inspector, and both Norwalk Fire Chief and Fire Marshall. She retired in 1987.

Survivors include two sons; William J. Borst and Robert A. Borst, both of East Norwalk, and a brother; Thomas Valentik, of Falmouth, Maine.

She was predeceased by a sister Ruth Tymon.

The Collins Funeral Home in Norwalk handled arrangements.

Funeral and committal services are private.

Anne M. CimminelliAnne M. Cimminelli, 96, of Norwalk, died Dec. 12 at Norwalk Hospital. Born in New York, she was the wife of the late Jeffrey Cimminelli, and had worked for many years in the family business, Phil Baker's Restaurant. She was a member of the Norwalk Senior Center.

Predeceased by her brothers Philip and Vincent Matro, and two sisters, Concetta Matro and Teresa Carrano, she is survived by her sister Frances T. Cea of Norwalk, and her loving nieces and nephews including Marguerite Iannacone of Stratford, Concetta Mastrianna of Milford, Felicia Mancuso of Trumbull, and Vincent Matro of New Fairfield.

The Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk handled arrangements.

Memorial donations may be directed to: St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Rd, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Thomas Everett Finnegan

Thomas Everett Finnegan, 85, of Norwalk, died Dec. 14, at Southport Manor. He was the husband of Rita Connors Finnegan for the past 56 years. Born in Norwalk on May 20, 1924, Finnegan was the son of the late Thomas J. and Anna Everett Finnegan. He was a graduate of Norwalk High School and a veteran of W.W.II, serving with the U.S. Army in London.

After the war he was a painter and worked at the South Norwalk Post Office for many years. He was an avid reader and a devoted family man who loved spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Rita, survivors include his loving daughter Cheryl Ragonese her husband Thomas, and their children Kayla Anne, Andrew Thomas and Dylan Everett Ragonese, all of Trumbull, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his three sisters, Helen Bottone, Jean Wikman and Dorothy O'Sullivan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today at 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 206 East Ave., Norwalk, with burial to follow at Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport.

Emily Pease Haas

Emily Pease Haas, 81, of Norwalk, died Dec.13 at Norwalk Hospital of ovarian cancer.

She was predeceased by her parents Myrtle Stowe Pease Humphrey and John Pease, her stepfather Fred Humphrey, and two sisters, Marion Pease Davis Sallani and Dorothy Pease Beecher.

Surviving her are her husband of 55 years William Haas of Norwalk; two sons, Donald Haas of Stamford and David Haas and his wife Suzanne Haas and her granddaughter Julia Haas, all of Fairfield. Also surviving Haas are her brother John Pease of Norwalk and her sister Ellen Pease Percey of Richmond, Va.

She was born May 27, 1928 in St. Petersburg, Penn., and moved to Norwalk as a young child. She graduated from Norwalk High School 1945. Emily and Bill were married at the Norwalk United Methodist Church (NUMC) Sept. 11, 1954. She served as head librarian at Norwalk's Cranbury Elementary School for many years and was active at the NUMC, as a member of the choir in her youth and chairman of the Missions Commission later in life, until her health would not allow.

Her hobbies were reading, music, genealogy, and growing and showing African Violets.

Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory handled arrangements.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Norwalk United Methodist Church, 718 West Ave.

Special thanks to Emily's health care aid and friend Joan and the caring and compassionate nurses at Norwalk Hospital.

She will be remembered for never shying away from a challenge and generously sharing her experience and knowledge with others.

John M. Ingersoll

John M. Ingersoll, 61, of Norwalk, died peacefully Dec. 8 at Norwalk Hospital.

Born Jan. 29, 1948 in New London, he was the son of the late John E. Ingersoll of Norwalk and Ann (Simonelli) Ingersoll of Ocala, Fla.

He is survived by his two children, Eric Ingersoll and his wife Jenine of Seymour, and Jennifer Benitez and her husband Kevin of Norwalk, and by three grandchildren, Dillon, John and Isabelle Ingersoll.

In addition, he is survived by his three sisters, Eileen, Barbara and Kathy of Ocala; his brother Richard of Ridgefield, and by many nieces and nephews.

Ingersoll served three years in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He later worked in the composing room of the Norwalk Hour until his retirement.

Ingersoll especially loved his dogs, time spent with his grandchildren, and the special care and love of Jennifer, Ruthie and Estella. He will be sadly missed, but always loved by everyone. At his request, there will be no calling hours and a private memorial service. He would appreciate donations to the Humane Society instead. Arrangements are in the care of Collins Funeral Home.

Thomas Joseph Marshall

Thomas Joseph Marshall (Joe), 83, of Norwalk, died Dec. 5, surrounded by his loving family and friends after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Throughout his illness, he maintained a positive attitude, always had kind words, loving hugs and genuine good will toward all who come in contact with him. He will be deeply missed.

Everyone who came into contact with him was made richer, brighter and truly enlightened by his spirit.

He was born in Norwalk on Aug. 3, 1926. He was predeceased by his mother Pearl, his brothers Hank and Charlie and his sister Bessie. He served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. He was the affectionate Welcomer to all who entered the doors of Ludlow Commons Assisted Living Center. And later, he was crowned the "unofficial" Mayor of Honey Hill Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in Norwalk.

He was an avid walker and had a passion for professional sports before his illness. He retired from Norwalk Hospital after 18 years of dedicated service.

He is survived by his loving friend and companion Alfreda Mosely of Wilton; daughter, Shurieda Marshall of Tampa, Fla.; sons Mylert Marshall of Phoenix, Ariz., Thomas Marshall of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Keith Marshall of Souix City, Iowa, and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mid-Fairfield Hospice, 180 School Road, Wilton, CT, 06897, ph: 203-762-8958.

Baker Funeral Services in Norwalk handled arrangements.

Thomas A. Randazzo

Thomas A. Randazzo, 44, of Norwalk, husband of Marian Bright Randazzo, died suddenly Sunday.

Born in Norwalk, August 26, 1965, he was the son of Rita DeCostanzo Randazzo and the late Salvatore T. Randazzo, Sr., and was a Norwalk resident most of his life.

Survivors in addition to his wife, include two daughters; Brittany Marie and Lexi Nicole Randazzo of Norwalk, sister Debra Randazzo Kiska and her husband Jeff, of Murphy, N.C. and brother Salvatore T. Randazzo, Jr. and his wife Lisa Marie, of Norwalk; his loving nieces and nephews Jeff J. Kiska of Whittier, N.C., Leanne E. Kiska of Murphy, N.C., Tanner A. Randazzo and Bianca M. Randazzo of Norwalk. He is also survived by sister-in-law Lisa Bright and mother-in-law Josephine Bright of Norwalk. He was predeceased by his father-in-law Marion Bright.

Randazzo was employed at Patchen Auto Parts for many years. He enjoyed bowling and playing Rec softball for Raw Talent and Smitty''s over the years. Randazzo was an avid NY Yankees and Atlanta Falcons fan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Ave., Norwalk. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Terrence A. Rosso

Terrence A. Rosso, 35 of Laguna Hills, formerly of Norwalk, died Dec. 8, in California.

Born in Norwalk, hegraduated from Norwalk schools, and Gibbs College before enrolling in Laguna College of Art and Design which he was presently attending. He was an accomplished artist, having shown at the Rockport Gallery as well as galleries in California. He volunteered with Swim Across the Sound, donating artwork for fundraising, and was involved with Silvermine Art community.

He is survived by his mother Patricia (Gardner) Marshock, of Norwalk, his father James David Rosso of Port-St-Lucie, Fla., two brothers James D. Rosso Jr. Of Norwalk, and Michael P. Rosso and his wife Susan of Norwalk, grandmother Ruth Gardner of Virginia Beach, and numerous other loving aunts, uncles, cousins, a niece and nephews.

A funeral service officiated by Rev. Dorothy Weigert will be held today today at 11 a.m. at East Avenue United Methodist Church, with committal to follow at Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk.

Memorial donations may be made to: Swim Across the Sound, c/o St. Vincent's Hospital Foundation, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606.

Mary Elizabeth Sanders

Mary Elizabeth Sanders, 79, of Norwalk Dec.13, in Norwalk Hospital, following an illness.

Born in Bethlehem, Penn. on Oct. 7, 1930, She was the daughter of the late Tokio and Mary (Matoon) Tamatsu and moved to Norwalk during her adolescent years. She attended Norwalk Public Schools and on Jan. 10, 1948, married her beloved husband of nearly sixty-two years, William Joseph Sanders.

She worked as a customer service representative at 3M for many years. During her spare time, she enjoyed traveling throughout the world. She especially enjoyed the Middle East, where she visited Turkey and Egypt.

A devout Catholic, she was a member of St. Matthew R.C. Church of Norwalk.

She was also the past president of the Marine Corps League Artillery.

Along with her husband, she is survived by three nieces and four nephews.

A Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held at today at 10 a.m. in St. Matthew R.C. Church, 216 Scribner Ave., Norwalk. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Whittingham Cancer Center or St. Matthew R.C. Church.

Ruth Helen Sawyer

Ruth Helen Sawyer, 93, of Norwalk, died, Dec. 15, at Norwalk Hospital. Born in Norwalk on Oct. 19, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Alice (Headding) Wood.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert L. Sawyer, Sr., her brother Howard H. Wood, sister Winifred Wood Malkim and 2 nieces.

A devoted and loving mother, she is survived by her son Robert L. Sawyer Jr, daughter Barbara Hubbard, and grandson David Hubbard as well as 2 nieces and a nephew.

Burial will be held privately at Hillside Cemetery, Wilton.