All Obituaries

Dr. Vito L Gesualdi Dr. Vito L Gesualdi “Poppy” was born at home in New Canaan, CT September 7, 1929, to John Gesualdi and Mary Rainoni. He passed unexpectedly at home in Bethel, CT August 27, 2021. Vito was an Optometrist. He first practiced Optometry during his military service in the army from 1955 to 1957. After his discharge from the army, he practiced briefly in New Canaan, CT. The long highpoint of his career was spent at his practice located in downtown Bethel, CT from...

On January 5, 1933 - Jesus Manolo Esteban was born in Manila, Philippines. He was the youngest of ten siblings. Jesus peacefully passed away at home, in the presence of his loving family members on September 16, 2021, at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife, Nora, and their children: Jesse (Jesus N.) - who is married to Ruth, Norman - who is married to Yvette, and Jessica - who is married to Steven. His joyful memory lives on through all of his grandchildren: Ysabelle, Justin, Zachary,...

Charles Herman Smith January 22, 1944 to August 31, 2021 Charles Herman Smith departed this earth at the Regional Hospice in Danbury, CT, surrounded by his devoted family on August 31, 2021.  He passed into his next life where he was greeted by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his departed loved ones.  Charlie was born to Ellsworth and Gertrude (Whitlock) Smith, who lovingly raised him, on January 22, 1944.  He grew up in Norwalk and graduated from Brien McMahon High...

Paul, John, (PJ), Chuvala, age 78 of Wakefield, RI, passed away at Westerly Hospital, RI on September 12, 2021. He was the husband of Linda (Hugyo), Chuvala. He is survived by his daughter Melissa Salva and two grandchildren Piper and Jesse Salva of Bethel, CT. PJ was born at Danbury Hospital on November 18, 1942. After graduating from Bethel High School in 1960, he served four years in the US Marine Corps. PJ worked for BJ Dolans for 25 years as a Teamster truck drive. He later continued...

Maria Kovacs, age 78, of Danbury, CT died unexpectedly Friday, September 10, 2021 at home. She was the wife of Joseph Kovacs. She was born in Subotica, Yugoslavia, April 19, 1943, daughter of the late Mathew and Juliana Milunovich. She immigrated to United States in 1965, started a carrier in the fast-food industry, eventually working as a manager, was active in the Hungarian community.  She was predeceased by two sisters and eight brothers and is survived by one brother. In...

Emily Haas Antanaitis 88, formerly of Bethel, CT passed away peacefully in the presence of family on September 1, 2021, after a period of declining health. She was the widow of Robert J. Antanaitis. Born on July 5, 1933, in Peoria, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late George H. and Elizabeth Perkins Haas. Emily graduated from Peoria Central High School in 1951, and the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1955 with a B.S. in physical education. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi....

Joyce Barno DeShay,74, beloved wife of Bruce DeShay of Bethel, passed away on September 13, 2021 at Danbury Hospital.  She was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Herbert) Barno and born in Binghamton, NY on September 12, 1947. Before retiring in 2013 she worked as a secretary/receptionist at Solar Electric in White Plains, NY.   Joyce enjoyed spending time with her family and was a loving mother and grandmother. She had a great sense of humor, always greeted...

On Friday, August 27, 2021, Pearl Bockisch, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 91. She was born on September 23, 1929, on the family farm in St-Anne-de-Prescott Ontario, Canada. She moved to the United States where she earned a bachelor and master degree. She taught French, German, Spanish and English as a Second Language throughout the Danbury school system for more than forty years. She was married to Karl for 56 years. Together, they raised two sons, Paul and...

Dolores Dorothy Backert 1929-2021 Our angel, the sweetest woman on earth. We all had so many fun times together. Thank you for teaching us so much about life and about the power of positive thinking. Thank you for always treating others with kindness, looking on the bright side, and just having fun, smiling and enjoying the simple things in life. Dolores was someone who gave everyone around her such amazing memories. She was one of a kind, with a twinkle in her eye, a warm smile, and an...

Shirley McGuire Miller, 75 of Bethel died peacefully at Danbury Hospital surrounded by her family. Shirley was born Shirley Densky on September 27,1945 in Stamford, CT. She was a Bethel resident since 1969. She is survived by her husband Richard Miller; her children and their spouses Darren and Emily McGuire, Sean and Tenja McGuire (Tenja’s daughter Kellie Greenwood) Kelley and Michael Braccia and Jennifer (Miller)Caldwell and Tim Caldwell. Shirley is also survived by her 5...