Wednesday, September 27, 2023

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Obituaries

Mark S. Graham, Former Co-Owner WMMM AM, 64

Mark Seward Graham, who was co-owner of Westport’s WMMM AM for several years and spent more than 25-plus years in the broadcast business, working on air in major markets and throughout Connecticut, has died suddenly in Fairfield County. He was 64.

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Mark Graham: broadcaster. Contributed photo

Graham, a Fairfield resident, was multi talented as a broadcaster, entertainer, moderator and business owner along the way.

His public speaking background goes back to his early days in grade school, and at Suffield Academy (1972-1975). Mark’s desire to work in radio was fostered by Suffield’s own on-campus AM radio station, WSAR AM, where he had a weekly air shift, and ultimately became program director and station manager.

He also cut his teeth for the broadcast business by interning during the summer at Westport’s WMMM AM and WDJF FM, which is now WEBE FM, in Bridgeport.

Sona A. Current, 91

Sona A. Current of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, a former Westport resident, died May 22 after an 11-year battle with dementia. She was 91.

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Sona Current: former Westporter Contributed photo

Born Nov. 5, 1928, in Columbia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Kevork Aznavorian, she was raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

She was the wife of the late Robert C. Current Jr., also of Lancaster, where they met in ninth grade at J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster. 

She received a B.S. degree from the School of Oral Hygiene at Temple University and also attended Penn State College.

Joseph E. Buddy, 64

Joseph E. Buddy of Westport died May 19. He was 64.

He was born in Norwalk on Oct. 13, 1955, the son of the late Elmer and Adelia (Borges De Sousa) Buddy. He attended local schools.Joseph proudly served in the U.S. Army overseas in Korea and Vietnam, and upon returning home served in the National Guard. Joe enjoyed working on motorcycles and riding them, He also loved church and his family and he will be greatly missed.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 16 years Jennifer, his son’s David J. Buddy and Johnathan M. Fumega. His daughter’s Adelia Ross (Chris), Amy Hopp (Chris Smalick) and his grandchildren Brianna Glynn, Jacob Smalick, P.J. Landi Jr., Isabella Ross, Elijah Ross, Ryker Ross, and future grandson Axel. His brother-in-law Donald Bradley, mother and father-In-law Joan and Richard Thane Sr. His brother and sister in law Richard and Andrea Thane Jr., his Uncle Ed Budy and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Joseph was predeceased by his sister Sandra Bossone Bradley, his niece Virginia Forcier and his godmother Adele B. Galbraith.

The family would like to hold a celebration of life during a later date.

Arnold Pearlstone, 90

Arnold David Pearlstone, MD of Westport died May 21 at home. He was 90.

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Arnold Pearlstone: opthamologist Contributed photo

A father of four children, he had 11 grandchildren, was a devoted husband, loving father, treasured grandfather, loyal friend, and compassionate physician.

The son of the late William and Rose Pearlstone of Jackson Heights, New York, he attended Syracuse University where he graduated magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

He then attended SUNY Syracuse School of Medicine and trained in ophthalmology at the famed New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Philip V. Patalano, 98

Philip Vincent Patalano, a longtime Westporter before moving to Norwalk, died April 30. He was 98.

He is now likely sharing raisin meatballs and spaghetti with his wife Sudia “Winny” and watching the Mets on TV.

Born to Maria Rosa (Pisano) and Gaspare Patalano on March 19, 1922 in New York City, Phil was raised in Westport.

He served in the Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946. During that time friends introduced him to the love of his life “Winny” and they married on July 31, 1944.

Lawrence W. Delaney, 88

Lawrence Walter Delaney of Westport died on May 2 in Bridgeport. He was 88.

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Lawrence Delaney:  Korean vet. Contributed photo

He was born on June 6, 1931, to Leo Thomas Delaney and Florence Margaret Collins Delaney, in Greenwich and grew up in Harrison, New York.

Following his studies at Pace University in business management, he worked for many years in the wholesale food merchandising industry for large, chain supermarkets, both in promotional and procurement capacities.

Lawrence served as a radar man in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict, from 1951 - 1955, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, where he was awarded five service medals.

William Chilton Ryan, 90

William Chilton Ryan (known as Chilton) died May 8 at his home in Weston. He was 90.

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William Chilton Ryan: actor, ad man.  Contributed photo

Born in New York City, on Oct. 10, 1929, he was the son of the late William J. and Margaret E. C. Ryan, longtime residents of Wilton, where Chilton was raised. He attended Center Elementary School in Wilton, followed by several years at “Mater Dei” Poor Servants of the Mother of God, in Rome, Italy.

Upon returning to the USA just before the outbreak of World War II, he attended Gilbert Bennett Junior High in Georgetown and then Fairfield College Preparatory School in Fairfield.

A member of the first graduating class of Fairfield University in 1951, Chilton spent several seasons as apprentice, actor/chorus boy, assistant stage manager, box office/subscription assistant and press representative at The Westport Country Playhouse.

Evelyn Ann Mills, 88

Evelyn Ann Mills, a lifetime resident of Westport, died May 15. She was 88.

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Evelyn Mills: lifelong Westporter. Contributed photo

Evelyn grew up in Westport, attended Westport schools and remained a resident until three years ago when she became a resident of Notre Dame Health and Rehabilitation Center in Norwalk.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Notre Dame for the care and compassion they bestowed on Evelyn.  Every member of the staff was wonderful, especially Jenelle and Geraldine.  These two women were angels indeed.

At Notre Dame Evelyn made many new friends.  She had quite an active social life there with games, recreation, and music which she took part in on a regular basis.

Susan B. Mahar, 91

Susan Ann Bitzer Mahar, a longtime resident of Westport, died May 15 from complications due to the coronavirus. She was 91.

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Susan Mahar longtime Westporter.  Contributed photo

Sue was the youngest of three daughters born to Charles and Grace Bitzer and grew up in Bridgeport and ultimately Easton.

After high school she attended Russell Sage College in Troy, New York where she met her future husband, Russell Mahar who was attending nearby Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They were married on Feb. 7, 1948 and started their lives together. 

Not long after their second child was born they moved to Westport to be closer to her family.