Friday, September 29, 2023

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Obituaries

Seymon Ostilly, 80

Seymon Ostilly
Seymon Ostilly, 80 Contributed photo

Seymon Ostilly,  husband to Lynne and father of Dane and Emma Ostilly, died Oct 4 after a long battle with dementia. He was 80.

Seymon was born in Doonside, South Africa. Seymon had a love for Rugby and played throughout his childhood and twenties constantly being written up in the local news for his lightning speed. After he matriculated from Durban High School he did a year training in the South African Air Force.

At the age of 19 Seymon was awarded a scholarship that he hoped would help fulfil his dream as a commercial artist in film and television. He then immigrated to London in the late 1960s and began his advertising career. When he finally returned home to South Africa, he met and quickly married his bride Lynne in 1976 and from there his adventure to America began. He was able to achieve that dream years later when he had a successful career as a Creative Director at Lord Geller Federico on Madison Ave with clients ranging from IBM, New Yorker, and Loreal.

He had the biggest heart and adored his family more than anything in this world. He had a love for photography, art, cars, and sports. Most importantly, he always tried to make everyone around him laugh.

Frederick J. Raila, 73

Frederick J. Raila, a 50-year resident of Westport, died Sept. 19. He was 73.

The world is a little less bright without his presence . He was loved by all who know him personally and professionally.

Fred received a BS degree with a double major in Business Administration and Advertising from The University of Tampa.

After graduation, his business career brought him from his birth state of Massachusetts to Westport and spanned from executive sales positions in NYC to a successful decade plus in the investment field. In retirement, he enjoyed day-trading and was always ready to provide a tip or two.

Victor R. Grann, 87

Victor Robert Grann, a former Westport resident, died Oct. 4. He was 87.

He was a husband and father and a devoted doctor. He was born in New London in 1933, and resided in New York City.

He graduated from Yale University and, before attending the New York Medical College, served in the U.S. Army. He had a long and successful career as an oncologist at Stamford Hospital and Director of the Bennet Cancer Center in Stamford,

Upon retiring from clinical medicine he went on to complete a Master’s degree in public health at Columbia University. He subsequently joined the faculty of Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health, where he spent the remainder of his career studying health outcomes in cancer care, including preventive strategies for women with breast cancer-related mutations and effectiveness of cancer chemotherapies.

Patricia Rodgers, 73

Patricia Rodgers, a longtime resident of Westport, died Oct. 2. She was 73.

Patricia was born in Norwalk on July 3, 1947 and was the daughter of the late William and Marie (Demace) Wallace. Patricia is survived by a son, Patrick Rodgers; a daughter, Josephine Hoffman; and three sisters: Marcia Ball, June Bosik, and Lisa Klein; and two grandchildren. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband David Rodgers and sister Mary Marcinkowski.

Friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. in Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Road.

Condolences for Patricia’s family may be left on line at www.hardingfuneral.com

Marge L. Oliphant, 80

Marge L. Oliphant of Westport died Sept. 25 at Regional Hospice in Danbury. She was 80.

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Marge Oliphant Contributed photo

Born in New York City, Marge had been a Westport resident for over 50 years. A 1957 graduate of White Plains High School, she later received her Bachelor’s Degree from Curry College.

Marge was well known in the retail sales scene on Main Street in Westport where she worked in various boutiques over the years. Her greatest joy however, was spending time with her beloved children and cherished grandchildren.

She will be sadly missed by her three children: Laura Hebeler and her husband Curt of Fairfield, Jeff Oliphant of Naples, FL and daughter-in-law Erika Muik of Orange, Perry Oliphant and his wife Rose of Seymour; and five grandchildren, Blake and Taylor Bargmann, Aubri and Eli Oliphant and Jacob Oliphant.

William F. DePalma, 76

William F. DePalma of Weston and former long-time resident of Westport died Sept. 29, He was 76. For 54 years, he was the beloved husband of Marie (Donofrio) DePalma.

William F. DePalma
William DePalma Contributed photo

Billy was born on Aug. 20, 1944 to Carl and Lucille (Bussiere) DePalma. He was a master plumber and ran a successful business in Westport, DePalma’s Plumbing & Heating, for more than 50 years. Billy was an avid golfer, like to shoot pool at the senior center, throw horseshoes, bowl, and build furniture. Billy enjoyed being with his family and friends, telling stories, laughing, and having a beer. He was a member of the Westport Screwball Club. Billy was a loving husband, father and grandfather to LilyMarie & Joey who affectionately referred to him as Papa.

In addition to Marie, Billy is survived by his two daughters; Diane DePalma Vullo and husband Joe of Cavendish, VT; Debra DePalma and her partner, Geoff Morse, of Boston, MA; a brother, Richard DePalma, of Peru, MA; a sister, Patti DePalma Slesinski, of Kennett Square, PA, his grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many long-time friends. He is predeceased by his brother, Donny DePalma.

The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home at 210 Post Road East in Westport on Friday, Oct. 2 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. for a walk-through visitation. Interment will be private. Condolences for the family may be left online at http://www.hardingfuneral.com. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2075 Silas Dean Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

Joyce K. Guliuzza, 77

Joyce “Joy” Katherine Guliuzza of Ansonia died Sept 23 . She was 77.

Joyce 'Joy' Katherine Guliuzza
Joyce Guliuzza Contributed photo

Born in Derby on July 7, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Prudence Thompson Cotnoir.

She was a lifelong Valley resident and natural athlete playing softball, racquetball, and bowling in area leagues. Her sportsmanship and athletic ability allowed her to support and coach her grandsons in all their sporting endeavors.

She was the owner and operator of Expressions of Joy florist and specialized in custom silk flower arrangements. She also worked as a licensed real estate agent in Westport for many years, until her retirement in 2004.

Corinne R. Youngling, 91

Corinne Russo Youngling of Naples, Florida, a former Westport resident, died Sept. 6. She was 91.

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Corrine Youngling Contributed photo

She was the wife of the late Theodore (Ted) Youngling to whom she was married 52 years. She was the oldest of five children of Sabitino and Eleanor (D’Onofrio) Russo of Wilmington, Delaware.

Corinne and Ted lived around many college campuses before settling in Westport in 1966 with their four children where Corinne taught special education for 25 years in the Norwalk school system.

She obtained a masters degree in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State College. She proudly crossed the picket line several times because she felt her students were more important than a walkout.

Madeline E. Herman, 90

Madeline E. Herman of Norwalk died Sept. 5. She was 90.

Born in Westport, she was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Capasse) Santella. Madeline was predeceased by her husband Theodore “Ted” Herman, daughter Ilse, infant son Theodore, and siblings, Marie Parke, Louis and John Santella.

Madeline graduated from Staples High School, Class of 1948, and Merrill Business School.

Upon marrying Ted, she began a long career as a military spouse, living throughout the United States and in Augsburg, Germany. Madeline later worked for MBI in Norwalk.

Theodore R. Voss, 77

Theodore “Ted” Robert Voss of Westport, husband of Judith “Judy” Ann Voss, died Sept. 2. He was 77.

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Ted Voss Contributed photo

Ted was born on Oct. 6, 1942 to the late Norbert and Frances (Endres) Voss in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  He graduated from Wauwatosa High School and from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a B.S. in 1964 and a J.D. in 1967. 

In the fall of 1967 Ted was set up on a blind date with Judy Schmahl; the following year they were married on Dec. 21, 1968 in West Allis, Wisconsin.  Together the two would live in Milwaukee,  Heidelberg, Germany and Indianapolis before settling in Westport for the last 45 plus years.

Ted served in the United States Army for two years from 1968 to 1970.  After serving in the Army, he worked as an attorney for several corporations including Eli Lilly, JC Penney, General Mills, Crystal Brands and The Starter Corporation prior to his retirement.