Monday, December 11, 2023

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Obituaries

Thomas Tremonte, Jr., 71

Thomas Tremonte, Jr. of Londonderry, New Hampshire, a former Westport resident, died Nov. 22 at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Home, Tilton, New Hampshire. He was 71.

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Thomas Tremonte, Jr,: Staples graduate. Contributed photo

He had been a resident there for eight years. He was born on Feb. 2, 1947, a son of Thomas Sr. and Felecia (Borriello) Tremonte, and grew up in Westport.

Following graduation from Staples High School, he attended Southern Connecticut University for a brief period before entering the U.S. Air Force in 1967. He served in Vietnam from 1968-69 and was decorated with several commendations and medals.

His lifelong career as a plumbing and heating contractor began with training he received while serving his country. Upon his active military discharge in 1971, he completed formal training and apprenticeship as a master plumber. He ran his own successful plumbing and heating company for over 25 years.

Marie C. Taylor, 93

Marie C. Taylor, a resident of Westport for 51 years, died Oct. 23 at home. She was 93.

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Marie Taylor: longtime Westporter. Contributed photo

Born in Fulton, New York in 1924, she also previously resided in the Syracuse, New York area and in Lynchburg, Virginia.

She was a longtime member of the Westport Woman’s Club and Garden Department, serving on the board and participating in their many community outreach and fundraising endeavors.

She thoroughly enjoyed many trips to New York City, New England points of interest, and many luncheons and guest speakers/performers who brought fun and enrichment.

Eve C. Carey, 94

Eve Casey Carey of Naples, Florida, a former Westport resident, died Sept. 16 at Naples Community Baker Hospital. She was 94.

She was born in Arlington, Massachusetts on April 9, 1924 to Norine and John Casey. She received her BS in biology from Regis College in 1945.

In 1947, she was invited to attend the International Congress of Junior League of Catholic Women in Rome, representing the college women of Boston with Bishop Wright and participated in a private audience with Pope Pius XII.

She taught school for a few years, and in 1949, Bishop Wright performed the ceremony when she married David Marsden Carey of Concord, Massachusetts.

Mike (Myron) Belaga, 88

Mike (Myron) Belaga of Westport, a retired oil company executive who became a longtime community activist, died Nov. 24 at the Fairfield County Hospice House in Stamford. He was 88.

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Mike Belaga: community activist. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on Dec. 31, 1929. He attended Baltimore Poly Technical High School and then graduated from Johns Hopkins University. He went on to get his graduate degree from MIT and then served as a 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean conflict. 

After his military service, he worked for 18 years at Exxon where he traveled the world.

He left Exxon to become vice president of A Johnson, a Swedish oil company. In 1982, he became president of GHR, the largest independent oil refinery in the country.

Greta Ackerman, 87

Greta Ackerman, a former Westport resident and wife of Richard Ackerman, died Nov. 20. She was 87.

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Greta Ackerman: former Westporter. Contributed photo

Born July 24, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Murray R. and Marcella Goldsmith Schwerens. She grew up in Cedarhurst, and Hewlett, Long Island, attending Woodmere High School where she was a varsity cheerleader.

After high school, she attended Albright College.

Greta and Richard, formerly of Westport for over 40 years, enjoyed many years of music, theater, dance, exercising, and spending time on Compo Beach.

Robert C. Call, 79

Robert C. Call of Fairfield, a former Westport resident, and husband of the late Gladys A. Call, died Nov. 21 at Norwalk Hospital. He was 79. 

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Robert Call: Staples graduate. Contributed photo

                   

Born in Norwalk and raised in Westport, the son of the late Lloyd and Laura Call, he had been a Fairfield resident for the last 50 years.

A graduate of Staples High School, he owned Western Auto in Westport for nearly 20 years. He also worked for many years for Home Depot in Fairfield as well as handyman and custodian at Fairfield Prep.

He loved to work on various projects such as building cars and boats. He also enjoyed the challenge of repairing anything in need. He was also a NASCAR enthusiast.

Kimberly Sholty, 57

Kimberly Sholty of Westport, the devoted and much loved wife of Joseph Martens and mother of two sons, Jack and Finn, died Nov. 23 following a brief illness. She was 57.

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Kim Sholty: community volunteer. Contributed photo


She grew up in Old Westbury, Long Island, New York. She graduated with honors from Jericho High School and completed her degree in finance at the University of Florida before pursuing a successful career on Wall Street.

She met and married the love of her life, Joe Martens and together they chose to raise their family in Westport. 


Kim enjoyed giving back to her community. She was a regular volunteer at Coleytown Elementary School and active in their PTA.

Noel F. Dupont, 59

Noel Francis Dupont of Westport, owner of François du Pont Jewelers in Sconset Square, died unexpectedly at home on Nov. 15. He was 59.

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Noel Dupont: jeweler. Contributed photo

Born in Bridgeport on Nov. 11, 1959, he was the son of the late François DuPont and Marylou (Giard) Dupont.

He graduated from Staples High School and attended the Berklee College of Music. 

For the last 38 years, he has been proud to carry on his father’s legacy as the owner of François du Pont Jewelers.

Brian Gordon, 49

Brian Gordon, a Weston selectman and former Westport resident, died Nov. 18. He was 49.

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Brian Gordon: Staples graduate. Contributed photo

An announcement on the Town of Weston website said: “Brian lost an epic struggle with cancer. He courageously continued to serve our town to the very end. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Gordon, a 1987 graduate of Staples High School where he was president of the senior class, moved to Westport in 1983 and to Weston in 2013. He had been selectman there since 2017.

After attending the University of Pennsylvania, he began his career at Procter & Gamble and eventually started his own strategic consulting business.

Marina Mitas, 90

Marina Tsolos Mitas of Westport, wife of 35 years to the late George Mitas, died Nov. 18. She was 90.

Born in Analipsis, Greece, she was the daughter of the late George and Olympia Tsolos. An area resident for many years, she was a seamstress for the Davidson Company.

Survivors include her two sons, Peter Mitas and his wife Kathy of Westport, Dimos Mitas and his wife Kathy of Monroe, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a brother Yakis Tsolos, two sisters Voula Vazouras and Angel Tsolos, all of Greece, several nieces and nephews.

The Rite of Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at noon in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave., Bridgeport with Fr. Georgios Livaditis Presbyter officiating. A private interment will take place at a later date in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 11:15 a.m. until time of services in the church.