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Sandra Lou (Heinzerling) Parker
NORWALK - Sandra Lou (Heinzerling) Parker, 68, died on Saturday (June 19, 2004) at Norwalk Hospital from complications of diabetes. Born on May 12, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of the late Carl and Paulina Heinzerling, she was a Norwalk resident for 30 years before moving to Stratford 3 years ago, and worked as a medical transcriptionist until her illness. She is survived by three daughters, Betsy Wilson and Susan Parker of Norwalk, and Penny Kratochwil and son-in-law John Kratochwil of Stratford, three grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew, and Emily Kratochwil, all of Stratford, and a brother-in-law, Walter Parker and his wife Jeanne of Newington. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday (June 30, 2004) at 11 am at the First Congregational Church on the Green in Norwalk. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be given to the American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720, attn: ADA Web.
Enso V. Bighinatti
BERLIN – Enso V. Bighinatti, 82, of Washington D.C., formerly of Berlin, a retired Red Cross official internationally recognized as an authority on disaster relief and preparedness, died on Monday (June 14, 2004) at his home in Washington D.C. He grew up in Kensington, graduated from Berlin High School, class of 1940, was a radio gunner on a B24 Liberator Bomber during WWII, shot down over Germany on his 34th mission, was captured, imprisoned for almost one year, and then escaped, and received the Purple Heart and Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. After the war, he enrolled in Springfield College, but came down with polio as he was registering for his final term. On a visit to Washington with his late wife, Mildred (Genovese) Bighinatti, she suggested he apply to the Red Cross for employment since he had frequently said the Red Cross had saved his life because of the relief packages it sent him while he was a POW. It was a job that for 43 years took him throughout the world, and he did so well helping people in distress that his name has been enshrined in the Red Cross Hall of Fame in Washington. He worked on nearly every major disaster in the United States and on hundreds throughout the world. He was national director of disaster services for the American Red Cross from 1972 to 1975. In 1975 he was transferred to Geneva, Switzerland, where he served for almost seven years as Under Secretary General of the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. In that office he directed and administered over 125 disaster relief and preparedness programs in foreign countries including helping the “Boat People” refugee program in Asia, earthquakes in Guatemala, Turkey, and Italy, droughts in Africa, civil wars in Biafra and Jordan, and forest fires in Brazil. He played a major role in the release of the 1,113 Bay of Pigs prisoners and their families from Cuba in 1963, and received a letter from Atty. General Robert Kennedy commending him and the Red Cross for their efforts. Around 1962, in secret negotiations involving the United States, President Fidel Castro of Cuba agreed to a plan to release prisoners in exchange for medical, food, and relief supplies. On that project that he directed, the Red Cross had been asked to implement a plan that was approved by President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert. After the POWs and about 8,000 of their relatives were allowed to go to the United States, Castro charged that America had cheated Cuba of about $2,000,000 in the exchange. President Kennedy and Robert approved a press release refuting the charges. Through aides, they asked Enso to sign a statement on behalf of the Red Cross, but he refused, explaining that the Red Cross had to remain neutral in disputes between nations. They took Enso’s advise that the President should release a statement first, and the Red Cross would release one the next day, backing the President, but using Red Cross Language. In 1969-70, at the request of H. Ross Perot, Enso led a team of Red Cross workers that accompanied Perot on two arduous but unsuccessful attempts to deliver 35,000 pounds of relief packages to American prisoners in North Vietnam. From 1982 to 1984, he served as assistant to the president of the American Red Cross and as a consultant for the Joint International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross Societies and the International and Disaster Service of the American Red Cross. After retiring in 1984, he continued to serve as a volunteer worker. He is survived by two sisters, Sylvia DiPietro and Laura Ferrero, both of Kensington, his special lifelong friend, Victor Baccaro, and many nieces and nephews, including Lois Russo, Shirley Acampora, Beverly Symonaitis, Roger Casalengo, Palma Pethigal, Donald and Ronald Bighinatti, Bonita and William Ferrero, Ann Sweeney, Mary Beth Bakke, and John, Margaret, and David Genovese. Funeral services will be held Saturday (June 19, 2004) at 9am from Porter’s Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at St. Paul’s Church on Alling Street in Kensington. Entombment with full military honors will follow in the mausoleum of St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday (June 18, 2004) from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to the American Red Cross Disaster and Relief Fund, 45 Russell Street, New Britain 06052.
Tamburro, Dominic - May 29, 2004
BERLIN – Dominic Tamburro, 74, of Lower Lane, the loving husband of Catherine Marie (Spena) Tamburro for 52 years, died Saturday morning (May 29, 2004) at home with his family at his side having suffered a courageous battle with lung cancer. Born in Calabria, Italy, the son of the late Frank and the late Annunziata (Fortuna) Tamburro, he came to the United States at the age of 17 and immediately went to school. After apprenticing with well-known artists, he started his own ceramic tile business. He was a member of St. Paul Church, the Berlin Lions Club who honored him as a member of The Knights of the Blind, the Knights of Columbus, the Italian Political Independent Club, and the General Amegilio Society, the Berlin Bowling League, and the Bocci Club. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Gerald Witz, and Angela Tamburro-Lomaglio and her husband Sam Lomaglio, all of Kensington, two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Christina Tamburro of Andover, Patrick and Corrie Tamburro of Danby, Vermont, a sister, Catherine Bartalotta of New Britain, five loved and cherished grandchildren, Stephanie Rose Witz, Andrew Dominic and Patrick Christopher Lomaglio, and Cecelia Pauline and Paul Dominic Tamburro, a nephew John Bartalotta and his significant other, Brenda Hanson, and John’s children, Katie and Nicholas Bartalotta, and relatives in Calabria, Italy. He was predeceased by a sister, Ann Staropoli. He will be remembered for his faith in God, his happy-go-lucky charming personality, his strength, his courage, his love for life, and as a loving and devoted husband and father. His love for music was transferred not only to his children, but to his grandchildren as well. He was well-known for his wine making of specially labeled bottles of Cabernet Sauginon and Zinfandel that he shared with all his friends, and as an outstanding gardener who produced oversized tomatoes, lettuce, pole beans, basil, parsley, and many other delectibles that were enjoyed by all. Much gratitude and appreciation is given to the Oncology Department at New Britain General Hospital, and Home Hospice in Plainville. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (June 2, 2004) at 10:30am from Porter’s Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, with a Funeral Liturgy at 11:30am at St. Paul’s Church on Alling Street in Kensington. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday (June 1, 2004) from 5-8pm. The Lions Club will meet at the funeral home at 7pm. Those who wish may make donations in his memory to The Memorial Fund of St. Paul Church, 479 Alling Street, Kensington 06037, or to Hospice of Greater Central Connecticut, 40 East Street, Plainville 06062.
Cristino, Anthony “Speed” Salvatore - May 21, 2004
EAST BERLIN – Anthony “Speed” Salvatore Cristino, 78, of Old Saybrook, formerly of Newington and East Berlin, the husband of Arlene (Jennings) LaRosa-Cristino, and the widower of Anne (McNeil) Cristino, died Friday night (May 21, 2004) at New Britain General Hospital. Born in Waterbury, the son of the late Michael and the late Lucy Cristino, he attended Hartford schools, served in the US Coast Guard, and was the body shop manager at Thomas Cadillac before retiring as the body shop manager at Lee Chevrolet. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in East Berlin, St. John’s Church in Old Saybrook, and The Knights of Columbus for over 39 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Mary Cristino of Farmington, a daughter and son-in-law, Jo-Ann and Russell Kelley of Chester, two step-daughters and step-sons-in-law, Carrie and Robert Lanteri of Kensington, and Cheryl and Arthur Volz of Berlin, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Connie and Salvatore Melluzzo, and Lena Demers, all of Hartford, nine grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday (May 26, 2004) at 9am from Porter’s Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, with a Funeral Liturgy at 10am at Sacred Heart Church on Cottage Street in East Berlin. Burial will follow in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home on Tuesday (May 25, 2004) from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in his memory to The American Diabetes Association, 300 Research Parkway, Meriden 06450.
Ervie Coker Sr.
NEW BRITAIN – Ervie Coker Sr., 63, of Allen Street, died Wednesday at a local convalescent home. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, the son of the late Frank and Louise (Scott) Coker, he had lived in New Britain for over thirty years, and was employed at The Stanley Works. In addition to his mother, he is survived by Christine Shumpert with whom he made his home, a daughter, Tina Sweeney, and two sons, Fonzie and James Shumpert, all of New Britain. A funeral service will be held Sunday evening at 4pm at Porter’s Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, Pastor Alfred Smith Jr. officiating. A funeral service and burial will take place Wednesday in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Eleanor Vivian (Schussler) Schumann
BERLIN – Eleanor Vivian (Schussler) Schumann, 78, of Hawthorne Drive, the loving wife of Roger Schumann, died Thursday (May 13, 2004) morning at Bradley Memorial Hospital in Southington. Born in New Britain, the daughter of the late John and the late Elizabeth (Frederick) Schussler, she graduated from New Britain High School. She was a member of St. Paul’s Church in Kensington. In addition to her husband, she is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Susan Scheyd of Cromwell, and Ronald and Kristine Scheyd, Richard and Amanda Scheyd, and Joseph and Sally Scheyd, all of Berlin, a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Louis Scheyd of New Hampshire, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one niece, and two nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday (May 17, 2004) at 9am from Porter’s Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington, with a Funeral Liturgy at 10am at St. Paul’s Church on Alling Street in Kensington. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Britain. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home on Sunday (May 16, 2004) from 3-6pm.In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter, 96 Oak Street, Hartford 06106.
Burton, Bernice (Jefferson) - May 12, 2004
NEW BRITAIN – Bernice (Jefferson) Burton, 80, of Lester Street, the wife of Warren Burton, died Wednesday (May 12, 2004) at a local convalescent home. Born in Dunnellon, Florida, the daughter of the late Tom and the late Frances Jefferson, she was a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Newington. In addition to her husband, she is survived by six sons, Warren Burton Jr., of Middletown, and Aldine, Robert, Glenn, Kim, and Lee Burton, all of New Britain, two brothers, Tom and William Jefferson, both of New York City, two sisters, Claudette Wallace of New Britain, and Ilene Wallace of Middletown, seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday (May 14, 2004) at 11am at Porter’s Funeral Home, 111 Chamberlain Highway, Kensington. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain. Friends and relatives are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday (May 14, 2004) from 10am until the time of the service.
