Charles “Charlie” Crooks, 23, Died; Fairfield Native, “Not many get the chance to live that way.”
CHARLES HEW DALRYMPLE CROOKS: August 15, 1998 - July 29, 2022
Born in Lima, Peru on August 15, 1998. Died in a flying accident on July 29, 2022, in Raleigh, NC.
Raised in Fairfield, CT, Charlie attended Osborn Hill Elementary School and Roger Ludlowe Middle School. After completing his freshman year at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, he made the brave journey across the continent to Mill Bay, British Columbia to complete his high school education at Brentwood College School, his father's alma mater. He was admitted to Bucknell University, graduating in May 2020 with a BA in Political Science.
Charlie had numerous interests and talents. Several weeks each summer were spent at his grandparents' cottage on Gloucester Pool, where he honed his unique swimming style of bobbing with chin partially submerged. While he loved the water, Charlie lacked the necessary buoyancy to pursue swimming as a sport. Instead, he had the great fortune to meet Master KJ Ha of World Champion Tae Kwan Do in Fairfield. Through many years of dedication on the part of both master and student, Charlie was proud to achieve his second-degree black belt.
Leaving home for boarding school required a leap of faith, but Brentwood provided the environment in which Charlie truly began to excel academically, physically, artistically, and socially. He joined the cross country running club and was proud after much dedication to move "from the shame of being stuck in the slow group to feeling confident as a solid member of the medium-slow group." He tried his hand at rowing, competed on the debate team, and perhaps most importantly learned from his band of brothers in Rogers House to give and receive true friendship and to have confidence in his unique gifts. His time at Brentwood culminated in the ultimate honor of being elected by his classmates to give the valedictorian speech for the class of 2016. Delivered with his trademark combination of self-deprecation and sly wit, his final moments at Brentwood were spent walking from the stage wearing a giant smile, to an explosion of cheers and a standing ovation. At Bucknell, Charlie joined the Bison Battalion, Bucknell's chapter of ROTC, completed Basic Camp at Fort Knox, founded the Bucknell chapter of Young Americans for Liberty, competed on the ski team, and discovered a gift for art and sculpture.
Aviation was Charlie's overriding passion practically from birth. He read every flight book he could get his hands on and was known occasionally to wear one on his head for transcranial absorption of knowledge. As a young teenager, he built an actual flight simulator and developed a love for flying remote control planes, but the real fun began when he took his first flying lessons at Three Wing Aviation in Stratford, CT. He continued his training throughout college in Williamsport, PA, soloing in August of 2017. Facing a complete lack of demand for pilots during the early phase of the pandemic, Charlie doggedly, yet cheerfully, pursued his dream of becoming a professional pilot, earning various advanced ratings and qualifying as a Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor before landing a job in May 2021 as a flight instructor at Flightgest Academy at the Raleigh-Durham Airport. He was greatly admired by his students and colleagues for his teaching style. His celebrated whiteboard drawings made even the most complex concepts both humorous and easy to understand; many have been photographed and preserved by his fellow instructors. In April 2022, Charlie accepted his dream job as a First Officer with Rampart Aviation, a specialist contractor primarily conducting support operations for the Department of Defense. He was very proud of the company and pleased to announce to his family that he had earned the nickname "Tuna," signaling his full acceptance as part of the Rampart team. When not on the job, Charlie fused his love for art, technology, and aviation, producing custom designed, 3-D printed components that he shipped to other flight simulator enthusiasts around the world.
The resume of Charlie's life could never fully describe the legacy he leaves. He was guided always by a strong moral compass; a fierce love for and loyalty to his family and friends; and a heart that was open and forgiving. He gave everyone a chance. His sense of humor was legendary – the far side of The Far Side. As a boy, he insisted on being the Batmobile in proud and practical support of his younger brother's and sister's Batman and Robin for Halloween. Charlie reveled in the eclectic, with a taste in music that ranged from bossa nova to King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard. Without guile or affectation, he nonetheless enjoyed putting on a suit for wine night with friends, sometimes with trademark aviator glasses and empty pipe, an inside joke. This spring he used his new regular paycheck to purchase a reliably unreliable 1978 Fiat convertible. He spent many hours and more than a few dollars trying to keep the car roadworthy while avoiding tetanus.
There was so much joy. Earlier this year he posted an update to friends on Instagram that began "Long time, no life updates so here's the recap," and ended with "This has been a very eventful year, and while there have been challenges, I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life and I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world."
Charlie's wonderful friends in Chapel Hill, aka The Terrace Club, were central to his sense of fulfillment and belonging. Only days before his death, Charlie shared with his parents that he was exactly where he wanted to be doing exactly what he wanted to do. Not many get the chance to live that way.
Charlie is survived by his parents Hew and Kate, brother Crawford (22), his sister Mary (20) of Fairfield, CT, his maternal grandmother Mary Zipser of Savannah, GA and his paternal grandparents Art and Mary Jane Crooks of Lethbridge, Alberta, his aunts Melissa Zipser Murray, Claire Crooks Goodall (George), and uncle Morgan Crooks (Aimee), first cousins Katherine and Elizabeth Murray, Finn, Sydney, Grady, and Tilly Goodall, Riley and Andrew Crooks.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 13th at 11 am at Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 75 Church Lane, Westport, CT. A reception will be held in Branson Hall in the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the charity Above the Clouds (abovethecloudskids.org).
Anthony T. Gilbertie, 84, Died; Former RTM Member, Assumption Church Cantor
Anthony T Gilbertie, 84, lifelong resident of Westport, passed away on August 3, 2022, due to a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Diane Taylor-Gilbertie; his three children, Tom Gilbertie and his wife, Anne. Peter Gilbertie and his wife, Dee and Nancy Gilbertie-Loshuk; and also five grandchildren. Griffin Gilbertie, William Gilbertie, Thomas Gilbertie, Christopher Gilbertie and Jack Loshuk.
He is predeceased by his parents, John Gilbertie, Sr and Lillian Gilbertie; as well as all his siblings, John Gilbertie Jr, Mario Gilbertie, Linda Gilbertie-Bullard, and Michael Gilbertie. Anthony was also predeceased by two baby siblings, Thomas and Gloria.
Anthony was a devout Catholic and a lifelong member of the Assumption Church, where he was a cantor for 13 years. In most recent years, he was employed by the US Postal Service as a rural carrier in Weston.
He was the 5th member of the Gilbertie family to serve on the RTM in Westport. Anthony was a big fan of history, current events and the New York Yankees.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a donation to the Assumption Church in Westport, or The Parkinson's Foundation.
The Wake will be held on Friday, August 12th from 8:30-10:30 AM at the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Rd., East Westport, CT 06880. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the same day at 11:00 AM at the Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport, CT 06880; followed by burial at Assumption Cemetery on Greens Farms Rd. in Westport.
The family kindly requests that all wear masks, some family members are immunocompromised.
Jeanne Wylie Crist, 99, Died; Longtime Westporter, Saugatuck Congregational Member
Jeanne Wylie Crist, 99 years young, passed from this earth on August 3, 2022. A resident of Kimball Farms in Lenox for eleven years, she made many friends and was able to live near her daughter, Karen Crist Miller and her family.
Born on December 2, 1922, Jeanne was the only child of Hugh Wood Wylie and Nordica Root Wylie of Binghamton, NY. Her father rose through the ranks from pharmacy clerk to regional sales with Merck, Sharp and Dohme during the Great Depression and the family lived in Dearborn, MI before settling in Albany, NY.
Jeanne married her Albany high school sweetheart, Robert W. Crist ("Mike"), in 1947 after working with the Naval Department in New York City and Mike's service in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Two sons were born in New York City before they settled in Westport, CT where Karen was born in 1956.
They resided in Westport for nearly 50 years before moving to Lenox in 2011 when Mike's health faltered. They were members of Saugatuck Congregational Church, loved walking Compo Beach and cherished many friends. In retirement they purchased a cottage on Lake Bomoseen in Vermont where Mike had enjoyed his childhood. Lee's Point was shared joyously with their children and grandchildren for swimming, boating, badminton, mini-golf, barbecues, board games and so much more. Jeanne and Mike also travelled extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, Mike, in 2011, her son, Robert Wylie "Lee" Crist (Darlene Trew Crist), in 1983 and son, Jeffrey Hugh Crist, in 2017. She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Matthew Miller), three grandchildren - Matthew Charles "Chas" (Ashley), Geoffrey Robert (Michelle) and Kathleen Wylie "Kaylee", and five great-grandchildren - Charley Grace, Nuala Allison, Declan Joseph, Wylie Hope and Penelope Dawn.
We are all grateful to the entire Kimball Farms community where Jeanne thrived in many activities and was well served as her health declined, including during the pandemic. Similarly, her care by the BMC medical staff and team was supremely competent and compassionate.
A graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Westport, CT where she will be interred with her beloved Mike and two sons.
To share memories and stories please visit rochefuneralhome.com
Julia Ann Riester, 81, Died; Artist, Avid Reader, Former Westporter
On July 31, 2022, Julia Ann Walsh Riester, loving mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 81.
Julia (Julie) was born on Feb. 11, 1941 in La Grange, Ky. to John and Elizabeth Walsh. Growing up in La Grange, Julie was an avid reader, national award winning 4H member and had a love for the arts. She graduated from Louisville's Sacred Heart High School then went on to enjoy her time at St. Mary's College in South Bend, Ind. where she gained recognition for her artistic talents and graduated in 1963.
Julie continued her education and graduated from University of Louisville with a Masters degree in 1964. Using her artistic talents and education degree, she moved to Boston for several years supporting development of textbooks. On May 27, 1967, she married John Thomas Riester II (Jack). Early in their marriage, they briefly lived in Westport, Conn. Then returned to Columbus, Ind. where they raised three sons and a daughter.
Julie was an active member at St. Bartholomew Church where she taught and volunteered at St. Bartholomew School while supporting and volunteering for her children's various community engagements, member of Book, Garden and Social Clubs, enjoyed playing tennis and supporting the community of Wrightsville Beach, NC. Along with her faith, Julie's family was always a focused value in her life.
Julie's passing was preceded by her husband of 47 years, John Thomas Riester II (Jack). Julie is survived by her son, John Thomas III and his wife Laura Sue Wisehart in Union, Ky.; a daughter, Katherine Marie and her husband, Ryan Patrick Carr, and grandchildren, William, John and Andrew in Austin, Texas; a son, James Patrick, and his wife, Jill Collet, in Cincinnati, Ohio; and a son, Mark Edward, and his wife, Sarah Granger, and grandson, John Thomas IV (Jack) and granddaughter, Georgia James in Prosper, Texas.
Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Father Clem Davis officiating. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street and 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday at the church. In keeping with the family's wishes, cremation will take place following the service.