Westport Police, EMS Mourn Death of Longtime EMS Crew Chief Mark Blake

Press Release

The Westport Police Department and Emergency Medical Services are mourning the death of EMS Crew Chief Mark Blake.  Crew Chief Blake passed away on Tuesday, September 20.

Crew Chief Blake was hired in May of 1990 and had a long and rewarding career serving the Westport community.  He was a representative for the Southwest EMS Council for over ten years and was most recently the organization’s president.  Also, Crew Chief Blake was a certified child safety seat instructor and helped organize numerous car safety seat clinics throughout Fairfield County.  

In addition to dutifully serving the town of Westport, Crew Chief Blake was a volunteer with Weston’s fire department and emergency medical services for over thirty years.  During his tenure he served as the department’s vice president and obtained the rank of lieutenant.  Even in his off time, he wanted to serve.  

Those who knew Crew Chief Blake quickly realized that his passion was to help  anyway he could.  Whether it be organizing a child safety seat clinic, treating a sick patient, or helping at the scene of a fire in Weston, Crew Chief Blake was there.  His dedication and passion will most certainly be missed.

Deputy Chief Sam Arciola who oversees Westport EMS said that “Mark was an incredibly dedicated public servant as well as a widely respected EMT and he never hesitated to put the needs of others above his own.”  First Selectwoman Jen Tooker stated, “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Crew Chief Blake.  On behalf of the Town, I want to extend my condolences to his friends and family as well as express how appreciative the town is for all his years helping our community.”

For details regarding services please follow this link: https://www.hardingfuneral.com/obituaries/Mark-A.-Blake?obId=25922840#/celebrationWall

Ellen B. Wisser, 92, Died; Moved to Westport in 1960, ”defeated unbeatable odds”

Ellen B. Wisser, age 92 of Norwalk, CT (formerly of Westport) passed away this Friday, September 16, 2022, at Norwalk Hospital. Mrs. Wisser was born in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late Samuel and Esther Borenstein. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts along with classmates and friends Grace Kelly and Vince Edwards. She then attended Brooklyn College where she met her future husband and lifetime love, Allen Wisser, who himself attended Brooklyn College after performing with the Broadway show Showboat’s National Tour, having initially attended Julliard. Upon marrying, Ellen and Allen moved to Indianapolis where Allen served in the Army during the Korean War. After the war they returned to Brooklyn, where Ellen taught at James Madison High School while Allen attended Brooklyn Law, and began his lifetime career in real estate.  

Ellen and Allen moved their young family to Westport, CT in 1960. Ellen continued commuting to Brooklyn, then began teaching at Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT, teaching English, Speech and Drama, where she also produced and directed the annual school play, influencing the lives of so many teachers and students, some of whom continued to stay in touch for decades. Ellen was a political activist in the Bridgeport and Connecticut Educational Associations, as well as nationally within the National Education Association, where she ran for the NEA Presidency in 1976.  She was an advocate of the Women’s Liberation Movement at both local and national levels. Ellen changed careers in her 50’s, attending Bridgeport Law (now the Quinnipiac School of Law), following which she practiced Family and Worker’s Compensation Law until age 88. Ellen recently survived 3 different types of cancer, forcing her retirement, and defeated unbeatable odds, until now. 

Mrs. Wisser was predeceased by her beloved husband, Allen Wisser, who succumbed to melanoma in 2008, and is survived by her devoted children, Dr. Jamie R. Wisser and his wife Natalie, Atty. Kerry M. Wisser and his wife Debbie, R. Ilise Gold and her long-time companion Fritz Heilbron, adored grandchildren, Davin Gold, Alanna Dayton and her husband Greg, Evan Wisser and his wife Jessica, Caitlyn Wisser, Ryan Wisser, Leah Wisser and her husband Manuel Reinert, as well as her cherished great grandchildren, Jack, Sam & Beck Dayton, Claire & Penelope Wisser, her sister-in-law Gladys Floch and her husband Dr. Martin Floch, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Wisser was predeceased by her beloved husband Allen Wisser, cherished grandson Tyler Wisser, and dear brother, Marvin Borenstein and his wife Laurie.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 1:00 PM at The Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT, 06824, with interment following at Temple Israel Cemetery on Richards Avenue in Norwalk. People are asked to begin gathering at the Funeral Home at 12:30 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Education Foundation – Children’s Fund, (Connecticut Education Foundation – Connecticut Education Association (cea.org).

Raffael “Ralph” Michael Festa, 93, Died; Proud Italian born in Saugatuck

West Lebanon, NH — Raffael "Ralph" Michael Festa of West Lebanon, New Hampshire passed away on September 6, 2022 at the age of 93.

Born to parents Salvatore Festa and Rose Nuzzo on January 18, 1929 in Saugatuck, (Westport) Connecticut. Ralph was very proud of his Italian heritage and very large family. He is predeceased by 8 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 yrs Claire Smith Festa. They were married in Greenwich, Connecticut at St. Mary's Church. His children Michael Festa, wife Mitzi Festa, Kathleen (Kathy/Katie) Festa Mnichowski, Debbie Festa Baldassare husband Frank Baldassare and John Festa wife Julie Festa. Ralph and Claire have 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Ralph served in the Army for 4 years and then worked at Condec Diesel Corporation in Old Greenwich, Connecticut for 40 yrs. He loved gardening and was once best in show for his beautiful roses which were his pride and joy. Ralph was a wonderful cook and loved to make Italian dishes he learned from his beloved mother. Ralph and Claire vacationed and then retired to New Hampshire where Claire his wife continues to reside.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 10, 2022 from 3-5pm at the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home 11 1/2 School St Hanover, New Hampshire 03755

Mary “Tookie” Banning Died; Former Westporter

Mary "Tookie" Banning passed away peacefully on August 26th. A sweet southern girl from Morristown Tennessee, Mary thrived on nurturing her family, friends, and relationships. She paid attention, remembering the details of other's successes and tribulations, and was always asking for updates on the latest events in their lives.

The daughter of George "Buck" James and Ruth White James, she was always "Tookie" to everyone. She met the love of her life, Clarence "Sonny" Banning, at the University of Tennessee. The couple settled in Sonny's hometown, Memphis, and had two lovely children: Mary Katherine and James Winthrop. The family moved to Westport Connecticut where Sonny worked for IBM, and where Tookie stayed after her husband's death until moving back to Memphis in the late 1980s.

Tookie is survived by her daughter and husband, Katherine Banning Lintz and Richard Lintz, two grandchildren, Allison Banning Mangin and James Christopher Lintz, their spouses, and four great-grandchildren. The Banning family has also always stayed close to Sonny's sister's family, the late Mary Ann and Tom Frazier, their five sons, wives, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery at 11:00am, Saturday, September 17th, with a lunch and walk in the Botanical Gardens following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to The Foundation for Barnes Jewish Hospital: Neurosciences (www.foundationbarnesjewish.org), Equipping Servants International (www.esionline.org), or a charity of your choice.