Francis Gage Mason, Former Westporter, Army Veteran, Died
Francis Gage Mason of Groton Long Point, CT. passed away peacefully at home with family by his side February 13th, 2023. Born in Paris in 1928, Frank grew up in Westport, CT. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1950; and was promptly drafted into the Army. He served at Fort Dix, NJ, where he taught radio communications and repair to troops deploying to Korea.
He married Phebe George of Mystic, CT in 1951. He and Phebe built a house in Weston, CT, where they raised their children, Catherine and Christopher. He started his own electronics company when the children were young and employed one other engineer. Over the years, Mason Engineering, Inc. grew, eventually employing as many as thirty people. Frank designed and manufactured sophisticated audio countermeasures equipment for the U.S. and its allies. After buying a shore cottage at Groton Long Point in 1969 he and the family spent summers at the beach, cruising his sloop near and far.
After his retirement and upon the death of Phebe in 1992, Frank continued his lifelong love of sailing the New England coast. He found a kindred spirit in Cynthia Buffinton, a longtime Westport resident. The two were happily married for twenty-six years, sailing and traveling the world together. Their primary residence was "Spindrift" at Groton Long Point, but also shared a nearby home at Mystic Run and spent every winter in Florida at Sanibel Island. Throughout the years, generations of family members and friends met for holidays, birthdays and soirees at Spindrift.
After Cynthia passed away in 2020, Frank remained at the Point and continued many of his interests, including his painting and photography. Under the umbrella of Spindrift Arts, he exhibited his work at the Mystic Art Museum, the Noank Historical Society, Noah's restaurant in Stonington Borough, The Big Arts Gallery in Sanibel, Florida and the Groton Long Point Arts and Crafts Show.
He is deeply missed by his family and many friends in the community. Anyone wishing to express tributes and condolences is encouraged to post them on Legacy.com
Published by Westport-News on Mar. 22, 2023.
Eileen Diana Blau, 92, Died; Longtime Westporter, Artist, Golfer, Tennis Player
Eileen Diana Blau, 92, of Westport, CT, passed away on March 9, 2023 in her longtime Westport, CT home.
Born Eileen Lefkowitz, in Brooklyn on July 8, 1930, she was a first generation American whose Ukrainian born parents immigrated less than a decade earlier. Father Norman (Nachman) was from Bratslav, and a direct descendant of the famed Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav. Mother Mae (Manya) was from a business family in Pechera, a nearby village in the same province of Vinnytsia.
Eileen graduated from Brooklyn College with a B.S. in Mathematics, and it was at a college Socialist Youth League gathering that she met a fellow student, Barry Blau. They were married in 1948 and enjoyed a fabulous 69 year marriage until Barry’s death in 2017, bringing into the world four children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A passionate reader, artist and collector, Eileen filled her stunning mid century modern home with thousands of books and an eclectic art collection ranging from Flemish tapestries to Indonesian Buddhas, ancient Chinese mirrors and sculptures of her own creation. And it was in the basement of this home that she helped her husband launch his business, Barry Blau & Partners which he grew over 20 years into a leading global advertising agency.
Once her children were grown, Eileen pursued a life of almost infinite interests. She was an avid golfer and tennis player at Westport’s Birchwood Country Club. She had a Manhattan apartment, also art-filled, which was a launching pad for attending classes at the China Institute and the Asia Society, and making frequent visits to museums, galleries and auction houses.
For many years, Eileen and Barry also maintained a vacation home on the Big Island of Hawaii, which was a frequent winter gathering spot for the entire extended family.
Above all else, Eileen lived for that family -- as the most devoted and loving mom and, after raising her own children, lavishing attention on the grandchildren and great grandchildren, proclaiming each one more amazing than the last.
In addition to her parents and husband, Eileen was predeceased by her elder sister Rita Kannel. She is survived by her younger sister, Anita Metz; her children: Shawn Blau and Emily Blau (Robert Cohen) both of Westport, CT, Peter Blau (Barbara Blau) of Belmont, NC and Juliet Jenkins (Bruce Jenkins) of Belmont, MA. She is also survived by grandchildren Lucy Thomas (Kyle Thomas), James Blau, Michael Blau (Julie Blau), Lucas Jenkins, Maddie Jenkins, Tess Jenkins, Benjamin Cohen, Veronica Blau and great-grandchildren Claire and Charles Thomas.
Funeral services will be held on Monday March 13 at 11:00 AM atAbraham L. Green & Son Funeral Home. Shiva will be observed at the Blau home in Westport, CT the same day from 1:00-6:00 PM. For more information and to share a condolence message, visitwww.greensfuneralhome.com.
William “Bill” Barron, 77, Died; Weston Resident, Y’s Men Member
William (Bill) Barron passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023. He was 77.
A resident of Weston, Conn., since 1954, Barron was born in 1945 in Detroit to John and Eulalia Barron.
He received a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1967, and a J.D. degree from Cornell University Law School in 1970.
Barron worked with several law firms before joining Alston and Bird in 1977 as a partner. After retiring from Alston and Bird, he became a partner at Franzino and Schur.
He was a member of the Art Law Committee of the International Bar Association, the Yale Russian Chorus Alumni, Kiwanis International, and a longtime member of Norfield Church in Weston. Barron joined the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston in 2017 where he participated in several activities including the Book Club, Bridge, the Classical Music Society, and the Global Issues Discussion Group.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, sons David and Will., six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 AM at Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road, Weston, Conn.
Michael Staley Fleming Jr., 49, Died; “Kindest” Staples Student, Devoted Father, Husband
On Friday, February 10, 2023, the world lost a beautiful soul. Michael Staley Fleming Jr., age 49, of Darien, beloved husband of Adrienne Strouse Fleming, passed away. Michael was born in San Diego, CA on August 27, 1973 to Michael Fleming Sr. and Linda Peck Fleming of Norwalk, CT. Michael spent his early years living in Park City, Utah, where he developed a lifelong passion and skill for skiing while on the US Junior Olympic Ski Farm Team. At the age of 12, Michael moved with his family to Westport, CT where he continued to thrive and make wonderful friends. At Staples High School, he won the award for "kindest," an attribute he upheld for the rest of his days. He was the captain of the boys' ski team at Staples. He graduated from Colgate University in 1996 and moved to New York City in 1999, where he had a successful career in finance, mostly as an institutional broker, and continued to build beautiful friendships.
In 2011, Michael married the love of his life, Adrienne, and they welcomed three beautiful boys, Wyatt McCall, Ford Michael and Charles Morgan Fleming. While living in New York, Michael always said he wanted his boys to grow up in Darien, CT, and in 2020 they moved there. Michael's greatest joy was watching his sons grow and shine. He loved nothing more than teaching them how to ski and spending time with them in the mountains. Michael was his happiest and most at peace flying straight down a mountain on skis and he passed this passion on to his sons. They loved to chase his heels down the slopes, mimicking his every move so they could be just like him one day. His sons are, and forever will be, so proud of him. Skiing is the closest thing to having wings and we will never stop watching for Mikey in the sky. Hawk flying high means a clear sky, hawk flying low prepare for a blow.
Survivors, in addition to his wife and sons, include his parents, Michael and Linda Peck Fleming of Norwalk, sisters, Amy Fleming Kiggins (Andrew) of Rowayton, Ann Fleming of Norwalk, his cherished dog, Utah, and countless friends. Mike is predeceased by his father-in-law, Irving David Strouse of Rumson, NJ, and his grandparents, Edmund McCall and Jewel May Peck.
Michael will be remembered for his incredibly kind soul, his easy way of making others laugh, and his unwavering loyalty to his family and friends. He was a devoted husband and father, and his family was his every joy in this life. Michael will be terribly missed by all those who were fortunate to know him.
Calling Hours will be on Wednesday February 15, 2023 from 4 to 7 PM at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien. Mass will be at Saint Thomas More Church in Darien on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 10:30 AM.
"Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal," St. Thomas More.
Published by Darien Times on Feb. 14, 2023
Abraham Nad, 92, Died; Navy Veteran, Temple Israel Member
Abraham Nad, age 92 of New Rochelle, NY and formerly of Westport, CT, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2023 at United Hebrew Geriatric Center in New Rochelle.
Abraham was born in Houston, TX, the son of the late Irving and Esther Nad. He earned a Bachelors Degree from Rice University achieving entry into Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University. Abraham served proudly in the National Guard and the U.S. Navy from 1952-1954. He worked as an accountant and publisher, eventually opening Directors’ Publications. Abraham loved to travel and was an avid fan of classical music and the arts. He was a longtime member of Temple Israel of Westport, serving on its Board of Trustees, and a supporter of the Westport Arts Center.
Abraham is survived by his devoted daughters, Karen N. Bernstein (Peter) and Laurie S. Desjardins, his adored grandchildren, Rebecca Anne Bernstein (Justan Dakes) and Benjamin Jacob Bernstein (Jocelyn Ezratty), and his adored great-grandson, Lucas Joshua Dakes. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Elsa Nad, in 2015.
Funeral services will take place on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Temple Israel Cemetery in Norwalk. For more information and to share a condolence message visit www.greensfuneralhome.com
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nad/Schiff Special Children’s Fund at Temple Israel in Westport, CT.
The family wishes to extend their deep love and gratitude to all those at United Hebrew Geriatric Center for their abiding love, care and grace over the past four years. They cared for Abraham and for us as family.
David Halsey, 61, Died; Staples Class of ‘79, “Rock House”
David B. Halsey, 61, of New Canaan, Connecticut, died unexpectedly in his sleep on January 6, 2023. He died of natural causes and been active, healthy and happy in the days leading up to his death.
Dave is survived by his mother, Carol Halsey of Knoxville, Tennessee, sister Karen, and brothers John and Peter. He was preceded in death by his father Philip B. Halsey of Underhill, Vermont.
He was born June 15, 1961, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but spent much of his life in Westport, Connecticut, where he graduated from Staples High School with the class of '79. A voracious reader with wide-ranging interests, Dave was an avid "rock hound." He loved the outdoors, animals and music.
No funeral services are planned.
Published by Westport-News on Jan. 25, 2023.
Sally Lyon, 83, Died; Staples High School Graduate
4/27/1939 - 12/29/2022
Sally was an artist. She designed silver jewelry and taught art in her community. Later in her life she became an accomplished plein-art painter in the Hudson River Valley. Born in Norwalk, CT, Sally Guthrie Lyon died on December 29, 2022. The daughter of the late Dr. C. E. Guthrie, veterinarian, and Marjorie Guthrie in Wilton, CT, she graduated from Staples High School and earned a degree in Fine Arts from Michigan State. She is survived by five siblings: Joseph Guthrie, Sonoma, CA; Jane Guthrie, Manhattan Beach, CA; Sidney Guthrie, Berkeley, CA; Susan Guthrie Rawls, Philadelphia, PA; and Margaret Guthrie VanAcker, Wilton, CT and her longtime companion, Brad Kato, Rhinebeck, NY.
She will be buried in the family cemetery in Silvermine, CT. https://www.lastingmemories.com/sally-guthrie-lyon
Published by the Daily Freeman from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27, 2023.
Charles “Bill” Pryor, 87, Died; Longtime Westporter, World Traveler
Charles William Pryor, 87, of Westport, CT and more recently Ewing, NJ, passed away on December 20th, 2022. He was predeceased by his father Charles William Pryor II, mother Berniece Weikert Pryor and sister Jane Lynn Pryor, and survived by his wife Barbara Caldwell Pryor of 65 years, son William Caldwell Pryor, daughter Jane Lynn Pryor, sister Judith Pryor Taussig and 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 4 nieces and 1 nephew.
Commonly referred to by most as Bill, he was born in Punxsutawney, PA on December 13th, 1935 and spent most of his childhood years moving from town to town as part of the life of a presbyterian minister’s family. By high school, Bill had proven himself as a talented athlete where he excelled in both baseball and basketball in Niagara Falls and Weehawken, for which he received the Most Outstanding Athlete award during his senior year.
Bill attended Rutgers University and Westminster College with basketball scholarships and ultimately earned his degree from New York University, going to night school while working full-time as an accountant for the Ford Motor Company.
Bill’s business career was highlighted by many significant achievements. Shortly after graduating from NYU, he took an accounting position at Avon Products in Rye, NY. From there he rose to the top ranks in the international division with a career at Avon that spanned over 40 years. In 1964, along with just two other employees, Bill transferred to Sydney to establish the Australian division for Avon. During his eight years in Australia, he was promoted to Managing Director, leading the organization in a period of massive growth for the company. In 1972, upon returning to the US, he continued to work in Avon’s international division with responsibilities for parts of the business in Europe and South America. In 1981, he moved to Tokyo as President of Avon-Japan, where he transformed the business into the best financially performing international division. In his final chapter at Avon, Bill served as President of Avon-China where he led the subsidiary to profitability, while achieving ethical recognition for Avon through the establishment of appropriate business practices, government negotiations and relationships. With this, Bill was able to gain approval from the Chinese government for Avon-China to become the first company, after all direct selling in the country was abruptly banned, to re-enter the market. This portion of Bill’s career is well documented as the subject of a Harvard Business School Case Study.
Bill loved to travel, enjoying his favorite restaurants in Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, Bangkok and Manila in the company of his business associates, friends and family. Sports remained a lifelong interest of Bill’s. He loved golf, and rooting for his favorite sports teams like the Yankees, Mets and Duke Basketball.
Per Bill’s wishes there will be no public funeral or memorial service. At some point in the future, there will be a private ceremony for family members. In lieu of flowers, we invite people to make a donation to a charity of their choosing.
John “Jack” Mohr, 96, Died; Staples Class of 1944, Veteran, “the most genuine of human beings”
(May 10, 1926 - December 8, 2022) John Day Mohr passed away on December 8, 2022 in Unionville, Pennsylvania, where he and his late wife Nancy lived for most of their 65 years of marriage. Born in New Rochelle, NY, John, also known as 'Jack,' was 96 years old.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Franz J Mohr, he grew up in Westport, Connecticut and graduated from Staples High School in 1944. Soon after graduation, and at the age of 17, he cleverly managed to enlist in the precursor to the US Air Force, the Army Air Corps, where he became a navigator in a B-29 bomber. He was called to active duty the following November, shortly after his father died while serving in the Coast Guard.
After the war, John was accepted to the architecture program at Middlebury College, but never attended, as two longtime buddies convinced him to join them on a road trip to Mexico in a 1928 Packard. Once there, GI Bill in hand, John enrolled in Mexico City College, where the head of the English department, formerly a tenured professor from UCLA, took an interest in his writing and convinced him to pursue a major in English. After completing his freshman year at Mexico City, he returned to the States at his family's request, ultimately earning a BA in English from Kent State University in Ohio.
After college he found work in the advertising department of a Connecticut garment company. Shortly thereafter, he moved on to be a copywriter for Madison Avenue ad agency titan, J. Walter Thompson, where he met Nancy. Not long after their marriage in 1956, they decided to leave New York and move to the rolling hills of Green Spring Valley, Maryland, an easy commute to Baltimore where John had landed a new copywriting position. It was there that their family started to grow and where they put down roots that still remain to this day. Six years later, the Mohr family moved to Pennsylvania when John began to work for ad agency N.W. Ayer in Philadelphia. They eventually purchased a farm in Chatham, Pennsylvania replete with five children and an ever-expanding menagerie of farm animals, horses, cows, ponies, chickens, pigs, dogs and even a donkey.
In 1974, wishing to escape encroaching development, they sold the farm and purchased land in nearby Unionville on which they built a new house and barn using materials salvaged from the large bank barn from the Chatham farm. The Unionville farm would become the Mohrs' home for almost 40 years. During the early years in Pennsylvania, John was enjoying a long tenure as senior copywriter at N. W. Ayer. However, in the late seventies, N. W. Ayer chose to relocate to Madison Avenue. With John and Nancy's attachment to the Unionville area by this time all but permanent, a move back to New York didn't appeal. So, the devoted father of five began his now legendary daily commute from Unionville to Manhattan. At N. W. Ayer, his ad campaigns included AT&T, 7-Up, Carrier Air Conditioning and Shorts Airplanes. This went on for the better part of seven years before John finally hung up his advertising spurs to happily tend to the rolling pastures and woods of Sevynmor Farm. It was also not uncommon for John to revisit his fascination with the world of flight, taking the occasional flying lesson or attending an air show.
With a deep appreciation of the open country and rolling hills of Chester County, John and Nancy became deeply involved in land conservation. As advocates and supporters of the Brandywine Conservancy, they were among the first in the community to place their land under conservation easement. As a supporter of farming and open space, John was also one of the first members named to The Chester County Agriculture Development Council. When a local newspaper inquired of his ag credentials, he described himself as a 'casual pig farmer.' Always the copywriter.
And always, to those who knew him well, among the most genuine of human beings they ever knew.
John lost his loving wife, Nancy L. Mohr, on August 14, 2021. He is survived by his two daughters and three sons, Timothy Day Mohr (Sherman Todd), Wendy Carlyle Mohr Morris (Cooper Morris), Jonathan Day Mohr (Jan Haskell), Margot Mohr Teetor (David Christopher Teetor), Peter Day Mohr, thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Joan Day Mohr and is predeceased by his sister, Judith Borden, and her husband, Don Borden. In lieu of flowers, the family would love for you to consider making a donation in the memory of John Day Mohr to the New Garden Flying Field, Future Aviators, 1235 Newark Road, Toughkenamon, PA 19374. Arrangements by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square, PA. To view his online tribute and leave a message for John's family, visit www.kuzoandfoulkfh.com.
Published by The Daily Local from Jan. 3 to Jan. 8, 2023.
Howard Simon, Active Westport Community Member, Died
Howard Simon, long time resident of Weston, died on Friday, December 30th after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He is survived by his wife, Amy Simon, his daughters Katherine McCarty (Matthew), Lisa Simon Bailey (Jeff), his sons Matthew Simon, David Simon (Andrea), James Simon and five grandchildren: Ross Simon, Evan Simon, Marshall Bailey, Reed McCarty and Kira McCarty.
He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1932. He was predeceased by his parents, I. E. Simon and Gertrude L. Simon, his brothers, Jerrold Simon and Ronald Simon and his son, Bruce Simon. Howard attended St. Paul Central High School followed by University of Minnesota where he studied Business Administration and was a member of Phi Epsilon fraternity.
He joined his family's manufacturing business, Simon and Mogilner, in Birmingham, Alabama where he directed sales and marketing before becoming CEO. Howard then worked as an early pioneer in financing for cellular communications and independent tv stations before representing Major League Baseball players as an agent.
Howard was an avid tennis player, sports fan, and loved his monthly poker game. He followed politics and current events with keen interest. He was a mentor and advisor who was always happy to provide advice and business guidance. Above all, he was known for his affable personality, engaging everyone he met with midwestern charm.
Funeral services will be held on at 11 am on Wednesday, January 4th at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Jewish Senior Services, Bridgeport, who cared for him with great compassion and kindness.