All Obituaries

Patricia Ann (Bourne) Burkhart, 75, of Rocky Hill, wife of the late Lawrence W. Burkhart, passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at The Atrium of Rocky Hill.  Born in Middletown, she was the daughter of the late F. Robert and Anna (Wilk) Bourne. Pat had lived in Cromwell for over thirty years and was a member of Saint John Church.  She enjoyed reading, cross word puzzles, the theatre and arts and travelling anywhere in the world.  She loved watching sporting events for her...

Carl Arthur Backman, Jr., 89, of Cromwell, CT, beloved husband of Elinor (Donahue Lyons) Backman for twenty-seven years, passed away on May 15, 2022.   Born in Somerville, MA, he was the son of the late Carl and Hazel (Hinxman) Backman.  Carl grew up in Wilmington, MA, where he and his family started their lifelong love for skating & hockey. Carl served in the United States Army during the Korean War earning the rank of Sergeant.  After graduating from UMASS on the...

Isabel Jean (Kelsey) Wimler, 91, of Durham, died Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Wadsworth Glen in Middletown after a long illness.  She was born on January 6, 1931 to the late Erwin Hubbard Kelsey and Grace (White) Kelsey of Middletown, CT.  Isabel was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Raymond Richard Wimler, Sr. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1948.  In 1955, Ray and Isabel purchased the entire 65 head of Holstein cattle from Kelsey Farm, Inc. and then the...

James Allen Brown, 73, of Willimantic, beloved husband of Arlene (Jendrewski) Brown for thirty-seven years, passed away on May 13, 2022 at Windham Hospital.  Born in Middletown, he was the son of the late James and Annie (Green) Brown, Jr. James graduated from Middletown High School.  He moved to Willimantic in 1975.  He was employed by General Dynamics Electric Boat for nineteen years and Eastern Connecticut State University for twenty years.  He also worked part time...

Brent Edward Manzara, 39, of Durham, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Yale-New Haven Hospital.  Born in New London, he was the beloved son of Bruce and Nancy (Thompson) Manzara. Brent was a member of United Churches of Durham.  He attended Coginchaug Regional High School and earned a certificate in HVAC from Porter Chester Institute. Along with his parents, Brent is survived by his daughter, Kayden Grace Manzara of Rockfall; his maternal aunt Pamela Thompson-Kelly and her...

Gail Ann (Klaffky) Taylor, 80, of Rocky Hill, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022 at Hartford Hospital.  Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Arnold and Dorothy (Schmidt) Klaffky. Gail was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sierra Vista, Arizona.  She enjoyed her church, traveling and reading. Gail is survived by her son, Robert A. Amundsen of Sierra Vista, AZ; her daughter, Susan A. Amundsen of Sierra Vista, AZ; her sister, Kim Peltzer of Newington;...

Gordon Baldwin Wall passed peacefully May 9, 2022. He was born October 15, 1928 in Middletown, CT, the son of Caroline (Baldwin) and Edbert Wall. He graduated from Kent School in 1947 and Wesleyan University in 1951. He was involved in sports during his school years, participating in football, hockey, wrestling and most memorably for him, crew. As a member of the 1947 eight-man crew team that capped off its undefeated season by winning the Thames Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta, he...

Jeremy Zwelling, Associate Professor of Religion, Emeritus at Wesleyan University passed away peacefully on May 8, 2022, surrounded by his family. Zwelling taught in the Religion Department at Wesleyan for over four decades. He saw the classroom as a space not only for the students’ acquiring information and critically studying a subject to gain knowledge, but also as an opportunity to take the path of understanding that leads to wisdom. So many of Jeremy’s students have conveyed...

Annmarie (Edwards) Rankins, 59, of Middletown, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at her home.  Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Ruthlyn (Francis) Edwards. Annmarie was a faithful member of Shiloh Christian Church where she was lovingly known as the “Decorator”.  She was also a member of the church hospitality committee where she was always there to help.  Annmarie lived in Middletown from the age of 23 years old moving...

Elizabeth “Betty” Ann (Wells) Paulson, 82, of Rockfall, beloved wife of Robert A. Paulson for over sixty-two years, passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Middlesex Hospital.  Born in Middletown, she was the daughter of the late George and Viola (Feltz) Wells. Betty grew up in Portland and moved to Rockfall in 1959.  She graduated Portland High School, Class of 1957 and continued her education graduating Grace New Haven School of Nursing, Class of 1959.  She...