Obituaries
GOSHEN
Haworth Wadhams “Butch” Barker II
Butch, 87, of Goshen, passed away peacefully on July 4 at Wolcott Hall in Torrington. He is survived by his wife Marcia, his son Eric, and siblings Otto, Lucy, and Fred.
Theresa Joyce Fay
Theresa Joyce Fay passed away quietly at her home in Goshen, following a long illness on July 2. Theresa was born to her parents, Ernest Lucia and Blanche Sweeney on Sept. 18, 1937, in Burlington, Vermont. Theresa is survived by her son, Peter, her grandchildren Melissa, Taylor, Dillon, Caitlin, and Corey. She also leaves behind her siblings Ernest, Mary, and Madeline.
LITCHFIELD
Col. Raymond “Ray” Kaufman
Col. Kaufman passed away after a distinguished life of service to his country, his family, and his community. Ray proudly served for 31 years in the United States Army in a variety of leadership assignments before retiring in 1986. He is survived by his wife, Lorry; their three children; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Thomas “Tom” Michael Gillson
Tom, born in Torrington to Mary Doris and James, passed away on June 28 after a long illness. Tom is survived by his children Maura and Timothy, as well as his three grandsons, and many siblings, nieces, and nephews.
Robert Peter “Bob”
Innocente Pirla
Bob peacefully passed away at home, with family, on June 23, at the age of 72. He was on May 24, 1954, to the late Peter and Angeline. Bob is survived by his wife, Sally; children John and Gina; and grandchildren Lina, Joseph, and Carlos.
Jennie Strong
Jennie, 79, of Litchfield, passed away on June 19, following a brief illness. She was born in Torrington on Dec. 28, 1946, to William and Hazel Box. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter, Denise; her sisters Donna and Sandra; along with several nephews.
MORRIS
Christine Joan Longo
Christine, 66, passed away June 19, 2026, after a valiant fight against cancer. Christine was born in 1959. Besides her husband Peter, Christine is survived by her loving children, Peter and Jenna. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Thoma, Anne, Nathaniel, and Jackson. Christine is also survived by her sisters, Marcia and Kara.
THOMASTON
Michael William Farslow
Michael, 71, passed away peacefully at home on June 19. Michael was born on July 17, 1954, in Indio, California, to Gerald Farslow and Irene Garvis. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Debra; his children, Erika, Kieran, Kaitlin, and Mike; grandchildren Owen, Oliver, Lucas, and Liam. He is also survived by his brothers and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
TORRINGTON
Thomas Andrew Rakyta
Thomas, 71, passed away July 8. He was born in Torrington on Nov. 4, 1954, son of the late Andrew and Madeline, and has been a lifelong city resident. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Judy, include three daughters, five grandchildren, two nieces, three grandnieces, one grandnephew, and many close cousins and friends.
Arthur Hanke III
Arthur, 84, passed away July 8 at his home. Arthur was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 23, 1941, son of the late Arthur and Virginia. Survivors, in addition to his wife, Jano, include several nieces and nephews.
Janice Ann White
Janice, 73, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on July 7 in Torrington. She was born on Jan. 12, 1953, in New London, and was the daughter of the late Abbott and Elizabeth. Janice is survived by her children Benjamin and Daniel; her grandchildren, Aurora, Kiara, and Tristan; and her siblings Margaret, Joan, and David.
Egidio Mainella
Egidio, 99, of Torrington, peacefully passed away on July 6 at the home of his son John in Plaistow, New Hampshire. He was born May 14, 1927, in Torrington, the son of the late John and Mary. He is survived by his children John, Linda, and Therese. Egidio also leaves behind a brother, as well as several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Elaine Rachel Roberts
Elaine, age 91, of Wolcott, passed away peacefully on July 3. She was born on Oct. 3, 1934 to the late Louis and Ruth Archambault. She is survived by her sister Flora and many nieces and nephews.
Pauline Sartori
Pauline, 98, of Torrington, passed away July 3 at home. Born in Torrington on Jan. 2, 1928, she was the daughter of Cesare and Barbara Chinatti. Pauline was predeceased by her parents as well as her husband Mario and son Joseph, and her siblings Eva and Julian. She is survived by her children Mark and Marianne. Pauline also leaves her cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Stephen Louis Kish
Stephen, 81, of Torrington, passed away July 3 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. He was born in Torrington, Sept. 26, 1944, son of the late Louis and Susan. He is survived by his siblings John and Marlyn. He also leaves his great-grandchildren, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
Laurie Susan Fisher
Laurie, 66, of Torrington, passed away peacefully at home on July 2 surrounded by the love of her family after a long and courageous battle with ALS. Born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, Laurie was the daughter of Lawrence and Gladys LaBelle. She is survived by her loving husband, Daniel; her sisters Beverly and Celeste; her children and stepchildren; and her beloved grandchildren.
Christopher Charles Ayers
Christopher passed away on June 23. He was born on Nov. 15,1995 in Torrington. He leaves behind his loving sister Amanda and many other family and friends who loved him beyond measure.
WASHINGTON
Guy Charles Stone
Guy, 65, passed away on July 1. He was born to Howard and Marylouise on Sept. 19, 1960, in New Milford, Connecticut. Guy will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Melody, daughters Courtney Kubiak and Kelly Malouf, granddaughters Charley and Lucy Malouf, Amalie and Averleigh Kubiak, and grandson Brayden Kubiak.
WINSTED
Laurene Mary Wallace
Laurenee, 77, of Colebrook, passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family on July 10. She was born on April 28, 1949, in Bridgeport, to the late Lawrence and Irene Firmender. Laurene is survived by her husband, John; her children, J. Wallace and Marisa Wallace; and her grandchildren Julia and Elwood. She is also survived by her siblings, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Concettina M. “Tina”
Chiofalo
Concettina, 99, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on June 26 surrounded by her loving family. Tina grew up in Winsted. Tina was predeceased by her parents, Angelina and Luigi Orsi, her husband, Anthony, her children Phillip and Faith, and her brother Nicholas. She is survived by her three children, Santina, Daniel, and Angela, as well as her siblings, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Richard G. Jones
Richard, 66, passed away peacefully on June 18 after a courageous, decades-long journey with cancer. He was born in Winsted, the son of Robert and Barbara. Richard is survived by his mother Barbara, and his two sons Richie and Indiana. He also leaves behind his siblings Lori, Susan, and John, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
