Dr. Victor Edward Oliver, 83, Died; Former Westporter, Dentist
Dr. Victor Edward Oliver Jr., 83, formerly of Westport CT, passed away peacefully at home on April 5th, 2022 surrounded by his family.
Victor was born on May 14th, 1938 to the late Victor Edward Oliver Senior and Irene Oliver of Pawtucket, RI. Victor leaves behind his wife of 59 years Pauline Oliver.
After Victor graduated from Providence College in 1959, he went on to study dentistry at Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry in New Jersey. He went on to serve as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force in Albany Georgia for two years. Following his service, Victor and Pauline then settled in Westport, CT, opening his home dental office in 1968, where he practiced for 50 years. In Vic and Polly’s time in Westport they went on to raise their two daughters, Kimberly Oliver Vallieres and her husband Jim Vallieres of West Hartford CT, Robin Oliver Ross and her husband Sean Ross of Holly Springs NC. Between the two of them they gave Victor a house full of love and laughter with 5 grandchildren, Sean Heintz, Emma Heintz, Olivia Heintz and her fiancé Jonathan Davis, Audrey Ross, and Jack Ross.
Victor was an avid tennis and racquetball player. Vic and Polly loved vacationing in Florida and their weekend trips to Nantucket. He will be remembered for his gentle dental care and his dedication to his patients. He was a kind and generous man that always made time to help anyone in need. He was known for being a quiet reserved man unless you happen to be sitting in his dental chair where he was the most talkative, trying to make you at ease.
Graveside Services will be held at the State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane Middletown, CT 06457 on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 10:00 am. Those who wish may make donations in Victor’s name to the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 370036, West Hartford, CT 06137 where Victor for many years enjoyed watching his daughter Kim play violin.
Ben Philip Esselink, 81, Died; “never satisfied to merely be present”
It is with great sadness that we share the news that our beloved Bernard Philip Esselink, of Westport, CT passed away on Saturday, February 5 at the age of 81.
Ben, as he was known by his friends, was a loving and generous husband, father, and grandfather who was shaped by a life spent all over the globe. Ben was exceptional in connecting with and making others feel valued, whether family, friends, or complete strangers, no matter how different from himself. His balance of humor, authenticity, and willingness to serve others was an incredible gift to all of us who loved him.
He was born to Dutch parents, Hendrik and Catharina Esselink, in Indonesia. Educated there, he later earned his degree in Chemical Engineering from Delft University in the Netherlands. After graduation he worked for the United Nations in Thailand before moving to Singapore and a career with Colgate Palmolive. He would spend the remainder of his career with them, working in Australia, California, South Carolina, and New York.
Ben was known for his love of sailing and was an active member of the Connecticut Orchid Society. He was also a man of faith, committed to his Church and regularly involved in his local Gideons chapter. He was never satisfied to merely be present, but engaged in his passions with enthusiasm and loyalty to those who were there alongside him.
Ben was predeceased by his wife Helena Tjeenk Willink, daughter Karien, and brother Bert, and is survived by his sons Rik and Frank, grandchildren Saskia, Philip, Marik, Bjorn, Claudia, and Andreas, and other family members including nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife Jean McGilvray Watson, who he counted himself blessed to have met and married later in life. Family was especially important to Ben, and his dedication and love for all of them was evident throughout his life.
A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Bernard will be held at South Church, 90 Main Street, New Britain, CT, April 26, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 174, Westport, CT 06880. The Connecticut Orchid Society, P.O. Box 198, Farmington, CT 06034-0198 or The South Church Memorial Fund – South Church, 90 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Condolences for the family may be left online at http://www.hardingfuneral.com.
Nancy T. Sennett Park, 99, Died; Former Westport Public Schools and Famous Artists School Secretary
Nancy T. Sennett Park, 99, of Oak Harbor, Vero Beach, and a long-time resident of Westport, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2022, just a few months before her 100th birthday. Mrs. Park was born June 10, 1922, in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. She graduated from Bates College with a BA in English. Mrs. Park taught high school English and shorthand/typing in Massachusetts and in Connecticut.
Before moving to Westport, Mrs. Park was the administrative assistant to the Director of Rockefeller Center in New York. In Westport, Mrs. Park was the administrative assistant to Victor Keppler, President of Famous Artists Schools in Westport. She later served as the secretary to the Westport Superintendent of Schools.
Mrs. Park moved to Vero Beach, Florida, in 1977 where she taught at St. Edwards School. She was President of the American Association of University Women in Vero from 1985-1987. She was also chair of AAUW's book/author fundraising for many years. Mrs. Park served as Secretary of the Community Church of Vero Beach, where she was a choir member for 22 years. She loved music, and she performed in a Sweet Adelines Quartet for two decades.
Mrs. Park is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Sennett White (Robin), of Vero Beach, Margaret Sennett Hebert (Tom) of Mansfield, Connecticut, grandson Zachary Hebert (Kyungmi), great grandsons Myles Hebert and Max Hebert, all of Farmington. CT., her sister, Marjorie Terry of Essex, CT and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene William Sennett of Westport, CT, her husband, Carl Groth, of Westport, CT and her husband, Benjamin A. Park of Vero Beach.
James Murray Bates, 97, Died; Former Westporter, WWII Navy Veteran
John Murray Bates, age 97, entered into eternal rest on March 18, 2022.
John was born in Caledonia, Minnesota, on July 22, 1924, to the late John W. Bates & Florence Bates. He was educated in the Caledonia school system, graduating as Salutatorian of his high school class.
After graduation he immediately, joined the United States Navy to proudly serve his country during the height of World War II. He was assigned duty on the USS Caldwell, a Navy destroyer deployed in the Pacific Ocean. On December 12, 1944, his ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze suicide bomber, killing 33 and wounding 40 men on board. If John had been at his usual post on the ship, he would have been one of the 33 men killed.
After the war, John briefly attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, but he soon left the university when ambition and adventure lead him to pursue a long and distinguished career in corporate sales and marketing. In 1947, John met and married Delores Trehus of Spring Grove, Minnesota. John and Delores were married for 68 years until Delores' passing on March 28, 2016.
John was a believer in taking an active role in his community. Upon moving to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, in 1997, he joined the Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville Beaches where he was an active member, serving also as the Club's President for multiple terms. During his 19 years as a volunteer, he initiated many programs, mentored young people, and volunteered his time to a wide variety of community endeavors.
John is survived by his two daughters, Lynette Bates, of Charleston, SC, and Joleen Bates Green, of Bridgeport, CT; his grandson, Edward Green (Sheron) of Bridgeport, CT; three grandchildren, Mahogany Green, of Bridgeport, CT, Jamaal Fields-Green of New York, NY, and Aleysia Green of Hartford, CT.
The family wishes to thank the many CNAs and med-techs at Indigo Hall Assisted Living on James Island for their love and care of John over the past 9 months. The family also sends a special thank you to the nurses, social workers and doctors at Amedisys Home Hospice of Charleston for their exceptional support and care. A private family memorial service will be held in Westport, CT, where John and Delores lived for over 25 years prior to their move to Ponte Vedra Beach. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston