Stanley J. Prackup, 87, Died; Staples Class of ‘53, Former Firefighter, Veteran
Stanley J. Prackup, age 87, husband of Joan Prackup passed away on June 1, 2022.
Born August 1, 1934 in Westport, CT, he was one of eight children, the son of the late Michael and Aniella (Nellie) Chmura Prackup.
He was a graduate of Staples High School class of 1953. While at Staples he played on the baseball team and was a sharpshooter on the rifle club.
Stanley enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school and served on the U.S.S. Valcour and U.S.S. Intrepid. He was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal.
After the navy he attended the University of Connecticut.
He was a U.S. Postman for several years before becoming a member of the Westport Fire Department, where he served as a fireman for 20 years until May 1988. He also owned his own landscaping business.
Stanley lived in Westport his entire life. He and his wife Joan built their home in Westport and lived there over 42 years. He was a religious man. He was happiest when he was in his garden and spending time with his family and friends.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Frank, Michael and George and his sisters Rose, Barbara and Alice.
Stanley was survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joan Prackup, their daughters Brenda Prackup, Linda Prackup-Desautels and Sandra Prackup, grandson Luke Desautels and sister Virginia Fiordelisi, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Calling hours have been omitted. A memorial mass will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St Luke's Church, 49 Turkey Hill Road North, Westport, CT 06880 followed by internment services at Assumption Cemetery on 73 Green Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880.
The memorial service will be lived streamed on St. Luke's website. The link is www.saintlukewestport.org
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org) or to the Cancer Research Institute (www.cancerresearch.org).
Mark Howard LeMoult, 59, Died; “…always remember his roaring laugh, unyielding hugs and his gentle heart and soul”
Mark Howard LeMoult, age 59, of Norwalk, lost his life suddenly while behind the wheel of his cherished 1968 Pontiac Catalina on Monday afternoon, May 23, 2022.
Born in Bronxville, NY, the son of the late Adolph LeMoult and Carole Calkins Furgess, he was raised in Westport and had been a lifelong area resident. He attended Staples High School and graduated from The Culinary Institute of America. Mark was a highly esteemed chef and leader in his industry. His culinary vocation began at the age of 13, squeezing limes at Viva Zapata, where his love for the industry blossomed. Mark went on to work at some of the area's finest establishments including Café Christina in Westport, the Hudson River Club and Rainbow Room in NYC and Tamarack Country Club in Greenwich. He had been the Executive Chef at the Field Club of Greenwich for the past 14 years.
He met his adored fiancée, Elizabeth, while working together 21 years ago at Beacon Restaurant in Stamford. One of the highlights of Mark's professional career was serving as the President of the Club Chefs of Connecticut from 2006-2010. Because of his loyal dedication to his craft and the Field Club, Mark zealously worked nights and weekends limiting his attendance at many personal functions, affectionately earning him the family nickname of "The White Rhino" as sightings were elusive but exciting to all.
An incredibly dedicated father, Mark enjoyed camping, river rafting and spending as much quality enjoyment with his sons as possible. He always carved time out of his busy schedule to have "Tuesday Dad Days," many of which were spent barbecuing and cheering on the NY Yankees. Mark would check in with his boys daily and had the utmost pride in them both. His favorite places to visit were Lake George and Cape Cod with family. He was an avid NY Yankees fan (especially of Paul O'Neil #21) and absolutely loved to get his hands dirty planting in his garden. He cherished his two dogs Leo & Teddy and loved mornings at the dog park and walks through the neighborhood. He was a true cigar aficionado and relished his evening smoke to relax after a long day. Mark and Elizabeth enjoyed entertaining in the backyard with friends and family around the firepit, concerts at the Levitt Pavilion and experiencing wonderful meals at local restaurants where Mark reveled in supporting other industry & hospitality professionals.
All those who knew him will always remember his roaring laugh, unyielding hugs and his gentle heart and soul. Mark's legacy will live on through his two dynamic sons, Scott LeMoult of Stamford and Eric LeMoult of Fairfield; his loving fiancée, Elizabeth Kenny of Norwalk; three revered brothers, Michael LeMoult and his wife Mary of Trumbull, Chris LeMoult and his wife Carole of Trumbull and Kevin LeMoult of Murrells Inlet, SC; the mother of his children, Ellen LeMoult of Fairfield; his stepfather, Bert Furgess of Murrells Inlet, SC, and several incredibly loved nieces and nephews who adored their uncle. Mark forged deep connections with every person that he met and leaves behind an infinite circle of very dear friends and colleagues. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Kelly LeMoult.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may be received by the family Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. Cheerful attire is encouraged to honor the vivacious life that Mark lived. In lieu of flowers or other recognition, the family requests that donations be made in Mark's LeMoult's memory to the Culinary Institute of America's scholarship fund at www.ciachef.edu/give. For information or to offer an online condolence, please visit www.SpearFuneralHome.com
Jeanne Marie Alling Sweeny, 103, Died; Westport Library, Curio Cottage Volunteer
Jeanne Marie Alling Sweeny, known to most as Johnny, passed away on Mother's Day, May 8, 2022, at the age of 103.
Mrs. Sweeny was born February 1, 1919, to Leon and Jeanne Alling in New York, NY, and grew up in Plainfield, NJ. Always serious in whatever she did, she graduated at the top of her class at age 16 from the Miss Hartridge's School and then from the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. She was employed by Arthur Andersen in New York until her engagement to Lieutenant Colonel Hugh B. "Jim" Sweeny, Jr. Married on June 3, 1942, she became a military wife, relocating, enduring the long absence of her husband and managing as mother of a newborn.
A devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Sweeny volunteered her time and energy to many causes. She taught Sunday School at Fanwood (NJ) Presbyterian Church and was a Cub Scout Den Mother for both her sons.
Mrs. Sweeny actively supported her husband in his position as National Program Director and National Conference Director for Junior Achievement(JA). Her relationships with many JA young people have endured until this day. In 2017, she was elected Board Member Emeritus of the Achievement Foundation in New York.
In the mid-1960's, she revived her career, working as the executive assistant to the founder of the Koos furniture chain where she broadened her finance and investment skills. She actively invested and managed her own accounts until she was well past 100 years young. She and her husband had an ongoing competition with their respective portfolios. Mrs. Sweeny's returns, more often than not, were better.
After moving to Westport, CT in the mid-1970's, she continued her community involvement, volunteering with many organizations including the Westport Women's Club's Curio Cottage for many years. Mrs. Sweeny channeled her love for books by volunteering with both the Westport and Easton libraries. She also enjoyed a lively (and very competitive) bridge game well into her 90's.
Mrs. Sweeny was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Hugh B. "Jim" Sweeny, Jr., son David Alling Sweeny, and sister Patricia Alling Peterson. She is survived by her eldest son, Hugh B. Sweeny, III (Amy O'Donnell Sweeny) of Jersey City, NJ; daughter-in-law Andrea(Mooney)Sweeny of Venice, FL, step-grandson Jeffery Delauter (Claire) of Brooklyn, NY, nieces Laura Peterson Starrantino and Barbara Rice, nephews Carl Peterson (Andrea), John Peterson and Andrew Peterson(Debbie), and cousin Marian Bradley of Southport, CT, many great nieces and nephews, and special friends Carol and Paul Wolff of Trumbull, CT .
Friends are invited to a memorial service on Sunday, June 5, 2022, 2:00 p.m., at First Church of Christ, Congregational, 25 Cross Highway, Redding Center, CT 06875. A reception will follow in the church hall. Interment will be private at another date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mrs. Sweeny's memory to:
First Church of Christ, Congregational, P. O. Box 1055, Redding Center, CT 06875.
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Bridgeport Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 9057, Bridgeport, CT 06601
Robert Darefsky, 61, Died; Westporter
Robert J. Darefsky, 61, of Westport, CT, husband of Amy (nee Brown) and father of Jordan and Carlie, passed away at home on May 11, 2022.
Rob grew up in West Hartford where he attended Hall High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Vermont and later received his MBA from the University of Chicago. Rob was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers' Business Recovery Services practice before becoming a senior managing director at FTI Consulting.
Rob is survived by his wife, children, mother Rosalyn Darefsky of West Hartford, sisters Marla (Mark) Severance of Stamford and Elyse Darefsky of Bloomfield, and niece Kayla (Josh) Jarnagin of Phoenix, Arizona. He was pre-deceased by his father, Leon Darefsky and nephew, Jared Bergman. Graveside funeral services were held on May 12, 2022 at The Emanuel Synagogue Cemetery in Wethersfield, CT.
The family is observing a private mourning period. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice or the Jared Bergman Scholarship (New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence, 265 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY 10801).