Bargas, Chris
Chris Bargas, age 94, of Trumbull, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 19, 2014, at his home with his loving family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 76 years of Rose (Cordone) Bargas. Chris was born in Lowell, MA on December 22, 1919, son of the late Athanasios and Lemonia (Kiourkas) Bargas, and three years later he returned with his mother and brother to their native Greece where he spent his formative years. Chris came back to Bridgeport in 1929, where he left school to work during the great depression. He married Rose and as a young adult worked as a hammer operator for Heppenstall Steel in Bridgeport before he enlisted in the US Navy and served in WWII. Chris served with distinction as a 40mm anti-aircraft gunner on the Aircraft Carrier USS Franklin in the South Pacific. He returned with honor in 1945 with 7 battle stars and a purple heart. Upon his return he opened Midway Luncheonette with his wife in Bridgeport. In 1954 he opened Capitol Realty Co. and worked as a real estate broker. He began a construction and development company that grew beyond Fairfield county to include New Haven county, Broward and Palm Beach counties, Florida, and real estate holdings in Puerto Rico. He was an original investor in the Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and the producer of the 1961 feature film, Antigone. Over the years, Chris developed miles of roads, thousands of homes and condominiums, as well as building three golf courses, including Hillandale Country Club in Trumbull, Oronoque Village in Stratford, and Whitney Farms Golf Course in Monroe. He loved the creative process of developing land from scratch, and working with everyone involved to realize his vision. He was also a devoted family man who loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and close friends. He is the beloved father of Thomas Bargas and his wife Pamela George and James Bargas and his wife Gertrud Leuwer. He is the cherished grandfather of Lisa Bargas, Jamie Bargas, and Jill Bargas-Gold and her husband Bruce, Chris B. Bargas and his wife Jennifer Condren, Stephanie Bargas, and Elke Bargas, and great-grandfather of Jack and William Fitzmaurice, Eleni Alexandra Gold, Amelia Rose and James William Bargas. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Antoinette Caselli, several nieces and nephews, and his closest of friends, James Cormier. Chris was predeceased by his brother John Bargas. Friends may greet the family at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton, on Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM. On Thursday, friends are invited directly to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport for a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Nichols Farm Burial Ground in Trumbull. Memorial contributions can be made to Folds of Honor, 5800 N. Patriot Drive, Owasso, OK 74055 or through the funeral director. Offer condolences online at www.riverviewfh.com. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ctpost/obituary.aspx?n=chris-bargas&pid=172869519&fhid=13053&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.btnvervF.dpuf

Robert A. Ladewig. Age 90 of Park Ridge. Navy Veteran WWII. Beloved husband of Tina & the late Shirley. Loving father of Steven (Chris) & Richard Ladewig, Joe, Nick (Valerie) & Chuck (Patricia) Vanella. Devoted grandfather of Brittany Megan & Lindsay Ladewig, Caitlin, Kelsey, Emily, Tess, Mia & Charley Vanella. Funeral Monday, October 20, 10 a.m. from Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge proceeding to Morton Grove Community Church, 8944 Austin Ave., Morton Grove. Service 11 a.m. Interment Private. Visitation at the funeral home, Sunday 3-9 p.m. Funeral Information http://www.ryan-parke.com – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=robert-ladewig&pid=172863874&fhid=4352#sthash.9phrHenj.dpuf

Harry George Smeltzer died Sept. 20, 2014, at VAMC, Prescott. He was born March 23, 1923, in Manor, Pa., to Harry and Madelyn Smeltzer

Harry served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Franklin CV-13. The ship was attacked by Japanese kamikazes on March 19, 1945, losing over 900 crew members. Harry was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart. He is the Arizona representative for the WWII Monument in Washington, D.C.

June 26, 1949, Harry married Gertrude Mary Hickey. They spent most of their life in Michigan City, Ind. retiring to Prescott, Ariz., in 2000.

He is survived by his wife; children, Carolyn, Mary (Charlie), Jim; two sisters, Marilyn and Gerry.

The family extends their greatest appreciation and thanks to the VAMC in Prescott for taking care of Harry in his final years.

Visitation is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, followed by a Memorial Mass at the VA Chapel, 500 N. Highway 89, with full military honors at the Prescott National Cemetery at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you simply help a veteran whenever possible.

You are invited to log onto ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Harry’s guestbook and share a memory with the family.

Information provided by survivors.

March 23, 1923 – September 20, 2014
USS Franklin CV 13 Proud plank owner, “Big Ben the Ship that Would Not Die”
Purple Heart Recipient, Representative for the state of Arizona for the WW 2 Monument and Steeler Fan

Born in Pennsylvania to Harry George and Madelyn on March 23, 1923. He grew up in Irwin Pennsylvania with his two sisters, Marilyn and Gerry. He served in the US Navy on the USS Franklin CV 13 during WW ll. He honored his shipmates’ everyday and was proud to be of service to his country. He had many stories of the Franklin and shared them with the fellow VA patients and staff as well as the government and his family.

He married Gertrude Mary Hickey Smeltzer on June 26th, 1949. They were married for 65 years. They have three children, Carolyn, Jimmy and Mary (Charles Buckner). For his children he said he wanted them to have respect for the country and be responsible. He said he achieved that with all three. He was, besides his family, very sincere about other three importantaspects of his life, Pennsylvania, the Pittsburg Steelers and the USS Franklin, CV 13.

His favorite song was: Allegheny Moon

Composer: Al Hoffman / Dick Manning

Allegheny Moon, I need your light
To help me find romance tonight
So shine … shine … shine

Allegheny Moon, your silver beams
Can lead the way to golden dreams
So shine … shine … shine

High among the stars, so bright above
The magic of your lamp of love
Can make him mine

Allegheny Moon, it’s up to you
Please see what you can do
For me … and for my one and only love

(Shine … shine … shine on tonight)
(Shine … shine … shine)

High among the stars, so bright above
The magic of your lamp of love
Can make him mine

Allegheny Moon, it’s up to you
Please see what you can do
For me, and for my one and only love

For me, and for my one and only love
(Shine … shine … shine on tonight)
His favorite Team the Steelers:

His favorite Ship was of course, the Franklin:He was extremely proud and honored to be the selected the veteran of WW11 to represent Arizona at the WW11 Monument. He was quoted in the book Inferno, There were two huge explosions and from time to time a rocket would fly…I was not afraid…though I prayed. “I prayed let me see my next birthday,” which was just three days away. I didn’t think I had three hours—let alone three days.”

The Supreme Commander called them home to sail the crystal sea,
Where they will steer with steady hand thought out eternity.
No longer will the high sea roll,
The skies will be clear and every day will be a day of happiness and cheer,
No storm shall cross their valiant prow and calm will be the sea,
In that bright place where all is well and kindly is the breeze,
They are at peace with our shipmates who have gone before.

Richard B. Ferris

Mason, MI

Richard B. Ferris, 92, of Mason, Michigan, passed away September 25, 2014. He was born on May 4, 1922 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan to the late Jay and Violet (Hertzberg) Ferris. He graduated from Eaton Rapids High School. Richard proudly served in the US Navy during WWII on the USS Franklin. A life-long resident of Aurelius Twp. and Mason, he was the former Assistant Postmaster at the Mason Post Office and a Scoutmaster for over 20 years. He enjoyed photography, stamp collecting, and coin collecting in his spare time. He was known for his bright iris beds and was a master gardener. Richard also loved travelling with Elder Hostel.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy. Surviving to cherish his memory are his children, Elaine J. Ferris, Dewayne J. (Kaye) Ferris, Gary R. (Linda) Ferris, and David A. Ferris; grandchildren, Jessica, Timothy, Lesley, Heather, Stephanie, Kenneth, Raylene, Patrick, and Joelynn; and great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Madison, Katelyn, Zoe, Dante, and Dominic.

Memorial Services were held Thursday, October 2, 2014. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to: First United Methodist Church of Mason Camping Scholarships, 201 E. Ash Street, Mason, MI 48854; or Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes,

564 South Main Street, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

The family is being served by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Mason Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at http://www.grbdmason.com

Published in Lansing State Journal from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5, 2014