Jeremiah Halsey "Jerry" Renjilian, 83, of Newtown, beloved husband of Jean Renjilian, died peacefully December 18, at Filosa in Danbury. He was born in Fairfield, on August 15, 1934, the son of Inez and Aram Renjilian.

He received both his bachelor's degree and master's degree in education from the University of Bridgeport, and went on to do further graduate work in library science at Southern Connecticut State College. He began raising his family in Milford, and then moved to Newtown in 1970.

For 30 years, he was a librarian at New Canaan High School, where one of his projects was integration of computers into library research and operations, and he enjoyed acting in school theater productions.

His interests included building the family home, writing poetry, genealogy, organic gardening, and chopping firewood. Mr Renjilian traveled with his wife and each of their grandchildren to Elderhostels, and he was known by neighbors along his long daily walking routes.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Jean; his brother, John and wife Elaine of Newtown; sons, Robert and wife Christy of York, Penn., and David and wife Erica of South Abington Township, Penn.; grandchildren, Thomas, Christina, Justin, and Jessica; and several nieces, nephews and cousins survive him.

The family thanks the nurses, aides, and all the staff at Filosa for their skill and caring as Mr Renjilian's Parkinson's disease progressed.

A memorial service will be conducted in the spring at the convenience of the family.

Contributions in his name may be made to the Newtown Forest Association, PO Box 213, Newtown CT 06470.