John William deFriesse

John William (Bill) deFriesse, 85, died March 4 at New Milford Hospital with his wife, Florence (Weiss) deFriesse and his nine children at his side.

 He was the father of Neil DeFriesse of Newtown.

Bill was born December 27, 1914 in Bronx, N.Y., where he met Florence and married in 1943.

During World War II he worked for the War Department as shore patrolman at the New York Port of Embarkation. They moved to South Norwalk in 1950 where he worked for the Preen Company. In 1965 they moved to Brookfield Center where he worked for American Cyanamid, Davis & Geck Division, until his retirement in 1981. In retirement years, Bill and Florence did extensive traveling, including cruises, a trip to the Holy Land, and visiting friends and family scattered throughout the states.

Besides his wife and son, he is survived by his children, Kenneth of South Norwalk, Edward of Washington, Diane LeBlanc of Georgetown, MA, Richard of New Milford, Suzanne Lazarowski of Mountain Home, Idaho, Steve of Brookfield, Lynn Story of Rockport, Mass., and David of New Milford; 22 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by one brother and five sisters.

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, March 10 at 11 am at St Joseph Church, Brookfield, with a gathering following at Capers Restaurant, Route 7, Brookfield, at 12:30 pm.

Donations may be made in his name to New Milford Hospital or Candlewood Valley Care Center, New Milford.

The Newtown Bee         March 10, 2000