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Donald J. Fager, 92

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Donald J. Fager, Esq., who devoted his career to advocating for changes in the medical system to enhance patient safety, died at his home in New Canaan, Connecticut. He was 92. 

Mr. Fager was a defense attorney and a noted authority on medical malpractice. He was a founding Board Member of the National Patient Safety Foundation and sought to reduce medical errors and help physicians provide better patient care. In 1975, he founded Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Company (MLMIC), the first physician-owned insurance company and the largest mutual insurance company of its kind in the U.S. The company was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2018. 
With the success of MLMIC, Mr. Fager was frequently consulted, helping establish physician-owned insurance companies across the country. He testified on medical liability issues before committees of the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as state legislative committees.

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Diann E. Holland, 89

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Diann E. Holland, of New Canaan, CT, a caring and kind-hearted mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family on February 28th, 2023. She was 89 years old. She was born in Newton, MA in 1933 to the late Raymond and Althea (Sears) Eldredge. After graduating from Cape Cod’s Barnstable High School, Diann attended Lesley College in Cambridge, MA. It was at a dance in Cambridge where she met her future husband, Alexander J. Holland, who was attending Harvard Law School.  Diann and Alex were married for over 50 years until his passing in 2005. 
After working as a grade school teacher and raising their three children in Greenwich, CT, Diann spent over 40 years as the beautiful, blue-eyed office manager at the law firm of Holland, Kaufman & Bartels (formerly Pierson, Duel & Holland).  Diann’s warm, ever-present smile and calm demeanor left an impression on all who passed through the firm.

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Frances T. Emery, 87

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FRANCES T EMERY. – 87, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on February 7, 2023.  She was surrounded by her loving family and compassionate staff at Bridges Assisted Living and Rivers of Care. She was a special woman who touched the lives and hearts of all who knew her. Fran’s kindness, compassion and love towards her family and friends will forever be cherished and treasured. Fran is pre-deceased by her husband of 47 years, John Colvin Emery Jr. and survived by her daughter Tricia McGean of Lincoln MA, and son Michael Emery of Concord, MA; step-children John Emery III of New York City, Susan Quinby of New York City, and Ann Emery of Franklin, TN;  grandchildren Michael and wife Maggie McGean of Cambridge, MA, Christopher McGean of Santa Monica, CA, Cheryl Emery of Miami, FL; Josh Hansen of Crestview Hills, KY, Will and Sara Young of Franklin, TN; Samantha Emery of New York City; and son-in-law Geoff McGean of Lincoln, MA.  She was predeceased by her sister Betsy Doran of Riverside, CT and Peggy Boire of Ottawa, Canada.  She is survived by her sister Ginny Rose of Chico, CA
Fran was born on March 8, 1935 in East Orange, NJ to Edward and Elizabeth Toomy.

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Mark Rockwell Lefler, 79

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Mark Rockwell Lefler, 79 of New Canaan, CT passed away with his wife by his side on February 7, 2023, after a 5 ½ year battle with Multiple Myeloma; he passed away from a stroke at Norwalk Hospital. He was born in Norwalk, CT on April 7, 1943 to the late Sterling M. and Mildred (Moore) Lefler. Mark was the devoted husband to Sandra Conner Lefler of New Canaan, CT. Mark took college courses before joining the Navy and working on the USS Forrestal for two years. Upon leaving the Navy he worked for the family business Kitchens by Lefler in Westport, CT.

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John Richard ‘Dick’ Weber, 88

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John Richard (Dick) Weber, 88, of New Canaan, CT passed away on February 11, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer and with his loving daughter by his side.  Dick was born on June 6, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Gertrude and Claude J.N. Weber.  

As a young child, with his blond hair and blue-green eyes, Dick became the face and model for one of the Dairy Industry’s ad campaigns across the Midwest.  Upon moving East, Dick grew up in Belmont and Weston, MA. He graduated from St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, MA, and then Dartmouth College in 1956, where he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. On a trip to Cincinnati, OH, he met his soon-to-be wife, Carol.   After their marriage, they moved to Philadelphia, PA where he worked for the Scott Paper Company in public relations.