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Monsignor William J. Scheyd, 85

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Monsignor William J. Scheyd, 85, died peacefully on May 28, surrounded by his family and friends at Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence where he resided for the past nine years. A priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport for 60 years, Monsignor Scheyd was born and raised in Bridgeport and attended St. Ann’s Elementary School and Fairfield Prep. He completed his seminary studies at St. John Seminary in Boston, and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston Theological Institute. Monsignor Scheyd served in parishes throughout Fairfield County, including St.

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William Franklin Emmons Jr., 94

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William Franklin Emmons Jr., a 49-year resident of New Canaan, CT passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 3, 2025 in Charlotte, NC. 

He was born in Belmont, MA on April 3, 1931, a son of William F. and Alice Grimes Emmons, and raised in Arlington, MA. Bill graduated Cum Laude from Boston College in 1953. He was a three sport, four year varsity letter winning athlete, playing hockey, football, and track. He received B.C’s highest student honor, the Edward H. Finnegan award, presented to the senior who best exemplifies the university’s motto “Ever to Excel.” He played in the first annual Beanpot Tournament, between B.C., Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern. 

After graduating from college, Bill joined the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet, became a flight instructor, served 5 years, and retired as a captain. Following his service, during which time he met and married his beloved wife, Mary Ellen of 70 years, he joined IBM in Boston where he also flew F-86’s in the New Hampshire National Guard on weekends.

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Keith Stanton Richey, 71

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Keith Stanton Richey of New Canaan, community leader and beloved husband, father, and friend, died suddenly on May 20th, 2025. He was seventy-one years old. Born on February 10, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, Keith was the son of Jack Claude Richey and Merle Harriet Falkin. He attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles and University of Southern California, graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1976. Following his graduation, Keith, always allured by Europe, went on a tour through the continent and received news while abroad that he had been admitted to the University of Texas Law School at Austin with a full scholarship.

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Richard Anthony Franco, Jr., 74 

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Richard Anthony Franco, Jr. passed away May 22, 2025 at his home on Summer Street in New Canaan. Rick was born August 3, 1950, to Gloria and Dick Franco. Unbeknownst to the young couple, Rick would be the first of their eleven children. 

Rick attended St. Aloysius School and was in the first graduating class to complete all eight years in the new school. At an early point in Rick’s academic career he unwisely chose to launch a paper clip off the end of a rubber band, narrowly missing a nun but striking the Monsignor in the head.

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Barbara White, 1925-2025

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Barbara White passed away at her home in New Canaan, Conn., on May 16, 2025, of natural causes. She was 99. Born in Camden, New Jersey, on June 25, 1925, to Robert E. and Ella O’Donovan, Barbara, known to friends and family as Babs, grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where she attended Montclair Kimberley Academy. Her mother, a successful visual artist, no doubt sowed the seeds for Babs’ own passion for painting, design and fashion. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Smith College in 1946 and subsequently landed a job as a fashion illustrator at Women’s Wear Daily. 

In 1948, Babs married Robert O. White, a commercial banker with Chemical Bank, who predeceased her in 2000.