Obituary: Edward Yeomans, Age 80

Edward S. Yeomans, age 80, of Stratford, beloved husband of Mary Ann Yeomans, entered into eternal rest peacefully surrounded by his loving family on November 25, 2012 in his home after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Newport, Rhode Island on January 31, 1932 to the late Louis and Edith Yeomans. Mr. Yeomans, a sergeant in the U.S. Army, served in Korea during the Korean War. After his return from Korea, Mr.Yeomans resumed his employment in the tree division of the public works department of the Town of Stratford and remained employed by the town for 40 years.

"You climbed to the top of the tree" then-Town Manager Ron Owens read, as he presented a plaque to Public Works Director Edward Yeomans at his retirement party in 1991 honoring him for his dedicated work to the Town of Stratford for 40 years.

The plaque tells the story of Yeomans employment, which began in 1951 as a groundsmen and climber for the tree division of the public works department, his appointment as a foreman of that department in 1965 to assistant superintendent of parks in 1967 and superintendent of parks in 1970.

In 1987, the town manager appointed Yeomans as the Director of Public Works. When the Public Works Association was formed, Yeomans served as president for 7 years and was elected president of the Supervisors Association for an 11-year term.

Yeomans has had the distinction of having the Short Beach Complex in Stratford named in his honor and during his tenure he served under 7 Town Managers, said Owens in a proclamation written in his honor. Also during his 40 years with the Town of Stratford, he was recognized for his meritorious service by the Town Council on 3 separate occasions and was awarded the key to the Town of Stratford in 1976.

Yeomans also received commendations for his dedication to the community from the following civic organizations: Holy Name Cardinals (1969, 1970, 1975 and 1978) Stratford Police Benevolent Association in (1970) Stratford Youth Conservation Club (1972) Stratford PAL (1973) Stratford Jaycees 1974) North Stratford Little League (1981) Council of Senior Clubs (1982) Stratford Waterfront Authority (1987) and the Boy Scouts of America (1988).

He also received recognition every year from Stratford’s Public Schools for his Arbor Day programs in the form of numerous letters from school children. An avid sports enthusiast Yeomans couched Stratford Little League for several years and was a dedicated Boston Red Sox and Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed playing golf.

A brother Louis Yeomans predeceases him. In addition to his wife he is survived by a brother Charles Yeomans of Ferguson, North Carolina and his children Cynthia Rizzardi (Frank) of Shelton, Timothy Yeomans (Kelley) of Chantilly Virginia, Richard Yeomans (Karen) of Stratford, Christine DeFilippo (Joseph) of Shelton and by his 10 loving grandchildren Gregory Rizzardi (Kara) of Trumbull, Bryan Rizzardi (fiancée Caitlin Mackie) of Boston, Massachusetts, Justin Rizzardi of Boston, Massachusetts, Tyler, Erik and Jason Yeomans of Chantilly, Virginia, Nicole Paniccia and her husband Maurizio, of Shelton, Alyssa Mysliwiec and her husband Michael of Stratford, Olivia and Santino DeFilippo of Shelton and a great grand daughter Ava Rose Rizzardi of Trumbull.Also several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the loving and dedicated staff of the VNS of Connecticut, especially nurses, Collette Sengupta and Carol Klubek and therapist, Tom Feliconio and the gentle and caring Home Aid Elsada Beckford. They also wish to express a sincere thank you to family friend Joseph Mezick for his caring and support.

Friends may greet the family on Friday November 30 from 4-8 p.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford. A mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church 1950 Barnum Avenue Stratford. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery 23 Temple Street Stratford. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Edward’s memory to the VNS of Connecticut 765 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604 or to any Cancer Charity that you desire.

This obituary was courtesy of Adzima Funeral Home.