Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 107

THE HARTFORD COURANT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2001 B5 DEATH NOTICES PROTASEWICH, Nicholas A. Nicholas A. Protasewich, 80, of Charlotte, NC, formerly of Avon and Hartford, died Wednesday, (October 17, 2001) at Mercy Hospital, Charlotte, NC. Born in Hartford, Katherine son of the late Andrew and (Cap) Protasewich, he was raised in Hartford, lived in Avon for 16 years, and North Carolina the past ten years. He served in the U.S.

Army during World War Nicholas was a member of Christ Methodist Church, Hartford, a founding member of Valley Community Baptist Church, Avon, and a current member of Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church, Matthews, NC. He had been employed by the Fuller Brush Company for 30 years, COPACO Bloomfield, and retired from Ensign Simsbury, in 1986. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley H. (Dunn) Protasewich and his brother John, in 1981. He leaves three sons and their wives, Robert and Debra Protasewich of West Chicago, IL, Ronald and Joanne Protasewich of Duxbury, MA, and Richard and Kennie Protasewich of Charlotte, NC; three sisters, Alice and Marian Protasewich, both of Manchester and Ann McTeague of South Windsor; and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday, 12 Noon, at the Valley Community Baptist Church, 590 West Avon Road, Avon. Pastor Jay Abramson will officiate. Burial will be in West Avon Cemetery following the service. His family will receive friends on Monday, 11 a.m. to 12 Noon at the church prior to the service.

Contributions in memory of Mr. Protasewich may be made to New England Keswick Building Fund, P.O. Box 156, Monterey, MA 01245, a Christian Youth Camp and Retreat Center in the Berkshires. The Hayes Huling Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, is caring for the arrangements. ROTH, Albin "Opa" Albin "Opa' Roth, 82, of Manchester, husband of the late Franziska (Hartung) Roth, passed away Wednesday, (October 17, 2001) at an area rehabilitation center.

He was born June 6, 1919 in Germany, son of the late Leonhard and Amalie (Strickstrock) Roth, and came to this country in 1957. Mr. Roth was a member of the Hartford Sangerbund and the Leider Kranz. Prior to his retirement, he had worked as a painter for the German Railroad and the Austin Organ Co. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Trudy and Joseph Steininger of Coventry; and two granddaughters, Christine Tarascio and her husband, Richard of Bolton, and Elisa Holmes and her husband, Eben of Ellington.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 24, at 7 p.m. at the Watkins Funeral Home, 142 East Center Manchester. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 6 p.m. until the time of the service. Albin and his beloved wife, Franziska, who passed away June 6th of this year, will be buried together in GermaMemorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

SCHMIDT, Janice N. Janice N. Schmidt, 82, of Clintonville Wallingford, died Friday, (October 19, 2001) at the MidState Medical Center. She was the wife of the late Robert F. Schmidt.

She was born in Wallingford, August 29, 1919 a daughter of the late Edgar Howe and Nettie Harrison Norton. She was a ber of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and the Wallingford Grange. She is survived by a sister, Catharine N. Beaumont and her husband Robert E.

Beaumont of Wallingford; a nephew, Robert N. Beaumont of Wallingford; two grand nieces, Catharine R. Beaumont and Tamzen Kelly; a grand nephew, Robert G. Beaumont; and a great grand nephew, Walter H. Kelly, Ill.

She was predeceased by a sister, Ruth N. Lanson. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 23, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, 273 South Elm Wallingford.

Burial will be at In Memoriam Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 10-11 a.m. See obituary IN MEMORIAM In Loving Memory of JOSEPHINE DeNICOLA Nov. 22, 1929 Oct. 20, 1997 Gone but not forgotten.

You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Love Always, Husband, Children and Grandchildren in Loving Memory of My Husband METTY C. PAPUSHEK October 20, 1986 You are not forgotten loved one, Nor will you ever be. Till memory fades and life departs, I will remember thee Eileen In Memory of My Father BENJAMIN H. TILLMAN, JR.

July 13, 1916 Oct. 20, 1951 Da, I only had you in my life for a very short time but you have been with me all these 50 years in heart, mind and spirit. I miss you, Ma, and Benny very, very much. Love always your daughter, Carol DEATH NOTICES SULLIVAN, John J. John J.

Sullivan, 80, formerly of West Tharnes Street, Norwich, da retired City, and government istrator, died Friday, (October 19, 2001) at Hillcrest Healthcare Center. Sullivan retired in 1992 after serving 16 years as Executive Director of the City Housing Authority. He previously had been an Authority Commissioner for more than 15 years. He oversaw a largescale expansion of moderate and senior citizen housing units and was recognized by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, both for his leadership in that work, as well as the high management and fiscal operations that marked his tenure. Sullivan worked for the State of Connecticut for 25 years, retiring in 1976 from the State of Connecticut as Chief Accountant for the Commission on Special Revenue.

Earlier, he held positions with the State Banking Department and the State Welfare Department. Born September 23, 1921, he was the son of the late John and Margaret (Connelly) Sullivan. He attended local public schools, graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1939 and Peekskill Military Academy in 1940. He worked at Aetna Insurance in Hartford enlisting in the U.S. Army 1942.

He attended before, the Army Specialized Training program at the University of Arkansas and then was assigned to the 372nd field artillery unit in the 99th Infantry Dvision, known as "The Battle Babies," the group saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne, Elsenborn Ridge, Ruhr Pocket and other the Army's European Theatre of Operations. The Division was one of the first American units to cross the Rhine River in Germany. Sullivan was discharged from the military in 1946 with the rank of Sergeant. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star during his wartime service and found great pride in attending the Division's annual reunions until recent years, when failing health intervened. After the war, he enrolled at Bryant College on the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in accounting.

He was an accountant Goldberg's Center in Norwich before entering State Service. Sullivan served one term on the City Council, 1955-1957. He was a Past Exalted Ruler of the Norwich Lodge of Elks, where he also served 22 years as a Trustee, Treasurer and Secretary. He was a member and both President and Treasurer of the Norwich Golf Club; a member, Secretary and Director of Pautipaug Country Club; a past member of the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus; a former president of the Westerly Pawcatuck Friendly Sons of St. Patrick; and a member of the greater Norwich Chapter of the Friends of St.

Patrick. He was a communicant Peter and Paul Parish and served on its parish council. On August 14, 1948 at that church, he married Marion Williamson who survives, along with eight children and their spouses: Maureen E. Sullivan and Jack Siggins of Annapolis, MD, Carole S. and Richard McCarthy of Mystic, Joanne S.

and Gary LeBeau of East Hartford, Jean S. ard Depot of Norwich, John J. and Debra Sullivan of Albany, NY, Robert T. and Ginger Sullivan of Norwich, Thomas R. and Susan Sullivan of Norwich and James M.

Colleen Sullivan of Norwich; and 16 grandchildren: Kara, Matthew and Christopher LeBeau of East Hartford, Kerrie, Erin, Aileen and Carolyn Depot of Norwich, Amanda and John Sullivan of Albany, NY, Erica Sullivan-Corbett of Norwich, Sean Sullivan of Norwich, Robert, Margaret and Kiera Sullivan of Norwich, and Brendan and Jack Sullivan of Norwich; and a sister, Margaret S. Wilson of Norwich. He was predeceased by a brother, Eugene. The funeral will assemble Monday at the Cummings-Gagne Funeral Home, 82 Cliff Norwich, at 9 a.m. and proceed to a 10 a.m.

Mass of Christian Burial at Sts. Peter Paul Church in Norwich. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Norwich. Calling hours are Sunday, 4-8 p.m.

at the funeral home. In lieu flowers, gifts can be made to the Sullivan Family Fund, do the Eastern Connecticut Community Foundation, 257 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360. VOZEK, Emily Sophia (Klaus) Emily Sophia (Klaus) Vozek, 80, of South Windsor, wife of the late Edward J. Vozek, died Friday (October 19, 2001). She was born in the Scitico section of Enfield on November 4, 1920 to the late Joseph and Bernice (Szesuta) Klaus.

Emily attended Enfield Public Schools and was a graduate of A.I. Prince Technical School and the Connecticut Institute of Hairdressing. She was a beautician, mostly in the Enfield area, moving to South Windsor in 1966. She is survived by a son, Edward M. Vozek of Manchester; a daughter and son-in-law, Joanne and Joseph Joaquin of Colchester; a precious granddaughter, Jennifer Joaquin; three sisters, Sophie Kuchy and Mary Satkowski, both of Enfield, and Johanna Fregeau of Longmeadow, MA; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband and her parents, Emily was predeceased by a brother, Frank Klaus of Somers. Her family will receive friends at the Samsel Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor, on Sunday, October 21, 3-6 p.m. Funeral and burial are private and at the convenience of her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the South Windsor Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 705, South Windsor, CT 06074.

DEATH NOTICES SUTHERN, Lewis C. Lewis C. Suthern, 77, of Windsor Locks, passed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father, Friday (October 19, 2001). Born in Taunton, MA, son of the late Alden and Lennie (Small) Suthern, he graduated from Northeastern University in 1956 served during World War Il in the Engineer Combat Battalion. He was an avid model railroading, enthusiast and a member of the Manchester Silk City Chorus.

Lewis was a member of Bethany Baptist Church, Broad Brook, where for many years he was actively involved in the church music ministry. With loving memories, he leaves his wife of 46 years, Arlene (Dill) Suthern; and his daughters and sons-in-law, Allyson and Daniel Kehoe Suffield, Judi and Greg Voets of East Granby, and Brenda and Robert Boucher of Windsor Locks; and his precious grandchildren, Keri and Laura Kehoe, Keith and Holly Voets, and Lindsey and Ryan Austin. He also leaves his sister, Grace Dyke of Taunton, MA; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Curtis Suthern of California in November, 2000. Funeral services will be Monday, 11 a.m., at the Bethany Baptist Church, 278 North RT 140, Brook, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Suffield.

His family will receive friends Monday, 10-11 a.m., at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bethany Baptist Building Fund, 278 North Broad Brook, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 443 Franklin Hartford, CT. The Nicholson Carmon Funeral Home, Suffield, has charge of arrangements. SWANSON, Alexandra (Capetan) Alexandra (Capetan) Swanson, 84, of School Apartments, New Britain, widow of Bror E. Swanson, died on Thursday (October 18, 2001) at New Britain General Hospital.

A native and lifelong resident, she was a New Britain School graduate, Class of 1935. Mrs. Swanson was employed at the former American Hardware Company and later at Fafnir Bearing Company for 25 years, retiring in 1982. She was a member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, sang in the church choir, and was a member of the Philoptochos Society and the Golden Rascals at the church.

She was also a member of the New Britain Chapter AARP and the New Britain Senior Citizens. Surviving is daughter, Jerine Jacob and her husband Dr. Robert Jacob of Southington; a brother-in-law, Lawrence Botticelli, Sr. of Wilmington, DE; a niece, Lorraine Botticelli and her daughter Alexis, also of Wilmington, DE; and a nephew, Lawrence Botticelli, in New Jersey. Funeral services are Monday, 1 p.m., at St.

George Greek Orthodox Church, 301 West Main New Britain. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday, 5-8 p.m., at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin New Britain. A Trisagion Service will be conducted Sunday evening, 7:30 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St.

George Greek Orthodox Choir Fund, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online guestbook at www.carlsonfuneralhome.com WARD, Takie RaSheen Takie RaSheen Ward, 29, of Hartford, departed this life Tuesday, (October 16, 2001) at UConn Health Center, Farmington after a courageous battle with can- cer. He was born June 8, 1972 and a graduate of Hartford Public High School. He was a security guard at Burns Security and Wackenhut Security. Takie was a member of Phillip's C.M.E.

Church of Hartford. He leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Adrienne M. Ward of Hartford and Steven Spencer of Phenix City, AL; two children, Tatiana R. Ward and Tyehan Ward; his step-daughter, Aubrey-Ana Echevarria; six sisters, Valerie A. Ward, Nadia E.

Ward, Jasmine T. Johnson, Sierra I. Johnson, all of Hartford, Sonja Spencer-Horton of Columbus, GA and Candria Thompson of Anniston, AL; three brothers, Jonathan A. Ward and Kevin K. Crane, both of Hartford and Steven Spencer, Jr.

of San Antonio, TX; maternal grandmother, Thelma C. Ward; paternal grandfather, James Spencer; his fiancee, Latasha Richardson; six aunts, Valeria A. Ward of Silvers Springs, MD, Elizabeth Ward, Theresa Lennon and Jean Sheets, all of New Haven, Mattie Hall of Phoenix, AZ and Karen Spencer of Columbus, GA; three uncles, Johnny Ward of Hartford, Eddie Ward of New Haven and Takie Allah of Springfield, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, amongst them a very special cousin, Tashama Spencer of Columbus, GA; and a special friend, Kwan Jenkins. He was predeceased by his grandfather, William Ward; grandmother, Rose Spencer; and his daughter, Karen Rose Ward. Funeral Service is Monday, October 22, 11 a.m.

at Phillip's C.M.E. Church, 2550 Main Street, Hartford, with calling hour 10 a.m. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Rocky Hill. Clark Bell Bell Funeral Home, 319 Barbour Street, Hartford, in care of arrangements. CONNECTICUT Terror Session Proposed Top House Republican Wants It; Rowland In No Hurry By MATTHEW DALY growing budget deficit, but his prison sentences for repeat ofASSOCIATED PRESS spokesman said Friday that Row- fenders.

land was in no hurry to add terror- Democratic state Comptroller A leading Republican in the ism to the agenda. Nancy Wyman has supported state's House Of Representatives Democratic leaders in the legis- Rowland's call for immediate acon Friday called for a special ses- lature have resisted the Repub- tion on the budget deficit, saying sion of the General Assembly to lican governor's suggestion for a revenues are plummeting further respond to the Sept. 11 terrorist at- budget session, saying no im- than officials anticipated. Wyman tacks on the nation. mediate action is required.

projected a $91 million deficit Oct. House Minority Leader Robert "Ithink at this point if he calls a 1, but said this week that her office Ward said the session was needed special session, he will call a spe- now expects the deficit could douimmediately to approve legisla- cial session to deal with the bud- ble to about $180 million. tion increasing penalties for mak- get first," not terrorism, Pagani House Speaker Moira Lyons, D- ing false threats regarding explo- said. Stamford, said Friday she resive devices or chemical or "The attacks on Washington mained skeptical of a special sesbiological attacks. and New York took place about a sion on the budget, but said WyThe session would also address month ago.

People are just begin- man's endorsement may cause Gov. John G. Rowland's proposal ning to make an assessment about her and other Democrats to rethto waive tuition fees at public col- Connecticut's readiness to deal ink their resistance to the idea. leges and universities for chil- with terrorism and bioterrorism, "Someone we respect has put of dren of Connecticut residents and I think the governor believes a note of caution out there to make killed in the Sept. 11 attacks, Ward we probably need some time be- sure we are really focused on said.

fore the legislature starts tackling what the negative aspects of the "At times like these, we are not some of the security issues," Pa- economy may be, once we get the Democrats or Republicans. We gani said. correct numbers from the goverare concerned American citizens Earlier this week, Senate nor's side and our side," Lyons who want to see justice prevail Majority Leader George Jepsen, said, referring to Rowland's budand peace of mind returned to all D-Stamford, called for increased get office and the nonpartisan OfConnecticut residents," said penalties for false bomb threats fice of Fiscal Analysis. Ward, R-North Branford. and bioterrorism hoaxes.

Jep- Projections from those two ofRowland has already called for sen's proposal would make such fices, which along with Wyman the legislature to meet in special threats a felony, even for first- monitor the state economy and session next month to address a time offenders, and would require budget, are due next week. NATION Social Security Raise Coming WASHINGTON Social Security recipients will get a 2.6 percent cost-of-living increase next year, about $22 a month for the average retiree. That's down from this year's 3.5 percent raise because inflation has slowed. Monthly Social Security checks for 45.6 million Americans are adjusted annually to keep rising prices from eroding recipients' income. But dropping energy prices this year have kept inflation low.

The increase is automatic and is tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index, one of the government's chief measures of inflation. "Inflation continues to be low, which is certainly good news for the elderly and disabled," said Larry G. Massanari, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration. But next year's raise "will seem to most people very small, particularly given the health care cost increases they are facing," said John Rother, legislation and public policy director for the AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons. More than 60 percent of retirees rely on Social Security for more than half their income, the AARP said.

The government also an- WORLD BRIEFS By LEIGH STROPE ASSOCIATED PRESS ITALY ITALIAN COURT UPHOLDS ACQUITTAL OF PREMIER ROME -Italy's top criminal court on Friday upheld the acquittal of Premier Silvio Berlusconi on charges he bribed tax officials auditing some of the companies in the billionaire's business empire, state television reported. The Court of Cassation in Rome agreed with a ruling made last year by a Milan appeals court that the statute of limitations had run out on the case. The Italian news agency ANSA said the top court, while also deciding for acquittal, went beyond the Milan appeals ruling that time had run out. The Cassation judges ruled that the premier should be acquitted be- IN MEMORIAM CHET HALE Oct. 20, 1917.

Jan. 28, 1999 Sadly missed along life's way; Quietly remembered every day. Your Family In Loving Memory of MARY ROSSITTO Oct. 20, 1914 Sept. 16, 1996 Happy Birthday Mother in Heaven.

You are greatly missed. In Loving Remembrance of MEHL You are still loved and missed. Wife and Sons nounced Friday that monthly Medicare premiums will increase by $4 a month next year to $54, an 8 percent increase. The premiums are deducted from most elderly and disabled Americans' Social Security checks for insurance coverage of doctors' office visits. About 40 million older and disabled Americans participate in the program.

The increase, which also takes effect Jan. 1, reflects higher health care costs and is legally mandated. It is not based on the cost-of-living adjustment. Medicare care costs have jumped a seasonally adjusted 4.8 percent in the past year, fueled by a 7.2 percent increase in hospital services and a 6.8 percent rise in prescription drugs, the Labor Department said Friday. Congress has talked a lot about dealing with the rising cost of prescription drugs which are not covered under Medicare but so far has done nothing.

The Bush administration wanted to promote drug discount cards, but a lawsuit by drugstore owners blocked the program. The terrorist attacks have shifted political attention away from domestic concerns, so it is unclear when the issue might be addressed. "But these kitchen table concerns have a way of coming back," Rother said. "They are so pervasive. They are what people cause there was no evidence Berlusconi had committed any crime in the case.

The appeals court in May 2000 had tossed out a bribery conviction against Berlusconi, who was then Italy's conservative opposition leader, giving the media magnate a victory in one of the most serious of the corruption and financial cases against him. SPAIN FIVE PERISH IN HIMALAYAS AVALANCHE MADRID, Spain Five Spanish mountain climbers have died in an avalanche in the Himalayas, officials said Friday. They were part of a 10-man expedition trying to reach the summit of Mount Pumori, a peak in Nepal. The other five climbers were at a base camp when the avalanche occurred Tuesday and were not injured, said Alejo Uranga, a councilor in Azpeitia, the Basque hometown of one of the climbers. Uranga said the expedition leader told him by telephone he had seen the five bodies at about 18,000 feet on Pumori.

That spot is hard to reach, and the bodies will probably have to be left there, said expedition leader Benantzio Irureta, according to the state news face every day." As for Social Security, President Bush has created a commission to recommend a plan later this fall to shore up future funding for the retirement system by letting younger workers invest some of their payroll taxes in the stock market. Social Security is expected to start paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes by 2016 because of an influx of baby boom retirees. The trust fund is projected to be depleted in 2038. Starting in January, retirees' average monthly Social Security check will increase from $852 to $874. The maximum monthly payment for low-income beneficiaries will increase $14 to $545.

For a low-income couple, the maximum monthly benefit will increase $21 to $817. Except for this year's 3.5 percent increase, yearly adjustments have remained at or below 3 percent since 1993. In contrast, double-digit inflation in the late 1970s drove the cost-of-living adjustment to 14.3 percent in 1980. Social Security also announced that for working Americans, the maximum annual earnings subject to Social Security taxes next year will rise to $84,900 from $80.400. Of the 154 million workers who pay Social Security taxes, only about 10.5 million will be affected by the higher wage base in 2002.

agency Efe. BELGIUM a EU LEADERS LOOK BEYOND THE TALIBAN GHENT, Belgium European Union leaders reaffirmed their backing for the war on terrorism Friday and said the EU would work with the United Nations to forge a stable government in Afghanistan to replace the Taliban. The 15 leaders at a one day meeting in Ghent backed away from tougher language in an earlier draft that called the overthrow of the Taliban regime a "legitimate objective" of the anti terrorism campaign. They also softened language, contained in the first draft of a statement, that urged the European Central Bank to cut interest rates to bolster economies suffering from the aftershocks of the attacks in the United States. Instead, they merely noted that lower inflation left room for maneuvering in monetary policy.

Eager to show their continued solidarity with the United States, the leaders noted that American retaliation in Afghanistan has been carefully targeted and that everything is being done to limit civilian casualties. From wire services CURTAIN Entertainment, Arts News and Interviews EVERY FRIDAY in LIFE.