Obituaries

Joan A. Sypher

Former Mattituck resident Joan A. Sypher died of cancer June 24, 2013, at her home in New Milford, Conn. She was 76.

Born Dec. 1, 1936, at Eastern Long Hospital in Greenport to George Arthur and Marian (Herman) Bergen, she grew up in Mattituck, Aquebogue and Riverhead. After graduating from Riverhead High School in 1954, she worked for New York Telephone Company.

On Oct. 7, 1956, Joan married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Sypher, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Doris and Ronald’s brother, William.

Joan and Ronald lived in Riverhead, Aquebogue and Wading River before moving to South Salem, N.Y. Joan continued to work for New York Telephone Company until 1993, when she retired and they moved to New Milford.

Joan loved spending time with family, camping at Cedar Point Park and in New Hampshire, relaxing on the beaches of Cape Cod, Maine and Nova Scotia or entertaining at her home for the holidays, family members said. After retirement, she and Ronald enjoyed wintering in St. Augustine, Fla.

Her family also said attention to detail was a hallmark of Joan’s, demonstrated in her painting, record-keeping, organizing family trips and even her selection of birthday-present wrapping. She also loved listening to saxophone music, particularly that of Kenny G., as well as baking, cooking, gardening, golfing and caring for animals, they said.

Joan is survived by her husband of 57 years; two sons, Bruce (Rita) of Danbury, Conn., and Michael (Beth) of Holmes, N.Y.; two daughters, Kathleen (Tom) Castegnetta of New Milford and Nancy (Ed) Walsh, of Sherman, Conn.; two sisters, Doris Sypher of East Quogue and Connie Kwasnieski Wilds of Maryland; her brother Ronnie Kwasnieski of Maryland; and seven grandchildren: Nicholas, Courtney and Stephanie Sypher; Sam and Dan Castegnetta; and Erin and Dylan Walsh. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother James Kwasnieski.

A funeral Mass was held June 27 at Our Lady of the Lakes R.C. Church followed by interment at St. Francis Cemetery, both in New Milford.

Arrangements were handled by Lillis Funeral Home, also in New Milford.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045.

This is a paid notice.