Gary C. Morgan Sr., a lifelong resident of Stamford passed away on Wednesday April 16, 2025 at the age of 57. Gary is survived by his loving son Gary C. Morgan, Jr., his brother Jason Morgan, his nieces and Goddaughters Alexis Margaret Morgan and Alyssa Margaret Morgan along with his former spouse and longtime friend Tracey Morgan Downey, all of Stamford.

Gary was born on January 2, 1968, son of the late Gary and Margaret Vorvis Morgan. Gary graduated from Westhill High School, Class of 1986 and later attended J M Wright Technical School, dedicating his life to being a Licensed Electrician for close to 40 years. 9 of those years working at Vital Electrical Services.
Gary was known for his unwavering dependability, always someone others could count on without question; his sharp wit, quick comebacks, and unforgettable humor that brightened any room; and his hardworking nature, tackling every task with commitment, precision, and an eye for perfection. He was strong-willed and never afraid to stand his ground. He was compassionate and resilient, facing every obstacle life threw his way with unbelievable strength. Gary took great pride in donating his time to coaching youth sports, finding joy in the connections he built while coaching Babe Ruth baseball, Church of the Archangels and Stamford Youth basketball, and, in recent years, the Stamford Spartans Youth football program.

His greatest joy in his life was his son Gary. He cherished every moment they shared—whether it was spending time together, rooting for the Cowboys, sharing his love for collecting, going to events and shows, and so much more. Not only did he never miss a single game or practice Gary Jr. played in, from youth leagues to adult leagues, but he was also right by his side, coaching and guiding him through each sport. Gary embodied what it meant to be a devoted and hands-on father. He took pride in being a supportive and loving father, never missing an opportunity to tell his son how proud he was. Their bond was built on unconditional love and countless unforgettable memories. His legacy lives on through his son, who continues to carry forward the values and strength he learned from his father.

Gary will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Family and friends may visit at the Church of the Archangels, 1527 Bedford St, Stamford, CT 06905 on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM. The Trisagion service will take place prior to the funeral service at 3:30PM with the service beginning at 4:00PM, offered by the Rev. Father Harry Pappas.

Richard “Dick” Bruce, 83, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025, at Stamford Hospital. Born on June 2, 1941, in Flushing, NY, he was the beloved son of the late John D. and Anne M. (McGrath) Bruce and was preceded in death by his beloved David Bruce and his cherished wife, Nancy C. (Vitale) Bruce, in 2001.
A dedicated educator and coach, Dick spent more than three decades teaching and coaching sports at Stamford High School, where he built lasting connections with students, colleagues, and the broader community. Former students greeted him warmly with “Yo, Bruce!”—a testament to his enduring impact.
His bond with his daughter, Eileen, was admired by all, especially through their shared love of Stamford High School basketball. A passionate golfer, Dick enjoyed years on the green with fellow retired teachers, the “HAS BEENS,” and proudly celebrated a hole-in-one.
An advocate for educators and individuals with disabilities, he supported ARI (Always Reaching for Independence) of Stamford and was an engaged member of the Retired Teachers Association. Above all, he was a devoted father, brother, uncle, and mentor, whose quiet strength and kindness shaped the lives of those he loved.
Dick is survived by his beloved daughter, Eileen of Stamford; his brother, William of Cortlandt Manor, NY; his sister-in-law, Vivian Vitale (Rocky Brown) of Westford, MA; and his sister-in-law, Janet Bruce of El Cerrito, CA.
He is lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: John Bruce (Lisa) and daughter Alma of San Francisco, CA; Doug Bruce (Olga) and daughters Yasmine and Natalie of Old Greenwich, CT; Jim Bruce (Carolina) and daughters Noely and Nicky of Stamford, CT; Bryan Brown (Veronica) and children Robby and Casey of Hopedale, MA; Laura Venters (Michael) and children Daniel, Chelsea, and Aidan of Elkton, MD; and Blair Brown (Christian Dalomba) of Chelmsford, MA.
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10:30 AM ET at Saint Cecilia Church, located at 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Dick’s memory, to ARI of Stamford: https://www.arict.org/donate or American Brain Tumor Association: https://www.abta.org/ways-to-donate/
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.
Dick Bruce’s legacy lives on in every student he taught, every coach he mentored, every family member he supported, and every life he touched with kindness and purpose. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Joseph (Joe) Anthony Baske (July 11, 1968 – April 13, 2025) has passed away at the age of 56. Joe grew up in Weston, CT and obtained both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Connecticut. He was currently pursuing his doctorate at ULM.
Joe was a social studies teacher for 27 years at Greenwich High School. Many would describe him as the heart and soul of the building. His smile, laughter, and love of life infiltrated the halls and classrooms.
In addition to teaching, Joe presented workshops focused on how to facilitate resilience and engagement in the resistant learner by cultivating gratitude, compassion, and pride. This was his passion project.
It was at GHS that Joe met his wife of 22 years, Michelle. Joe proposed within 10 months of dating and they were married a few short months later. Their love, respect, and appreciation of one another ran strong and was felt by all that knew them. Joe always prioritized Michelle’s well-being and happiness above all else.
Together they had two children, Joseph and Genevieve. Joe would say being a dad was the greatest gift ever bestowed upon him. As a dad, he was committed to teaching social responsibility, with a generous side of goofiness. At the end of each day he would tell them, “I love you forever and I’m glad you’re my son/daughter.”
Beyond his passion for family and teaching, Joe loved playing basketball, held an unwavering belief in the New York Knicks and had an unexpected love of rap music.
He also had a love for classic cars. It’s bittersweet that he died from multiple blood clots in his lungs while attending a car show.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joseph E. Baske and Mary C. Baske. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; his children, Joseph and Genevieve; his brother, John (Whitney) Baske; his sister, Michele Baske; his in-laws, William and Nancy Grella; his sister-in-law, Erica (Peter) Angelopoulos; his nieces and nephew, Emma Baske (Jeremy) Woods, Meghan Baske, Johnny Angelopoulos, and Antonia Angelopoulos; and his best friend/brother, Kenric Gubner.
Calling hours for Joe will be held Monday, April 21, 2025 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Cognetta Funeral home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT. A mass of Christian burial will occur Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Maurice Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT. A burial will follow at Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery in New Milford, CT.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made “In Memory of Joe Baske” to the Greenwich Scholarship Association, PO Box 4627, Greenwich, CT 06831.

William W. Frayer passed away on February 8, 2025, at age 80 after a long illness. He was surrounded by his children and his aides in his final days at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, NY.
Bill was born in Syracuse, NY on September 11, 1944, to Leon Webster (Web) Frayer and Esther (Dodd) Frayer. Raised in Schenectady and Endwell, NY Bill attended Cornell University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering in 1966, a master’s in electrical engineering in 1968, and in 1972 graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College (formerly Cornell University Medical College). He remained at Weill Cornell Medical College where he continued into an internship and residency program in pediatrics and later a fellowship in neonatology. He stayed in New York City after his medical training, splitting his time between New York City and a home in Pound Ridge, NY.
Bill spent his entire career at Weill Cornell/New York Presbyterian Hospital as an associate professor of clinical pediatrics in neonatology. He loved taking care of babies and loved teaching the next generations of doctors. In his 37 years as an attending physician, he trained over 100 fellows, and countless residents and nurse practitioners. Bill hoped to be remembered for his work as a professor.
He had a deep interest in computing and acted as the director of clinical information systems at New York Presbyterian Hospital, helping to make New York Presbyterian one of the first hospitals in the country to move from paper to electronic medical records. This work led to travels around the world, most memorably Japan, France and Australia, to teach other hospitals about how to make the transition to electronic medical records.
Bill’s interests were broad and deep—from programming computers to playing the piano and organ, building and playing harpsichords, collecting stamps, wood working, quilting, needlepoint, making stained glass, teaching himself calligraphy, repairing and selling fountain pens, and collecting what seemed to be every classical music CD ever made—he was a true Renaissance man.
Bill is survived by his two children, Elizabeth, of New York City, and Eric, of Los Angeles, his daughter-in-law Sarah Frayer, three grandchildren, Theodore and Elliott Frayer and Wilhelmina Milnes, his former wife Joyce Frayer, brother-in-law James Hyla, and many nieces and nephews. His sister, Sharon Hyla, predeceased him.
A wake will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 12-2pm at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home (104 Myrtle Ave, Stamford, CT 06902) with a prayer service to begin at 2PM at the parlor. Burial will follow.
In remembrance of Bill’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Cornell’s NICU where he spent his career and where his granddaughter was so lovingly cared for. Checks may be made to “Perinatology Fund” and in the memo, “In memory of Dr. Frayer” and mailed to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Attn: Nazera Pasha, 525 East 68th Street, Box 106, New York, NY 10065.