Joseph T. Fitzpatrick

NORTH CANAAN —Joseph T. Fitzpatrick, 77, passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening Jan. 27, 2013, at Sharon Hospital after a brief illness. Joe was born April 21, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pa., where he was known on the streets as “The K.O. Kid.” He was the son of the late Barbara (Eslinger) and Joseph George Fitzpatrick. He served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1959. His early visits to the Far East during his naval deployment spurred his interest in and fascination with the Asian culture. He went on to further his education and worked as a welder for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, from which he retired as a foreman. During his years at Pratt he often undertook other endeavors as a painter, bakery owner and landlord. After his retirement, Joe enjoyed working for Metro North as a conductor. His thirst for adventure prompted him to relocate to Busan, South Korea, where he taught English as a second language to both children and adults for more than 16 years. He traveled extensively to many parts of the world and enjoyed an adventurous, full and interesting life. His generosity and kindness touched the lives of many people in many places of the world. He enjoyed cultural activities such as music, art and philosophy. His fondness for animals of all kinds brought him great joy. He loved life and humor and his thirst for knowledge continued throughout his life.Joseph’s love for his family brought him back to the United States in 2010. Joseph is survived by his sisters, Kathleen Gregoria of Pennsylvania and Joan Kennedy of New Jersey; his five children, Barbara Lindquist of Butte, Mont., Gerard Fitzpatrick of Middletown, Conn., Traci Johnson of Pearcy, Ark., Leslie and Geoffrey Klish of North Canaan and Celeste Fitzpatrick of Fairfield, N.J.; seven grandchildren, Sarah Clark, Kelsey Allen, Courtney Fitzpatrick, Dustin Fitzpatrick, Brittany Fitzpatrick, Liam Johnson and Carlen Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.His brother, Gerard Fitzpatrick, predeceased him. A celebration of his life was held at Saint Joseph’s Church in North Canaan on Jan. 30. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to The Little Guild of Saint Francis in West Cornwall or Saint Jude’s Hospital. Arrangements are under the care of the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon.

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Club baseball at Fuessenich Park

Travel league baseball came to Torrington Thursday, June 26, when the Berkshire Bears Select Team played the Connecticut Moose 18U squad. The Moose won 6-4 in a back-and-forth game. Two players on the Bears play varsity ball at Housatonic Valley Regional High School: shortstop Anthony Foley and first baseman Wes Allyn. Foley went 1-for-3 at bat with an RBI in the game at Fuessenich Park.

 

  Anthony Foley, rising senior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, went 1-for-3 at bat for the Bears June 26.Photo by Riley Klein 

 
Siglio Press: Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature

Uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.

Richard Kraft

Siglio Press is a small, independent publishing house based in Egremont, Massachusetts, known for producing “uncommon books at the intersection of art and literature.” Founded and run by editor and publisher Lisa Pearson, Siglio has, since 2008, designed books that challenge conventions of both form and content.

A visit to Pearson’s airy studio suggests uncommon work, to be sure. Each of four very large tables were covered with what looked to be thousands of miniature squares of inkjet-printed, kaleidoscopically colored pieces of paper. Another table was covered with dozens of book/illustration-size, abstracted images of deer, made up of colored dots. For the enchanted and the mystified, Pearson kindly explained that these pieces were to be collaged together as artworks by the artist Richard Kraft (a frequent contributor to the Siglio Press and Pearson’s husband). The works would be accompanied by writings by two poets, Elizabeth Zuba and Monica Torre, in an as-yet-to-be-named book, inspired by a found copy of a worn French children’s book from the 1930s called “Robin de Bois” (Robin Hood).

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Cycling season: A roundup of our region’s rentals and where to ride them

Cyclists head south on the rail trail from Copake Falls.

Alec Linden

After a shaky start, summer has well and truly descended upon the Litchfield, Berkshire and Taconic hills, and there is no better way to get out and enjoy long-awaited good weather than on two wheels. Below, find a brief guide for those who feel the pull of the rail trail, but have yet to purchase their own ten-speed. Temporary rides are available in the tri-corner region, and their purveyors are eager to get residents of all ages, abilities and inclinations out into the open road (or bike path).

For those lucky enough to already possess their own bike, perhaps the routes described will inspire a new way to spend a Sunday afternoon. For more, visit lakevillejournal.com/tag/bike-route to check out two ride-guides from local cyclists that will appeal to enthusiasts of many levels looking for a varied trip through the region’s stunning summer scenery.

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