Russell James Riva, Jr.

CANAAN, Conn. — Russell James “Teter” Riva, Jr, 94, of 7 Beau Ridge passed away Thursday morning Sept. 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Caryl (Pennekamp) Riva. Teter and Caryl were married on April 11, 1953 and celebrated 72 years of marriage this year. In addition to his wife, Teter is survived by his son Russell P. “Rusty” Riva, his daughter Suzanne “Suzy” Riva, both of Canaan. His nephew Louis “Buddy” Riva and his wife Pam of Canaan, Cagney Riva of Sheffield, Massachusetts and Cody Riva of Canaan. Teter was predeceased by his brothers Louis “Sonny” Riva and LeRoy Riva, sister Cynthia Riva, and grandson Tate Riva.

Teter was born in the former Geer Hospital in Canaan on Sept. 17, 193, the son of the late Russel James “Red” and Edith (Massini) Riva Sr. After graduating from Housatonic Vally Regional High School, Teter earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Engineering from the Chicago Technical College. He was drafted into the US Army and served during the Korean War with the Army Corps of Engineers.

After serving in the Army, Teter and Caryl returned to Canaan where he worked as Forman in his parents store and eventually becoming President of C. A. Lindell & Son Inc. which included the hardware store, lumber yard, fuel oil, and John Deere equipment. Teter’s hard work, vision and foresight built a new hardware store, one of the first and largest drive through lumber yards on the east coast, expanded Lindell Fuels, Inc by building a complex tank farm with fleet dispensers, one of the first of its magnitude in New England, a full-service 24/7 HVAC and propane provider, and started an equipment rental company.

Teter took after his father, who started out as a carpenter, and built the Canaan Post Office and several homes for family and friends while running Lindell’s. Never one to remain still, Teter started his own construction company, North Canaan Builders, Inc. and partnered with Chris Carr to form Carr Riva Developers. Working with US Department of Housing & Urban Development in Washington, DC and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority they developed, built and managed apartment complexes in Canaan, Middletown, Windsor, Plainville, and Meriden Connecticut and Longmeadow Massachusetts.

Teter thought of community as family and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone along the way. Among his many accomplishments he served as a Scoutmaster of Troop 22, Rail Road Historical Association, Board of Directors of Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County in Bantam, Chairman of the Board at Geer Village Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for 45 years, and Board of Directors of the National Iron Bank for 48 years.

Teter loved fishing with his family on Twin Lakes, Square Dancing and Round Dancing with Caryl in Connecticut and Florida. He was an avid golfer and a member at the Wyantenuck Country Club in Great Barrington, Massachusetts for 48 years as well as Plantation Golf and Country Club for 42 years in Venice, Florida.

Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Teter’s life will be held at the Couch Pipa Post 104 South Canaan Road Canaan, CT 06018 on Thursday October 2, 2025 at 1:00 pm. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be sent in Teter’s memory to the North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps PO Box 178 15 North Main St. Canaan, CT 06018. Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018.

Latest News

Rhys V. Bowen

LAKEVILLE — Rhys V. Bowen, 65, of Foxboro, Massachusetts, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Sept. 15, 2025. Rhys was born in Sharon, Connecticut, on April 9, 1960 to Anne H. Bowen and the late John G. Bowen. His brother, David, died in 1979.

Rhys grew up at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, where his father taught English. Attending Hotchkiss, Rhys excelled in academics and played soccer, basketball, and baseball. During these years, he also learned the challenges and joys of running, and continued to run at least 50 miles a week, until the day he died.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kelsey K. Horton

LAKEVILLE — Kelsey K. Horton, 43, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut, following a courageous battle with cancer. Kelsey worked as a certified nursing assistant and administrative assistant at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, from 1999 until 2024, where she was a very respected and loved member of their nursing and administrative staff.

Born Oct. 4, 1981, in Sharon, she was the daughter of W. Craig Kellogg of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and JoAnne (Lukens) Tuncy and her husband Donald of Millerton, New York. Kelsey graduated with the class of 1999 from Webutuck High School in Amenia and from BOCES in 1999 with a certificate from the CNA program as well. She was a longtime member of the Lakeville United Methodist Church in Lakeville. On Oct. 11, 2003, in Poughkeepsie, New York, she married James Horton. Jimmy survives at home in Lakeville. Kelsey loved camping every summer at Waubeeka Family Campground in Copake, and she volunteered as a cheer coach for A.R.C. Cheerleading for many years. Kelsey also enjoyed hiking and gardening in her spare time and spending time with her loving family and many dear friends.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eliot Warren Brown

SHARON — On Sept. 27, Eliot Warren Brown was shot and killed at age 47 at his home in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a random act of violence by a young man in need of mental health services. Eliot was born and raised in Sharon, Connecticut, and attended Indian Mountain School and Concord Academy in Massachusetts. He graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He and his wife Brooke moved to New Orleans to answer the call for help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and fell in love with the city.

In addition to his wife Brooke, Eliot leaves behind his parents Malcolm and Louise Brown, his sisters Lucia (Thaddeus) and Carla (Ruairi), three nephews, and extended family and friends spread far and wide.

Keep ReadingShow less
Randall Osolin

SHARON — Randall “Randy” Osolin passed away on Sept. 25, 2025, at the age of 74. He was born on Feb. 6, 1951, in Sharon, Connecticut to the late Ramon (Sonny) and Barbara (Sandmeyer) Osolin.

He was a dedicated social worker, a natural athlete, a gentle friend of animals, an abiding parish verger, an inveterate reader, and an estimable friend and neighbor. He was a kind-hearted person whose greatest joy was in helping someone in need and sharing his time with his family and good friends.

Keep ReadingShow less