Recent Death Notices From Canton, Former First Selectman Mourned

CANTON, CT — Canton death notices as of Sept. 11, 2026:

• Mary Ball Tomolonius, 74, died June 30. She served as Canton's first selectman from 2001 to 2007, later chairing the Canton Democratic Town Committee and serving on the Board of Finance. She founded Tomolonius Design, which she led for 25 years, then served 15 years as executive director of the Connecticut Association for Community Transportation. She is survived by her husband, Gary Tomolonius, two children and two grandchildren.

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• Ian Christopher Jason Clarke, 52, died July 1. A 1992 graduate of Canton High School with a degree in graphic design from Central Connecticut State University, he hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and volunteered with BiCi Co. and local animal shelters. He is survived by his parents, Peter and Roberta Clarke of Burlington, and a sister

• Donald Joseph Drummey, 84, died June 25. A carpenter and cabinet maker who specialized in custom interior design, he served in the U.S. Army as a medic at Walter Reed. He is survived by his wife, Madeleine Drummey, two sons, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

• Karen Vandersloot Richards, 85, died June 23. An educator who spent her career in Connecticut school systems including Canton, Burlington/Harwinton and Granby, she later served as director of curriculum in Granby and published her own cookbook in 1982. She held bachelor's and master's degrees from New York University and a doctorate from the University of Connecticut. She is survived by her husband, Gilbert H. Richards III, two children, and two granddaughters.

• Russell Lee Kluessendorf, 90, died April 28. A draftsman and illustrator for most of his career, he later worked on American Airlines' ground crew at Bradley International Airport until retiring in 2002. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he designed band logos for several ensembles and played trumpet with jazz groups and pit orchestras throughout his life. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lori, five children, 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

• Joyce Isabelle Rotondo (Gilchrist), 97, died March 19 at McLean in Simsbury. A registered nurse trained at St. Francis Hospital, she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Central State University in her sixties. She is survived by three children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandsons.

Source for all: Vincent Funeral Home