The Hartford Circus Fire ~ July 6, 1944

Victim List
The circus fire claimed the lives of 168 people - these are the names of the victims known to have perished as a result of injuries sustained on July 6, 1944. Each of these names is embossed on the bronze memorial erected on the site of the center ring of the circus.



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Name
Age
Hometown
Notes

Abatte, Donald
age 5

Abatte, Maria
age 34
41 Ashford St., Hartford, CT
aka Mrs. Mary Abatti, died at Municipal Hospital.

Adams, Gertrude Wiley
age 62
Hartford, CT
Gertrude Wiley Adams died with her grandson Roy R. Bell Jr., in the circus fire.

Akerland, Elaine B.
age 15
17 Colonial St., Hartford, CT
Elaine B. Ackerlind, daughter of Mrs. Elida Akerlind, buried in Zion Hill Cemetery.

Baker, Fred B.
age 63

Barry, Gail Ann
age 5
36 Curtis St., Hartford, CT
Gail Ann Barry and Mrs. Gladys (Morin) Barry, daughter and wife of Vincent D. Barry, died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Barry, Gladys
age 40
36 Curtis St., Hartford, CT
Mrs. Gladys (Morin) Barry and Gail Ann Barry, wife and daughter of Vincent D. Barry, died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Bedore, Mary
age 13

Bell, Roy Ritchey Jr.
age 6
Hartford, CT
Roy R. Bell Jr. died with his grandmother Gertrude Wiley Adams in the circus fire.

Bergin, Eldoras D.
age 18

Bergin, Miss Mary
age 45
75 Lincoln St., Hartford, CT
Miss Mary F. Bergin and Mrs. Mary E. Bergin, sister and wife of John Bergin, died July 6, 1944.

Bergin, Mrs. Mary
age 75
75 Lincoln St., Hartford, CT
Mrs. Mary E. Bergin and Miss Mary F. Bergin, wife and sister of John Bergin, died July 6, 1944.

Berman, Judith Ann
age 7
24 Stillman Rd., Wethersfield, CT
Judith Ann Berman, aged 7 years, daughter of Hy I. berman and the late Rose (Pierson) Berman, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Meriden Heleren Cemetery.

Berman, Rose Catherine
age 39
24 Stillman Rd., Wethersfield, CT
Mrs. Rose (Pierson) Berman, wife of Hy I. Berman, died on july 6, 1944. Buried in Meriden Heleren Cemetery.

Berube, Ann L.
age 5

Birch, Arland E.
age 12

Birch, Marguerite
age 36

Birch, Shirley Ann
age 9

Booth, Sarah
age 67
26 Ashley St., Hartford, CT
Sarah S. Booth, wife of Roy F. Booth, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Boyajian, Alice
age 30
379 Hillside Ave., Hartford, CT
Mrs. Alice Boyojian, Stephen Boyojian, and Fred Boyojian, wife and sons of Frederick Boyojian, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. (alternate spelling as printed in The Hartford Times obituary)

Boyajian, Fred
age 5
379 Hillside Ave., Hartford, CT
Fred Boyojian, Stephen Boyojian, and Mrs. Alice Boyojian, sons and wife of Frederick Boyojian, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. (alternate spelling as printed in The Hartford Times obituary)

Boyajian, Stephen
age 3
379 Hillside Ave., Hartford, CT
Stephen Boyojian, Fred Boyojian, and Mrs. Alice Boyojian, sons and wife of Frederick Boyojian, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. (alternate spelling as printed in The Hartford Times obituary)

Bradley, Frank
age 32

Bradley, Helen Alicia
age 30

Brooks, Mrs. Dorothy E.
age 44
Pershing Drive, Plainville, CT
Four members of the Brooks family perished in the circus fire on July 6, 1944. The dead are Mrs. Frank A. Brooks, 42; Dorothy Brooks, 21; james Brooks, 10; and George Brooks, 9. It is not known whether the husband, who is employed as an engineer in East Hartford, attended the circus.

Brooks, Miss Dorothy E.
age 20
Pershing Drive, Plainville, CT
Four members of the Brooks family perished in the circus fire on July 6, 1944. The dead are Mrs. Frank A. Brooks, 42; Dorothy Brooks, 21; james Brooks, 10; and George Brooks, 9. It is not known whether the husband, who is employed as an engineer in East Hartford, attended the circus.

Brooks, George
age 9
Pershing Drive, Plainville, CT
Four members of the Brooks family perished in the circus fire on July 6, 1944. The dead are Mrs. Frank A. Brooks, 42; Dorothy Brooks, 21; james Brooks, 10; and George Brooks, 9. It is not known whether the husband, who is employed as an engineer in East Hartford, attended the circus.

Brooks, James F.
age 10
Pershing Drive, Plainville, CT
Four members of the Brooks family perished in the circus fire on July 6, 1944. The dead are Mrs. Frank A. Brooks, 42; Dorothy Brooks, 21; james Brooks, 10; and George Brooks, 9. It is not known whether the husband, who is employed as an engineer in East Hartford, attended the circus.

Budrick, Miss Edith
age 9
aka Edith Wickham Budrick. Born 7/29/34, died 7/7/44. Buried in East Cemetery in Manchester, CT. "Perished in Circus Fire in Hartford CT 1944" -- inscribed on grave stone.

Budrick, Mrs. Edith
age 38
aka Edith May Wickham. Born 10/24/1905, died 7/6/44. Buried in East Cemetery in Manchester, CT. "Perished in Circus Fire in Hartford CT 1944" -- inscribed on grave stone.

Budrick, Joseph
age 7
aka Joseph Charles Budrick Jr. Born 4/8/37, died 7/6/44. Buried in East Cemetery in Manchester, CT. "Perished in Circus Fire in Hartford CT 1944" -- inscribed on grave stone.

Burns, Anna T.
age 64
?? Hattie Burns from Unionville, died at Municipal Hospital ??

Carrier, Jacqueline
age 4

Charter, Walton E.
age 53
439 Campfield Ave., Hartford, CT
Walton Eugene Charter, died on July 6th. Buried in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill, CT.

Clark, Edward Ralph
age 81
116 Webster St., Hartford, CT
Edward Ralph Clark and wife Emily (Jacobs) Clark both died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Clark, Emily
age 81
116 Webster St., Hartford, CT
Emily (Jacobs) Clark and husband Edward Ralph Clark both died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Clark, Grace Jacobs
age 48

Conlan, Evelyn Lucille
age 26

Connolly, Rita Ann
age 13
51 Eastview St., Hartford, CT
Rita Ann Connolly, aged 13, and Edward F. Connolly Jr., aged 10, children of Edward F. and Margaret J. (Higgins) Connolly died July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Connolly, Edward Jr.
age 10
51 Eastview St., Hartford, CT
Edward F. Connolly Jr., aged 10, and Rita Ann Connolly, aged 13, children of Edward F. and Margaret J. (Higgins) Connolly died July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Cook, Edward
age 6

Cook, Eleanor Emily
age 8

Corttis, Edith Browne
age 57
Attended circus with the Edwin Woodward and his family.

Cosgrove, Mary Brown
age 53

Curlee, William
age 29
114 East 208th Street, Euclid, OH
William Lee Curlee Jr., formerly of Hartford, husband of Doris (Cadoret) Curlee, died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict's Cemetery.

DeLa Vergne, Elizabeth
age 33

DeMartino, Anna
age 36

DeNezzo, Katherine
age 35

DeNezzo, Joseph Jr.
age 3

Derby, Carolyn
age 6
19 Boswell Road, West Hartford, CT
From Carolyn Derby's brother via email: Carolyn was killed in the fire, mother Ethel Derby was burned, brother William F. Derby Jr. was burned. They lived at 19 Boswell Road in West Hartford, CT and attended the circus with neighbors Loretta Dillus and her mother Maby. (Maby is probably Anna Albina Dillus who perished in the fire with her daughter Loretta.)

Dillus, Loretta
age 7
25 Boswell Road, West Hartford, CT
7-year-old Loretta Dillus and her mother Mrs. Anna Staskavich, child and wife of George P. Dillus died on July 6, 1944. Buried in St. Catherine's Cemetery, Broad Brook, CT.

Dillus, Anna Albina
age 36
25 Boswell Road, West Hartford, CT
Mrs. Anna Staskavich Dillus and her 7-year-old daughter Loretta Dillus, wife and child of George P. Dillus died on July 6, 1944. Buried in St. Catherine's Cemetery, Broad Brook, CT.

Dineen, William Joseph
age 7
73 Martin St., Hartford, CT
William J. Dineen, 8-year-old son of Detective Sergeant William J. and Rose Cody Dineen, died July 6, 1944. Besides his parents, he leaves two sisters, Marian and Elaine Dineen. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Duhamel, Alice
age 23

Edson, Ellen
age 3
74 Plymouth Lane, Manchester, CT
Ellen Patricia Edson, young daughter of Alden Edson, died July 6, 1944 in Municipal Hospital. She would have been 4 years old in October. She is survived by her father, and her maternal grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Henry Forrest of Jersey City, NJ and her paternal grandmother, Mrs. Irene D. Edson of Manchester, CT.

Ellen attended the circus with neighbor Doris Shinkel, who also died in the fire.

Elliott, Jane N.
age 43
17 Center St., Wethersfield, CT
Mrs. Jane (Norden) Elliott, wife of Donald Elliott, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Willimantic New Cemetery, Willimantic, CT

Elliott, Richard Edward
age 6
17 Center St., Wethersfield, CT
Richard Edward Elliott, son of Donald and the late Jane (Norden) Elliott, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Willimantic New Cemetery, Willimantic, CT

Erickson, Raymond
age 6

Fifield, Grace
age 47
Mrs. Fifield, of Newport, VT, was reported missing and was believed to be an amnesia victim. She was visiting relatives in Wethersfield, CT, and attended the circus with her 16 year old son who says his mother was ahead of him when he left the burning tent. Mrs. Fifield's husband has visited the four hospitals and has viewed the unidentified dead and says that his wife is not among them.

Fitzgerald, James W. III
age 3

Fitzsimmons, Shileen
age 3

Ford, Louise
age 80
400 Park Road, West Hartford, CT
Died at St. Francis Hospital

Franz, Mary Rester
age 30

Franz, William
age 3

Gallucci, Mary Jane
age 5

Gallucci, Rose
age 55

Garrison, Margaret N.
age 69

Goff, Maurice
age 24

Goff, Muriel
age 4

Goldstein, Adrienne
age 3
23 Andover St., Hartford, CT
Adrian Beverly Goldstein, aged 3 years, daughter of Captain Leonard and the late Sylvia (Lagary) Goldstein, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Barbour St. Cemetery. (alternate spelling as printed in The Hartford Times obituary)

Goldstein, Sylvia
age 27
23 Andover St., Hartford, CT
Mrs. Sylvia (Lagary) Goldstein, wife of Captain Leonard Goldstein died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Barbour St. Cemetery.

Gorsky, Kenneth
age 5
Went to circus with his cousin Shirley Kellin, where both would perish in the fire.

Goulko, Ann
age 36

Goulko, Claire Margaret
age 17

Goulko, Elizabeth
age 22

Goulko, Nancy M.
age 6

Grant, Hulda
age 28
143 Cannon Road, East Hartford, CT
Mrs. Hulda Miller Grant, wife of William B. Grant died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Alderbrook Cemetery, Guilford, CT

Gray, Helen F.
age 65

Hagar, Audrey
age 22

Hart, Nellie Francis
age 69

Hess, Minnie
age 42

Hindle, Ada Hall
age 65

Hines, Peter W.
age 5
Son of Mrs. Charles Hines, who gave birth to another son on July 8, 1944. Peter attended the circus with his grandparents Edwin G. Woodward and his wife, also victims.

Johnson, Helen Marie
age 54
21 Boulanger Ave., West Hartford, CT
Helen Marie Johnson, wife of Alvin Johnson, died on July 6, 1944. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Kavalier, Esther
age 39
65 Griswold Dr., West Hartford, CT
aka Mrs. Esther Cavalier, died at Municipal Hospital.

Kavalier, Sandra
age 6

Kelley, Dorothy E.
age 48
21 Boswell Rd., West Hartford, CT
Dorothy (Dennett) Kelly, beloved wife of Edward P. Kelly, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Kellin, Shirley Ann
age 16
Took her cousin Kenneth Gorsky to the circus, where both would perish.

Koob, Helen
age 44
544 Park Rd., West Hartford, CT
Helen Marie Koob, aged 44, and B. Herbert Koob Jr., aged 7, wife and son of B. Herbert Koob died July 6, 1944. Buried in Fairview Cemetery.

Koob, Herbert Jr.
age 7
544 Park Rd., West Hartford, CT
B. Herbert Koob Jr., aged 7, and Helen Marie Koob, aged 44, son and wife of B. Herbert Koob died July 6, 1944. Buried in Fairview Cemetery.

Kruh, Roslyn
age 22

Kuhnly, Dorothy
age 36
28 White St., Rockville, CT
Mother of Georgianna May Kuhnly, who also died as a result of burns suffered at the circus fire. Buried in St. Bernard's Cemetery.

Kuhnly, Georgianna
age 12
28 White St., Rockville, CT
Georgianna May Kuhnly, 12, daughter of Francis Kuhnly died shortly after noon on July 10th at Municipal Hospital from burns suffered at the circus fire. Georgianna's mother, Mrs. Dorothy Burke Kuhnly also lost her life in the fire. Born in Rockville on May 30, 1932, Georgianna was an active junior member of the Red Cross. Besides her father she leaves a sister, Roberta and a brother, Barry. Buried in St. Bernard's Cemetery.

Kurnetta, Mary
age 18

Lapuk, Sarah
age 40

Lapuk, Seymour
age 8

LeVasseur, Marion
age 32
761 Burlington Ave., Bristol, CT


Ludger W. LeVasseur identified the badly burned body of his wife, Marion LeVasseur, at the morgue at the State Armory. Their son Gerald LeVasseur, 5, who attended the circus with his mother, was badly burned and is said to be in serious condition at Municipal Hospital. Marion and Gerald attended the circus with Mrs. James Eustice, Mrs. M. E. Linxweiller andthe latter's daughter, Mary Ann.

Locke, Elaine Ida
age 6
Born 5/25/38, died 7/6/44. Buried in East Cemetery in Manchester, CT. "Perished in Circus Fire in Hartford CT 1944" -- inscribed on grave stone.

Locke, Viola Anne
age 40
aka Viola Ann Wickham Locke. Born 2/27/04, died 7/6/44. Buried in East Cemetery in Manchester, CT. "Perished in Circus Fire in Hartford CT 1944" -- inscribed on grave stone.

Logan, Sandra L.
age 4

Marcovicz, Stephanie
age 30
24 Morris St., Hartford, CT
Mrs. Stephanie Marcovicz and Francis Marcovicz, Jr., wife and son of Francis Marcovicz, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Marcovicz, Francis Jr.
age 4
24 Morris St., Hartford, CT
Francis Marcovicz, Jr. and Mrs. Stephanie Marcovicz, son and wife of Francis Marcovicz, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Marcus, Martin
age 44

Mason, Jarvis W.
age 3
48 Hickory Lane, West Hartford, CT
Jarvis Woolverton Mason 3rd, aged 3 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Woolverton Mason, died July 6, 1944. Cremation at Springfield, Mass.

Mason, Marcia McKinney
age 35

Mather, Lola Booth
age 41
26 Ashley St., Hartford, CT
Mrs. Lola Booth Mather, widow of Edward H. Mather, died July 6, 1944 at Municipal Hospital. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mather, Sarah Elizabeth
age 7
26 Ashley St., Hartford, CT
Sarah Elizabeth Mather, daughter of Lola Booth Mather, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery

Mathews, Dorothy C.
age 34

Mathews, Roslyn
age 5

Matteson, Theresa E.
age 46

Mearman, Charlotte
age 7
243 Franklin Ave., Hartford, CT
Charlotte Caroline Mearman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Mearman, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Old Cemetery, Cromwell, CT.

Metcalf, Marjorie R.
age 51

Miles, Monica
age 6

Milliken, Stephen Ronald
age 6

Moore, Martha Ann
age 65

Murphy, Charles Walter
age 4

Murphy, Hortense
age 32
11 Crown St., Plainville, CT
aka Mrs. Walter Murphy, died at Municipal Hospital.

Hortense (Coughlan) Murphy attended circus with husband Walter D. Murphy, who was also killed, and their daughter Patricia who survived but was injured. She also leaves a son, James.

Murphy, Walter D.
age 34
Plainville, CT
Mr. Murphy, a victim of the circus fire on July 6th, was an assistant pharmacist at Liggett's Drug Store in New Britain, and was known to friends as "Brick". Walter was connected with the recreation bowling alleys, Brick's Restaurant, and was also a correspondent to The Hartford Times. His wife, Mrs. Hortense (Coughlan) Murphy was also killed, and their daughter Patricia was injured in the fire. They also leave a son James.

Nogas, Valerie Jane
age 8

Norris, Agnes
age 6

Norris, Eva
age 43

Norris, Judy
age 6

Norris, Michael E.
age 50

North, Irene Cook
age 49

North, Irene May
age 7

O'Brien, Daniel
age 7
441 Highland St., Manchester, CT
Daniel O'Brien, seven years old son of Lawrence O'Brien, died July 6, 1944. His remains were identified on July 7, 1944 in the State Armory, Hartford, by his father.

O'Connell, Doris Jean
age 5
Unionville, CT
Doris Jean and her mother Evelyn O'Connell both died in the fire. Doris Jean's father was Dr. Enos J. O'Connell.

O'Connell, Evelyn
age 32
Unionville, CT
Evelyn was the wife of Dr. Enos J. O'Connell; their daughter Doris Jean O'Connor also died in the fire. Dr. O'Connell also has a son.

O'Connor, Mary C.
age 64

Pellens, Constance
age 2
375 New Park Ave., Hartford, CT
Constance Louise Pellen, daughter of Girard and Grace Pellen, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery. (alternate spelling as printed in The Hartford Times obituary)

Pistorio, Carmella
age 39
62 Elmer St., Hartford, CT
Mrs. Carmela Pistorio, wife of Salvatore Pistorio, wasa victim of the circus fire. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Poglitsch, Frank
age 8

Poglitsch, Lillian
age 36

Prost, Eva
age 25
Hartford, CT
Eva Glick Prost and her daughter Rochelle Helene Prost were both killed in the circus fire. Mrs. Prost leaves her husband, Samuel M. Prost, and daughter Barbara Prost.

Prost, Rochelle
age 3
Hartford, CT
Rochelle Helene Prost and her mother Eva Glick Prost were both killed in the circus fire.

Putnam, Elizabeth
age 43
Willimantic, CT
Mrs. Elizabeth Putnam and her daughter, Mary, were victims of the circus fire. Buried in Storrs Cemetery.

Putnam, Mary S.
age 9
Willimantic, CT
Mary Putnam and her mother Mrs. Elizabeth Putnam, were victims of the circus fire. Buried in Storrs Cemetery.

Rester, Elizabeth
age 24

Rester, Rose Terry
age 27

Roberts, Elizabeth
age 37
Winsted, CT
aka Elizabeth Greenlaw Roberts, attended circus with her husband Theodore Roberts, and their children Theodora, Judith and Carlton. Elizabeth's husband and children were all hospitalized with injuries sustained during the fire. Mrs. Roberts was born in Eastport, Maine in 1907 and died Friday, July 7, at Municipal Hospital of burns sustained at the circus fire. Elizabeth is buried in Riverton Cemetery in Winsted, CT. She was a teacher at Forde School in Robertsville.

Shinkel, Doris
age 21
Manchester, CT
aka Doris Marie Schinkel, age 22, died July 9th at Hartford Hospital from burns received at the circus fire. She had recently graduated from Boston University in May, 1944 with a BS degree. Doris attended the circus with a neighbor's child, Ellen Patricia Edson, who also died. Miss Shinkel is survived by her parents and one sister, Miss Marion Louise Shinkel.

Smith, Joan Lee
age 5

Smith, Thyra M.
age 48

Snelgrove, Edwin Ralph
age 47
8 Usher Ave., Plainville, CT
Edwin Ralph Snelgrove, 47, died July 6, 1944. He was an assistant secretary of the Atkins Printing Co. in New Britain. he leaves his four brothers, and his daughter Shirley, who is in a serious condition at Municipal Hospital. His wife, Olive M. Snelgrove was also a victim of the fire.

Snelgrove, Olive M.
age 42
8 Usher Ave., Plainville, CT
Olive M. Snelgrove, 42, died July 6, 1944. She leaves her daughter Shirley, who is in a serious condition at Municipal Hospital, her mother Mrs. Alberta Rogers, and a sister Mrs. Frederick Jones of Waterbury, CT. Her husband, Edwin Ralph Snelgrove was also killed in the fire.

Steinberg, Louis
age 74

Surdam, Clarence
age 28
RFD 1, New Hartford, CT
aka Clarence Surdan, died at Municpal Hospital.

Surdam, Katherine
age 73

Testa, Vincent
age 10

Tomalonis, Charles
age 47

Toth, Joan
age 9

Toth, Regina
age 11

Traver, Laura
age 39

Venberg, Anna
age 52

Vensas, Katherine
age 61

Verrett, Ida
age 35

Verrett, Myrtle
age 22

Viering, Mildred R.
age 27
297 Victoria Road, Hartford, CT
Mrs. Mildred (Jacques) Viering, aged 27 years, wife of Joseph A. Viering, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Viering, Paul O.
age 4
297 Victoria Road, Hartford, CT
Paul Oliver Viering, 4-year-old son of Joseph A. Viering and the late Mildred (Jacques) Viering, died July 6, 1944. Buried in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery.

Wabrek, Ann
age 45
37 Main St., New Hartford, CT
aka Mrs. Anna Wabrek, died at Municipal Hospital.

Wabrek, Loraine
age 13

Wakeman, Bruce
age 7
23 Grennan Rd., West Hartford, CT
Bruce Carlyle Wakeman, aged 7 years, son of Elwyn D. Wakeman and the late Virginia (Thomson) Wakeman, died July 6, 1944.

Wakeman, Virginia T.
age 33
23 Grennan Rd., West Hartford, CT
Virginia (Thomson) Wakeman , aged 33 years, wife of Elwyn D. Wakeman, died July 6, 1944 with her son, Bruce Carlyle Wakeman, aged 7 years. She leaves her husband Elwyn D. Wakeman and a daughter, Sandra Wakeman.

Walters, Edith
age 22

Watchen, Anna
age 62

Woodward, Edwin G.
age 54
Storrs, CT
Died at Municipal Hospital

Woodward, Lucille
age 55

Unknown
infant