Obituary: Martin R. Bornman Dies at 73

NAUGATUCK – Mr. Martin R. Bornman, 73, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 with his family at his side.  He was the widower of Frances (Martin) (Hanson) Bornman.

Mr. Bornman was born in New Haven on November 1, 1937, a son of the late Wilbur E. and Mary (Galvin) Bornman. He grew up in New Haven and worked for Emhart/Black & Decker of Shelton until his retirement in 2009. He loved to dance and was at one time a dance instructor for Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hamden. He was well versed in World War II and aviation trivia. He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Andrew Hanson and his wife Nancy of Naugatuck; his grandchildren, Gregg Hanson and his wife Alicia of Wolcott, Margaret Hanson of Naugatuck; his two sisters, Cecilia Bobby of Branford and Marie Biase of Punta Gorda, FL; his brother, Frank “Buzzy” Bornman of New Haven; a step son, Ricky LaRiviere of Orange; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Wilbur J. Bornman.

He fought a courageous one year battle with lung cancer. He had a message to all: “If you smoke - Stop! If you don’t smoke - Don’t start!”

The family wishes to sincerely thank The Cancer Center at Griffin Hospital, especially Dr. Jeffery Orell and Dr. Joseph Cardinale, CT Hospice of Shelton, and Carolyn Robinson for all their dedication, caring and compassion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 9 at 10am at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck. Friends are asked to meet directly at the church at 9:45am. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery, Higgins Road, Cheshire. Calling hours will be held at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck on Friday from 5-7pm.  

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or to St. Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 North Main Street Chamberlain, SD 57325 or to St. Labre Indian School, PO Box 216, Ashland, MT 59004. To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com