The holidays are a time of memories. Of recalling the names of people never met and long forgotten. This is a story of a man I never knew existed. It’s a tale I was told did not exist. I found the details in the November 24, 1924 Norwich Bulletin. I wonder if it’s true that when an individual’s name is mentioned by the living, spoken aloud or even just in brief and fleeting thought, that person awakens for a time from their forever sleep. How many individuals are named, wondered about and thought of in just this one story alone?
“The body of Onufry Toupass, 32, who boarded at 189 Howard Street, New London was found hanging from a tree in Mohegan Park Sunday morning by his brother-in-law, Paul Sankow , of Chesterfield, qho came here to make a search for the man, whose abandoned automobile was found in the park several days ago.
No motive is known for the man’s suicide, but this may be disclosed in a letter in the Ukranian language which was found in his pocket, has been translated. Coroner J. J. Desmond and County Detective William Lewis will take steps to have the translation made at once. The letter is addressed to, “Dearest Sister’.’
The deserted car, which had been left near the lake at the park, was first reported to the police on Thursday by Park Superintendent Krohn, who learned from one of his helpers that the car had been there four days. Chief Linton notified the New London police, through whom it had been learned that Toupass had not been seen at his boarding place since he left there a week ago Friday.
The abandoned car was placed in a Norwich garage and Sunday morning the brother-in-law and his son came here to make a search. They went to the park with the garage man who had taken charge of the car and when they had been shown where the machine had been left they scoured the region around the lake without finding anything and then they went along the road leading to Washington Street. At some distance from the lake and a considerable distance from the road they found the body of Toupass hanging from a tree. He had used a new piece of sash cord which was just long enough to allow his feet to touch the ground.
Police headquarters and Medical Examiner C. C. Gildersleeve were notified and his body removed to the undertaking rooms of Cummings & Ring.
According to what the brother-in-law told the medical examiner, he had been in the New London address last Monday and again on Wednesday to inquire about Toupass and was told both times that he had not been seen since he left there a week ago Friday.
Toupass was a native of Ukrania, was unmarried and leaves a sister in New York and one in Chesterfield.
May all who are mentioned in this story rest in peace.
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