Derby History Quiz

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Colwell's Funeral Home stood next to the Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street

Derby only has one funeral home today, but year's ago it had many including Colwell's Funeral Home which is pictured above. Colwell's was eventually torn down to make way for the court house which now occupies the area. One thing that marked funeral homes of earlier periods was their catering to different ethnic groups. Colwell's for example was noted for serving the Irish population of the city.

Correct answers were received from: Nick from Terryville, John M. Rak, Frank from St. Pete, Mary Lou Boroski, C.F.Douglass, Millie from Ansonia, Ann Searles, Ken Dupke,Bill Cotter, Marsha Pettengill, Fred Grant, eddie calvert, Chuck Stankye, Mary Bennard, Robert Loftus, Rick Dunne, Edward Baclawski, Jack Skelding, Marilyn Mizii, and Jim Sheehy.

The following people got half the answer correct: Frederick Picroski, frank lazowski, Rosalie Cota, Joe Dedo, Paul Carroll, Walter Madura, and Tom Marcucio.

We had a couple of memories posted with the answers including:

"There was a big "bulldog" that frequently used the sidewalk in front of the establishment to rest and sun himself. He bothered no one and was a natural part of the landscape."

"I know there were three or more funeral homes withing a block of the Green..."

"Scarpa's was for Italians - Adzima's was for Polish"

"Derby was a childs playground of happiness.The town being small protected its young in that if you were somewhere you should not be...it wasent long before mom and dad knew..That was good.The people in the town cradeled their young.Each season had its own place in our memories and as a child daily the walk through the Derby Green was as exhilerating as Vonettes huge Christmas candy cane perched in their window and Santa waiting for my arrival at Howard and Barbers!!!Derby I wouldnt trade it for the world!!"

"My dad was City Clerk in the former City Hall. Harry Colwell who was the undertaker was a friend of his. My dad died while in office and Harry was the mortician."

 

To see our other earlier quizzes and learn more about Derby's unique history, click here.