Josephine A. Geary (Hayes)
JOSEPHINE A. GEARY. "Joe.", Danbury, Conn.
"These humble words are all too few To tell how much we think of you." As an efficient and popular president of the Senior Class, "Joe." has worked untiringly, being always ready when work is to be done. She is a good student, a graceful dancer, and has all those sterling qualities which will make her beloved wherever she roams.
Taught at: Sherman (CT) public school, St. Augustine's School, Bridgeport CT
St. Augustine's School, now part of the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport.
See the "elections' page for more information on Josephine's impact on the 1924 class 
Josephine was several years older than her classmates, what we would consider a “nontraditional” student in today’s world. She was born April 7, 1898 in Connecticut.
The first mention of the Geary family in Danbury is in the 1900 census. John Geary was born in 1861 in New Jersey and his wife Mary Faulkner was born in December, 1860 in Connecticut. This census lists the family as having 7 children - John Jr. -16, Rosie 12, Mary -10, William - 6, Nellie - 4, Josephine – 2, and George born 4/12. John is a hatter and John Jr. is listed as a silver trimmer. By the 1910 census, John, John Jr., Rosa, Mary and William work in the hatting industry. Mary has had 12 children with 8 surviving. Their daughter Katie died in 1897 and is buried in the Old St. Peter’s Cemetery with Rosa Faulkner who died at age 23 in 1886.
In 1912 they are living at 98 West St. and by 1914, the family lives at 72 Elm St. John and John Jr. are listed as hatters in the Danbury city directory. William is employed by the railroad. In the 1915 directory, Helen is listed as a silk weaver and William is also listed as a baker boarding at 14 Bank St. in 1916, William has removed to Bridgeport and is living at 66 William St. He registers for the draft while living there. He subsequently served in the Infantry, Hq Det, 1st Replacement Depot A.E.F. from 1917 to 1919. Josephine is listed as working at T. S. M. in Danbury.
There is a big change for Josephine in the 1920 census. She is boarding with Fred and Carrie Williams at their home on New Milford Road in Sherman. She is teaching at the public school there. The rest of the family is still at 72 Elm Street in Danbury. Joseph is working as a furrier. John, John Jr. and William as listed as hatters. Lillian and Mary are at home. By the 923 and 1924 Danbury directories, Josephine is listed as a student. She has enrolled in the teachers education program at the Danbury Normal School.
In the 1926 directory she is listed as a teacher but the listing doesn’t name the school. They still live at 72 Elm Street. John, John Jr. and William are hatters and Helen is a hairdresser. Joseph has married and lives with his wife Rose M. at 82 Elm Street. She is a teacher.
Josephine marries Richard Hayes, born in Cleveland Ohio in 1879, on August 26, 1926. By 1930 they are living at 1485 Wood Ave. in Bridgeport and they have a 2 year-old daughter, Mary. The1930 census lists John Geary as a widower and no longer employed. Josephine’s mother, Mary, had died on March 1, 1929. John Jr. and Helen are still living with their father on Elm Street. In 1932 John is the only person listed at the Elm Street address. He passes away on October 23, 1936.
Josephine’s husband, Richard Hayes, is employed as a printer- in his own shop at 1517 Wood Ave in the 1930 census. He worked for Fairfield News as a printer at several locations from 1937 -1940. In the 1940 census the family now includes Mary S. – 12, Beatrice F. – 9 and Richard J. Jr. – 5. From 1944 on, Richard’s work location is back at 1517 Wood Ave. The 1950 census lists Richard as a printer, Josephine is a 2nd grade teacher, Mary S. is a 5th grade teacher, Richard Jr. is 15 and Beatrice is not listed. In the1952 Bridgeport directory Beatrice is listed as a student and Mary S. is a teacher in the public schools. In 1955, Richard Jr. is a clerk in Devon.
Josephine’s brother, William Patrick Geary ( born Dec. 7, 1893) died on June 27, 1958. A headstone was applied for from the U. S. Army by his wife May for his service in World War I with the American Expeditionary Forces. He was buried in the new St. Peter’s Cemetery on Kenosha Avenue in Danbury.
In the years 1957 – 1958, the Hayes family still resides on Wood Avenue in Bridgeport. Beatrice is a teacher at Samuel Staples School, Richard Jr. is in the U.S. Army, Mary is not listed, and Richard is printer at 1517-1523 Wood Ave.
Richard Hayes, born April 3,1879 in Cleveland, Ohio, passed away on March 14,1959 in Bridgeport. He is buried in Saint Michael’s Cemetery in Stratford, Connecticut
From 1960 – 1965, Josphine is teaching at St. Augustine’s School in Bridgeport*, Beatrice is teaching at Samuel Staples School, Richard Jr. is a printer at 149 N. Washington Ave. and living at Wood Ave. He marries Mary Ann Dzamko on July 9, 1960, in Danbury. She is the daughter of Joseph and Mary H. Dzamko of 24 Henry St. in Bethel. Her father is a hatter and she works as a grinder at B Corporation. On January 23, 1961, Beatrice married James Westervelt in Fairfield and moved to Hampton, Virginia
Josephine died on June 7, 1970, in Newport News, VA. Her obituary was reported in the Daily Press of Newport News. Beatrice, Mrs. James Westervelt, filled out the family information on the death certificate. Josephine was buried September 10 in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Stratford.
Her brother, Joseph Geary (born January 6, 1903), died on 12 June 1984. He had last worked for Hat Corp. of America, and was a widower living at the Glen Apts.
*St. Augustine’s school is now part the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport – encompassing 4 Catholic school locations. https://www.catholicacademybridgeport.org/our-schools/st-augustine/