Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Frank G. Hufner

Frank G. Hufner

SHARON — Frank G. Hufner, 80, of Sharon, Connecticut, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Sept. 6, 2026, at Sharon Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was the loving husband of Linda (Panelli) Hufner.

Frank was born on Sept. 23, 1945, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of the late Frank H. Hufner and Charlotte (Kaimer) Hufner. He was raised in Monroe, Connecticut and a graduate of Masuk High School.

Frank graduated from the University of Connecticut’s Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture with an associate degree. He was the founder of Cedar Hill Farm, a greenhouse growing operation and vegetable farm in Newtown, Connecticut. He and his wife operated a garden center and farm market there for more than 40 years.

Frank was also a founding member of the Bethel Farmers’ Market and remained actively involved for many years. His commitment to his community and to agriculture extended to his involvement with the Connecticut Farm Bureau, where he served as president of the Fairfield County chapter. His love of hunting and fishing led him to the Newtown Fish & Game Club, where he was a longtime member and served as president for several years.

Frank was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He truly valued the friendships he made throughout his life and made an effort to remain interested in the lives of those he cared about. He will be remembered for the relationships he built and the many years he spent working alongside his wife and serving his community.

He is survived by his two sons and daughter; David Robert Hufner and his wife, Kara Capone, of East Haddam, Connecticut, Frank Gary Hufner, of Sharon, Connecticut, and Sharon Burge and her husband, Craig W. Burge, of Nashua, New Hampshire. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Brooks R. Hufner, Brody D. Hufner, Craig James Burge, and Kara Maire Burge.

A memorial service will be held at Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon, Connecticut, on Sept. 14, 2026, with calling hours from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed by burial at Ellsworth Cemetery in Sharon.

For those who wish to make a memorial contribution, donations may be made to the Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital in Memory of Frank G. Hufner, via www.givetoynhh.org or mail to PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508.

Latest News

Dinner with the dog

Dinner with the dog
Georgie, enjoying a late-summer “pup cup” on the porch at Grassland Dessert Cafe in Lakeville.
Natalia Zukerman

Dog owners know the dilemma: You’re out for the day with your four-legged sidekick when hunger strikes. Fortunately, a number of area restaurants, cafés and breweries welcome dogs, mostly at outdoor tables. Policies and outdoor seating can change with the season, so calling ahead is always a good idea.

The White Hart and Provisions in Salisbury is particularly pet-friendly. The inn welcomes pets on request, and its front porch and sprawling lawn make inviting places to settle in with a canine companion. They even welcome well-behaved patrons — bipedal and quadruped alike — in the cozy dining area.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

A day in the life of a rescue dog

A day in the life of a rescue dog

Marsala is eager to go home with you.

Jennifer Almquist

“It’s unbelievable that this sweet, loving boy hasn’t found his home yet,” said Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager of The Little Guild, whose mission is to rescue, love and heal homeless cats and dogs. She smiled at the small dog wagging his tail. “This is one of the most deserving dogs you could ever meet, with so much love to give.”

Marsala is an energetic, 1-year-old, 45-pound black Labrador mix waiting to be adopted. He arrived March 25 as a stray named “Chicken” from Toccoa, Georgia.

Keep ReadingShow less

A second chance in Wingdale

A second chance in Wingdale

Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.

L. Tomaino

Meade Canine Rescue and Sanctuary is not the average rescue. Situated on a quiet dirt road on 8 acres in Wingdale, the dogs living there are, for the most part, uncaged, roaming the yard, sleeping in the house, resting in the shade of a tree or lounging in the open van that often takes them for rides.

“We go on lots of adventures,” said the rescue’s founder, Charlotte Meade.

Keep ReadingShow less
The bear necessities of living in bear country

A bear outside Cornwall Consolidated School in West Cornwall.

D.H. Callahan
Take down bird feeders when bears are active. Secure garbage cans left outside, and never leave pet food or trash on porches, screened-in or otherwise.

This here is bear country. In fact, Connecticut has an unusually high rate of bear home entries compared with neighboring states. So far this year, the state has documented more than 60 home entries, and bears have been spotted in all 169 towns and cities.

Bears are also part of life in neighboring Dutchess County. But don’t worry. It’s not as bad as it sounds.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.