Claire Margaret Goulko, age 17
Miss Claire Margaret Goulko, age 17, of 103 Maplewood Avenue, West Hartford, daughter of Ann (Nelson) and Martin Goulko*, was born July 25, 1927 in New York City. Claire was found at the circus grounds after the fire on July 6 with severe burns, and was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford for treatment. Claire died following a skin grafting operation from surgical shock and congestive heart failure on August 17, 1944 at 4:45 pm at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Miss Goulko's body was taken to Springfield Cemetery and Crematory in Springfield, MA for cremation.
Claire's mother Ann, sister Nancy, and sister-in-law Elizabeth Goulko were also victims of the fire. She is survived by her step-father, Martin Goulko, and step-brother Lt. Burton T. Goulko, 25, serving with the 90th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, who would be killed in action August 20, 1944 while fighting with the Allied armies. Her estate was awarded $13,000 by the arbitration board.
*Claire's biological father is believed to be William Cassidy, who died in 1929. Claire's mother Ann would marry Martin Goulko, and in a 1935 R.I. census, Claire appears as "Claire Goulko"; perhaps she was legally adopted by Martin.
Claire's mother Ann, sister Nancy, and sister-in-law Elizabeth Goulko were also victims of the fire. She is survived by her step-father, Martin Goulko, and step-brother Lt. Burton T. Goulko, 25, serving with the 90th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, who would be killed in action August 20, 1944 while fighting with the Allied armies. Her estate was awarded $13,000 by the arbitration board.
*Claire's biological father is believed to be William Cassidy, who died in 1929. Claire's mother Ann would marry Martin Goulko, and in a 1935 R.I. census, Claire appears as "Claire Goulko"; perhaps she was legally adopted by Martin.