Survivor List
(last names beginning with "F")

Nearly 7,000 circus fans attended the afternoon show on July 6, 1944, and many were fortunate enough to survive the blaze. Here are the names of some of the survivors, and also the names of those who helped or are otherwise associated with the Hartford Circus Fire, though they may not have been in attendance during the tragic performance.

Names are sorted by "last name first"; in cases of women who got married after the circus fire, their name in 1944 is used when known. The search function at the top of the each page can also be used to search the entire website for a name or term.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L -M - N - O
P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Fagan, Clara F. (43); RFD 1, Bolton Lake, Rockville
  • Mrs. Fagan was injured when escaping from the circus fire and was awarded $700 for her injuries, which included burns on her fingers, shock, bruises and contusions. Clara was married with no children, and was employed as a bench worker at Pratt & Whitney.     
Felie, Art (adult)
  • HPD police officer, arrived at headquarters at 3:15 and was told to escort a Sage Allen truck loaded with stretchers to the circus grounds. Went to the back of the circus lot and stood guard over the bodies until they were all removed from the scene, and kept people off the grounds.  Officer Felie was stung twice by a bee around 4:00pm and around 6:00pm his neck began to swell.  He went to Municpal Hospital, and his next had swollen to twice its normal size. Doctor Brewer examined him, then sent him home to apply cold applications. 
Femia, Betty A. (minor); 116 Crown St, Meriden
  • Awarded $3,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Fernn, Mrs. Jeannette (48), Hartford
  • Mrs. Fernn was disaster nurse for Hartford Chapter of Red Cross, directing the Nursing Service to the victims of the Ringling Brothers Circus fire in 1944. (from 7/25/67 obituary)THC 
Ferrante, Edna (adult); 97 East Barbour St, Wilson, CT
  • Attended the circus with children Irene and John Titus, and they sat in the southeast bleachers, 3rd or 4th row from the bottom.  They entered thru the main entrance and walked along the south side to their seats. Edna first saw the fire to her left, opposite the first ring.  She was one of the first to leave, exiting between the southeast bleachers and Section K.  A smaller tent blocked their way out, they tripped on ropes that were interlocked from the small tent to the big top and became confused. Nobody in Edna's group was injured. 
Ferraris, Mrs. G.; Glastonbury
  • Received a sprained ankle, recovering at home.THC 
Festa, Margaret D. (28); Hartford
  • Margaret died peacefully at the age of 98, on April 6, 2014 in Plantsville, CT.  She was a survivor of the Hartford Circus Fire, and her story was included in Stewart O'Nan's book.(from THC obituary) 
Fienberg, Morris (adult)
  • Detective with the HPD, was on duty and detailed to the grounds with Sgt. William Dineen, Det. Fred Seraphin, and Arthur Peters.  On the way to the scene they picked up Lt. Joseph Poirot and Off. Andrew Kusner.  At the circus grounds, they all jumped out and ran to where the fire was raging and saw that the firemen were not able to get through the crowd of panicked people trying to run toward the fire. Detective Fienberg worked with others to force the crowd to the street, and he routed ambulances, emergency trucks, and ambulances to the scene. He helped secure the site after the fire, picked up lost children and turned them over to Sgt. Langrish, and picked up lost articles and collected them in pails, which were later taken to police headquarters. 
Fistler, Charles M. (adult)
  • HPD officer, took children from the main floor of police headquarters and brought them upstairs to the court room and stayed with them.  Officer Fistler took names, addresses and phone numbers and sent the information to the desk clerk.  Around 6pm, the remaining children were transferred to the Brown School. 
Fitch, Mrs. Minnie; Proctorville, Vermont
  • Was awarded $1,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
PictureDavid Fitzgerald meets Mayor Mortensen.
Fitzgerald, David Allen (6); 381 Hillside Ave, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his mother Marion Fitzgerald, his brother James, and their next-door neighbors (possibly the Boyajian family).  They took a crowded bus to the circus grounds and sat high up in the bleachers.  David remembers seeing orange flames to his left, and then the next thing he remembers is standing on sidewalk blocks at McGovern's, next to the circus grounds.  He was taken to the hospital for treatment of the burns on his arms, and his father found him there.  David's mother was seriously burned and hospitalized, and his brother was killed in the fire.
  • David tells his story in this Hartford Courant article:  LINK / Back-up Link
  • David Alan Fitzgerald, 85, of Newington, CT, passed away on July 21, 2023 with his children by his side. [LINK to obituary / back-up LINK]
Fitzgerald, James W. (adult); 381 Hillside Ave, Hartford
  • While James did not attend the circus, his wife Marion and sons James II and David went, with neighbors.  Marion was seriously burned, James II was fatally injured, and David received minor burns.  Mr. Fitzgerald was awarded $816.46 by the arbitration board for expenses associated with his wife's hospitalization as well as his own pre-existing heart condition which was aggravated by the circus fire and required James to be treated at the Veteran's Facility in Newington.
Fitzgerald, Mrs. Marion A. (Stenberg) (39); 381 Hillside Ave, Hartford
  • Mrs. Fitzgerald attended the circus with her sons, James II and David, and their next-door neighbors (possibly the Boyajian family).  They took a crowded bus to the circus grounds and sat high up in the bleachers.  Marion was serious burned, and her son James II was fatally injured.  David escaped with minor burns.  
  • Marion spent 3 months in the hospital, and was awarded $33,183.54 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including burns to her head, face, arms, legs and back, with permanent scars.  
Fitzhenry, John J. (child); East Hartford
  • John survived the Hartford Circus Fire along with his brother, Paul, and father Robert Emmet Fitzhenry, who had taken them that day.
  • John James Fitzhenry of Durham, N.H. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, with his sons and daughter near his side. [LINK to obituary / Back-up LINK]
Flamig, Evelyn Lucille (19), Granby
  • a.k.a. Evelyn (Flamig) Christensen. Was a nurse on duty at the circus fire.  Passed away at home on February 26, 2013. 
Flanders, Ermo (18); Belfast, ME
  • Was listed on the State War Council's list of "reliably reported missing" on 7/11/44.THC 
  •  Had been listed as missing, reported as found on 7/10/1944.TBP
Fletcher, Patricia (11); Hartford
  • Patricia (Fletcher) Dolecki, 81, of Terryville, widow of Walter Dolecki, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2014 at Sheriden Woods Health Care Center in Bristol, CT. Born on October 1, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Owen and Hazel (Clement) Fletcher. As a child, Patricia lived in a variety of foster homes throughout Connecticut, including The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, until her adoption at age 13 by the Fletchers. While living at The Village, Patricia attended and survived the July 6, 1944 Hartford Circus Fire. [obituary]
Flynn, Patricia (11); 41 Wall St, Middletown
  • Went to the circus with her father Thomas J. Flynn, and Joseph Pagerino and his daughter Christine Pagerino.  
Flynn, Thomas J. (42); 41 Wall St, Middletown
  • Went to the circus with his daughter Patricia Flynn and Joseph Pagerino and his daughter Christine Pagerino.  The group sat in the north grandstand, Section R, seats 9 thru 12.  They went inside about 1:40 and walked around, it was very hot.  The seats around them were filled by the time the show began.  Thomas saw a small patch of fire break through the canvas sidewall of the tent about three feet down from the top of the wall, above the top row of bleachers in the southwest corner.  The fire spread out fast as it hit the canvas roof.  Mr. Flynn's group moved toward the middle exit in the middle of the north grandstand and the men jumped down with their daughters.  The exit was full of people so they went under the grandstand seats and lifted a sidewall flap to get out. They walked alongside the ring of wagons that led to the midway and saw people and elephants being herded out to the street.  
Foran, M. (adult)
  • HPD lieutenant, escorted a group of nurses and doctors from Middlesex Hospital in to help.  Was also sent a group of auxiliary and regular policemen from New Britain and Bristol. Lt. Foran helped out around the hospital in any way possible, also helped remove five bodies to the morgue and about 50
Ford, Alice (8); Windsor
  • Survived the Hartford circus fire.
  • Alice (Ford) Ferraina, 84, passed away January 28, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family.  Link to obituary / Back-up link. 
Ford, Edwin (adult)
  • HPD officer, arrived at circus grounds at 2:50 and was stopped by a doctor who wanted him to stay and help him.  Officer Ford made two trips to Municipal Hospital with injured people. 
Ford, James; 313 Village St, Hartford
  • Was awarded $1,250 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Ford, Mary (20); Hartford
  • aka Mary (Ford) Reynolds
  • Mary, a nurse's aid at St Francis Hospital, was told to go directly to the Armory where deceased victims were being brought to be identified. She spent the hours from 4:00 PM to midnight escorting people to view the bodies in the temporary morgue. Read more about Mary's experience here: Personal Accounts - Page 9
  • Mary "Meme" Ford Reynolds, 96, passed away on October 18, 2020, at UCONN Medical Center in Farmington, CT. [link to obituary / back-up link]
Forsten, Richard (minor); Lowell, Mass
  • Was awarded $3,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Fortier, Ann; 298 Naubuc Ave, Glastonbury
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Foster, Jersey (64); Sarasota, FL & Missouri
  • Employed by RBBB circus as the assistant to Chief Electrician Edward Versteeg. When the fire broke out, Jersey was patrolling the power lines that feed the big top as he always does during performances, inside and outside of the tent. Everything was in good order that day, no shorts had happened. Jersey was on the south side of the big top, outside near the power plant wagons, walking toward the fire.  He first saw it behind the southwest bleachers, on the canvas top, and the sidewalls were not burning.  He, and 6 or 7 others workers, helped people escape by making a chute out of the sidewall canvas and telling people to jump. He then ran to the wagons to break the power lines, then gathered 30 or 40 women and children and led them to the Victory Gardens. Mr. Foster saw the 1942 Cleveland circus tent fire, and believed the Hartford fire burned faster, driven by the wind. 
Francis, Donald (adult); 10 Murray St, East Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his sons Bill Francis (15) and Earl Francis (12). They sat in the reserved seats on the North side of the big top.  When they saw the fire, they went to the top of the seats to escape; Earl slid down the sidewall canvas, Bill slid down a rope, and Mr. Francis stayed and helped others escape until he dropped down and got out safely, although burned
  • Read Earl Francis' account of their experience on Personal Accounts Page 10.   
Frank, Gertrude (40); 18 Darien St, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with her sons, William and Stanley, and a neighbor's boy, Malcolm Lazinsk.  They all sat in the bleachers at the far end of the big top, opposite the main entrance, and about 12 feet off the ground.  Billy was first to get down, by swinging on a bar and jumping to the ground.  Gertrude swung Stanley down to Billy, and then had to push Malcolm through the bleacher boards; in doing so, she fell through herself. 
  • Mrs. Frank sustained injuries to her arm and leg and suffered from a sprained bladder, nervousness, headaches and dizzy spells after the fire.  She was awarded $2,250 for her injuries. 
Francis, Earl (12); 10 Murray St, East Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his brother Bill (15) and their father Donald Francis. They sat in the reserved seats on the North side of the big top.  When they saw the fire, they went to the top of the seats to escape; Earl slid down the sidewall canvas, Bill slid down a rope, and Mr. Francis stayed and helped others escape until he dropped down and got out safely, although burned​
  • Read Earl Francis' account of their experience on Personal Accounts Page 10.   
  • Earl S. Francis passed away peacefully sleeping at his home in St. Petersburg on April 3, 2016. [link to obituary / back-up link]

Francis, William "Bill" (15); 10 Murray St, East Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his brother Earl (12) and their father Donald Francis. They sat in the reserved seats on the North side of the big top.  When they saw the fire, they went to the top of the seats to escape; Earl slid down the sidewall canvas, Bill slid down a rope, and Mr. Francis stayed and helped others escape until he dropped down and got out safely, although burned.
  • Read Earl Francis' account of their experience on Personal Accounts Page 10.   
  • William E. Francis, Sr., 73, died Friday (Sept. 13, 2002) at Bay State Medical Center, Springfield, MA. [link to obituary / back-up link]
Frank, Stanley B. (6); 18 Darien St, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his brother William and their mother, Gertrude Frank,  and a neighbor's boy, Malcolm Lazinsk.  They all sat in the bleachers at the far end of the big top, opposite the main entrance, and about 12 feet off the ground.  Billy was first to get down, by swinging on a bar and jumping to the ground.  Gertrude swung Stanley down to Billy, and then had to push Malcolm through the bleacher boards; in doing so, she fell through herself. 
Frank, William N. "Billy" (11); 18 Darien St, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his brother Stanley and their mother, Gertrude Frank,  and a neighbor's boy, Malcolm Lazinsk.  They all sat in the bleachers at the far end of the big top, opposite the main entrance, and about 12 feet off the ground.  Billy was first to get down, by swinging on a bar and jumping to the ground.  Gertrude swung Stanley down to Billy, and then had to push Malcolm through the bleacher boards; in doing so, she fell through herself. 
  • William N. Frank died Thursday, September 11, 2003. (Obituary / Back-up Link)
Franz, Richard (41); Jordan Lane, Wethersfield
  • Attended the circus with his wife, Theresa (Viering) Franz and son Richard Franz. They all survived. 
  • Mr. and Mrs. Franz would later identify the bodies of Paul and Millie Viering.
Franz, Richard (6); Jordan Lane, Wethersfield
  • Attended the circus with his father, Richard Franz, and his mother, Theresa (Viering) Franz. They all survived. Richard and his mother sat briefly with the Viering's in the reserved section, but moved to general seating before the fire started.
Franz, Theresa (Viering) (35); Jordan Lane, Wethersfield
  • Attended the circus with her husband, Richard Franz and son Richard Franz. They all survived. Mrs. Franz and her son sat briefly with the Viering's in the reserved section, but moved to general seating before the fire started.
  • Mr. and Mrs. Franz would later identify the bodies of Paul and Millie Viering.
Frazier, Wesley (17); Providence, RI
  • On the "Missing List", Friday, 7/7/44. (circus employee)THC 
Frey, Mrs. Charles J. (adult); 46 Middle Turnpike West, Manchester
  • Attended the circus with her son Lee Frey, both survived.
Frey, Lee (6); 46 Middle Turnpike West, Manchester
  • Attended the circus with his mother Mrs. Charles J. Frey, both survived.
Friberg, G.W. (adult)
  • HPD officer, was on patrol when called to the fire scene. He saw several people with burned hands, faces and legs on Barbour Street, and made three trips to Municipal Hospital with four people each time. When he returned to the grounds, he went inside the big top area and helped pick up lost articles.  Was later stationed at the main entrance area to keep people out who had no business being there. 
Frost, Mrs. Charles (63); Station 37, South Windsor
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Frost, Isla (62); South Windsor
  • On the Critical List at Hartford Hospital, 7/10/44.THC 
  • Was awarded $8,800 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC
Fryer, Karen (7); 63 White St, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/10/44.THC 
Fryer, Katherine (36); 63 White St, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/10/44.THC 
Fryer, Michael (3); 63 White St, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/10/44.THC 
Fulco, Dominic (11); Pleasant St., Hartford
  • Dominic and his younger brother were dropped off at the circus by their father. The boys sat in the bleachers. across from where the fire started. They followed an unknown man and his son down the back of the bleachers and under the tent.CFR 
Fulco, unknown boy (8); Pleasant St., Hartford
  • Attended circus with older brother Dominic Fulco.CFR
Fulwood, C.G. (adult)
  • HPD officer, assisted in removing victims from the circus grounds. 
Fyler, David (8); 398 Silas Dean Hwy, Wethersfield
  • Went to the circus with his mother Helen W. Fyler, and Mrs. Helen Kessler and her two children Stowell and Carol Kessler. The group sat in the southwest bleachers, and exited out the main entrance without any injuries. 
Fyler, Helen W. (40); 398 Silas Dean Hwy, Wethersfield
  • Went to the circus with her son David, and Mrs. Helen Kessler and her two children Stowell and Carol Kessler. They arrived about 5 minutes before the show started, and sat to the right of the main entrance in the southwest bleachers, a little past the middle of the section and in the third or fourth row with the children in the row behind the mothers.  The tent was very hot and they perspired quite freely.  Helen heard a woman behind her cry out, and she turned and looked over her right shoulder and saw flames about 8 feet wide where the canvas sidewall met the tent top, behind the center part of the bleachers.  She grabbed David and they were both pushed along by the crowd out the main entrance. They met up with Mrs. Kessler to the south of the main entrance, and later found Mrs. Kessler's children across the street with a group of children. 

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L -M - N - O
P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Sources:

TWT: The White Tops magazine
WCF: Women and Children First by Donald H. Roy
CFR: Circus Fire Reminiscences (Manchester Public Library)
MEH: Manchester Evening Herald
TCF: The Circus Fire by Stewart O'Nan
UPI: United Press International
SDN: Springfield Daily News
JOWBR: JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry
THC: The Hartford Courant