Survivor List
(last names beginning with "M")

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

Macdonald, James H. (adult); 8835 Elmhurst Ave, Elmhurst, New York
  • Was awarded $1,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including burns to his ear and neck, an injured hand, and shock.  
Macdonald, Mrs. Margaret W.; 8835 Elmhurst Ave, Elmhurst, New York
  • Was awarded $2,250 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including a fractured coccyx, contusions to the back, shock and nervousness.  
MacLaughlin, Helen Wooster (adult); Kensington 
  • Attended the circus with her husband, Marlin V.; their son, Marlin B.; family friend Kay Noble and her sons Peter and Wendell.  The group sat in the Northeast Bleachers about halfway up, to their right was an animal runway.  Wendell saw the fire and alerted Mr. MacLaughlin, and moments later Marlin was carrying Wendell on his shoulders, down the bleachers and out to safety.  Marlin left Wendell with a soldier and went back inside to help others escape.   
  • Read Wendell Noble's story here: Personal Accounts - Page 10
MacLaughlin, Marlin Blyn (7); Kensington 
  • Attended the circus with his parents, Helen and Marlin MacLaughlin, and family friend Kay Noble and her sons Peter and Wendell.  The group sat in the Northeast Bleachers about halfway up, to their right was an animal runway.  Wendell saw the fire and alerted Mr. MacLaughlin, and moments later Mr. MacLaughlin was carrying Wendell on his shoulders, down the bleachers and out to safety.  Marlin left Wendell with a soldier and went back inside to help others escape.   
  • Read Wendell Noble's story here: Personal Accounts - Page 10
  • Marlin Blyn MacLaughlin passed on to be with his Lord on Friday, August 4, 2023. [link to obituary / back-up link]
MacLaughlin, Marlin Vance (adult); Kensington 
  • Attended the circus with his wife, Helen; their son, Marlin; family friend Kay Noble and her sons Peter and Wendell.  The group sat in the Northeast Bleachers about halfway up, to their right was an animal runway.  Wendell saw the fire and alerted Mr. MacLaughlin, and moments later Marlin was carrying Wendell on his shoulders, down the bleachers and out to safety.  Marlin left Wendell with a soldier and went back inside to help others escape.   
  • Read Wendell Noble's story here: Personal Accounts - Page 10
Picture1940 photo of Diane MacRae, courtesy of her son, Dan Smith.
MacRae, Diane (11 or 12), 204 Sergeant St, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with her brother, Donald MacRae, and both escaped without injuries.  Read their story here: Personal Accounts - Page 7. 

PictureMayor Mortensen and Donald MacRae (center) visit Robert S. Hopkins, Jr. at St. Francis Hospital after the circus fire.
MacRae, Donald (13), 204 Sergeant St, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his sister, Diane MacRae, and both escaped without injuries.   Donald was photographed visiting patients in the hospital, and a photo of him with Mayor Mortensen was published in the newspaper.  Donald passed away 02/17/2006. Read their story here: Personal Accounts - Page 7. 
Magnuson, Sara; Glastonbury, CT
  • Commended for her service during the fire. 
Mahar, Jack E. (6), 89 Bentwood Rd; West Hartford
  • Went to the circus with his father, Edmond J. Mahar, and they sat in the bleachers to the left of the main entrance.  When they saw the fire spreading quickly, Jack's father picked him up and put him on his shoulders and made their way out the main entrance.  Jack was burned on his knee by a piece of burning canvas during their escape.  
  • Jack Mahar's story can be read here: Eye-Witness Report of the Circus Fire.
Mahar, Edmond J. (41); 89 Bentwood Rd; West Hartford
Maher, Frances "Honey" (11); Hartford
  • Frances survived the Hartford circus fire with her young sister, Jacquelyn.  
  • Frances (Honey) Atwater of South Windsor, CT, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by family, on June 4, 2024, at the age of 91. [link to obituary / back-up link]
Mahoney, Patricia M. (13); RFD 1, Bolton Lake, Rockville
  • Was awarded $1,750 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including burns to her arm, bruises, contusions, and shock. 
Maimore, Rose (about 14)
  • Attended circus with Rose Pantano and Donald Baggish. They escaped by sliding down to the back of the seats exiting under the tied down canvas. Charles Nelson Reilly was also with his friend Donald Baggish.
Malecky, Elizabeth; 25 Concord St, Glastonbury
  • Reported missing. Was with a group that was near an entrance when the fire started, ran out and went home.THC & PC 
Malecky, Shirley Ann; 25 Concord St, Glastonbury
  • Reported missing. Was with a group that was near an entrance when the fire started, ran out and went home.THC & PC 
Malecky, Stanley, Jr.; 25 Concord St, Glastonbury
  • Reported missing. Was with a group that was near an entrance when the fire started, ran out and went home.THC & PC 
Manchuck, Alexander R.; 107 Pine St, Manchester
  • Was awarded $750 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Manchuck, Daniel A. (minor); 107 Pine St, Manchester
  • Was awarded $232 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Mandell, Joan (11), Hartford  
  • Went to circus with two neighborhood friends, Ruth Neistat and Lucy Montano.  All of them survived.  Joan remembers immediately after the fire that the buses were so over crowded that people were hanging out the window, and she thought they could tip over so the girls walked  home.  When the fire started and the girls rushed to leave the tent, Joan remembers that circus people told them to go back to their seats and everything would be OK.  Read Ruth Neistat’s story about their experience here: Personal Accounts - Page 7
  • Joan Z. Mandell, 87, of Simsbury, died peacefully at home on Friday Nov. 29, 2019.  [obituary / back-up link]
Mann, Robert Douglas (6); Dayville
  • Bob survived the circus fire thanks to his father's quick thinking.
  • Robert Douglas Mann, 86, of Columbia, CT passed away on May 8, 2024. [LINK to obituary / Back-up LINK]
Manning, Tom (12); Rocky Hill
  • Went to the circus with his 3 sisters, all survived without injuries. The Manning children sat next to the band in the bleacher section and were able to get out before the fire reached them. Mr. Manning is interviewed on the WWUH radio program, original air date 7/6/2004.
Manning, girl#1; Rocky Hill
  • Went to the circus with brother Tom and 2 other sisters. The Manning children sat next to the band in the bleacher section and were able to get out before the fire reached them. Tom Manning is interviewed on the WWUH radio program, original air date 7/6/2004.
Manning, girl#2; Rocky Hill
  • Went to the circus with brother Tom and 2 other sisters. The Manning children sat next to the band in the bleacher section and were able to get out before the fire reached them. Tom Manning is interviewed on the WWUH radio program, original air date 7/6/2004.
Manning, girl#3; Rocky Hill
  • Went to the circus with brother Tom and 2 other sisters. The Manning children sat next to the band in the bleacher section and were able to get out before the fire reached them. Tom Manning is interviewed on the WWUH radio program, original air date 7/6/2004.
Marcyoniak, Sophie (25); Westfield, MA
Marcyoniak, Stacia (25); 115 Mayflower St, Hartford (and/or Lockhouse Rd, Westfield, MA)
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • Was awarded $2,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Martin, Barbara (2); Rockville
  • Barbara survived the Hartford circus fire, and died on the 75th anniversary of the fire.  
  • Barbara M. Shea, 77, of Ellington, beloved wife of John Shea passed away Saturday, July 6, 2019. [link to obituary / back-up link]
Martin, Mrs. Katherine (Reno) (35); 16 Clary St , Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/10/44, critical condition.THC 
  • Was awarded $100,000 (largest award as of 2/2/46) by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire. One of the most severely burned of the victims who survived the fire, Mrs. Martin was a dancer until her marriage 8 years ago, appearing on the professional stage with her brothers and was planning to rejoin them when she was injured in the fire. Her income as a dancer was $175 a week. 50% of her skin surface was burned, and she was a patient at Municipal Hospital from July 6 to December 30, 1944.THC 
Martin, Pameli (minor); 16 Clay St, Hartford
  • Was awarded $800 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Martocchio, Mrs. Olga (34); 25 Adams St, East Hartford
  • Attended the circus with her son Donald and both escaped without physical injuries or severe trauma, but the sights she saw left their impression.  Olga was separated from her son for two hours, during which she was hysterical and benumbed.  Back home, she suffered nervousness, depression, insomnia, and nightmares concerning the fire and losing her son.  She had to leave work at the Aircraft for two weeks, and upon returning she had to leave again for 9 months.  During the nine months her condition worsened, but she returned to work and found the symptoms had improved, though she continued to have frequent buzzing and ringing in her ears.  Mrs. Martocchio was awarded $3,000 for her injuries.  
  • Olga (Amanek) Martocchio, 91, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2003 at her home. (obituary)(back-up link)
Martson, Thomas; Glastonbury
  • Received minor burns.THC 
Mascola, Mrs. Melanie (adult); 4 George St, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with her three children - Marie (9), Patricia (8) and Melanie Mascola (4), and Miss Greta DiBiasi (13).  The group sat in the Southwest Bleachers, about three rows from the top, in about the center of the bleacher section. A man shouted "Look!" and she saw fire right above and in back of her, on the canvas roof and from about halfway up the canvas sidewall. The flames were about 4-feet wide, and Mrs. Mascola did not see any fire on the ground. She exited the tent by the Main Entrance with her youngest daughter, the path was crowded but she was able to walk right along.  Her foot slipped thru the bleachers as she was leaving but she was ale to recover. Once outside, she went back in and her 8-year old was still seated in the bleachers, so she took her out the Main Entrance. The path this time was more crowded but the people kept moving. Mrs. Mascola's oldest daughter got herself out. 
Picture
Mason, Marna May (5); 48 Hickory Lane, West Hartford 
  • Attended circus with her mother, Marcia McKinney Mason, and brother, Jarvis W. Mason. Only Marna would survive.
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
    Marna suffered from second and third degree burns on both arms, forearms and fingers, and severe shock. She was awarded $4,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.
  • Marna Mason Goddard, age 82, passed away January 14, 2021, less than two weeks after her husband of 56 years, Steven Goddard passed away.  Link to obituary / Back-up link​
Massicotte, Philip (adult)
  • Connecticut State Police officer.  Was assigned to the State Armory on July 7th to assist those searching for family members among the deceased.  Later in the evening, Officer Massicotte helped with loading the remaining unidentified bodies into trucks and then unloading them at the Hartford Hospital morgue. 
Matteson, Howard (50); 256 Spring St, Meriden
  • Attended the circus with his wife Theresa, and it is believed his mother Mary Matteson may have joined them.  
  • From their seats, Howard saw the fire and thought it would be easily extinguished.  When it spread up the sidewall, he said "We'd better go!" and they hurried to escape. Howard's wife Theresa dropped her pocketbook and got lost in the crowd. Howard climbed up the seats and jumped down onto the animal runway and out of the burning tent.  Outside, he walked around looking for his wife, then got in his car and went to the Red Cross and told them he couldn't find his wife.  They made Howard lie down and took him to the hospital for treatment of burns on his neck.  Upon release from the hospital, Howard went back to the Red Cross and again told them he was looking for his wife.  He got word that night that Theresa had died.   
  • Mr. Matteson suffered from extreme depression following the death of his wife.  He was awarded $2,750 by the arbitration board for his injuries and suffering.    
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Matteson, Mary (Sullivan) (adult); 256 Spring St, Meriden
  • On the July 7 and July 10 Casualty Lists as injured, as Hartford Hospital. 
  • Probably attended the circus with her son, Howard Matteson and his wife Theresa. 
Matus, Edward (adult)
  • Connecticut State Police officer.  Was assigned to the State Armory setting up cots and helping to remove the bodies from the trucks coming in from the fire scene.  Officer Matus later helped people trying to identify the bodies at the morgue set up on the drill shed floor of the armory. 
Mazo, Eugene (child); 20 Saxon Rd, Wethersfield
  • Attended circus with his mother, Mrs. Mary Mazo, and his sister.  Was in the third grade at Charles Wright Elementary School. 
Mazo, Mrs. Mary; 20 Saxon Rd, Wethersfield
  • Attended the circus with her son Eugene and daughter.  Was awarded $300 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including nervous shock.
McAndrew, Robert Smith (adult); 42 King St, Hartford?
  • Helped with rescue and recovery at the scene.  Mr. McAndrew died in 1946 at age 53. CFM 
McCabe, Kathryn L. (49)
  • Kathryn L. (Roddy) McCabe, R.N., 99, died Saturday, Sept. 10, 1994. She was the first registered nurse to arrive at the circus fire in 1944.THC 
McCabe, Maureen; 269 South Marshall St, Hartford
  • On the "Missing List", Friday, 7/7/44.THC 
  • Had been reported as missing, but did not go to the circus.
McCarthy, James V. (8), 16 Spring Street, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his cousins Gus Tierney and Tom Tierney, and friends Rosemary Collins and Brendan Preston.  The group sat in the bleachers near the entrance, and all escaped unharmed.  Read Mr. McCarthy’s story here: Personal Accounts - Page 8.
McGee, Evelyn (child)
  • Attended the circus with her father, Joseph McGee, and her cousin Patricia Mae Rooney and her father, Earl Rooney.  When they heard the cries of "fire", they jumped from the back of the bleachers and escaped under the canvas.  When they looked back, the whole tent was engulfed in flames.  
  • Read Patricia Mae Rooney's story here: Personal Accounts - Page 9 
McGee, Joseph (adult)
  • Attended the circus with his daughter, Evelyn McGee, and her cousin Patricia Mae Rooney and her father, Earl Rooney.  When they heard the cries of "fire", they jumped from the back of the bleachers and escaped under the canvas.  When they looked back, the whole tent was engulfed in flames.  
  • Read Patricia Mae Rooney's story here: Personal Accounts - Page 9 
McGrath, Jane A. (8); East Windsor Hill, South Windsor
  • Jane and her brother Martin McGrath attended the circus with the Hearns family, friends from their neighborhood in South Windsor.  They all sat in reserved seats, and didn't see the fire until it hit the roof, then they all scrambled on their own to escape.  Jane went out the exit by the bandstand, and noticed her badly burned arms. Someone put her into a truck and she was taken to the hospital, where she would be treated for 41 days for first and second degree burns, with small areas of third degree burns, on both arms.  Martin was also severely burned and spent even more time in the hospital.  Several members of the Hearns family were also burned.​  Jane was awarded $7,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.
  • AKA Jane McGrath Packer, profiled in The Hartford Courant's 2019 coverage of the 75th anniversary.
  • Jane passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on December 2nd, 2021 at the age of 86. [link to obituary / back-up link]
McGrath, Martin F., Jr. (6); East Windsor Hill, South Windsor
  • Martin and his sister Jane McGrath attended the circus with friends from their neighborhood, the Hearns family, and they all sat in reserved seats.  When they all saw the fire hit the roof, they scrambled on their own to escape.  Martin would first be taken to Municipal Hospital after the fire, then transferred to Hartford Hospital where he would spend nearly 4 months being treated for 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns to both arms and legs, covering approximately 30% of his body.  He was awarded $15,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.​
  • ​Mr. McGrath passed away March 9, 2016 after a brief battle with lung cancer. [link to obituary / back-up link]
McKechnie, Howard M. (67); 1454 Broad St, Hartford
  • Married man, worked at Colt's Patent Fire Arms.  Survived the circus fire, but sustained first degree burns to his he'd, face and arms, and suffered from dermatitis as a result of exposure to the fire.  
  • Mr. McKechnie was awarded $3,000 by the arbitration board for his injuries received in the fire.
McKechnie, Mrs. Maud A. (57); 1454 Broad St, Hartford
  • Survived the circus fire but sustained first degree burns to her head, shoulders and neck, totaling 10% of her body surface, and she also suffered extreme hysteria and an abdominal muscle injury.  
  • Mrs. McKechnie was awarded $1,500 by the arbitration board for her injuries received in the fire.
McKelvie, Bruce R. (5); Hartford
  • Bruce was a survivor of the Hartford circus fire.  
  • Bruce R. McKelvie, 62, of East Longmeadow, MA, died December 13, 2001, in Springfield, MA. [link to obituary / back-up link]
McKenzie, Mrs. Mary (63); 29 Spring St, Hartford
  • Was awarded $5,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including a fractured pelvis, burns to her arm, neck, back and shoulders.  
McKenzie, Mary; 37 Mather St, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • Still remained at Hartford Hospital, Monday, July 11.THC 
McNulty, Terrence Jr. (7); Hartford
Meah, Mrs. Harold; Woodland St. Ext., Bristol
  • Attended circus with her son, John. Both made their way to safety.
Meah, John (6); Woodland St. Ext., Bristol
  • Attended circus with his mother, Mrs. Harold Meah. Both made their way to safety.
Meehan, Edmund J.; Monroe St, New Britain
  • Was awarded $1,594.95 by the arbitration board for expenses.THC 
Meehan, Helen B. (33); 185 Winthrop St and/or Monroe St, New Britain
  • On injured list at St. Francis hospital with back injury, Friday night 7/7/44.THC 
  • Still remained at St. Francis Hospital Monday, July 11.THC 
  • Was awarded $10,905.05 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Mehlhorn, Rita F. (23); 228 Maple Ave, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/11/44.THC 
Menard, Mrs. Martha "Mattye" (41), 37 Prospect St, Windsor
Merrill, Helen Ann (4); 49 Vine Hill Road, Elmwood
  • Attended the circus with her neighbor Geraldine Conlon and her son, John "Jackie" Conlon Jr. (5), and Geraldine's sister-in-law Evelyn Conlon and her children Louis Benjamin (7) and Thomas Francis (4).  When the fire began, Geraldine was able to escape with Jackie and Helen while Evelyn fled with her sons.  All in the party survived except  Evelyn.  
  • Geraldine Conlon described her escape from the burning big top, mentioning Helen Merrill, in her 1946 statement to the court. [Link to Geraldine Conlon's statement].
  • Helen was awarded $15,500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire, including 2nd degree burns on her upper and lower extremities and her back.  She was a patient at Municipal Hospital until October 15, 1944. 
Merva, Mrs. Alberta; 16 Kenneth St, Hartford
  • Was awarded $2,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Metcalf, Virginia (8); 50 Elm St, Rockville 

  • Attended the circus with her aunt, Miss Marjorie R. Metcalf, and they sat in section B with Kenneth Dowding and his son Frederick.  When the tent caught fire, Marjorie was knocked unconscious and Virginia tried in vain to revive her aunt, but ultimately had to escape through the sidewall canvas as the flames were above them.  
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • Virginia was at home shortly after the fire with both arms in casts as a result of burns suffered.SDN
Metrelis, Dora Mae; 35 Somerset St, Wethersfield
  • aka Metrella, Dora May
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Metrelis, Norma (40); 35 Somerset St, Wethersfield
  • aka Metrella, Norma
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
  • On the Injured List at Hartford Hospital, 7/11/44.THC 
Miano, Mrs. Minnie (adult)
  • Attended the circus with her son, Richard Miano.  Minnie was 2 months pregnant at the time and had the baby in February 1945.  Her husband Mickey Miano owned 2 restaurants at the time and brought food to the workers at the fire site.CFM
Middleton, Edson John (10/11); Hartford
  • Attended circus with his father, Joseph Middleton, his grandfather Edson Ramsdell, his brother Joseph Middleton II and his sister Maryellen Middleton.  They attended as a family group and walked there from the old Blue Hills Project.  Everyone in the party escaped.  
Middleton, Joseph (40's); Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his children Edson John Middleton, Maryellen Middleton, and Joseph Middleton II, and their grandfather Edson Ramsdell.  Everyone in the party escaped. 
Middleton, Joseph II (4); Hartford
  • Attended circus with his father, Joseph Middleton, his grandfather Edson Ramsdell, his brother Edson John Middleton and his sister Maryellen Middleton.  They attended as a family group and walked there from the old Blue Hills Project.  Everyone in the party escaped.  
Middleton, Maryellen (7/8); Hartford
  • Attended circus with her father, Joseph Middleton, her grandfather Edson Ramsdell, and her brothers Edson John Middleton and Joseph Middleton II.  They attended as a family group and walked there from the old Blue Hills Project.  Everyone in the party escaped.  
PictureUndated photo of Audrey Miles, courtesy of Reid Mariani.
Miles, Audrey (10)
  • Attended the circus with siblings Willard and Monica Miles, and aunt Edith Walters. Audrey and Willard escaped under the side of the tent; Edith and Monica would die from injuries received.
PictureUndated photo of Billy Miles, courtesy of Reid Mariani.
Miles, Willard "Billy" (7)
  • Attended the circus with his sisters Audrey and Monica Miles, and their aunt Edith Walters. Audrey and Willard escaped under the side of the tent; Edith and Monica would die from injuries received.
  • Willard "Bill" Miles, 77, passed away on July 3, 2015. (obituary)
Miller, Donald (child); Rockville
  • Attended the circus with friend Carleton Lisk; the boys jumped from the top of the bleachers and ran to safety.
Miller, Henry R. (43); 71 Mansfield St, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with his son Lewis, entered the Big Top about 2:15pm and sat in the third row of the Southwest Bleachers, to the right next to reserved Section A.  The animal act in Ring One had finished and Henry heard someone yell "Fire!", and he saw fire on his left near the sidewall.  The top was burning like a fuse and he thought it would smother itself out.  When he saw the fire spreading quickly, he grabbed his son and left. The crowd was leaving in an orderly fashion out the Main Entrance. 
Miller, Mary Esther; Hartford
  • Was awarded $500 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Millman, Jane (6); Wethersfield
  • Jane survived the circus fire, unscathed. 
  • Jane (Millman) Post, 88, of Meriden passed away on August 24, 2021 after a brief illness. Link to obituary / Back-up link
Millman, Jacob (13); Providence, RI
  • On the "Missing List", Friday, 7/7/44.THC 
Mills, Mr. (adult); West Simsbury
  • Formerly performed with RBB&B in the 20's and 30's. Went to circus with his son, Raymond. As father and son were exiting the flaming tent, Mr. Mills picked up Betty Lou Harmstedt and carried her to safety.
  • Name might be "Hills" instead of "Mills".TWT
Mills, Raymond S. (7); West Simsbury
  • Went to circus with his father, and they both survived.
  • Name might be "Hills" instead of "Mills".TWT
Picture1976 magazine ad for Palmolive soap featuring Madge the manicurist.
Miner, Jan (26); Hartford
  • Actress on Broadway, radio and film, would become known as Madge the manicurist in the Palmolive soap ads and commercials. Jan helped chaperone a group of 16 children to the cicrus, and left the show early to prepare her broadcast (from NYT article; another report that said she left early due to feeling hot and stuffy inside the tent). Moments after she left the tent, it caught fire.  Jan died Feb. 15, 2004 at age 86. 
Minicucci, Joan (11); Manchester
  • Joan was in a group of six who attended the circus together.  Mrs. Cormier and Pauline sat on the lower bleachers, while Mr. Cormier, Doris, Lorraine and Joan sat higher up.  When Joan saw the fire, she ran down the bleachers, fell, and was trampled by a few people.  She got up and made it to ground level and was pushed along with the crowd to the exit. CFM
  • Joan M. (Minicucci) Rivers passed away on January 9, 2019.  Link to obituary / Back-up link.
Molander, Mary (30); Deep River
  • Mary was a survivor of the Hartford circus fire where she saved herself, her son, and a young girl who had been separated from the group she was with.  
  • Mary (Cannon) Molander, 88, entered into eternal rest Wednesday (February 13, 2002) at the Portland Care & Rehabilitation Center. [link to obituary / back-up link]
Monahan, Robert
  • Attended the circus with Carl Reardon.WS 
Montagna, Karen (8 or 9); Central Ave, Torrington
  • Attended the circus with her mother, Siri Montagna, and Helen Pagano and her son Nicholas J. Pagano. All in their party would survive without serious injury.
Montagna, Siri (adult); Central Ave, Torrington
  • Attended the circus with her daughter, Karen Montagna, and Helen Pagano and her son Nicholas J. Pagano. All in their party would survive without serious injury.
Montana, Isabel (teen)
  • Attended circus with family friend Michael Bailardo and unknown teenage girl friend.
Montano, Amelia V. (about 35); 322 Garden St, Hartford
  • Went to the circus with her son, Jerome Montano, Vincent Testa, Rose and Frank Sullivan, their children Dennis and Eileen Sullivan, and Ella Russo. All but Vincent would survive. Amy was pregnant with twins, and lost them due to the trauma of the fire.PC 
  • Was awarded $850 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Montano, Jerome (3); 322 Garden St, Hartford
  • Went to the circus with his mother Amy Montano, cousin Vincent Testa, aunt and uncle Rose and Frank Sullivan, cousins Dennis and Eileen Sullivan, and aunt Ella Russo. All but Vincent would survive.PC 
Montano, Lucy (14), Hartford 
  • Went to circus with two neighborhood friends, Ruth Neistat and Joan Mandell.  All of them survived.  Read Ruth Neistat’s story about their experience here: Personal Accounts - Page 7
Moore, Janet (7); Windsor
  • Attended circus with her aunt Mae Avery, cousin Sandra Avery, and grandmother Martha Moore. All would survive except Martha.
Noren, Anna (29); 34 Earl St, Hartford
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/7/44.THC 
Moriarty, Maureen (child); East Hartford
  • Went to circus with friend Dolores Barrows and her brother Jimmy. All survived.CFM 
Moriera, Jose
  • Went to the circus with Tina Moriera and the Podann family. All survived.CFR 
Moriera, Tina
  • Went to the circus with Jose Moriera and the Podann family. All survived.CFR 
Morrell, Ruth F. (adult)
  • Attended the circus with nephews Patrick DeMichele, Thomas DeMichele and Victor DeMichele. All got out safely through a slit in the tent side that someone made with his pocket knife.
  • Ruth F. Morrell, 90, passed away peacefully Friday, November 19, 2010 (link to obituary).
Morris, John Raymond (46); Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • Divorced man, hadn't been home in years, has had many traveling jobs.  Joined the RBBB circus during the 1944 season in Boston, had been with them on-and-off for 20 or more years. On the day of the fire, Mr. Morris was working as an usher between Sections M & N.  There is an exit between these two sections, and he was standing in the exit when he heard someone yell.  He looked to the southwest bleacher area and saw the fire. It was too late for him to help fight the fire, so he tried to keep the people from stampeding.  
  • Mr. Morris tells his story, with some inaccuracies, in this 1966 Miami News article. (link)
Morris, Mrs. Robert; 955 Capitol Ave, Hartford
  • Attended the circus with Mrs. Henry Rolfe. Mrs. Morris was treated at her home for third degree burns on her arms, head and back by her own physician.THC 
Morrissey, George E. Jr. (adult); Washington, DC
  • Circus employee, hired as an usher a couple weeks earlier in New Haven for $23/week salary, minus $7 for room and board. George had plans to join the U.S. Army in August, and had received a pink slip. He wasn't supposed to be working on the day of the fire; he was taking his pink slip to the yellow ticket wagon to get his pay in full.  George was in the back of the lot and saw people rushing out of the east exit next to the Bandstand, then he looked up and saw a huge sheet of flame at the far end, on the west side of the Big Top. George was with the show in Providence, and did not see any fires there or at any other shows since he was hired. 
Morse, Louise; Meriden
  • Was awarded $9,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Mosle, Henry B.
  • Administrator of the State War Council, called one of the "key men in the mobilization of the state's disaster relief forces and their direction" by Governor Baldwin.THC 
Moss, Mrs. Ethel (44); 196 South Mountain Drive, New Britain
  • On injured list at St. Francis hospital with burns on hands and back, Friday night 7/7/44.THC 
  • Still remained at St. Francis Hospital Monday, July 11.THC 
  • Was awarded $10,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire.THC 
Moynihan, Timothy (10); 71 Park Ave., East Hartford
  • Timothy jumped to safety and then pulled up one corner of the canvas and assisted about 25 persons to safety.
Mucci, Gladys (adult); New Britain
  • Attended the circus with husband Dr. Lawrence Mucci, their son Larry, and friend Dolly and her son. Dr. Mucci calmly guided the group to the opposite end of the tent to a clear exit.
Mucci, Larry (4 1/2); New Britain
  • Attended the circus with parents Gladys and Dr. Lawrence Mucci, and friend Dolly and her son. Dr. Mucci calmly guided the group to the opposite end of the tent to a clear exit.
Mucci, Dr. Lawrence (adult); New Britain
  • Attended the circus with wife Gladys Mucci, their son Larry, and friend Dolly and her son. Dr. Mucci calmly guided the group to the opposite end of the tent to a clear exit.
Mullins, Jane (child); Southington
Mullins, Roger (11), Southington
  • Roger and his sister Jane survived the circus fire.  Mr. Mullins passed away on March 8, 2016.  [obituary]
Mullins, Roger William (adult), Southington
  • Mr. Roger Mullins attended the circus with his children, Jane and Roger, and they sat along the South side, midway up.  First they saw the smoke, then the flames, then a large woman began pushing at young Roger and screaming at him, and Mr. Mullins told her to keep calm.  They saw people falling over chairs, so Mr. Mullins took his children east along the seat rows to an area that was empty, and they walked down and out an exit.  
Murphy, boy (5)
  •  Attended the circus with his father, Thomas E. Murphy. Both survived.RDH 
PicturePatty Murphy, Christmas, 1944.
Murphy, Patricia (5); 11 Crown St., Plainville
  • Attended the circus with her parents, Walter D. and Hortense Murphy, and brother Charles, and with the Berube's, Anne and Esther. All but Esther Berube and Patricia would die from injuries received in the fire.
  • On the Injured List at Municipal Hospital, 7/10/44, critical condition.THC 
  • Was awarded $90,000 by the arbitration board for injuries received in the fire. Miss Murphy lost her parents and brother in the fire.
  • Patricia Murphy has written a book for grieving children, titled Loss, as described on this website.  [back-up link]
Murphy, Thomas E. (adult)
  • Mr. Murphy, an editorial writer on the Hartford Courant's staff, attended the circus with his 5-year old son. Both survived.RDH

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Sources:

TWT: The White Tops magazine
WCF: Women and Children First by Donald H. Roy
CFR: Circus Fire Reminiscences (Manchester Public Library)
CFM: Circus Fire Memories
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