Herman DePass, sheet metal worker, musician

Herman A. DePass of 51 Prospect Ridge, a native of Jamaica who was a sheet metal worker and a musician, died on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Laurel Ridge Health Care Center. He was 96 years old and the husband of Barbara Chombok DePass, who died in 1993.
Mr. DePass was born in Jamaica, British West Indies, on Sept. 24, 1906, a son of the late Emma Brent and Augustus DePass, an American businessman who lived in Jamaica.
He came to the United States at the age of 16, settling in New York City, and then spent the greater part of his life in Irvington, Westfield, and Toms River, N.J. In 1997 he moved to Congregate Housing in Ridgefield to be closer to his family.
Mr. DePass was a sheet metal worker and a longtime member of the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union Local 22 in Cranford, N.J., retiring in 1966.
He loved music and played the saxophone, guitar, piano, and organ. He also composed music and wrote lyrics.
“He also loved the ladies and had a deep appreciation for the staffs of Ridgefield Primary Care, VNA Ridgefield and Utopia Assisted Living who attended to many of his medical and support needs,” said his son, Gerry DePass of Ridgefield. “He thoroughly enjoyed his many new Ridgefield friends at Congregate Housing and Prospect Ridge.”
His survivors include his son, Gerald and his wife Nina of Ridgefield; and a granddaughter, Debra DePass Jones and her husband, Kevin of Stamford; and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life at Congregate Housing, 51 Prospect Ridge, on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3. Private interment services will be held at Whiting Memorial Park, Manchester Township, N.J.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Ridgefield, 90 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.