Karl (Karil) Oscar CYRUS
Obituary

The Bridgeport Telegram
Friday, April 8, 1955

Services Monday for Karl Cyrus

Private services will take place Monday for Karl O. Cyrus, 87, operator of Cyrus Drug store, Fairfield avenue and Courtland street 55 years until his retirement in 1948 who died yesterday in the Soundview Rest home. They will be conducted in the Henry E. Bishop and Son funeral home, 1139 Fairfield avenue. The Rev. Joseph A. Racioppi, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Mountain Grove cemetery.

Born in Norrkoping, Sweden, Jan. 23, 1867, Mr. Cyrus came here in 1888 and first established a pharmacy at 415 Fairfield avenue. He moved to the Fairfield-Courtland corner in 1909 where he remained until his retirement.
He formerly resided at 32 Hazelwood avenue.

Described in the Pharmaceutical Journal some years ago, was "Cyrus' Pretty Fountain." It was of white marble with green marble trimming. During his term as treasurer of the Connecticut Pharmaceutical association, Mr. Cyrus was the winner of an American Druggist contest for the best set of advertisements for a retail drug store.

At the time Mr. Cyrus opened his pharmacy, Fairfield avenue was so dusty he suggested to the city that the asphalt "be wetted down every night when there are no teams or bicycles on it;" a father of night street sprinkling.

Mr. Cyrus had the first street lights in the city installed in front of his store at his own expense.

A member of the Masonic fraternity since 1889, he was in Corinthian lodge, 104, AF and AM; Jerusalem Council, 16, R and SM; Jerusalem chapter, 13, RAM; Hamilton Commandery, 5, KT; Lafayette Consistory, 32nd degree and Pyramid Temple, AAONMS. He also was a former member of the Algonquin club and a charter member of the Kiwanis club.

He was former president of the Bridgeport Drug company, and another time of the Bridgeport Electric company which was started by a Swedish inventor.

Mr. Cyrus is survived by a grandson, C. Windsor Cyrus of Fairfield; a granddaughter, Mrs. Carolyn Brown of Wrentham, Mass.; four great-grandchildren, and a sister, Miss Ebba Cyrus of Sweden.