Obituaries pg 8 2-21-13
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Skye Bourey
PUTNAM — Skye Nicole Bourey, infant daughter of Rebecca Lafortune and Richard R. Bourey of Putnam, died unexpectedly Feb. 10, 2013, at home. She was born Dec. 28, 2012, in Putnam.
She leaves her brothers, Bradley Thomas Cuscovitch-Bourey, 12, of Windham, Connor Paul Lafortune, 6, of Putnam; grandparents, Paul and Lynda Walmsley of Putnam, Donna and David Wilson of Plainfield, Richard and Barbara Bourey of Scotland, Joanne Bourey and Timothy Knight of Sterling; great-grandparents, Rose Perry of Somers, Bernice Bourey of Scotland; June Lessard of Derry, N.H., aunts and uncles, Christine and Jesus Lopez of Sterling, Kathleen Bourey of Scotland, Roderick Bourey and Tori Lane of Sterling, Ryan Perry of Sterling, Daniel Lowell and Nathaniel Lowell of
Putnam, Billy Joe and John Rutledge of Minnesota, and cousins Sierra, Lily, Jesus Jr., and Sophia; godfather Michael Pudlo of Lebanon. She was predeceased by her uncle and aunt, Paul Walmsley and Valerie Wilson.
Prayer Service was Feb. 18 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Donations: Her family.
Stanley A. Scraba Jr. ,
Korean war vet
STUART, Fla. — Stanley A . Scraba, Jr., 80, of Stuart, and Alexander’s Lake, Dayville, died Feb. 11, 2013, in Boca Raton Regional Hospital. He was the husband of Joan (Trudeau) Scraba. Born July 6,1932, in Putnam,, he was the son of the late Stanley and Annie (Perkins) Scraba.
Stan began a 36-year military career with the Army as a private in 1949 before retiring in 1986 as a Brigadier General from the Connecticut Army National Guard. He served with the 43D Division in Germany during the Korean War. Attaining the rank of Master Sergeant, Scraba received a direct commission in the CT State Army Guard in 1953. He commanded both the Danielson and Putnam companies and served as a Confinement Officer for the 169th Military Police Battalion as well as an Operations Officer for the 192D Engineer Battalion. Stan was a past commander of both the 192D and 242D Engineer Battalions. He had also been the Commandant of the Connecticut Military Academy.
He graduated from Bryant College and the resident U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan. A. He also was a member of Governor Ella Grasso’s and Governor O’Neill’s Military Staff.
He began his 31-year teaching career at Putnam High as both a business teacher and assistant football coach from 1955 to 1968. He was also the first business manager of the Putnam School systems from 1970 to 1974 and he concluded his teaching as a career education specialist at Brooklyn Elementary 1975 to 1986. Locally in Putnam, Stan was a Police Commissioner for 14 years and the First Special Service District Chairman. He was a lifetime member of Putnam’s Lodge of Elks 574 and VFW Post 1523.
Stan and Joan enjoyed their 60th wedding anniversary at their summer home on Alexander’s Lake in last July.
He leaves his five children: Mrs. Susan Johnston (Mark) of Alexander’s Lake, Ms Paula Scraba, Ph.D of St. Bonaventure, N.Y., Brigadier General Mark D. Scraba, U.S. Army (Mary-Elizabeth) of Stuttgart, Germany, Captain Christopher P. Scraba, U.S. Coast Guard, (Melissa) of Weston, Fla., Mr. Sean M. Scraba (Tracey) of Tolland; 10 grandchildren, Danielle (Mathew), John Christopher, Joshua, Emily, Sean, Elizabeth, Samantha, Spencer, Zachary and Keagan. He was predeceased by his son Stanley Thomas Scraba in April 1985.
A Memorial Service was Feb. 18 at St Christopher’s Church, Hobe Sound, Fla. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in June at St. Mary Church in Putnam. Donations: Scraba Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Citizens National Bank 182 Main St.., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Shirley Billings Craig
MIMS, Fla. — Shirley Billings Craig, 70, died Feb. 4, 2013, in Mims.
She was born Oct. 23, 1942, in Putnam.
She leaves her mother, Exilda Billings Mathieu of Regency Heights, Danielson; a sister, Pauline Audette of N. Grosvenordale; five children, Bruce Crandall (Lainey) of Mims, Gary Crandall of Mims, Karlene Jones of Mims, David Michaud of South Dakota and Brian Michaud (Tammy) of Mims; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life was Feb. 9 in Mims. A Mass with burial will be held at a later date at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dayville.
Michael Harmon
N. GROSVENORDALE — Michael Lee Harmon, 60, of N. Grosvenordale, died Feb. 11, 2013, at home. He was the husband of Joy (Ziemba) Harmon.
He was born Feb. 25, 1952, in Pittsburg, Calif., son of the late Billy Jo and Sally (Wrigley) Harmon of Vallejo. Calif. Michael graduated Hogan High School of Vallejo, attended local colleges. He served in the U.S. Army and Selective Services. He was a local contractor for many businesses.
He leaves in addition to his wife Joy; his son Trave M. Harmon (Sherry) of Moosup; daughter Nola A. (Harmon) Englehaupt (Richard) of Ottawa, Ill.; four grandsons, Jackson, Jefferson, Charles Englehaupt and Corbin Harmon, one granddaughter Isla Englehaupt; a brother Patrick Harmon; a sister Kathy Harmon of Vallejo; his partners in crime, Ollie, Beau, Lillie and Lucy. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Brian and Billy.
Calling hours are from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 23 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with a Memorial Service at 2:45. p.m.
Jeannette (LaCroix)
Ladyka
PUTNAM — - Jeannette (LaCroix) Ladyka, 97, of Matulaitis Nursing Home, formerly of Butts Road, Woodstock, died Feb. 16, 2013. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Joseph Ladyka in 1999.
She was born in 1915 in Southbridge, the daughter of Rozilda Benoit and William LaCroix. She graduated from the former Mary E. Wells High School in Southbridge, and from Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson.
She was a Literacy Volunteer for 10 years tutoring English as a Second Language. Before her retirement from the former American Optical in Southbridge, she was employed as a statistical secretary. She was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Church in Quinebaug.
She leaves a son Joel (Rachel) of N. Grosvenordale; a daughter Martha Romaine of Cherryfield, Maine; two sisters Mildred Bell and Gladys Carrier; a brother Ernest LaCroix; four grandchildren, Katherine Brodeur of Killingly, Melissa Menzone of Charleton, Michael Ladyka of N. Grosvenordale, and Anne Rittenhouse of Gilbert, Ariz; and five great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son David Ladyka, two brothers Claude Arnold and George LaCroix, two sisters Pearl LaFleche and Leona Gaudette.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale with a Funeral Service at 11 a.m. and burial in St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date.
Frank A. Mayo Sr.,
business owner
DANIELSON — Frank A. Mayo Sr., 73 of Bailey Hill Road, died Feb. 9, 2013, at the Regency Heights Nursing Home in Danielson. He was the husband of Deanna V. (O’Connell) Mayo. They were married July 18, 1964.
He was born May 17, 1939, in Pomfret, son of the late James and Alphonsine Mayo.
Frank has made his home in Danielson for over 22 years. He operated a farm raising beef cattle, and had a great passion for farming and caring for his animals. He worked many years in construction and he later worked as a foreman at Crystal Water Company in Danielson. Frank owned and operated a rubbish removal business for several years.
He leaves his wife Deanna of 48 years; his children: Robert Mayo (Cheryl) of Thompson, James Mayo of Manchester, Frank Mayo Jr. and his companion Leslie Post of Killingly, Theodore Mayo and his companion Theresa DiPrimio of Waterbury, Brian Mayo (Marie) of Killingly; a daughter-in-law Nell Wetherell of Nassau, N.Y.; his siblings James J. “Sonny” Mayo of Danielson, Annie Montpelier of Putnam, Alice Bury of Baltic, Liz Uhles of Anchorage, Alaska, Ira Mayo of Moosup, Rosemary Long of Putnam, James C. “Butch” Mayo of Pomfret; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son Craig Wetherell; siblings Phillip Mayo, Helen Beaudry, Dora Kendrick, Minnie Dolchok, Dorothy Russell.
Visitation was Feb. 20 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with burial later in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045.
Roland L. Moulin Sr.,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — Roland Leo Moulin Sr., 92, of Woodstock, died Feb. 10, 2013, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home, Putnam.
He was married 70 years to Vivian (Malboeuf) Moulin. She died Dec. 31, 2012.
He was born Sept. 23, 1920, in Dayville, son of the late Wilfred and Rose (Guay) Moulin. He was a WWII Army veteran, served with the 98th infantry division.
Roland had made his home in Woodstock for 62 years and was a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret. He was a member of the Putnam VFW Post 1523, the Woodstock American Legion, Post 111 and active in the Woodstock Senior Citizens. Roland worked as a machine operator at Putnam Hertzl in Putnam for 25 years, retiring in 1985. He also worked for Edmond Moulin Tree Service from 1938 to 1960. Roland was a UConn women’s basketball fan and an avid New York Yankee fan and saw Babe Ruth play.
He leaves his children: Roland Louis Moulin (Anne-Marie) of Putnam, Vivian Rose Moulin Morse (Wayne) of E. Longmeadow, Mass., Nanette Marie Polito (Joseph) of Hebron, Ky.; grandchildren: Pamela Moulin Holden (John), Roland Charles Moulin (Angela), Melissa Morse Walsh (Greg), Ashley Morse Kelleher (Josh), Christopher Polito, Alexandra Polito; great-grandchildren: Barrett and Reid Holden, Kayla and Luke Moulin, Jack and Cole Walsh. He was predeceased by his siblings Fred Moulin, Arthur Moulin, Edmond Moulin, Rose Richotte, Lea Trahan, Fabiola Provost.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 15 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville, with military honors. Donations: Most Holy Trinity Church, PO Box 235, Pomfret, CT 06258. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Gary Bissonnette
WOODSTOCK — Gary P. Bissonnette, 60, died Feb. 14, 2013, after a long illness.
Gary was born in Putnam and lived in Woodstock and Killingly most of his life. He was a U.S. Army veteran and has worked at Foxwoods for several years. Gary was a “free spirit.”
He leaves his mother, Angeline (Russo) Bissonnette of Woodstock; his father, Camil Bissonnette of Danielson; two daughters, Victoria Nash and Elizabeth Bosompen, both of Kentucky; two brothers, Kenneth Bissonnette of Miami and Glen Bissonnette of Addison, N.Y.; two sisters, Tracy Lupien of Brooklyn, and Jill Menard of Danielson; two grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 23 in the East Woodstock Congregational Church. Burial will be private. Donations: Charity of the donors choice. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Janet Croteau
THOMPSON — Janet M. (MacDonald) Croteau, 80, died Feb. 12, 2013, in Westview Nursing Care & Rehab, Dayville. Her husband of 35 years, Gilbert Croteau, died in 1992.
She was born raised in Lewiston, Maine, the daughter of the late Roger and Esther (Worthington) MacDonald. She lived five years in Webster, and 30 years in Thompson before moving to her daughter’s in Woodstock in 2004. She worked at Commerce as a customer service representative.
She leaves two sons: Roger Croteau of Thompson, Michael Croteau (Lisa) of Thompson; two daughters: Patricia Croteau of San Francisco and Lisa Reardon (Marty); grandson, Lucas Reardon, all of Woodstock.
Memorial services were private with burial of her ashes in W. Thompson Cemetery. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.
Joan Kubiak
WEBSTER — Joan (Strenk) Kubiak, 90, the wife of the late Benjamin Kubiak, died Feb. 10, 2013. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years who died unexpectedly on Dec. 29, 2012.
Born in Webster, she was the daughter of Mary and Stanislaw Strenk.
Upon their marriage, Joan and Ben built their home on the Kubiak property in the Wilsonville section of Thompson where they raised their family and built their business, State Line Power Equipment.
Most of Joan’s working years were spent at the Anglo Fabrics Woolen Mill where she was a percher/finish examiner. Upon her retirement she joined her husband in the operation of their business, State Line Power Equipment. She was skillful and very talented at knitting, crocheting and needlepoint and has passed on many of her treasures to her grandchildren. A self-taught horticulturist, Joan could cultivate and propagate even the most delicate flowers and took great pride in her beautiful flower gardens.
She leaves her daughter, Bernadette Quercia (Cosmo) of Thompson; grandchildren Kaleen Taft (Timothy) of Putnam, and Christopher Quercia (Amy) of Southbridge; and great-grandchildren. Joan was predeceased by sisters, Janina Strenk and Stasia Krawczyk and a brother, Chester Strenk.
The Funeral Mass was Feb. 15 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Theresa Browning
BROOKLYN — Theresa E. Browning, 71, of Brooklyn and Sarasota, Fla., died Feb. 2, 2013, in her Brooklyn home.
She was born Oct. 9, 1941, in Norwich, daughter of the late Georgie (Bates) Barnes and the late Arthur John Ellal, stepdaughter of the late Donald Barnes Sr.
Theresa graduated from Griswold High School and Eastern Connecticut State University with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She worked as a teacher in the Brooklyn school system for over 30 years. In 1988, she and her son Charles founded Browning and Browning Real Estate in Brooklyn.
She married Otis Avery Browning III Sept. 10, 1960. He survives her. She also leaves her children, Mary Beth Malin (Wayne) of Griswold, Charles Browning and Nicole Garbutt of Brooklyn, and Kathleen Browning of Boston; grandchildren; sisters.