Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Vriga

THOMPSON — Elizabeth V. “Betty” Vriga 71, died July 17, 2015, in Hospice at Day Kimball Hospital after a long illness.  Betty was born on Oct. 24, 1943, in Thompson, to the late Dumnica (Vanghele) Vriga and Thimia Vriga.  

Betty lived in the Thompson/Quinebaug, Connecticut, area all of her life. She worked for the town of Thompson at the Town Hall in the Selectman’s Office from which, she retired from in 2014.

Betty was dedicated to volunteering and serving on the Philoptochos Society of Sts. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church and served as president and vice president. She was also a proud member of the town of Thompson Republican Party.  Betty enjoyed taking care of her many nieces and nephews over the years. She was fondly called “Aunt Betty” by their friends as well.  The Holidays were a time Betty looked forward to and cherished every year, welcoming her family into her home for her delicious meals.

She leaves her siblings, Tasi Vriga of Quinebaug, Theodore Vriga of Northbridge, Mass., Lorraine(Vriga) Bahl and her husband Earl of Enfield, Louise (Vriga) Pavlech (Richard) of BroadBrook; nieces and nephews and their families; Lisa Boguszewski (Michael) and their children, Katherine, Adam, and Peter; Theodore Bahl (Julie) and their children Daniel and Abigail; Kristin Campbell (John) and their children Madison, Jake, and Chase; Marissa Dowell (Michael); Jennifer Potter (Arthur Potter III) and their children, Arthur IV and Hannah; Michael Bahl and his partner Claudia Morales; Ryan Vriga (Brenna). 

The funeral was July 21 at Sts. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church, Webster, with burial in W. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Sts. Constantine and Helen Orthodox Church, 35 Lake Pkwy., Webster, MA 01570. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Stanley Cimochowski Jr.

WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Stanley Cimochowski Jr., 85, formerly of Grafton, Mass., died July 18, 2015, in the Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam.

He was born March 4, 1930, in Woonsocket, son of the late Stanley Sr. and Laura (Clark Cimochowski) McDonald. He retired from the Massachusetts State Police, as a radio technician.

He was a unique person, who had a love for music, and could play more than nine instruments. He enjoyed playing at weddings and different Polish clubs.

He leaves two daughters; Shirley Welch (Paul) of Webster and Barbara Pozzi (Timothy) of Millbury, Mass.; four sons; Stanley III (Patricia) of N. Grafton, Mass., Steven (Gloria) of La Mesa, Calif., Michael of Worcester, Bert and his partner Cheryl of Spencer, Mass.; a step-son Bobby Turcette of Woodstock Valley; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy ( Seagrave) in 1988, and his second wife Alice (Turcette) in 2007; a daughter Cindy in 2013, two brothers, Walter and James and two sisters, Catherine Carter and Sandra (McDonald, Hackett) Dunn. 

Graveside services were held in Barlow Cemetery, Woodstock. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Joseph V. Glinsky

SOUTHBRIDGE — Joseph V. Glinsky, 60, died July 8, 2015.  

He was  born in Schenectady, N.Y., son of the late Dmytro Charles Glinsky and Patricia L. (Farmer) Glinsky  and lived in Southbridge most of his life.  He was a factory worker for many years, manufacturing safety products.  He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.   

Joe had a rough start to life having been born two months premature at a time when even the word neonatal care did not exist. However, he always moved forward and enjoyed life marching to the beat of his personal drummer. Joe valued his independence and worked very hard and responsibly to maintain it. He was a kind hearted, intelligent, sensitive, complex and loving person. 

He leaves three brothers; D. Charles Glinsky of Sturbridge, James A. Glinsky of New Portland, Maine, and Michel T. Glinsky of Woodstock; a sister, Kathleen R. Glinsky of Sturbridge; nieces and nephews.   

Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Sr. Airman Nicholas 

J. Hoover, USAF

EL PASO/THOMPSON —  Sr. Airman Nicholas J. ”Nick” Hoover, USAF, 23, died July 12, 2015, in El Paso, where he was stationed while serving in the United States Air Force.

He was born on June 17, 1992, in Putnam and attended St. Anne’s Elementary School in Webster. He graduated from Ellis Tech in Killingly in 2010, having studied auto collision repair.

Nick joined the Air Force in 2011 and graduated from the “School House” at Hulbert Air Field in Florida as a TACP (Tactical Air Control Party). He was currently assigned to the 7th ASOS “Hustlers” as a JTAC (Joint Terminal Air Controller) at Fort Bliss, Texas. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, but most of all he loved going to the GYM and working out with his buddies. His personality and smile could brighten anyone’s day. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone, sometimes without them ever asking. He liked to present himself with a tough guy persona, but inside he was a kind and gentle person. 

He leaves his father, Webster Police Department Detective Sergeant James T. Hoover and his stepmother Heidi Hoover of Thompson; his mother, Kathleen F. (Otto) Bullard and his stepfather Donald Bullard of Worcester; a sister, Kellie Hoover and her boyfriend Nicholas Rybacki of Brooklyn; two half-brothers, Adam Bullard and Joey Bullard; a stepbrother, Timothy Rumrill of Danielson; a stepsister, Andrea Rumrill of Putnam; his grandfathers, John Joyce Sr. of Dudley, and Neal Otto of Middleboro, Mass. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. July 23 at Scanlon Funeral Service, East Main Street, Webster. The funeral, with full military honors, will be at 10 a.m. July 24 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Webster. Burial will be private. Donations: Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

 

Gerard Asselin

WEBSTER — Gerard “Gerry “Asselin, 74, died July 9, 2015, at UMass Memorial HealthCare of Worcester after an illness. Gerard was born Sept. 4, 1940, in Quebec Canada He is the son of the late George and the late Yvette (Vertue) Asselin.  

Gerry graduated from Bartlett High School and went to work with his father in the construction of new homes in Webster and Dudley. He worked as a builder all his life and at 74 was still working part time with his grandson George. 

Gerry was blessed with a large family and his companion his dog Isabelle .He was a fan of  NASCAR , football and sports. 

He leaves his wife of 25 years and best friend for 35 years  Joyce (Plante) Asselin  and one daughter: Lisa Burns (Timothy) of Thompson; one brother: Andre Asselin (Barbara) of Dudley;  four sisters: Dianne Germain of Webster, Theresa Wolak of Southbridge, Pauline Huggin of Mississippi. and Nicole Rybacki of Florida; grandchildren, Aaron Burns; Jillian Burns; stepchildren, Tracy Axtell (George) of Webster, Sasha Strong (Chip) of Dudley; special grandson, George Gerard Axtell; three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Brian Asselin.

The Funeral Mass was July 13 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Webster, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Dudley. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

Frank Delaura

THOMPSON — Frank J. Delaura, 67, died July 7, 2015. 

He was born in New London, son of the late Manuel and Dorothy (Daniels) Delaura and lived in Thompson for the past seven years, prior to that living in Killingly.   He was employed at US Button in Putnam.  He enjoyed playing the guitar and was a mobile DJ and did stand-up comedy.  He loved kite flying.  

He leaves his wife Jeannette J. (Brown) Delaura; two stepsons, Eric Brown of Putnam and Michael Desrosiers of Brooklyn; three stepdaughters; Dawn Chesnis of Webster, Tracy Burton of Pomfret Center and Michelle Headen of Dayville; grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life was held July 15 at the Attawaugan Fire Station,  Dayville. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.