PUTNAM — A celebration of the restoration and repair of the Bradley Playhouse will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 16 with the unveiling of the newly renovated theater. 

Tickets are available for the event by calling the theater box office at: 860-928-7887;  on line at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or will be available at the door. The office has relocated back into the theater so tickets may be purchased during weekdays from 10:00 -6:00 PM. Please call 860-928-7887 for more information. All seats are $10.00 and seating for this event is general admission. Season tickets and flex passes may not be used for this performance.

The Bradley Playhouse Gala will feature light fare provided by local restaurants and bakeries, a cash bar courtesy of JD Cooper’s and live entertainment by a host of talented performers in honor of the extraordinary people who have helped to save Putnam’s historic Vaudeville theatre. Located at 30 Front Street, (Route 44), The Bradley has greeted theater lovers since its grand opening in January of 1901, but not since that auspicious occasion 113 years ago has the theater ever looked better.  Building owners Tom and Kathy Borner have personally overseen the renovation, making it possible for the Bradley to reopen after the ceiling failure last September.

 In early fall, as the theater anxiously awaited the delivery of the custom made wheelchair lift, little did they know that only a few days later they would embark on another chapter of their history when a portion of the ceiling’s plaster fell.  The incident prompted the investigation of the remainder of the plaster’s stability by licensed structural engineers and restoration experts who concluded that the remaining plaster needed to be removed and replaced. Tom and  Kathy Borner worked with Hilltop Contractors and the Bradley to insure that a new, safe ceiling would be constructed.

 Once again, the community rallied around the Bradley, donating funds, goods and services as well as holding fund-raisers to restore the theater’s interior and to re-enforce the aging fire escape.  The Borners took the lead in the restoration effort and local contractors and businesses worked to make the theater shine again with new glory. It is thanks to the Borners’ vision that many other projects were also undertaken with astounding results. In addition to the auditorium ceiling, the proscenium has been repainted along with the complete interior of the building. The entry lobby ceiling has been entirely redesigned and new elegant lighting installed. Thousands of dollars of repairs have been done to the fire escape which was reinforced with new steel girders, sand blasted and repainted. 

 

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Honors

Brent Sorenson, President of the Student Council, presenting the award to Polly and Tom Hayden. Courtesy photo.

 

 

Haydens honored

WOODSTOCK — Woodstock Academy recently recognized Thomas and Polly Hayden, owners of Sweet Evalina’s Stand in Woodstock, as the first recipients of the newly created Woodstock Academy Community Recognition Award.  Brent Sorenson, President of the Student Council, presented the award.

The award recognizes Mr. and Mrs. Hayden for their selfless donations to the students and organizations at Woodstock Academy. Of particular note is their sponsorship of the Senegal Exchange, a cultural exchange between The Academy and students of Mariamba Bâ School on Gorée Island, Dakar, Senegal. Additionally, “Centaur Scoop.” a radio segment every Tuesday at 7:25 a.m. on WINY1350, features all things athletic and is generously sponsored by Sweet Evalina’s.

Headmaster Christopher J. Sandford said, “Tom and Polly Hayden have made significant contributions to our Woodstock Academy Community, and we are very grateful for their generosity.”

At the presentation Jan. 28 The Haydens received a standing ovation from the members of the Woodstock Academy Board of Trustees, Administration, and community members in attendance.

 

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Irene Joyal

DANIELSON — Irene (Breton) Joyal, a long time resident of Danielson, died Feb. 1, 2014, at Regency Heights Nursing Home in Danielson at the age of 99. Irene was born March 20, 1914, in Moosup (Bitgood Village), daughter of the late Fred and Rose Dennome Breton. She graduated from All Hallows School in Moosup. She was married to the late Ernest A. Joyal until his death on Sept. 15, 1980. They were married 47 years.

Irene was a lifelong member of the All Hallows Church in Moosup. Irene worked in the textile industry for 40 years prior to her retirement.  

Her son would like to remember her for what she taught him and which he has passed on to his own children. A few examples follow. She taught me to appreciate a job well done; “If you are going to kill each other, do it outside, I just finished cleaning”. She taught me about anticipation; “Wait till your father comes home”. She taught me about medical science; “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way”. She taught me wisdom; “When you get to be my age, you’ll understand”. And my favorite, she taught me justice “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!”

She leaves her son Ernest R. Joyal (Christina) of Lady Lake, Fla.; grandchildren:  Jennifer Bass of Orlando and Bethany Andino of Leesburg, Va.; great-grandchildren: Abby Bass of Orlando and Isabella and Gabriella Andino of Leesburg.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 5 at All Hallows Church, Moosup, with interment at All Hallows Cemetery, Moosup. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Carol Dauphinais

CANTERBURY — Carol A. Dauphinais, 70, of Canterbury, died unexpectedly Jan.  26, 2014, at home. She was the wife of Leonell Dauphinais. 

She was born Nov. 27, 1943, in Putnam, daughter of the late Leon and Eva (Bazinet) Van Flatern. Carol was a 1962 graduate of Putnam High School. She had worked at Hale Manufacturing Co. in Putnam and Central Village, Anglo Fabrics in Webster  and her last employment was at Plas Pak in Norwich. Carol loved to knit, and enjoyed cooking and keeping her house clean. Carol also enjoyed taking motorcycle trips with her husband. Carol and her husband are members of the Country Cruisers & New England Road Riders. 

She leaves in addition to her husband, her brother Leonard Van Flatern (June) of Brooklyn; two daughters: Brenda Bishop (Peter) of Gilford, N.H.; Leslie Bowers (Paul) of Maryville, Tenn.; stepchildren: Michelle Pion of Killingly, Dawn Mayo of Dayville, Scott Dauphinais of Canterbury; 11 grandchildren. 

A Graveside service was Feb. 1at the West Thompson Cemetery. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 ST Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

 

Robert A. Durocher

THOMPSON — Robert Durocher, 64, of Fernwood Ave., died Jan. 30, 2014, following a long battle with esophageal cancer.  Born Dec. 22, 1949, in Worcester, he was the son of the late Arthur and Stella (Brzuch) Durocher. 

He leaves his wife, Kristine, of 40 years; two daughters, Heather (Durocher) Santos (Brian), and Jennifer (Durocher) Cafasso (Joseph); two grandchildren Jackson and Gabriella Santos; brother Arthur Durocher.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.  A Memorial Service will begin at 11 a.m. Feb. 8 at the Putnam Baptist Church, 170 Church St. Donations: ECHO (Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology) Cancer Foundation 330 Washington St., Suite 220, Norwich, CT 06360; and/or Backus Hospital Cancer Center -www.backushospital.org. 

 

Ruth Young Lewis

EASTFORD — Ruth Elizabeth Young Lewis, 95, died Feb. 2, 2014, at home. She was born Jan. 30, 1919, in Putnam to the late George and Emily (Cahoon) Young. She grew up in South Woodstock, attended the one-room schoolhouse now occupied by Benson-Flugal American Legion. 

She graduated from Woodstock Academy in the class of 1935. She received the Yale Honor Cup at this time and she was only 16. After graduation, she worked as a clerk at Montgomery Ward in Putnam. On Aug. 21, 1938, she married Maro Keith Lewis of Eastford. When he died in 2006, they had been married for 68 years. They had lived in Eastford all that time. Ruth began working in the Eastford Post Office in 1949. She was appointed Postmaster in 1954. She retired on Feb. 2, 1979, having worked there for 30 years. During her tenure the post office was moved across the street to its current location. 

Ruth was an active member of the Eastford Congregational Church serving on the Diaconate for some time. She was a life member of the Betty Putnam Chapter 106 OES. She served for many years on the Library Board. Ruth and Keith spent many weeks in Florida after she retired. In the summer, they would be at the Cottage on Crystal Pond. Ruth loved watching the birds out of her kitchen window. Ruth also loved playing board games with her daughters and grandchildren. She was a whiz with crossword puzzles until her eye sight failed. She liked to watch the UConn women and the Boston Red Sox. 

She leaves behind her three daughters, Nancy (Russ) Mayhew, of Eastford, Joanne Korner, of West Yarmouth, Mass., and Susan Dillon, of South Dennis, Mass.; eight grandchildren; Douglas (Gretchen) Mayhew, Diane Matteau, Chris (Karen) Mayhew, Robin (Dennis) Driscoll, Melissa (Tom) Cummins, Eileen (Stephen) McGee, Jim Korner and Kate (Glenn) DuBois; 15 great-grandchildren: Brady, Christopher, Cara, Marissa, Chloe, Kate, Rachel, Katie, Sarah, Myranda, Marisa, Emmett, Sullivan, Skylar and Thomas. She was predeceased by sons-in-law Thomas Dillon and Ray Korner; siblings: Henry Young, Frank Young, Gladys Anderson, Anna Cramer and Emily Bunnell. 

A Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Congregational Church of Eastford. Donations: Congregational Church of Eastford, PO Box 177, Eastford, CT 06242; or Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Carolee Seger

PUTNAM — Carolee Helena Seger, 71, of Monroe, died Jan. 29, 2014, after a  battle with lung cancer at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was the  wife of Bruce O. Seger. They were married on Aug. 11, 1986. He died Oct. 10, 1999. 

Born in Rockingham, N.H., she was the daughter of the late Adelbert and Helena (Andrewski) Lavalette.

Carolee became a Registered Nurse on June 1, 1966, and dedicated her life to the care and love for her patients. Carolee was employed in the Emergency Department of Day Kimball Hospital from 1973 to 1987. She continued her life’s work at Windham Hospital, Littleton (NH) Hospital, and ended her career in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, N.H. 

A truly gentle and kind spirit, Carolee’s kind-heartedness and generosity will never be forgotten.  “Because Nice Matters” was one of her favorite sayings. She was especially fond of her Lhasa Apso, Baxter, who kept her warm and cozy on many cold nights in northern New Hampshire. Carolee enjoyed conversation with everyone she got to know and had many great laughs with her Thursday night quilting girlfriends. 

Carolee enjoyed golf, the beach, playing board games with her grandchildren and working in her gardens. She enjoyed cooking for her friends and family and enjoyed traveling when her work schedule allowed. She often took many shifts from younger workers so they could be home with their families on the holidays.

She leaves two sons and their families: William and Dawn (Menoche) Poirier of Thompson,. and Todd and Courtney (Mroczek) Poirier of Danielson; brother and his wife, Gerald and Carol Lavalette of Palm Harbor, Fla.; grandchildren, nieces, and a nephew.

A celebration of Carolee’s life as well as final internment will be at Monroe Cemetery in Monroe, at the convenience of the family. Donations: Cottage Hospital Oncology Department, 79 Swiftwater Road, Woodsville, NH. 03785. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Janniece Zinsky

PUTNAM — Janniece Deveau Zinsky, 52, of Putnam, died Jan. 30, 2014. She was born Dec. 4, 1961, in Bridgeport, daughter of the late Robert Norman “Coach” Deveau, and Jean Golas Carrano. 

While attending Masuk High School in Monroe, CT she met and eventually married her husband of 30 years, love of her life, Luke J. Zinsky Jr.

Janniece graduated from Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y., and taught at St. Mary’s School in Bridgeport. Her greatest joy in life was being around and caring for her family and others. She enjoyed being by the ocean, cooking, and her several morning coffees. An accomplished seamstress and amazing cook, Janniece was a woman of many talents. 

In addition to her husband, she leaves four children Luke J. Zinsky III, Eve M. Zinsky, Hannah L. Zinsky, and Ethan A. Zinsky; two brothers Robert Deveau Jr, Chris Carrano; sister Lori Deveau. She was predeceased by a sister Lynn Stokes.

Visitation was Feb. 3 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045. 

 

Elizabeth Hill

DANIELSON — Elizabeth “Betty” A. (Grant) Hill, 64, of Danielson, died Jan. 30, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.

 Betty was born in Pawtucket, R.I., daughter of the late Joseph T. Sr. and Gertrude (Shaw) Grant.  She was a graduate of Saint Xavier’s Academy and was a licensed food service manager.  

She loved to cook and did so professionally for 25-30 years.  She had a love for animals and had all kinds through the years, her favorite were definitely dogs. 

She leaves her husband-in-heart, Alan Laliberty of Danielson.  

He was the love of her life and changed her entire world.  

They’ve been together since 2001 and he was there through her illness.  She also leaves a daughter, Victoria A. Hill of Pomfret; a brother, Joseph T. Grant Jr. of Smithfield, R.I.; her sister-in-law, Deb Grant of Smithfield; a brother, Robert Grant of St. Augustine, Fla.; in-laws, Lucien and Rosalie Laliberty, and Jackie and Paul Cournoyer; and a dear friend, Donna Navarro.  She was predeceased by a brother, Donald Grant; and by her former husband, Hollis Hill. 

Donations: Dana Farber Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Jack Huq

WEBSTER — Jack Huq, 69, of Webster died Jan. 23, 2014 at UMass Medical Center in Worcester.

He was born in Dacca, Bangladesh, son of AKM Irmanul Huq and Monowara Begum.

Following studies at Dacca University,he moved to London. 

There he trained in fashion design and worked as a furrier for the famous Arthur Kramer Ltd.

Married to Martha at the Westminster Cathedral, London and finally moved to Dudley with wife and infant son Joseph in 1971. Jack joined in-laws, Roman and Cecelia Wajer’s trucking business, Wajer’s Express. 

He ended his working career at Johnson Corrugated,Thompson  retiring in 2009.

Hobbies included long-distance marathon running, tennis, world travel & history, love of singing and dancing, cooking, the NE Patriots and World Cup Soccer.

He leaves two sons, Joseph of Webster (Kiki) and grandson Brian of Hamburg, Germany. Also, Martin and fiancée Mary Brady of Lowell, Mass.; former wife, Martha (Wajer)  Putnam of Dudley; brother–in-law Roman Wajer (Lori) of Woodstock. Brothers and sisters in U.S. and in Bangladesh.

The Funeral Mass was Feb. 1 at St. Joseph’s Bascilica. Donations: Bone Marrow Transplant Program, UMMF-Nath-Bone Marrow Transplant Program; or to benefit the lunch served to patients undergoing chemo make check payable to UMMF-Cancer Center Patient Lunch Fund, mailed to UMASS Medicine Development Office 333 South St. Shrewsbury MA 01545. Bartel Funeral Home, Dudley.

 

Paul D. Kenahan

WEBSTER — Paul D. Kenahan, 85, died Jan. 23, 2014, at home.

He was born in Providence and raised in Warwick, R.I., a son of Charles Kenahan, Sr. and Rose De Lima (Roy) Kenahan. He lived in Keene, N.H., E. Woodstock and Dudley before moving to Webster. He graduated from Aldrich High School in Warwick, and then earned a bachelor’s degree from Providence College. He continued his studies at Georgetown University.

Mr. Kenahan first worked as an insurance agent for the National Grange in Keene. In 1956, he purchased and ran the Healy Insurance in North Woodstock. He then was a substitute teacher at Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley for 17 years, retiring in 1996. He also bartended at various local establishments.

He was a member of St. Louis Church. He enjoyed gardening, traveling and listening to Irish music.

He leaves his wife of 30 years, Kathleen J. (McCarthy) Kenahan; two daughters, Kathleen Herbert (Stephen) of Thompson and Christine Currier (Douglas) of Punta Gorda, Fla.; three stepchildren, Sandra David of Webster, Paul Johansen of Pomfret and Sherie Bombardier (Paul) of Webster; 10 grandchildren, a step daughter-in-law, Maryann Johansen of Charlton; three brothers, Bernard, Robert and David Kenahan, all of Rhode Island. He was predeceased by two sisters,  Marie Harding and Margaret Carmello; four brothers, Charles Kenahan Jr., Thomas, James and Francis Kenaha; a stepson Eric Johansen; a step son-in-law Jeffrey David.

The Funeral Mass was Feb. 1 in St. Louis Church, Webster.  Visitation is from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. Feb. 1 at . Scanlon Funeral Service,, Webster. Donations: Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of New England, c/o 27 Westward Circle, North Reading, MA 01864.