Honoring captions pg 6 11-21-13
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
caption, upper left:
At the Putnam Elks event Howard Flexor is honored, above. Left Samantha Morowski was the winner of the oratorical contest.
caption, upper right: Richard Tremblay cuts the cake on the occasion of the U.S. Marine Corps birthday. Putnam photos courtesy of Sarah Hamby.
caption: middle right: American Legion Post Commander Walter Larochelle honoring WWII Navy veteran Robert O. Harris.
In pg 6 11-21-13
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
caption: Westview Health Care Center honors veterans
In Dayville
DAYVILLE — Nov. 11, Westview Health Care Center hosted a special Veterans Day ceremony to honor Westview residents, patients and staff who have served the United States through military service.
The program opened with welcoming comments by Administrator David Panteleakos and the Posting of Colors by the Albert J. Breault Post 1523 Honor Guard of Putnam. Mistress of Ceremonies Linda Colangelo sang the National Anthem, followed by the invocation by Chaplain Gerry Salvas and Pledge of Allegiance recited in unison.
Those who were honored were 28 servicemen and women who reside, work and are rehabilitating at the facility. In attendance was 99 year old Westview veteran resident Charles Holbrook. Holbrook served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in 1943.
“You don’t realize that something so dear to your heart such as the love and devotion of your country is just as important to so many others,” said Holbrook. “To experience such a wonderful celebration here in my own home brings joy to my soul. I felt so special.”
The Honorable Daniel Rovero from the Connecticut House of Representatives, Norman Beaupre Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1523 and Louise Taylor Assistant Therapeutic Recreation Director presented each veteran in attendance with a military salute and flag.
“Today, we are reminded of the selfless act and tremendous courage these men and women displayed on all of our behalf,” said David T. Panteleakos. “We take tremendous pride in honoring those who protect our homeland and make great sacrifices for the sake of generations to come. We are truly grateful for their service.”
Colangelo shared a reading titled “They Did Their Share” and sang “God Bless The USA” and Director of Therapeutic Recreation and bugalist Pam Fillmore performed Taps. To close the program Post 1523 of Putnam retired the colors and a patriotic sing-a-long that represented the multiple branches of the military was enjoyed by all in attendance.
Bubble pg 7 11-21-13
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
'Bubble' Experience
Connor Tellier, from Thompson Middle School, along with over 1500 area students, enjoyed Bubbleology at Hyde Cultural Center in October. Keith Michael Johnson chose Connor from the audience and showed him how to expand bubbles. Two performances were presented by The Community Cultural Committee d/b/a/ The Three C’s. This is the 30th anniversary of bringing live, professional performances to this area by this volunteer non-profit organization. To date, over 190,000 school children have enjoyed these performances at a cost of only $3 per person. Watch for their next presentation, Peter Pan, by TheatreworksUSA, Dec. 9. Photo courtesy of Jim Goodwin.
..
Obituaries pg 8 11-21-13
- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Steven Wilber Sr.
THOMPSON — Steven P. Wilber, Sr., 63, Hillside Avenue, died Nov. 14, 2013, in UMass Memorial Center. He was the husband of Jean (Nolet) Wilber for 45 years. Born in 1950 in Southbridge, he was the son of the late Cortland and Theresa (Courcy) Wilber.
Mr. Wilber worked as an Equipment Operator for Webco. He enjoyed fishing, four wheeling, going to Maine, and telling a good joke. Steven was an antique car restoration enthusiast and was an extremely talented “Mr. Fix It”, as well as an accomplished acoustic guitar player.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons; Shawn M. Wilber (Carmen) of Vista, Calif., Shannon M. Wilber (Paula) of Charlton, Steven P. Wilber Jr. (Trisha) of Thompson; daughter, Sheri M. Putnam (Robert) of Thompson; sister, Jeanne P. Wilber of Sterling; grandchildren, Brian, Matthew, Logan, Noah, Jolie, Cole, Sadie M., and Tessa M. He was predeceased by his brother, Cortland Wilber Jr. and grandson, Colin Mark.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 19 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Barbara Dexter
PUTNAM — Barbara (Drost) Dexter, 70, of River Road, died Nov. 15, 2013, at home. She is the wife of 50 years to Thomas R. Dexter.
They were married on Oct. 26, 1963, in St. Michael Cathedral in Springfield, Mass.
Born in 1943 in Ludlow, Mass., She was the daughter of the late Stanley and Mildred (Wolak) Drost.
Mrs. Dexter enjoyed flower gardening, vacationing in Florida and Cape Cod.
In addition to her husband, she leaves sons, Mark A. Dexter (Maureen) of Ellington, and Russell E. Dexter of Mansfield; daughter, Tracey D. Matthews (Lee) of Feeding Hills, Mass.; grandchildren Brandon, Timothy, Madison, Emma, and Marek.
The Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 23 in the Clark Memorial Chapel at the Pomfret School, Pomfret.
Donations: Deary Memorial Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 688, Danielson, CT 06239. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Alice Desilets
DANIELSON — Alice Y. Desilets, 83 of Black Rock Avenue, died Nov. 14, 2013, at the Colonial Health Center in Plainfield. She was the wife of Lucien J. Desilets. They were married in 1949 in St. James Church. She was born Nov. 30, 1929, in Southbridge, daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Auger) Heon.
Alice was employed at Jacobs Rubber for 39 years working in Danielson and Dayville. She had made her home in the area most of her life. She was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. She enjoyed working with her hands, knitting, crocheting, sewing, macramé, and quilting and was an excellent cook. She was known for her kindness and sweetness.
She leaves her husband Lucien of 64 years; sons: Richard Desilets of Moosup, Michael Desilets (Liisa) of Tolland; grandchildren: Anna Feeney (Jarrod) of Plainfield; Justin Desilets and Tyler Desilets, both of Tolland, great-grandchildren, Simone and Isabella. She was predeceased by her son Donald Desilets in 1977, her siblings: Emil Heon, Lionel Heon, Yvonne Savard, Joseph Heon.
The Mass of Christian Burial Nov. 18 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: Colonial Health Center, 16 Windsor Ave., Plainfield, CT 06374. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Dr. Richard F.
Lefebvre, D.M.D.
POMFRET — Dr. Richard Lefebvre, 80, of Searles Road died Nov. 10, 2013, at home.
He was born July 28, 1933, in Pittsfield, Mass., to the late Walter and Jenny (Jacques) Bean.
He was a graduate of Holy Cross College and Tufts Dental School. He practiced oral surgery in Southbridge and Pomfret for over 30 years until his retirement in 1993. He was on staff at Harrington Memorial Hospital and Day Kimball Hospital.
Richard loved working on his farm in Pomfret, landscaping, and raising farm animals. He enjoyed skiing, sailing, cooking, and country music. His passion was reading books, especially about the Civil War and he was able to travel to some of the historic battlefields.
He leaves his children, Loretta (Lefebvre) Foisey (Mark) of Pomfret; his son, Richard Lefebvre of Weatherford, Texas; his grandchildren Siana Green, Amanda Lefebvre, and Lucas Lefebvre; as well as a loving friend, Nancy Fox, of Coventry, R.I.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Nov. 25 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in Abington Cemetery. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or NECCOG Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 759, Dayville, CT 06241. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
George H. Pearce
WOODSTOCK— George H. Pearce, 73, died Nov. 14, 2013, at home, after an eight month battle with lung cancer.
He was born Aug. 22, 1940, in Whitehouse Station, N.J., son of George A. Pearce and Esther Gerth. As a young man he moved to Putnam where he met his wife, Iride (Edie) Rossi, and they married on Nov. 16, 1963 (now their 50th anniversary). He and Iride raised their family and ran his businesses Pearce Electric and Pearce Properties in Danielson, and later retired in Woodstock. George was an extremely strong and capable person who gave more than 100 percent. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed his beagles and was very active in local beagle clubs.
He leaves his wife Iride; two daughters Laura Pearce and Janice Pearce; nephew Jeffrey Smith, his wife Cheryl and their two children Ellie and Brandon; nephew Paul Reed, his wife Kathy and their two children Damon and Elena; niece Jane O’Donovan and her husband Tom. He was predeceased by his sisters Margaret and Mary Jane, and his daughter Susan Pearce.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 18 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam with burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.