Obituaries pg 8 1-9-14

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John H. Miner,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — John H. Miner, 88, of School St., died Dec. 30, 2013, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  He is the husband of Helen (Rice) Miner for 63 years.  Born in 1925 in Pomfret, he was the son of the late Walter and Mabel (Lanning) Miner.
John was a truck driver for Putnam Woolen, Hale Manufacturing, and Pratt & Whitney. He also worked for New England Labor Training School in Pomfret doing landscaping.
John joined the U.S Navy during WWII at age 17 serving on the USS Chester. John was a lifetime member of the Putnam VFW Post 1523 and Putnam Elks Lodge #574.
He loved gardening, visiting Maine and the Cape, watching Red Sox games, and sitting on his front porch watching the cars go by.  He was affectionately known as the “Mayor of School St.” by his friends. One of John’s favorite sayings was “the first 100 years is the hardest.”
In addition to his wife, he leaves daughters, JoAnn Hall of Thompson and Sharon Miner-Taylor (John) of Manchester; grandchildren, Brandon Hall and Noel Hall of Thompson and Jacqueline Taylor of Manchester; and sister, Eleanor Brown of  Dayville. He is predeceased by his brothers, William Miner, Frank Miner, and Walter Miner Jr., sisters Alice Veins, Viola Peak, Gladys Lavigne, Isabella Gibson, and Betty Kachuk.
Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

E. ‘Shorty’ Barry
PUTNAM — Ernest “Shorty” Barry, 73, of Munyan Rd., died Jan. 5, 2014, in Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard.  Born in 1940 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Ernest and Margaret (Jannine) Barry.
Shorty was a highway worker for the town of Putnam for 30 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of Tri State Cruisers. He enjoyed going to car shows and flea markets.
He leaves his brother, Ronald Barry (Ginny) of N. Grosvenordale; sisters, Gloria Strode (Ray) of Brunswick, Ga., Judith Clark of Lake Hamelton, Fla., Sandra Moody and her companion Randall Landry of Putnam, Linda Bellerose (Richard) of Yelm, Wash., and Denise Eberly (Donald) of Brunswick, Ga.
Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 11 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Funeral Service in the funeral home at 10.

Bonnie F. Gant
DANIELSON — Bonnie F. Gant, 62, of Danielson, died Jan. 1, 2014, in New Haven. She was the wife of Levester Gant.
She was born April 4, 1951, in Ohio and has made her home in Danielson for over 30 years.
She leaves her husband Levester; children Bryan Tatro of Canterbury, Adam Tatro of Moosup, Jaime Tatro of Brooklyn;  grandchildren Alexis Ginn, Maddy Bonfiglio, Derrick Tatro, Tegan Chabot.  
Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Francis E. Bushey,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Francis E. Bushey, 88, of Modock Road, died Jan. 5, 2014, in UMass Memorial Hospital.  He was the husband of the late Sylvia (Barton) Bushey for 65 years.  Born in 1925 in Thompson, he was the son of the late Albert and Clara (Bromley) Bushey.
Mr. Bushey worked in the Dye House for Belding Heminway for 30 years.  He was a WWII veteran, serving in Rhineland and Central Europe, receiving the Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon.
Francis enjoyed fishing and watching the Red Sox and UConn Huskie girls’ basketball. He was a member of the VFW in both Quinebaug Post 10088 and Putnam Post 1523.
He leaves his sons, Gale Bushey (Sharon) of Thompson and Dennis Bushey of Biddeford, Maine; daughter, Suzette Rumrill of Putnam; grandchildren, Rick, Danny, Mike, Tammy, Virginia, Jason, and Kimberley; great-grandchildren, Mikey, Luke, Ryan, Cote, Angie, Bella, Jon, Logan, Ava-Lynn and Kyle; and great-great grandchildren, Coraline, Jaylah, Alisa and Kaylynn. Francis is predeceased by his son, Mark Bushey and daughter, Cynthia Bushey.
A Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m. April 4 for Francis and to honor his wife Sylvia in Munyan Cemetery with military honors. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Angelo A. Cornell,
Korean war vet
THOMPSON —  Angelo A. Cornell, 79, of Totem Pole Dr., died Dec. 9, 2013, in Westview Nursing Home.  He was the husband of Gisele (Toutant) Cornell. He was born Aug. 20, 1934 in Bristol.
Angelo was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving with the U.S. Navy. Mr. Cornell worked as a heavy equipment salesman for Ingersoll Rand.
He leaves his wife; a son Chris Cornell of Harrisburg, Penn.; two granddaughters Angela and Stephanie Cornell. He was predeceased by a son Michael Cornell.
Funeral services and burial will be held at a later date. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

Rev. Jonas Duoba
THOMPSON — Rev. Jonas Duoba, 91, of Chase Rd., died Jan. 2, 2014, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  Born in 1922 in Versiai, Lithuania, he was the son of the late Provas and Petronele (Urbaityte) Duoba.
He entered the Marian Congregation in 1938 and on Aug. 15, 1939, he made his first profession of vows; he pronounced his perpetual vows on Aug. 15, 1943.
Seminary education took place at the Seminary in Kaunas (1941-1944) and in Eichstatt, Bayern, Germany (1945) Pontificium Athenaeum Angelicum-Rome (1945-1946), receiving a Licenciate in Theology in 1946. Father Duoba was ordained in Rome, Italy on July 21, 1946 by Archbishop (later Cardinal) Traglia.
From 1946-1950 he studied Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Institute “Biblicum” in Rome, receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture in 1949.
Father Duoba is a member of the Lithuanian Catholic Academy of Sciences. From 1969-1974 he also presented cycles of homilies on Vatican Radio and authored some articles in various Lithuanian magazines and newspapers.
From 1950-1960 Father Duoba served in Argentina in both Rosario and Avellaneda. From 1960-1966, he taught at Marianapolis Prep School in Thompson, CT. This was followed by an assignment to Rome, Italy where he was a member of the General Council of the Congregation and Secretary General from 1967-1975. In 1975 he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Chicago House where he remained until 1977 when he left for one year to assist at the Marian Parish in Dorschausen, Bavaria in Germany. He returned to Chicago in 1978 where he has remained.
Among his Pastoral assignments we can include Professor of Sacred Scripture and biblical languages at S. Carlos Boromeo Seminary in the Province of Santa Fe in Argentina from 1950-1954, Chaplain in the Asilo del Buon Pastor in Rosario, Argentina from 1954-1957. From 1957-1960 he was Pastor of the Parish “Madre de la Misericordia” in Avellaneda, Argentina; worked at the Draugas from 1975-1977.
Within the Congregation he has held the offices of Superior, Provincial Councilor, Provincial Secretary, General Councilor, General Secretary, Assistant Postulator General, House Councilor and House Treasurer.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 8 at the National Shrine of Devine Mercy, Stockbridge, Mass., with burial will follow in National Shrine of Devine Mercy Cemetery. If you would like to have Mass said in Rev. Duoba’s memory, please contact the Marians at 860-923-2220. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Lindsay Faith Graves
BROOKLYN — Lindsay Faith Graves, 26, of Brooklyn, formerly of Killingly, died Jan. 3, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam after a battle with cancer. She was born March 20, 1987, in Putnam.
She was a 2005 graduate of the Killingly High School. Lindsay worked as a Home Health Aide. She had a strong love for animals.  
She leaves her mother Faith J. Graves of Brooklyn; her brother Jason T. Graves of Brooklyn; her grandmother Faith L. Johnson; her uncle Robert Johnson of Lake Ozark, Mo.
A Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Congregational Church of Putnam, 175 Main Street, Putnam, with burial in the spring in Putnam Heights Cemetery. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

George Mayo Sr.
PUTNAM — George Mayo Sr., of Putnam, formerly of Pomfret, died unexpectedly Jan. 1, 2014, at UMass University in Worcester.
He was the husband of Alma Fitts Mayo, They were married Sept. 2, 1956, in Pomfret. He was born May 26, 1933, in Pomfret, son of the late Lewis and Louise (Austin) Mayo.
George worked for the Town of Pomfret Highway Department for over 27 years, and also Rectory School. George enjoyed his many hobbies of gardening and animals, as well as antique collections from old cars, to cookie jars and horses. George was also very well known for his big smile and his sense of humor.
He leaves his wife Alma; his children George Mayo Jr. of Pomfret, Leo Mayo of Sterling, Bruce Mayo of Putnam, Gordon Mayo Sr. of Danielson, Todd Mayo of Ballouville; Darlene Murray of Putnam; grandchildren, great-grandchildren; brothers, Charles Mayo Sr, David Mayo Sr, Peter Mayo; sister, Shirley Miracle. He was predeceased by a daughter Audrey Weatherholt and a son Lloyd Mayo.
Burial will be in the spring in Abington Cemetery, Pomfret. Donations: to the family. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Ronald Jakubowski
DUDLEY — Ronald Jakubowski, 65,  died Jan. 2, 2014, at home after a long illness.
He was born in Webster, the son of the late Alexander and the late Ann (Mazurek) Jakubowski.
Ron graduated from Marianapolis in 1966 and from Fordham University in 1971.
His family founded the Thrifty Super Market in Webster . He had a career in property management . A past member of Webster-Dudley Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Ron was instrumental in fund-raising for local youth with the Pro-AM golf tournament acting as tournament director for eight years. He enjoyed golf, croquet on his court. He was an enthusiastic fan of Indy car racing.
He leaves his wife of 46 years, Mary  (Franklin) Jakubowski: three daughters: Karen Fontaine Donald) of Pascoag, Dawn Clark (Mike) of Dudley and  Lisa Jakubowski of Chandler, Ariz; three grandchildren, Jessica and Sean Clark and Tyler Fontaine; two sisters: Jeanne Thomay (Frank) of Hingham, Mass., Mary Piette of Chandler. He was predeceased by brother, Richard Jakubowski
The Funeral Mass was Jan. 6 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dudley, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery, Webster.  Donations: Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

Kerri Murphy
DUDLEY — Kerri A. (Guilfoil) Murphy, 44, died Dec. 29, 2013, at Rose Monahan Hospice.  
She was born in 1969 and grew up in Auburn, and graduated from Auburn High School in 1987. She studied dance at Sally Johnson McDermott Dance Studios in Auburn.  Her love of dance fueled her passion for fitness which she followed for the rest of her life. With her marriage in 1992, she moved to her home in Dudley.
In 2005, Kerri opened The Fitness Studio in Dudley.  Her incredible determination and love for her business helped create an amazing community, who has supported her selflessly through her struggle.  She has an abundance of friends, including her best friends Carolann Malboeuf and Jenn Looney.  
Appendiceal “cancer sucks,” and Kerri “never quit” until her last breath.  Kerri wishes that all who shared in her life continue her legacy and remember some of her great words of wisdom; “Crank your bikes, you big babies!”,  “I can tell when you’re faking it!”,  “Stop looking in the mirror!”,  “I love my job, I get to stand up here on a stage and yell at you!”
She leaves her children, Connor, Erin and Jacob Murphy of Dudley; parents; Thomas and Carol-Ann Guilfoil of Dudley; sister; Kelley Guilfoil-Zinkevich (Brian) of Worcester, and their children, Joseph, Maximilian, Xavier and Caroline, her sister Karryn Ryan of Oxford, and her children, Griffin, Colin and Nathan, and her children’s father,  John Murphy of Dudley.  She also leaves Dan O’Connor, of Dudley, who was there by her side until the end.
Donations: The Adam Bullen Memorial Foundation, 24 Charlton Street, Oxford, MA 01540. A Memorial Service was Jan. 3. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.