Matthew M. Regula

KILLINGLY — Matthew M. Regula, 16, of Killingly, died tragically Aug. 5, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was born July 2, 1998, in Putnam,  son of Francis T. Regula Jr. and Renee Dion Reppy. 

He was going into his junior year of high school and he couldn’t have been more excited. His happy and energetic presence will never be forgotten. Matthew was kind hearted and always had a smile. Matthew loved to do things that made his father proud. He enjoyed playing video games with his older brother, music and spending time with people he loved the most. 

He leaves his father, Francis Regula Jr.; his mother, Renee Reppy; his brother, Frank R. Regula; step father, John Reppy; grandparents Brian and LeLa (Dion) Bissonnette, Mark Dion Sr.; uncles, Mark Dion Jr., Brian Bissonnette Jr. and Scott Bissonnette. Donations: “Matthew Regula Memorial Fund” at Putnam Bank, PO Box 151, Putnam, CT 06260.

Visitation was Aug. 12 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Elaine Greene

QUINEBAUG — Elaine T. Greene, 74, of Quinebaug, died Aug. 1, 2014, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was born March 27, 1940, in Danielson,  daughter of the late Liberato and Yvonne (Thomas) Barber.

 Elaine was married 56 years to the love of her life Daniel Greene. They were married April 19, 1958, in St. James Church Danielson. 

Elaine was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam. She enjoyed watching her grandkids play sports, The Boston Red Sox and loved watching figure skating. She loved family gatherings and cooking.

She leaves her husband, Daniel Greene of Quinebaug; children, Jeffrey (Michelle) Greene, Stephen Greene, Brian (Michele) Greene, Daniel W. Greene, Jo-Ann (Craig) Bond, a brother, Anthony (Harriet) Barber, a sister, Carol (Roger) Nadeau; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson Jeffrey D.M. Greene and two great-grandchildren.  

The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 7 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Jeffrey D.M. Greene Scholarship Fund at People’s United Bank, 60 Providence Pike, Putnam, CT 06260.  Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Mary Szruba

PUTNAM — Mary A. Szruba, 78, of Putnam died Aug. 4, 2014, at Regency Heights Nursing Home in Danielson. 

She was born Aug. 8, 1935, in Putnam, daughter of the late Wilfred Gilbert Sr. and Annabelle (Harrington) Gilbert.

She worked at Danielson Curtain prior to providing daycare services to several family member.

Besides her husband of 56 years, Peter P. Szruba Sr., she leaves her son, Peter P. Szruba Jr. of Putnam; daughter, Jenny Lynn Chapman (Dana) of Woodstock; grandchildren, Shane and Jesse Davis of Putnam, Chris, Connor and Chace Chapman of Woodstock, Kristen (Briere) Ramdhor of Germany, Faith Briere of Putnam, Aubrey-Lynn (Briere) Girdwood of Hawaii; twin sister, Leonie Dauphinais of Putnam; sisters, Pauline Terwilliger of Killingly and Katherine Lyons of Belchertown, Mass.; brothers, Robert and Henry Gilbert of Putnam. She was predeceased by her daughter, Linda Marie Briere; brothers, James, Bernard (Cookie) and Wilfred Gilbert Jr.

The Graveside Service was Aug. 9 in St. Mary Cemetery. 

Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

John P. Gifford Sr.,

WWII vet 

E. WOODSTOCK — John P. Gifford Sr., 91, of Woodstock Rd., died Aug. 9, 2014, at home. He is the husband of Viola (Merolli) Gifford, whom he married on Aug. 31, 1957, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Worcester.  Born in 1922 Dudley, he was the son of the late Paul M. and Pearl (Alton) Gifford. 

Mr. Gifford was a proud WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Army as a Tech Sergeant. He was a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and worked in the textile industry as a wool buyer and purchasing agent. 

John was a history buff and especially liked studying WWII. He loved wooden sail boats, jazz music, reading and summering at Watch Hill.

In addition to his wife, he leaves sons; John P. “Jack” Gifford Jr. (Patricia) of Woodstock and Peter R. Gifford of Thompson; daughters, Ann A. Donovan of Woodstock and Christine Gifford of Putnam; grandchildren, Valerie, Seth, Noah, Shea, Matthew, Emily, and the late Carolyn; and great grandchildren, Maizie, Parker, Esther, and Nora. John is predeceased by his first wife, Juliette (Perron) Gifford; and siblings Dudley, Elizabeth and Barbara Gifford. 

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 16 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, closing with Military Honors at 1.

 

Robert B. Heath

PUTNAM — Robert B. “Bobby” Heath, 63, of Putnam, died Aug. 8, 2014, at home.

Bobby was born in Putnam, son of the late Albert and Elizabeth (Somers) Heath, and lived in Putnam all his life.  He was a fork lift operator at Staples for 12 years and had previously worked at John M. Dean in Putnam for 25 years.  He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.  He enjoyed fishing.

He leaves his wife of 45 years, Terry M. (Taylor) Heath of Putnam; two daughters, Betty Ellen Heath of Trinity, N.C., Melissa Charbonneau (Harold) of Putnam; two brothers, Philip Heath of Putnam, Albert Heath (Sheila) of Putnam; three sisters, Barbara Messier (Jerry) of Putnam, Ethel Mae Heath of Putnam, Dorothy Vannase (James) of Putnam; four grandchildren, Joshua Heath, Brandi Serrano, Jonathan Thompson and Robyn Charbonneau; one great-grandson, Easton James Thompson; three sisters-in-law, Cheryl Goulette and her companion Loretta Hayes of Putnam, Louise DiZazzo (Chris) of Putnam, Deborah Davis of York, S.C..  He was predeceased by two sisters, Martha Richie and Beverly Benoit.

Donations: American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Stella ‘Chris’ Ricard

GRISWOLD —  Stella M. “Chris” (Banasiewicz) Ricard, 82, of Griswold, died Aug. 8, 2014. She was the wife of Roland Ricard for 63 years. 

She was born Jan. 12, 1932, in Norwich to Paul Banasiewicz and Sophia Bohara. 

She had a passion for helping others. She was a volunteer for many years at Uncas and Summit Nursing Home.

Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Paul Ricard (Diane) of Voluntown, Peter Ricard (Ann) of Thompson; daughter Reneé Jowett of Griswold; six grandchildren, Nathan Lazourack, Richard Ricard, Jennifer Lazourack, Jeanette Giattino, Krystle Breault and Chelsea Tucker; and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by brothers, Joseph Banas and Michael Wilczek; and sisters, Anna Mizera, Mary D’Elia and Sophia Papineau. 

The family will receive family and friends at 1 p.m. Aug. 16 in their home, 1588 Voluntown Rd. Griswold. Donations: Your local animal shelter. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Daniel R. Strelczuk

THOMPSON — Daniel R. Strelczuk, 62, of Brandy Hill Rd., died at sea May 17, 2014. Married in 1976, he is the husband of Danuta (Pluta) Strelczuk. 

Born in 1952 in  Grudziadz, Poland, he was the son of the late Jerzy and Lidia (Lewandowska) Strelczuk. Raised in Gdansk, Poland, he and his wife immigrated to the U.S. in 1982.

Daniel worked as a machinist for Morgan Construction/Siemens of Worcester for 26 years.

In addition to his passion for sailing, Daniel enjoyed spending time with his family, skiing, reading, traveling, and was also known to be an exceptional handy man. His intensity and desire to always be on the move and explore new things was infectious to those around him. His legacy is to be a standup family man and to pursue the things in life we love. He was the kind of man that always found the way and carved new paths everywhere he went.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Adam Strelczuk (Tracey) of Mystic; daughters, Malgorzata “Meg” Strelczuk and her fiancé Jay Chojnowski of Warwick, R.I.; and Aleksandra Strelczuk of Killingly; grandchildren Lucas and Lydia; sisters, Barbara Mezinski of Canada, Zdzislawa Hryniewicz of Poland, and Mariola Putynkowska of Poland.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 11 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with  burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery in Webster. Donations: St. Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Marjorie H. Chapman

BETHANY, Penn. — Marjorie Harrington Chapman, 103, of Bethany, died Aug. 5, 2014.

She was born March 7, 1911, in Ashford,   She was valedictorian of Stoughton (Mass.) High School, Class of 1928.  She graduated in 1933 from Bridgewater (Mass.) State Teachers College and in 1939 earned a master’s degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder.  She married in June 1940 and raised her family in Thompson.  While living in Thompson, she participated in Grange, was an active member of the Thompson Congregational Church, and attended Thimble Club.

She taught for 30 years, initially in Southbridge, then in Thompson, and lastly in Dayville, at Killingly Central School.  Her favorite grades were 4 through 6, because the children were old enough to tie their shoes, but young enough not to sass back when corrected.  Mrs. Chapman’s favorite subjects to teach were English, especially the derivation of words, phrases and colloquialisms, and history. She was an avid reader throughout her lifetime, and inspired others to be lifelong learners. She also had a wry sense of humor and always enjoyed a well-told joke.

During retirement, Mrs. Chapman “Airstreamed” with her husband throughout the U.S., attending Wally Byam Caravan rallies, and traveling to New Zealand and Australia. While on caravans, she taught classes and quilted cathedral window bedspreads and home goods for family and friends. Always active, she enjoyed sewing and handcrafts, including braided rugs, clown dolls, and wall hangings, and, in her later years, quilled ornaments, notecards, and wedding announcements

She moved from Thompson, to Deland, Fla., and then to Bethany Village, an assisted living residence in Bethany.  Throughout the years, Mrs. Chapman continually added new names to her address book and maintained on-going relationships through her hand-written notes and phone calls. She had countless special people in her life, and was thankful for each and every one.

She leaves her three daughters and their spouses: Jane Jackson (Paul) of Scottsdale, Ariz., Ruth Mroczka (Frank) of Starrucca, Penn. and Lee Cavanaugh (Jim) of Walnut, Calif.; five grandchildren: Carla Jackson of Claremont, Calif., Dan Jackson of Denver, Ellen Kohler of Morrisville, Penn., Barbara Lopez of Fullerton, Calif., and David Cavanaugh of San Francisco;  five great-grandchildren in California. Her husband, John Hussey Chapman died June 16, 2004.

Interment will be in Springfield (Mass.) Cemetery at the family’s convenience. Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home, Inc., E. Stroudsburg, Penn.

 

Charles Heidelberger,

WWII vet

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Charles Harold (Killian) Heidelberger, 89, of Gainesville, and Pomfret, died Aug. 6, 2014 in Gainesville.

Born and raised in New York City, Mr. Heidelberger had been in declining health for several years.      

Mr. Heidelberger, known lovingly as “Coach,” had three loves in his life:  his family, his country, and the U.S. Marine Corps.  

He joined the USMC after Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941.  Because he was only 16 at the time, the Marines would not take him until he turned 17 in June of 1942.  Coach served bravely and fought in the Pacific in the “island hopping” campaign in the Mariana, Gilbert, and Solomon Islands, including at Saipan, Tinian, and Tarawa.  

He exemplified the Marine Corps’ values of ‘Honor, Courage, and Commitment,’ and by his example, he instilled these values in his children and grandchildren.

 After the war was over, Mr. Heidelberger returned to New York City, met the love of his life, and chose to attend the University of Mississippi because they had the best married student housing.  

That New York City boy and his bride had the experience of a lifetime in the South.  

He majored in health, physical education and recreation, and served as the recreation director in Fairport, N.Y., before beginning his teaching career at a vocational high school in Connecticut.  

His professional legacy is the impact he made in the lives of many young people as a PE teacher, athletic director, and coach.  

The life lessons he taught those kids remained with many of them throughout their lives.  

For years, any time one of his former students would see him, they would greet him enthusiastically, tell him how much he meant to them, and introduce him to their children and grandchildren.  

He and Geraldine shared a lifetime of love, celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary in April.  

He leaves four children: Jody (Tami), Missy (Jay), Lori (Sandra), and Chris (Diane); 11 grandchildren: Jason, Michael, Lauren, Austin, Kiersten, Victoria, Christian, Katherine, Owen, Michael and Shannon, and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a later date at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Gainesville, and in Christ Episcopal Church in Pomfret. Donations: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.  Williams-Thomas Funeral Home. Gainesville.