Obits pg 6 1-21-21
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LTC Lawrence Bellerose
USAR, Ret.
PUTNAM — “Dear Lord, give me the patience needed to serve everyone as my own . and Lord, most importantly, the right to shed an honest tear when my heart is touched.” -From the Funeral Directors Prayer. For Larry, the funeral director’s prayer summarizes how he faced each day as he was called to assist families in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut during his more than 50-year career.
LTC Lawrence James Bellerose (USAR, Ret), 82, the former owner of the Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes of Putnam and N. Grosvenordale, died Jan. 14, 2021, after fighting COVID-19.
He was born in Webster, the son of the late Laurent and Rita (Hamel) Bellerose. Raised in N. Grosvenordale, Larry was a post-depression child who ran around the streets of the “Swede Village” with his gang of friends, including his best friend and “brother” David Babbitt. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School, Class of 1956, and the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Science in Boston, Class of 1957.
Even as a young boy, it seemed the idea of becoming a funeral director was his goal in life. He began working for the Gilman family as a 16-year-old. Then following school, he served an apprenticeship with James T. Pratt Funeral Service in Hartford. While working in Hartford, he often would eat lunch at the local diner, where a young lady from Vermont, Arlene Boynton, often ate. They soon were dating and then married in 1959, settling in Putnam to begin his career. Larry worked as director for the Gilman family for the next 15 years, and then in 1973, purchased the business. Larry and Arlene became the caretakers of traditions of kindhearted service the Gilman family established in 1919. In 1980 he bought Valade Funeral Home in N. Grosvenordale. He and Arlene retired in 2003.
He also served more than 35 years as a member of the U.S. Army. Joining the National Guard in 1959, he then transferred to the Army Reserves as a 2nd Lt. in 1965. He rose through the ranks, serving posts with the 76th Infantry Division until his final post as Battalion Commander of the 417th Regiment in W. Hartford in 1985. From 1985 to 1991, Larry served as a liaison officer for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was honored to assist numerous students throughout Connecticut to commissions at West Point. He retired in 1998.
He was a member and Past President (1983) of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association and was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. In 1988, Larry was chosen as the Governor of District 1 of NFDA, serving New England members until 1991.
He served locally as well. He was appointed to the former Board of Police Commissioners for the City of Putnam, serving until 1984. He was a 30-year member of the Rotary Club of Putnam, where he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow, recognition for following the ideals of Rotary; “Service Above Self” was also awarded the Putnam Rotary Club Vocational Service Award. He also served as youth exchange officer for the club and served on the District 7890 Youth Exchange Committee, assisting students with placement in families around the world. He and Arlene opened their home to several exchange students through the years. He was a member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Putnam Lodge of Elks, a member of the Elks National Foundation, a member of the Cargill Council 64, Knights of Columbus and the Msgr. Mathieu Council Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Oscar Swanson American Legion Post 67, the Board of Directors of the Hospice of the Northeast, a corporator of Day Kimball Hospital, where he served as the general chairman of the Annual Giving Appeal for five years. Larry also was member of the board of directors of the former Cargill Bank for more than 25 years. He was a faithful member of St. Mary Church in Putnam, where he assisted on multiple committees and with many projects, including part of the parent group that started the “Circle of Fun.” Larry also was the longtime sexton in charge of the Gate of Heaven Cemetery for the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Putnam.
Larry became an adopted son of Vermont with his marriage to Arlene. When not working, he enjoyed spending many a day in his adopted state. He also appreciated relaxing on the shores of Alexanders Lake in Dayville in their cottage. Larry and Arlene moved to Clermont, Fla., permanently in 2007.
Larry’s beloved wife of 58 years, Arlene F. (Boynton) died in 2017. He leaves three children: John L. Bellerose and his partner, Wendy Monroe, of Newmarket, N.H., David B. Bellerose (Kimberly), of Oxford, Mass., and Kathryn B. Willard (Robert) of Thompson; five grandchildren, Ryan Bellerose (Kat) of Putnam, Alexandra Bellerose of Oxford, Mass., Anneliese Bellerose and her partner, Michael Benoit of Rochdale, Mass., and Emma and Zachary Willard of Thompson; great-grandsons, Raiden, Caleb and Talan; and his brother-in-law, R. Gary Boynton (Kathy Davis) of Shelburne, Vt.. He was predeceased by his sister, Geraldine “Gerri” Carlage in 2010.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at St. Mary Church, Putnam. Per COVID restrictions, masks and social distancing are required in the church. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Rutland, Vt., will be held in the spring. Donations: Matulaitis Rehab and Skilled Care Center, 10 Thurber Rd.; or the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, 600 Liberty Highway, both Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Gerard J. Messier Sr.
PUTNAM — Gerard J. Messier Sr., 78, of School St., died Jan. 2021, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of the late Barbara J. (Heath) Messier. Born Jan. Jan. 9, 1943, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Gerard and Viola (Dragon) Messier.
Mr. Messier worked for 39 years as a button polisher for US Button Corporation, a job that he loved. He enjoyed listening to the piano player and playing bingo with his Matulaitis friends. Before he became ill, he looked forward to family dinner every Monday with his kids and grandkids. He a fixture in the bleachers, cheering for his grandchildren on for every school concert, award ceremony, baseball, basketball, football game and graduation.
He leaves Gerard Messier Jr.; his daughters, Valerie Schrump (Donald) of Putnam, Elizabeth Messier of Putnam, and Cheryl Piligian (Robert) of Putnam;; his grandchildren, Catherine and her husband Bert, Timothy, Heather (Michael), Justin (Angela), Jared (Sarah), and Thomas; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Xavier, Zachary, Amy, Matthew, Skyler, Kadyn, Lexi, Eli, and Trevor, as well as his Matulaitis family. He was predeceased by his son, Joseph Messier.
Services were private. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Carolyn P. Tanajes
DAYVILLE — Carolyn P. Tanajes, 99, of Westview Health Care Center died Jan. 15, 2021. She was born on May 7, 1921, at home in the Phoenixville section of Eastford, the daughter of Victor and Anna (Slowik) Piecyk.
She attended the one-room Phoenixville school, graduated from Woodstock Academy, and then matriculated at the Willimantic State Teachers College, graduating in 1943 to pursue her lifelong love of teaching. During her long career, Carolyn taught in the Eastford, Pomfret, and Putnam school systems retiring in 1979 from Putnam Elementary. A music lover, she was an accomplished piano player, and often incorporated her talent into school programs, creating elaborate costumes and sets to entertain the school children and parents alike.
She spent her retirement years doing what she loved the most, enjoying her own children and grandchildren. Her family will always remember her as a selfless individual, always putting others’ needs above her own.
Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, Joseph R. Tanajes, who died in 2008. She leaves her daughters: daughter Carole Lynn Sheldon (Scott) of Mansfield and Beth Sheldon (Mark) of Eastford; grandson Mark Sheldon Jr. (Catie) of Ashford; granddaughters Lauren Sheldon (fiancé Thomas Brinsko) of Coventry, Marybeth Sheldon (fiancé David King) of Marlborough; great-grandson Mark Sheldon III of Ashford. She was predeceased by three brothers, Victor, Frank and Carroll; two sisters, Stella and Frances. She was a communicant of St. Philip Church in Warrenville. A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 20 with internment at St. Philip Cemetery. Donations: St. Philip Apostle Church in Warrenville. Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic.
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