Armur ‘Buster’ Houle,

WWII vet

N. GROSVENORDALE — Armur “Buster” Houle, 92, a lifelong resident of N. Grosvenordale, died Sept. 16, 2015, at Southbridge Rehabilitation and Care Center.  He was the husband of the late Laurette (Dumont) Houle.  Born in 1923 in N. Grosvenordale, he was the son of the late Thomas and Sylvia (Hamel) Houle.

Mr. Houle attended St. Joseph School in N. Grosvenordale and worked at the cotton mill in N. Grosvenordale. In 1943 Buster enlisted in the Army and did his basic training at Ft. Dix, N.J. He was assigned to the ambulance corps as a driver picking up wounded soldiers at the aid station and bringing them to the field hospital. After being wounded he was sent back to the U.S. where he met his wife Laurette Dumont who was in the Navy. They soon were married both wearing their uniforms. They were married for 51 years. She died in 1996.

Buster worked for the State of Connecticut Highway Department for more than 25 years before retiring and opening his own tool sharpening shop. He was also a part-time school bus driver and runner for Putnam Ford.

He was very active in the American Legion Oscar Swanson Post#67 where he held all the offices and was also a fourth district post commander.

He leaves a grandson Michael Plotczyk of Queensbury, N.Y.; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, a daughter Lorraine (Houle) Plotczyk; three brothers George, Albert, and Gerald Houle, and six sisters Alberta Therien, Cicele Noiseux, Noelle Beaudry, Adeline Lamare, Alphonsine St. Germaine, and Georgette Morin. 

Visitation is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 23 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT.  Burial follows in St. Joseph Cemetery. 

 

Robert ‘Bob’ Lepire,

Army vet

DAYVILLE — Robert “Bob” L. Lepire, 76, of Country Club Rd., died Sept. 14, 2015, at St. Joseph Living Center in Willimantic after a lengthy illness.  He was the husband of Madeleine (Labonte) Lepire for 49 years.  Born in 1939 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Edward and Lillian (Vaillant) Lepire.

Mr. Lepire attended St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale before entering the U.S. Army. Upon being honorably discharged he went to work in the woodworking field until his retirement. Bob enjoyed playing golf.

In addition to his wife, he leaves a son Shawn Lepire (Jessica) of Dayville; a sister Pauline Menoche of Thompson; and his two grandchildren Jonathan Lepire of Dayville and Cassandra Lepire of Sterling.

A graveside service was Sept. 21 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

Kasia M. Jurczyk

POMFRET CENTER —  Kasia M. Jurczyk, 27, died Sept. 12, 2015, in Georgia.  Born in 1988 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Craig and Brigitte (Boisvert) Jurczyk.

Kasia was a graduate of Woodstock Academy where she was a member of the track and field, and soccer teams.  She was last employed as a waitress for Prime 82 in Norwich.  She enjoyed dancing, music and especially spending quality time with her daughter.  She had an infectious laugh and a smile that could light up any room.  She touched many with her love of life and her adventurous spirit.

In addition to her parents, she leaves her daughter, Caedence Estel Jurczyk of Pomfret; her brother, Stone Alexander Jurczyk of Pomfret Center, and attending URI School of Engineering; her maternal grandparents, Armand and Muriel  (Morris) Boisvert of Woodstock; her paternal grandmother, Carol Burzycki of Danielson; godparents/uncle and aunt, Brian and Johanne Bates of Pomfret Center; aunts and uncles, Marc Boisvert of New Haven, Roger and Paula Boisvert of Thompson, Mariel Boisvert Njuguna of Worcester; Jean-Louis and Jamie Boisvert of Woodstock, Jim Kondratowicz of Danielson, and Arlene Jurczyk of Danielson.  She was predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Alexander Jurczyk.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 22 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret with burial in Quasset Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations: Help Bring Kasia Home, For: Brigitte and Craig Jurczyk on the Go Fund Me Page:  https://www.youcaring.com/brigitte-and-craig-jurczyk-432912#.VfaS9eutofy.facebook   Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Marshall B. Kronholm

WOODSTOCK —  On Oct. 4, 1931, Marshall Brown Kronholm was born to Mary Madeline and Conrad John Kronholm in New Britain.  Also present was his only sibling, Conrad, two years and three months old at that time.  They were to become close and best friends for life.  

Marshall died Sept. 15, 2015.

Due to the Depression, his father lost his job, and the family was forced to move often, about a dozen times over the years.  They lived with their aunt Anna Daley on her abandoned farm and their grandmother Charlotte in New Britain.  Their mother suggested that their father go to hairdresser school in West Hartford.  He did and he eventually opened two salons in West Hartford.  They bought a home and the boys were able to get good educations.  Marshall went to Kingswood and received a bachelor’s from Trinity College and then a few years later returned to earn a master’s in mathematics from Wesleyan University.  

In the Air Force, Marshall flew a single engine jet and a refueling KC97 in SAC.  A few years later he flew both fixed wing and helicopters in the CT National Guard.  Marshall worked for United Air Craft but went on to start his own manufacturing company.

At 69 he met, fell in love with and married the very best person he ever knew, Dr. Christine Madaski.  She brought an awareness of an appreciation for many things missing in his life.  He never loved anyone so completely.

The Funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

Mary C. Roberts

WOODSTOCK — Mary C. Roberts, 88 of Woodstock, died Sept. 12, 2015, at the Westview Nursing Home in Dayville.  She was the wife of Preston T. Roberts, who died in 2006. She was born July 1, 1927, in New York City, daughter of the late William and Marie J. (Gumber) Cuff.  She attended public schools in New York and graduated from Riverhead High School in 1944.  She worked in the executive offices of AT&T for several years before her marriage.

She has made her home in Woodstock for the last 60 years.  Mary was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Woodstock, where she served on many committees and boards. She was a former president of the Woodstock Garden Club, and a member of the Woodstock Historical Society, the Woodstock Young Homemakers and the Woodstock Theft Detection Society. She had also served as treasurer of the Bracken Memorial Library. Mary was a great supporter of the Woodstock Academy’s Music Program for many years. 

She leaves her son, Richard Roberts (Melissa) of Wethersfield; grandchildren Amelia Roberts and Thomas Roberts; nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her son David Roberts in 1981, and her siblings Emil Weichand, Ethel Moffitt, and William Cuff Jr. 

A Memorial Service will be at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, Rt. 169, Woodstock. Donations: David Roberts Memorial Fund, Woodstock Academy, Woodstock, CT 06281; or Preston Roberts Scholarship Fund, Woodstock Agricultural Society, Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

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