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Robert F. Clemens,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Robert F. Clemens, 93, of Putnam died May 31, 2019, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was born Oct. 30, 1925, in Putnam, son of Charles H. and Ellen (Sandstrom) Clemens.
On Nov. 16, 1946, Bob married the love of his life, Jeannette Gosselin. They were married more than 63 years when she died in 2010. Together, they built their home and raised their family on Munyan Road where he resided until April 29, 2019. He and Jeannette loved family times, dancing, gardening and traveling to all 50 states. Bob also enjoyed woodworking and shared that love by co-leading the 4-H Club, The East Putnam Live Wires.
Bob was a WWII veteran and member of American Legion Post #13, VFW Post #1523, Putnam Lodge of Elks #574, Survivors of Iwo Jima Association, Putnam Grange #97 and a past president of both the West Thompson Cemetery Assn. and the local AARP.
Bob worked at Whittemore’s Greenhouse and then began his career as a truck driver for G.L. Place Trucking. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater with the 5thMarine Division, which spearheaded the invasion of Iwo Jima. In 1946 he returned to work at G.L. Place until he bought the trucking rights and began R.F. Clemens and Sons Transportation in 1969. In 1984 he retired and sold the business to his sons.
He leaves his children, Linda Picciarelli (Vincent) of Brooklyn and Florida, Robert Clemens Jr (Cora) of Putnam, Roxanne Swidrak (John) of Florida and Lebanon, Mark Clemens (Bette) of Putnam; nine grandchildren: Maryann Picciarelli (David Labossiere), Amy Jankins (Brian), Heather Picciarelli (Bounti Phommachanh), Mindy Diamantopoulos (Christopher), Tami Stein (Nathan), Lori Solazzo (Matthew), Ryan Clemens (Sarah), Leslie Brothers (Shaun), Michael Swidrak (Tiffany Reynolds); 19 great0grandchildren: Ashley, Kayla, Emma, Evan, Ella, Cash, Jayden, Abigail, Dylan, Courtney, Lucas, Quinn, Brendan, Hannah, Camryn, Gabriel, Madison, Natalie and Lilly, as well as, Nathan, Madison, Chris, Lyv and Cam; sister Ethel Parker of Dayville; sister-in-law Pauline Woodis, brother-in-law Richard (Dick) Richmond. He was predeceased by three siblings, Harry, Charles, and Elizabeth (Betty).
The Funeral was June 4 at the Putnam Baptist Church with burial with military honors in W. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Hospice and Palliative Care of NECT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or Putnam Baptist Church. Smith and Walker Funeral Home 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Roger V. Bourdeau
THOMPSON — Roger V. Bourdeau, 64, of Church St, died peacefully May 29, 2019, at the UMass Memorial Healthcare, Worcester. He was the husband of Paula (McQueen) Bourdeau. Born in 1954 in Ware, Mass., he was the son of the late Robert and Josephine (Lorence) Bourdeau.
Roger worked in sales for several businesses including Safety-Kleen, R. Sparrow Hicks, Loomis Real Estate, and Lundgren Honda. Roger loved listening to and playing music. He enjoyed singing, collecting records and played a variety of instruments. Roger loved going on road trips and spending time with family.
In addition to his wife, he leaves children, Jessica Aguilar (Omar) of Anaheim, Calif., Christopher Bourdeau (Lorena) of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Matthew Bourdeau (Alyssa) of Boston; two sisters Diane Arnesen of Hampden, Mass., and Joan Callanan of Pasadena, Calif.; two grandchildren, Declan and Penelope. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Bourdeau.
The Funeral Mass was June 5 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Glenn ‘Drifty’ Dumas
PUTNAM — Glenn “Drifty” Dumas, 57, of Arthur St., died peacefully May 28, 2019, at home. For 28 years he was the husband and soul mate of Donna (Waterhouse) Dumas. Born in 1962 in Putnam, he was the son of Ernest Harvey Dumas and the late Theresa (Sarette) Dumas.
Glenn owned and operated Thompson Tool in N. Grosvenordale for 12 years. He worked as a tool maker for Whitcraft and others machine shops over the years. He took pride in the work he created.
Glenn was an active member and permittee for the Thompson Rod and Gun Club and an active member of Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed golfing, boating and riding his motorcycle. He especially loved taking cruises through the Caribbean with his wife Donna. A favorite destination of his was Aruba.
Glenn was a most generous and charitable man, who would provide his DJ services to any good cause. He also enjoyed coaching basketball for the youth of the community. Glen was known to always be smiling, a “happy-go-lucky” guy.
He leaves two sons, Michael Hart of Danielson and Timothy Hart (Ashley) of Chaplin; two brothers, Ronald Dumas (Donna) of Florida, Arthur Dumas (Audra) of Colorado.; two sisters, Diane DiVincenzo (Richard) of Putnam, Joyce Dumas and partner George Tsirogianis of Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Nora Anderson and Anson Hart.
A Celebration of his Life will take place at 1 p.m. June 9 at the Thompson rod and Gun Club. Donations: Disabled American Veterans or the Thompson Rod & Gun Kids Fishing Derby. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Judith A. LaCapra
THOMPSON — Judith Anne (Orrall) LaCapra, 62, of Lambert Rd., died May 4, 2019, of a sudden heart attack at home. She was the wife of William A. LaCapra. Born Dec. 25, 1956, in Melrose, Mass., she was the daughter of the late John and Charlotte (Crosier) Orrall.
She enjoyed her family, her animals, her home, cooking and gardening. She especially enjoyed helping seniors and veterans while working at the Market Basket.
Judy graduated from Lynnfield High, Lynnfield, Mass., in 1975. She attended New England College 1975-1977, where she met her husband. Judy graduated magna cum laude from Hartford Art School, University of Hartford in 1981.
On Aug. 4, 1979 at the Centre Congregational Church in Lynnfield, Judy was united in marriage to William A. LaCapra.
Judy spent most of her career working in the food industry. She opened and operated ECS Graphics in Prospect from 1986-1990, where she produced weekly food flyers for many of the area’s independent grocery stores. From 1991-1995 she was a store associate at One Stop Deli in Woodstock. She then joined United Natural Foods from 1997-2005 as advertising production coordinator. Judy was currently working at the Market Basket grocery store in Oxford, Mass., starting in the kitchen and then moved to the front end of the store. She was employed there for the last six years.
She leaves her husband of 40 years, William A. LaCapra of Thompson; her sister Nancy Marquis (Wayne) of Danvers, Mass.; sister-in-Law Kathy Orrall, N. Andover, Mass.; sister-in-Law Lori LaCapra, S. Windsor; brother -in-Law George LaCapra (Suzanne) of Watertown; sister-in-law Nancy Iagrossi of Del Ray, Fla.; uncle Roy Orrall, Winchester, Mass.; uncle Robert and aunt Nancy (Crosier) McKersie of Arlington, Mass. She was predeceased by her brother Peter Orrall.
There will be a celebration of her life for family and friends with the date and location forthcoming. Donations: Northeast Animal Shelter.org and the American Heart Association. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
M. ‘Jimmy’ Vaida
EASTFORD — Mitchell “Jimmy” James Vaida of Eastford died May 21, 2019, after a brief illness.
Mitchell was born on March 3, 1953, in Springfield, Mass., to Mitchell and Dale Vaida. He spent his youth in Collingswood, N.J., moving to Connecticut in the early 1990s to be near family.
Mitchell was a gentle soul who had a green thumb, a great palate and a passion for cooking and food. His joy was to share his love of food with everyone. He was an avid gardener who loved to share his vegetables and world-class salsa with all who knew him. A meal prepared by Mitchell was a special treat. He loved music and dancing and the company of friends.
He leaves his sisters: Sylvia Dumm (Oregon), Patricia Lower (Texas), Gayle Penney (New York) and a brother Bryan Vaida of Connecticut; nieces, nephews and cousins. Mitchell is also survived by his very good friend Carol Ruh. Burial will be at a later date.
Joseph Cleary Sr.,
Air Force vet
DANIELSON — Joseph (Joe) A. Cleary Sr., 81, died June 1, 2019 at the Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam. He was the husband of the late Tatjaina (Kaulins) Cleary who died in 2000.
He was born in Gardner, Mass., son of the late Edward Cleary and Emma (Perry) Sutela and lived in Danielson for the past eight years prior to that living in Webster. Joe was a U.S. Air Force veteran. He was the Fleet maintenance director for Sweet Life Foods in Northborough. He did mechanical work all his life. He was a member of the N. Grafton Auxiliary Fire Dept.
He leaves his daughters, Nancy Entwistle (Mark) of Millbury, Mass., Pamela Mort (David) of Douglas, Mass.; a son Andrew Cleary (Tina) of Georgia; his companion Elaine Couillard of Danielson; a brother Reino Sutela of Washington; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Joseph Cleary Jr. and a sister and brother. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, 320 Pomfret St. Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Nancy C. McCombs,
Marine vet
KILLINGLY — Nancy C. McCombs, 79, died May 29, 2019, at William W. Backus Hospital, Norwich. She was the wife of Boyd L. McCombs who died in 2017.
She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., daughter of the late Morris Nuttall and Evelyn (Fawley) Nuttell and lived in Killingly most of her life. Nancy was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran. Nancy drove school bus for the town of Killingly for many years. She was a member of the Betty Putnam Chapter 106 Order of the Eastern Star.
She leaves a son, James Budarz and his companion Carol Jones.of Griswold; two stepsons, Bret Chamberline of New York and Bart Chamberline of Mystic; four grandchildren and one great-grandson. She was predeceased by a brother, Everett Nuttall of Pomfret. Donations: The Betty Putnam Chapter 106 Order of the Eastern Star. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Lillian Ozaniak
DUDLEY/WILSONVILLE — Lillian M. (Chupka) Ozaniak, 87, died May 27, 2019. She was the wife of John A. Ozaniak who died Dec. 21, 2013.
She leaves her daughter Patricia Cahill of Dudley with which she made her home; a son Steven Ozaniak (Cathy) of Webster; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; a brother Paul Chupka (Elizabeth) of Kentucky; a brother-in-law Adam Ozaniak (Terry) of Webster; a sister-in-law Auore Ozaniak of Webster. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law Stephen Ozaniak.
She was born in Hartford, daughter of the late John Chupka and Mary (Waslconsky) Chupka living in Dudley since 2014, prior to that living in Wilsonville since 1953.
She was a graduate of East Douglas High, Class of 1950. She was a hairdresser for 51 years, working at Carrie’s Beauty Salon. She was active at St. Anthony of Padua Church singing in the Church Choir and with the group singing for the Pope in Rome.
Donations: Team Barbara Alzheimer’s Assoc., 100 North Pkwy. Suite 105, Worcester, MA 01605; Hospice; or the Community Cat Connection, 289 Thompson, Rd., Webster; or Central MA Hospice, 191 Pakachaoag Ave., Auburn, MA 01501. The Mass of Christian Burial was May 31 in St. Anthony of Padua Church, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Sheldton Service
WOODSTOCK — A Celebration of Life for Wayland N. Sheldon Jr., who died May 6, 2019, will be held at 1 p.m. June 9 in the Agriculture Building at the Woodstock Fairgrounds, Rt. 169, Woodstock. Please bring your own chairs. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Edwards service
PUTNAM — Hazel Edwards, 94, of Putnam, died on Jan., 23, 2019, in Putnam. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. June 8 at the Congregational Church of Putnam, Main Street, Putnam, with burial to follow in Grove Street Cemetery. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St. Putnam.
Faucher celebration
PUTNAM — A Celebration of Life honoring Bob Faucher will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. June 15 at the Putnam Elks Lodge on Edmond Street. The Elks will perform their Ritual for Deceased Members at 1. Following the ritual, attendees will be invited to share a few words, a memory. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in N. Grosvenordale. Light refreshments served. Casual gathering.
Gendron service
DANIELSON — George L. Gendron, Jr. 85, of Danielson, died, Oct.15, 2018. A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. June 14, 2019, at Holy Cross Cemetery on Maple Street, Danielson, followed by a brunch at the United Methodist Church, 9 Spring St., Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
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