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Dr. Louise C. Pempek
PUTNAM — Dr. Louise C. Pempek, 86, died April 11, 2020, after a short battle with cancer. She was born in Putnam on Nov. 8, 1933, to Sophie (Kowal) and Loid Cutler. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Joseph V. Pempek.
She leaves her son, J. Scott Pempek, wife Cheryl and two granddaughters: Kristen and Rebecca of Putnam; two sisters, Sandra Ames (David) of Putnam and Carol Lutters (Ken) of Newtown Square, Penn.; nieces and nephews.
Louise graduated from Putnam High in 1951 and pursued higher education at UConn, receiving her bachelor’s in 1955. She went on to earn her master’s in 1960 and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction focusing on science education in 1971.
Louise was a lifelong and accomplished educator beginning her career in 1955 teaching at Woodstock Elementary. She then moved to Poitiers, France teaching for the Army Department School where her husband Joseph was stationed. Louise returned to northeastern Connecticut and touched the lives of many students. While her main focus was on improving primary education, Louise also taught as a professor at local colleges and universities. After spending many years in the classroom, Louise transitioned to an administrative role at Putnam and Killingly Public School systems as well as EASTCONN.
She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including national recognition by the Milken Family Foundation and CT Department of Education, as Connecticut Educator of the Year. She also received the Outstanding Alumni Award from UConn; Putnam’s Teacher of the Year and most recently in 2018, was inducted as a member of the Putnam High School Wall of Honor.
Louise was also a passionate community organizer. She was a charter member of the Aspinock Historical Society and worked to help author many local history publications. She also devoted much of her time and energy to the Windham County 4-H Foundation and the Putnam Congregational Church. Louise received the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce Civic Achievement Award in 2019 for her outstanding community service.
Due to the current circumstances, the funeral will be private and a public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations: The 4-H Foundation of Windham County, 326 Taft Rd Pomfret Center, CT 06259; The Aspinock Historical Society, P.O. Box 465 Putnam, CT 06260; or the Congregational Church of Putnam, P.O. Box 463. Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Gordon Spink Sr.,
National Guard vet
EASTFORD — Gordon Spink Sr. born on June 18, 1945, died April 7, 2020. Born and raised in Eastford, he typified the typical “Outdoor Man” i.e. hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling and moving “things” around with his tractor. He, and his wife Jeannine (Garceau) Spink, enjoyed 53 married years with family and friends, at their cabins in Vermont and on Crystal Pond in Eastford.
Gordon and Jeannine started dating as sophomores while attending Woodstock Academy in 1962. He was a top-shelf soccer player, helping to lead his team to championship level. Upon graduating in 1964, he went to a two-year program at HH Ellis Regional Technical School becoming a tradesman bricklayer.
They married on July 9, 1966, and shortly thereafter, he was a member of the Army National Guard from 1966-1972, while welcoming their two children Gordon, Jr, and Kimberly.
A highlight of his life was his 36-year commitment and dedication to the Eastford Independent Fire Company #1, Inc. beginning as a junior member at 14, serving as lieutenant and captain and veteran member. He followed the Spink tradition of membership beginning with his father charter member Harvey, uncle Ellsworth Sr, paving the path to Gordon Jr. former chief and veteran member, granddaughter Heather, EMR, and Jeannine, EMS captain as an EMT and business officer. He was considered to be the “master” on the operation of Hose Tender HT171.
He leaves his wife, Jeannine, son Gordon, Jr. (Sheryl) of Eastford; daughter Kim of Putnam; brother Lowell (Candee) of Vermont; sister, Gail Scranton of Eastford; brother Paul (Beverly) of Brooklyn; grandchildren Heather, Sara, Nicholas;, “best buddy” blond Lab Emmie.
Services were private with military honors. Donations: EIFC, PO Box 333, Eastford, CT 06242; and North Veterinary Clinic, 118 Ashford Center Road, Ashford, CT 06278. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
‘Seamist’ Beausoleil
DANIELSON — Richard G Beausoleil, fondly known by his friends as “Seamist”, 85, of Reynolds St., formerly of Putnam, died April 7, 2020. Born in 1934 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Euclide and Marie Ange (Petrin) Beausoleil.
Mr. Beausoleil worked as a machine operator at Cranston Print until his retirement in 1999. He enjoyed playing pitch and making his delicious pork pies.
He leaves a daughter, Michelle Nicol (Kevin) of Putnam; his siblings, David Beausoleil of Putnam, Leo Beausoleil of Danielson, and Lucille Nelson of Putnam; four grandchildren, Ethan, Evan, Megan, and Kyle Nicol all of Putnam. He was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Ronald Beausoleil.
A public Mass of Christian Burial and inurnment will take place later. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Eric Deslauriers
PLAINFIELD — Eric Deslauriers, 41, of Park Rd, died April 7, 2020, at Hartford Hospital. Born in 1978 in Putnam, he was the son of Roger Deslauriers of Stafford Springs and the late Susan (Welch) Veilleux.
Mr. Deslauriers worked for many years as a laborer in the construction field. He enjoyed listening to music, snowboarding, and riding his 4-wheeler.
He leaves his father; a son, Christian Deslauriers of Plainfield; siblings, Vikki Parrock of Plainfield and Melissa Waite of Norwich; and his grandson Noah Garrett of Plainfield.
A Funeral Mass and inurnment will be later. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Dominique Fauteux
DANIELSON — Dominique J. Fauteux, 58, of Killingly, died April 7, 2020, at UMass Memorial Hospital. Born in 1962 in Sherbrooke, P.Q. Canada, she was the daughter of Rita (Lamoureux) Fauteux and the late Gaetan Fauteux and moved to the U.S. in 1966.
Dominique was an operations officer for bankHometown. She attended the Connecticut School of Banking and worked for Cargill Bank, Norwich Savings Society, Baystate Savings Bank before joining Millbury Savings Bank as the operations manager in April of 2017. When they merged with Hometown Bank in 2019, Dominique joined forces with the operations staff at the main office in Oxford. She was known for her strong work ethic and attention to detail.
She had her own mechanics’ tools and had learned from her father to do maintenance on her vehicles. She never walked away from hard work and especially liked working with her hands sanding and painting. She enjoyed photography, loved to walk on the beach and especially loved her cats: “Sonny and Cher.” She was a sincere and loyal comrade.
In addition to her mother Rita, she leaves her sister Lyne (Fauteux) Grillo (Jean-Pierre); a large family in the province of Quebec and special friends.
Donations: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Julie Deso-Pizzotti
WORCESTER — Julie L. Deso-Pizzotti, 67, of Sterling St, died March 30, 2020, in Woodstock
Born in 1952 in Redding, Calif., she was the daughter of the late Charles E Hopper and Virginia A. (Hill) Mapes.
Mrs. Deso-Pizzotti was a passionate reader. She would often finish a book in a single day. She loved to sing and make people laugh, always considered the life of the party.
She leaves her daughters Jenny Mossey, Jody Herrera, Jamie Deso-Palaima and Jillian Deso-Webber; grandchildren Nicole & Amanda Mossey, James & Chloe Herrera, Adaline & Harry Webber; great-granddaughter Ada’Mae Garner. She was predeceased by her parents, Virginia A. Mapes and Charles E. Hopper, her stepfather Douglas O. Mapes and her sister Kristy A. Masterson.
Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.
Eugenia Kubiak
Eugenia Mary (Evanski) Kubiak died March 21, 2020, at Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Center in Natick, Mass. She was a lifelong resident of Webster and Dudley. Affectionately known as Nanny, she was a wife and mother of six. She always helped provide for her family working as a stay-at-home mom, part-time restaurant server, and in service to our nation during WWII sewing military gun and tank covers for Waterhouse Co., Webster.
Devoutly religious, she donated her time to the church as a Rosary Sodality member and a long time Catechism teacher. In later years, she opened her home to her children in times of need.
She leaves three sons: Paul Kubiak and his partner Mary Nickerson of Quinebaug, Robert Kubiak (Joan) of Yarmouth Port, Mass.; Joseph Kubiak (Gwen) of Oak Hill, Va.; 11 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Frances Evanski; her sister Rosalie Gregoire; husband Joseph of 55 years; daughters Judith Kubiak, Joan Racicot, and Patricia Greenlief; grandson Paul Kubiak Jr., and granddaughter Melissa Greenlief.
Donations: Local parishes of Dudley and Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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