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Philip Shaffer
PUTNAM — Philip Shaffer, 62, of Woodstock Ave, died Feb. 16, 2021, at home. Born in 1959 in New Haven, he was the son of Robert A. Shaffer of Putnam and the late Irene (Shea) Shaffer.
Philip was a devoted caretaker of his parents for the last 14 years allowing them to live independently. He enjoyed freshwater fishing, camping and cooking for family gatherings.
He leaves his father, Robert Shaffer of Putnam; his three brothers, Robert Shaffer (Lisa) of Situate, R.I., Timothy Shaffer (Deborah) of Griswold, and Christopher Shaffer and his companion Sandy Goyette of Putnam; his sister, Susan Kachur (David) of Putnam; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Irene (Shea) Shaffer.
Visitation is from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 26 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a funeral service at 1 in the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit, P.O. Box 419, Putnam, CT 06260.
Gail S. McElroy
POMFRET — Gail (Sutherlund) McElroy, 85, of Blossom Dr., died unexpectedly Jan. 14, 2021 at Day Kimball Hospital, a month shy of her 86th birthday, Gail was a legend in her own time and beloved by family, friends, and many acquaintances. Born in 1935 in W. Roxbury, Mass., she was the daughter of the late John and Sarah (Cameron) Sutherland and one of seven children.
She left the Boston suburb with her childhood sweetheart, love of her life, and, ultimately husband of 59 years, Robert McElroy. They married in 1956; Gail was 19 and Bob 20. After settling in Ridgefield, Bob and Gail raised two sons, Kevin and Kenneth, and became well known for their backyard pool parties, neighborhood gatherings, and small get-togethers.
Gail loved to bring people together, cook elegant meals, and entertain friends and family from near and far. Preparing a multi-course meal for dozens was an art she perfected as she held multiple annual and holiday gatherings, and reunions of her seven and Bob’s 10 siblings, and their spouses, and eventually all their children. Any occasion with Gail in attendance was enriched by her presence and positive personality.
Bob and Gail relocated to Pomfret to be near family and leave the crowded suburbs after Bob retired. After arriving Pomfret and seeking to make friends and get involved in her new community, Gail immediately got involved the Pomfret Senior Association, Pomfret Democratic Town Committee, and in recent years, The Quiet Corner Shouts. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper at the Learning Clinic in Pomfret. Gail quickly developed a reputation as spirted and outspoken. Small in stature, Gail never let that get in the way of her expressing her strongly held opinions, particularly when it came to politics, generally to the amusement of her friends on the Pomfret Democratic Town Committee. Gail was recognized in 2018 with a citation from Governor Malloy for her commitment and service to her community and Town Committee. Not an election went by that she was not engaged by letter writing, phone banking, envelope stuffing, or driving candidates door to door.
The “Energizer Bunny” was a term frequently used to describe Gail as she was always on the move. Frequent trips to Danbury for hair appointments and the Stew Leonard’s pipeline, a regular at Deb’s place in Killingly, Baker’s Dozen in Pomfret, and the Sole Proprietor in Worcester, Gail loved to go out and celebrate and was always dressed and coifed immaculately.
Gail was predeceased by her husband Bob six years ago when her heart was broken. They grew up across the street from each other and were inseparable from an early age. Bob gave Gail the nickname ‘Mrs. Angel Princess’ and treated her just that way. Gail drove Bob to local nursing homes where he played piano, by ear, for the entertainment of residents as he faced early Alzheimer’s disease. After his passing, life without Bob was lacking the spark that made life so meaningful.
She leaves sons, Kevin McElroy (Lynell) of Danbury, and Kenneth McElroy of Pomfret; her sisters, Linda Witkowski and Pamela Soucy, both of Farmington; her brothers-in-law; John McElroy, Richard McElroy, and her grandchildren; Caitlin Moore, Kelly Jean McElroy, Jonathan Sakolsky, and Russell Sakolsky. She was predeceased by her siblings; Robert Sutherland, Jay Sutherland, Patricia Bringham, and Joan Chesney.
There will be a celebration of life, along with a visitation and Mass of Christian Burial, held at a later date when it is safe for family, friends, and acquaintances to come together and celebrate Gail. Donations: NAMI Windham County (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 22 Frank St., Putnam, CT 06260-1710, (860) 928-5947, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or Go Red for Women at American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005; or to the Pomfret Democratic Town Committee, 233 Pomfret St., Pomfret Center, CT 06259. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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