- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Richard Lefevre,
U.S. Army vet
PUTNAM — Richard Lefevre, 75, of River Rd., died Nov. 11, 2022, at home. He was the husband of Laura (Andersen) Lefevre. Born in 1947 in Putnam, he was the son of the late William and Lillian (Chausse) Lefevre.
Mr. Lefevre worked as an auto mechanic for many years, but was a jack of all trades.
Richard served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict and was an active member of the VFW.
In addition to his wife, Laura, he leaves his children, Catherine, Richard Jr., Sara, Josh, and Patrick (PJ); 18 grandchildren, Rose, Faith, Dustin, Dane, Rachael, Allison, Patrick, Michael, Barrett, Ashley, Madison, Christopher, Willow, Aurora, Emily, Dominic, Mason, and Landon; and seven great-grandchildren, Electra, Riley, Scarlett, Jackson, Clayton, Silas, and Maizy.
Cremation services have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.
Rev. Monsignor
Richard P. LaRocque
PUTNAM — The Reverend Monsignor Richard P. LaRocque, 84, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mary Church in Stonington, died Oct. 28, 2022, at Matulaitis Nursing Home, Putnam. He was born in Portland, Maine, the son of Lionel and Blanche LaRocque. Monsignor LaRocque attended St. Mary’s School, Putnam, and the Oblate Seminary, in Buckport and Bar Harbor, Maine. He received his priestly formation at St. Brieuc, France and was ordained a Priest for service in the Diocese of Norwich, on June 29, 1963, at St. Mary Church, Putnam, by Most Reverend Vincent J. Hines, Bishop of Norwich.
Monsignor LaRocque served as pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes, Gales Ferry; St. Mary, Putnam; St. Edward, Stafford Springs; Christ the King, Old Lyme; and St. Mary, Stonington. He was appointed World Chaplain for the International Catholic Conference of Scouting in 1989 and appointed Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II in 1992. He served as the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of Norwich for 23 years. He was also a member of the Norwich Diocesan College of Consultors, Presbyteral Council, and Continuing Education and Formation Commission.
Monsignor LaRocque was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Lorraine LaRocque; his brothers, Raymond LaRocque, and John LaRocque. He leaves his sisters, Theresa Humes and Susan Miour; a brother, Deacon Leo LaRocque; nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass for the Repose of His Soul was Nov. 3 at St. Mary Church, Stonington. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Providence Street, Putnam. Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice. Woyasz and Son Funeral Home.
Susanne Viens Surprise
SWEET WATER, Tenn. — Susanne Marie Viens Surprise, 75, a resident of Sweet Water died suddenly Oct. 12, 2022 at home.
She was born Dec. 6, 1946, in Putnam, daughter of the late Raymond Oliver Viens and Georgette Claire Dumas. She attended St. Mary School and Putnam Catholic Academy in Putnam. She worked in the offices as a receptionist at U.S. Plastic plant in Putnam and then went worked until retirement at Xtra Mart in Thompson.
Susanne enjoyed traveling, spending time with her family, and had a tremendous love of animals. She loved her Keeshond dog, Shelley. She will be remembered for her big heart.
In addition to her parents she is predeceased by her husband, David Allen Surprise Sr. a Marine veteran. Susanne leaves her sister, Phyllis Viens of Plainfield; stepson, David Allen Surprise Jr. of Putnam; a stepdaughter, Brenda Lee Tremblay (Raymond James Tremblay) of Athens, Tenn.; three grandsons, Nicholas Tremblay, Raymond James Tremblay Jr., and Riley Surprise; one granddaughter Heather Tremblay and one great-grandson Jackson Adams.
The family and friends will be celebrating her death at a later date at St. Mary Catholic Church in Athens, Tenn. Donations: Brenda Tremblay (stepdaughter), 285 County Rd., 53 Athens TN 37303
Marion ‘Toot’ Lapierre
EASTFORD — Marion “Toot” Lapierre, 82, of Eastford, died Nov. 9, 2022. She was the wife of the late Oliver Lapierre who died in 2013.
She was born March 16, 1940 in Willimantic, daughter of the late Raymond and Emelda (Desrosiers) Ives.
Marion worked at UConn in the School of Special Education for 30 years as administrative assistant to Dr. A. J. Pappanikou. She enjoyed scrap booking, crocheting, sewing, loved music, played the accordion and was an excellent cook. Over the years Marion opened her home to many teenagers that needed a home.
She leaves her children John “Jack” Vinal of Eastford, Paul Vinal and his partner Donna Caracino of Eastford, Kim Stanton of Kingsville, Md., Wendy Roy of Eastford, step-children David Vinal (Sharon) of Pensacola, Fla., Darrin Vinal and his fiancée Kimberly Gentile of Maricopa, Ariz., grandchildren Crystal Stanton, Benjamin Stanton, Nicholas Vinal, Judy Krupula, Kevin Vinal, Danny Vinal, Gary Vinal, Adam Roy, James Roy, Matthew Roy, Justin Vinal; great grandchildren River Stanton, Paige Krupula, Logan Vinal, Landon Vinal, Piper Vinal, Reagan Roy, Ryan Roy, Hannah Roy; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Raymond T. Ives and Harold “Dub” Doane.
The Memorial Service will be at 5 p.m. Nov. 20 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam with calling hour will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Donations: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516; or Disabled American Veterans at donate.dav.org/donate.
.