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WOODSTOCK — Bernard A. Phaneuf, 84, of Woodstock, died Feb. 20, 2023, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, following a long battle with heart disease. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was an entrepreneur with a keen ability to transform struggling businesses into successful ventures.
Born Dec. 23, 1938, in Putnam to Lawrence Phaneuf and Alice LeClaire Phaneuf, he graduated in 1956 from Woodstock Academy.
Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 through 1958, he was honorably discharged as a corporal, and attended Norwich Commercial College.
Following his military service, he met his wife, Janice A. Benoit of Putnam. They were married on Oct. 7, 1961, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam and celebrated their 61st anniversary shortly before he entered Massachusetts General Hospital last autumn.
For 35 years he held administrative and executive positions at American Standard Corp. in Plainfield, Glass Container Corp. in Killingly, United Abrasives in Windham and Bay State/Sterling in Westborough, Mass.
He acquired Bay State/Sterling in 1994, transforming the struggling abrasives manufacturer into a thriving business that was successfully sold three years later.
In 2000, he purchased The Woodstock Line Company in Putnam, expanding the high-quality braiding and fishing line business until his retirement in 2021.
He loved collecting antiques, gardening, caring for his pets, and rooting for the UConn women’s basketball team.
A man of deep faith, in 1986 he was ordained a Roman Catholic deacon in the Diocese of Norwich and served at St. Mary’s Parish in Putnam for 20 years.
He leaves his wife; three daughters and sons-in-law, Allison and Mark Bertorelli of Farmington, Mary and Dr. David Wilterdink of Brooklyn, and Heather and Daniel Page of Simsbury; one son and daughter-in-law, Keith Phaneuf and Jenna Carlesso of Farmington; two granddaughters, Mara and Aerin Bertorelli of Farmington; one sister, Constance Black of East Hartford. He was predeceased by three brothers, Lawrence Phaneuf Jr., Robert Phaneuf, and Richard Phaneuf and by one sister, Genevieve Phaneuf.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., March 2, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Providence Street, Putnam. Relatives and friends are invited to gather directly at the church. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
The Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, P. O. Box 665, Putnam, CT 06260.
Armand G. Boisvert
PUTNAM — Armand G. Boisvert, 87, of Sabin St., formerly of Woodstock, died Feb. 23, 2023, at Day Kimball Hospital.
Born in 1936 in St. Hermenegilde, Quebec, Canada, he was the son of the late Emile and Parmelia (Brodeur) Boisvert. On Feb. 24, 1962, in Cap-de-LeMadeleine, Canada he was united in marriage to Muriel (Maurice) Boisvert.
Always a hard worker, a trait likely learned growing up on a farm and logging in his early years, Armand dedicated his professional life to the construction industry. He started with Ray Allard & Son, and eventually retired as the Head of Safety for C.R. Klewin Construction Company, where he proudly served as a key part of the team who built the first phases of Foxwoods Casino. In addition to his rigorous full-time work, over the years he took on side work, sometimes with the help of his children in the early years, and later helping them with their homes and businesses.
He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in New Hampshire, as well as the Canadian National Guard. Armand taught himself English and read the newspaper each day. He could be seen on his regular walks, especially in recent years with his dog, a Papillion named Fairway. Armand enjoyed keeping his property in pristine condition but, above all he cherished the quality time he had with his grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He spent countless hours giving rides, attending sporting and school events and supporting his family locally, while remaining close to his family in Canada.
Armand is survived by his wife of 61 years, Muriel (Maurice) Boisvert; his children, Brigitte Jurczyk (Craig) of Pomfret, Marc Boisvert of Danielson, Johanne Bates (Brian) of Waterford, Roger Boisvert (Paula) of Thompson, Mariel Boisvert of Worcester, and Jean-Louis “John” Boisvert (Jaime) of Woodstock; his siblings, Rene Boisvert of Quaticook, Quebec, Canada, and Yvon Boisvert of St. Hermenegilde, Quebec, Canada; 25 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Kasia Jurczyk, and siblings: Edgar Boisvert, Albert Boisvert, Felix Boisvert, Réal Boisvert, Adrian Boisvert, André Boisvert, Denise Boisvert, Claire Audet, and Yvonne Peloquin.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. March 3 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. March 4 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret Road, Pomfret. Reception follows the Mass at Grill 37, 37 Putnam Rd, Pomfret.
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