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Champions
The Pomfret Community School girls’ softball team won the championship of the Quinebaug Valley Junior Conference. Seated left to right; Avery Collin, Olivia Mawson. First row , standing; Ela Gadoury, Alyson Bunning, Isabella Mawson, Riley Titchen, Gianna Materas, Erica Arpin. Back row standing: Coach Karen Clarke, Michaela LaFlamme, Jillian Plouffe, Corinne, LaMontagne, Sophia Scandalito, Gigi Garcia, Grace DelSanto. Photo by Phyllis LaBelle.

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captions:

In Front
Tony Jaimes, Pete Cunha and Mel Jaimes pose in front of the salon. Courtesy photos.

Haircut
Pete Cunha gives a haircut to a Matulaitis resident.


Great guys
give back
on Dad's Day
PUTNAM — Men are greatly outnumbered at Matulaitis Rehabilitation and Skilled Care in Putnam (and nationally).  Only 18.8 percent of the long-term care residents are men so many activities are geared toward women.
In the months before Father’s Day, the Matulaitis Family Council came up with a unique way to honor the fathers in the facility.  On June 15, three professional barbers from “A Gentleman’s Choice Barbershop” in Putnam volunteered for a few hours to give some male residents a Father’s Day shave and haircut.
“What a fantastic afternoon”, said Denise Harkins, Matulaitis Family Council chairperson. “There were some great friendly exchanges when a resident, a Yankee fan, saw the ‘B’ on the barber’s hat. It was real guy stuff!”  And “guy stuff” and comradery are often what male residents crave.
Tony Jaimes, Pete Cunha and Mel Jaimes are barbers at A Gentleman’s Choice Barbershop on Kennedy Drive. They turned the salon at Matulaitis into a man cave!  They gave haircuts and shaves and companionship to about 12 male residents.
They enjoyed the residents and chatted easily with each one. Men who seldom speak were talking and smiling.
“We’re just three great guys giving back!”, said Pete Cunha

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Stephen J.  Rechner,
National Guard
INDIAN LAND, S.C. — Stephen John Rechner, 89, died June 9, 2019, in Indian Land. He was born Jan. 2, 1930, in New York City, N.Y., to the late Stephen John Rechner and Rose Marek Rechner.  He served in the Army National Guard for 25 years rising to the rank of captain before being honorably discharged.  He was the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor’s from Brooklyn College and a master’s degree from UConn.
Highlights of his 40-year career include several years as editor for the Hartford Courant followed by several years as the public affairs director at Eastern Connecticut State College. Throughout his life Stephen was an avid reader who enjoyed photography, collecting antique cameras and electric trains, volunteering at Roseland Cottage, an historic New England home in Woodstock, and teaching German at a local community college in Connecticut where he lived until last October.
He leaves his wife of 64 years, Joan Miller Rechner; his daughter, Kathleen Swatkoski (William); son Stephen Rechner; his grandson Peter Wacelitz (Jamie) and two great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Noah.
Donations: for Roseland Cottage at: https://www.historicnewengland.org/get-involved/donate/ There will be a Military Burial Service at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Fla. later this year.

Paula M. Nelson
WOODSTOCK — Paula M. Nelson, 84, of Harrisville Road, died June 15, 2019. She was born March 31, 1935, in Putnam, daughter of the late Louis H. and Leone (Daigle) Mathieu. Paula was the wife of the late Carl Nelson, whom she married on Sept. 2, 1957, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam.  They made their home in Woodstock in the house that Carl built in 1956.
A graduate of Putnam Catholic Academy, and St. Francis School of Nursing, Paula was employed as a labor and delivery nurse at Day Kimball Hospital until her retirement in 1997. She was a communicant of St. Mary Church and was an avid knitter.
She leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Harrison Burgess of Avon; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Lois (Wrinn) Nelson of Westfield, N.J.; five grandchildren, Matthew and Jonathan Burgess, and Brian, Gregory, and Sara Nelson; and five granddogs that, to much surprise, she grew very fond of; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Barbara (Fallon) Mathieu of Madison.
Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. June 19 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Burial follows in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation or to Day Kimball Hospital, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam.

Sr. Lillian Belcher
WINDHAM — Sr. Lillian Belcher, DHS, 98, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died June 12, 2019, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham.
Born Lillian May Belcher on Oct. 13, 1920, in Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Everett and Jane (Carbonneau) Belcher.  She entered religious life in 1946 and made her religious profession on Aug. 16, 1949, at the Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam.  She was then known as Sr. Edmond Thérèse.  She earned a bachelor’s. from Annhurst College and a master’s from Fairfield University.  
A lifelong educator, Sr. Lillian taught at St. Anne Academy, Swanton, Vt.; St. Joseph, Waterbury, and St. Mary, Jewett City.  She also taught at Immaculate Conception, Fitchburg and St. Cecilia, Leominster, both in Mass.  In 1971 she became CCD coordinator at St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster.  In 1974 she was missioned to the West coast and taught at Our Lady of Grace School in West Sacramento and in 1978 she became the Religious Education consultant for the Diocese of Sacramento.  In 1988, she returned to Swanton. In 1991, she was called to W. Hartford and then to the Formation Center in Hartford.  That same year she became liaison for our sick Sisters at Mercyknoll in W. Hartford as well as editor of “Loaves & Fishes”, a community newsletter.  In 2000 she was assigned to Holy Spirit Community, Worcester while retaining her position as editor of “Loaves & Fishes” and in 2002 she moved to Magnificat Community in Webster.  In 2003 she retired to the Provincial House in Putnam and worked part-time in the Printing Dept. there.  In 2012 she entered the Holy Spirit Health Care Center then was among the first to move to St. Joseph Living Center in 2016.
She leaves the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates; nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by two brothers James and Richard.
A Mass of Christian Burial was June 17 at St. Joseph Church, Willimantic with burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Sarah Coutu
E. KILLINGLY — Sarah Coutu, 41, of Tucker District Rd., died June 14, 2019, at home after a long and courageous battle with her illness. Born in 1978 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Carole (Paquin) Coutu of E. Killingly and her late biological father Charles Coutu and the man that she looked up to as her father Ernest Chisler.
Sarah was a devout member of Congregational Church of Putnam where she was loved by everyone. She enjoyed baking, arts and crafts, making hook rugs, and scrapbooking. Sarah was always a pleasure to be around and guaranteed to have a smile on her face. She especially found joy in walking her dog Chloe.
She leaves her mother, Carole Coutu of E. Killingly; a brother, Jeremy Couture of Colchester; a sister, Michelle Coutu of E. Killingly; and a nephew and niece, Wyatt and Abigail Coutu of Colchester.  
Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 29 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a service in the funeral home at 1.
Carol A. DiIorio
POMFRET — Carol Anne (Jacques) DiIorio of Pomfret died June 9, 2019, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, after a brief and sudden illness.
Carol was born Sept. 3, 1943, in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of Anne (Collins) and Myron E. Jacques. As an “Army brat”, Carol and her family lived in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Delaware, while her father was stationed abroad during WWII and during the Korean war. From ages 8 through 12, the family lived in England. When he retired from the military, the family settled in Burlington, N.J., where Carol graduated from Burlington High School in 1961. After high school, Carol studied at Trenton State College, American International College, and Greenfield Community College, focusing on English and psychology.
She developed a strong bond with western Massachusetts, home of her grandparents.  
In 1964, Carol married Captain Paul T. Looney, USMC, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967. In 1969 she married John A. DiIorio and settled in Conway, Mass. After their two children went off to school, she began work outside her home as a crafter, and became known for her flower arranging and her hand-crafted angels. She later worked as a teaching assistant in Greenfield and Ledyard.
She served Conway as  Town Treasurer and member of the Frontier Regional School Committee (chair). Perhaps her proudest accomplishment was co-chairing the Frontier Regional Building Committee when, in 1993, a major renovation to the school was commpleted. Carol marched in Conway’s Festival of the Hills parade as Carol the Clown. In the ‘80s she coached the championship Conway’s “Mountain Mamas” women’s softball team.
Since retiring Carol and John have traveled extensively including to their  beloved St John. USVI. Of all their trips,  the most meaningful experience for Carol was their recent visit to the WWI trenches at Bois Brûlée, France, where her grandpa Jacques earned citations from both the U.S. and France for acts of valor and heroism.
She was dedicated to family and friends, and readily engaged in passionate discussions of important issues. She had a sharp sense of humor and insight into all affairs human.
Carol is the wife of John A. DiIorio; mother of Jennifer DiIorio and her wife Heather Morrison of Nassau, N.Y., and John C. DiIorio of Pomfret; “Nonna” to Benjamin, Jacob, and Isaac DiIorio of Pomfret. Her siblings include: Susan Jacques Sadlier of Burlington, Richard “Rick” Jacques of Central City, Neb., and Gary Jacques of Rancocas, N.J..
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. June 30 at the Clark Memorial Chapel at The Pomfret School. A  Celebration of Carol’s Life follows. Her ashes will be scattered by her family in the waters off St. John on their 50th anniversary. Donations: Frontier Regional School, Attn. Charlene Allen, Guidance Office, 113 North Main St., S. Deerfield, MA 01373. Gilman and Valade Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

Jeanne E. Lucier
DANIELSON — Jeanne E. Lucier, 77, of Danielson died June 10, 2019, at W. W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. She was the wife of Joseph G. D. Lucier for 55 years. They were married, July 4, 1963.
She was born May 22, 1942, in Norwich, daughter of the late Joseph and Emanuella (Varieur) Paradis.
Jeanne grew up in Plainfield and moved to Danielson after marrying. She was a 1959 graduate of the Putnam Catholic Academy. She was a Communicant of St. Johns and St. James Churches. Jeanne worked for Blumenthal Hardware, Plastic Wire and Cable and CBT and Fleet for 37 years retiring in 2003 as a bank teller. Jeanne loved dancing to polka with her husband. She played Pitch, Yahtzee, enjoyed swimming and playing the organ. She enjoyed serving her community.
She leaves her husband Joseph; children Donna Jean Grauer (Gregory) of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., Marc Alan Lucier and Melinda Smith of Tampa, Fla.; grandchildren Stephanie Hoyt (Shawn), Dane Grauer (Schaeffer), Alana, Vanessa and Olivia; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Caroline; sisters-in-law Jacqueline and Delores. She was predeceased by her sister Sr. Priscilla Paradis.
The Funeral will be at 10 a.m. June 24 from the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 at St. James Church, Danielson. Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. June 23 at the Funeral Home. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045.

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Graduates
WORCESTER — Two local students graduated from Becker College: Alisha Goudreau of Chepachet, graduated with a bachelor’s in veterinary science, clinical and lab animal medicine; Casey Guli of Pomfret Center, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in interactive media design, development and programming.

On list
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jacob Thomas Antos of N. Grosvenordale was named to The University of Alabama Dean’s List for fall 2018.

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