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Mildred L. Bell,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — Mildred L. Bell, 99, formerly of Woodstock and Webster, died Sept. 21, 2018 in Westview Healthcare Center. She was the wife of the late Rufus H. Bell who died in 1976. Born in 1919 in Southbridge, she was the daughter of the late William and Rozilda (Benoit) LaCroix.
She graduated from Southbridge High School. She was a World War II Coast Guard Veteran serving as a switchboard operator. Mildred went on to work for American Optical retiring in 1980. She loved to sew and was an amateur artist.
She leaves four sons, Michael Bell (MaryAnn) of Dudley, Jeffrey Bell (Carol) of Woodstock, Dana Bell of Framingham, Mass., and James Bell (Debbie) of Webster; her brother, Ernest LaCroix of Southbridge; her sister, Gladys Carrier of California; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her siblings, George LaCroix, Claude Arnold, Jeannette (LaCroix) Ladyka, Leona (LaCroix) Gaudette, and Pearle (LaCroix) LaFleche.
The funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Ronald R. Morin,
U.S. Army vet
PUTNAM — Ronald R. Morin, 65, of River Road, died Sept. 19, 2018, at home.
Born in 1952 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Jean Gabriel and Therese E (Bernier) Morin.
Mr. Morin enlisted and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. He worked as a self-employed contractor.
He liked to tinker with just about anything and was a “Jack of all Trades.” He enjoyed hunting, riding his motorcycle, and was a member of the Putnam Elks.
He leaves his children, Sarah Morin of Myerstown, Penn., Jessica Mutnansky (Michael) of N. Chelmsford, Mass., Mark J. Morin (Melissa) of Putnam, and Matthew Morin (Laura) of Rutland, Vt.; his brothers, Jim Morin of Texas, Jerry Morin of Chatham, Mass., and John Morin of Plainfield; his sisters, Doris Craven of Plainfield, Betty Birkhofer of Pachaug, and Jackie Willard of Danielson; grandchildren, Jack and Celia Morin, Carter and Bennett Mutnansky, and Hunter Morin.
A Celebration of Life was Sept. 21 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Thomas Slye Sr.,
Air Force vet
ABINGTON — Thomas C. Slye Sr. of Abington died Sept. 13, 2018, at his home.
He was born Oct. 14, 1934, in Putnam, son of the late Frank and Phoebe (Franklin) Slye.
He was the husband for 63 years of Ruth (Jarett) Slye. She died Oct. 2, 2014.
Thomas served with the U.S. Air Force. He worked for Pratt and Whitney as a jet engine tester until his retirement.
Thomas was a firefighter with the Pomfret Fire Department. He loved camping, traveling and hunting.
He leaves his daughter Donna Leplat (Marc Sr.); his son Thomas C. Slye Jr.; his grandsons Marc Leplat Jr. (Sandra), Michael Leplat; his great-granddaughter Alexis Leplat; his brothers Frank Slye and Jim Slye.
A graveside service was Sept. 22 in Abington Cemetery with military honors. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Paul I. Lee,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — Paul Irving Lee, 94, of Woodstock, died Sept. 14, 2018. He was the widower of Louise Lee (nee Stevens), to whom he was happily married for 64 years.
Paul was born in 1924 in Newton, Mass., to Hope Christina Lee (nee Jacobson) and Leopold Louis Lee. His childhood was spent in Watertown, Mass., where he graduated from Watertown High School. He subsequently graduated from Harvard College, Class of 1946, with a bachelor’s in chemistry. Grandson of a Civil War veteran and son of a WWI veteran, he served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd lieutenant during WWII. In 1951 he and Louise moved to Stratford. He worked for the next 35 years at Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., retiring as national chief sales engineer.
During the years in Stratford when Paul and Louise were raising their three children, Paul played a leading role in civic and church affairs, serving variously as moderator, head of the Board of Deacons, and head of the Nominating and Search Committees at the First Congregational Church; Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 172; member of the First Ecclesiastical Society; president of the Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut; and many other activities.
In 1987 Paul and Louise moved to Woodstock, where Paul continued to pursue a broad range of interests. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, the Audubon Society, and the Romeos. He and Louise travelled the world widely until recent years, visiting every continent other than Antarctica, often on birding expeditions and frequently with their dear friends Jim and Ella McCullough. Above all else Paul was a fervent follower of Harvard athletics, especially football and women’s and men’s ice hockey. At the time of his death Paul had seen more Harvard-Yale football games than any other living person.
Paul was a true renaissance man. He was an expert birder, made honey and lip balm from his own beehives, wove Nantucket Baskets and crafted Shaker boxes, climbed all 46 mountains in New Hampshire over 4,000 feet high, went on fossil digs in Montana and China, and raised and preserved cranberries. In raising his children he set the absolute highest ethical and moral standards. His family and everyone who came in contact with Paul knew he was a force of nature.
He leaves his son Jeff Lee and his partner Karen Outerson of Norwalk, his daughter Jeanne Landin (Rev. Kenneth Landin) of Franklin, Mass.; and his son the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee (Rev. Bridget Fidler) of Hartford; grandchildren Jonathan Lee, Andrew Lee, Katie Grenon, Marta Finewood, Samuel Dean-Lee, and Skyler Dean-Lee; great-grandchildren Nova Grenon, Quinn Finewood, and Kaiya Finewood.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock, with a reception to follow. Donations: Paul and Louise Lee Education Endowment Fund at the Connecticut Audubon Society in Pomfret (P.O. Box 11, Pomfret, CT 06259); or the Paul and Louise Lee Memorial Fund at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock (543 Route 169, Woodstock CT 06281). Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Brian Gleason
PUTNAM — Brian Gleason, 45, died Sept. 13, 2018. Born Oct. 25, 1972, in Putnam, he was the son of Lawrence Gleason Jr. of Staunton, Va., and Mary Jane (Harvey) Gleason of Putnam. Brian was a graduate of Putnam High School and was a member of the Putnam Baptist Church.
Brian was a man of many talents. He owned his own roofing company in his early years and worked for other construction companies as well.
He had every tool to prove it until he found his real passion driving truck after he graduated NETTS. He loved the freedom of the open road and traveling the coasts. He loved seeing new places while getting paid. Brian loved to tell stories of being a kid and running dirt bikes and trikes with his friends and he always swore he would someday have another Tecate.
Brian had a love for music and will be fondly remembered as the “funny music fanatic.” Brian knew everything there was to know about “Hair Bands”. He was an avid concert goer with his best friend, John Hollingworth. Brian played the drums and was able to show off his skills at his 40th birthday party. There wasn’t a movie that Brian hasn’t seen or even bought for his collection. He loved good food and researching new restaurants to experience but nothing compared to pizza at Pizza King. Brian’s greatest accomplishment was his son Josh.
He loved to laugh.
He leaves his parents, his son, Josh Gleason and fiancé Katie Sartori of Plainfield; a brother, Aaron Gleason of Putnam; two grandchildren, Holden and Ivyana Gleason, both of Plainfield, the light of his life, Amber; aunts, uncles and cousins; the mother of his son, Krista Preble whom he had remained close. Brian was predeceased by his grandparents, Edith and Ralph Patterson and Louise and Lawrence Gleason Sr.
A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Patricia A. Haven
DAYVILLE — Patricia A. (LaBonte) Haven, 73, of North Rd, died Sept. 23, 2018, in Davis Place. She was the wife of Herbert Haven. Born in 1944 in Rockville, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Freeda (Jannino) LaBonte.
Patricia was employed for many years as a packager at the Danielson Curtain factory. She loved having coffee with her sister and going to the local casinos.
In addition to her husband, she leaves two sons, Roland Savoie of Woodstock and David Savoie of Brooklyn; her sister Joanne Bush of Killingly; two grandsons, Gavin and Trevor Savoie.
Funeral arrangements are private. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Anna E. Lariviere
Anna E. (McNeill) Lariviere, 77, of Goose Creek, S.C. died Sept. 20, 2018, at home.
Anna’s life began on July 8, 1941, to Neil and Anna (Yurkow) McNeill in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1957, she met Joseph R. Lariviere Sr. and was wed three years later on Jan. 22, 1960, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Brooklyn. Celebrating 58 years of marriage, the couple demonstrated the ideal life of love and devotion. Being a Navy wife, the couple moved around but eventually settled in South Carolina to raise their family.
She worked for many years as a clerk at the Naval Exchange. She was a very talented woman, creating beautiful paintings, crochets, and cross-stitches. She was a remarkable cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her loved ones. She dedicated her time to her community as a leader of the Girl Scouts organization and would coach and umpire for the Men-Riv sports league.
One of her favorite sayings was: “Love My Family” followed by an embracing hug.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her daughter, Leslie Hutcherson of Hodgenville, Ky.; her brother, Neil (Marie) McNeill of Valley Stream, N.Y.; and her grandchildren, Brittany Stone and Chelsea Stone of Bardstown, Ky. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph R. Lariviere Jr., and her daughters, Anna Elizabeth Lariviere and Lisa Anne Lariviere.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 25 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Katherine M. Wolf
WOODSTOCK — Katherine M. Wolf died Sept. 4, 2018, at Westview Health Care Center.
Born Katherine Marie Greene in 1934 in Providence, she was the daughter of Harry and Helvi Greene.
She graduated AISC in 1956; MS ECSU in 1973.
She was a Woodstock resident for 47 years. She was an elementary school teacher more than 40 years, beginning Springfield, Mass., and ending in Thompson.
She leaves two sons, Rev. David B. Wolf (Martha) of Silver Spring, Md., and Karl Wolf (Ellen) of Queens, N.Y.; seven grandchildren. She was predeceased by Paul, husband of 53 years, and son Jamie.
A celebration of Katie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 at the First Congregational Church, Woodstock. Donations: Special Olympics of CT, 2666 State St., Suite 1, Hamden, CT 06517-2232; or Westview Residents’ Recreation Fund, PO Box 248, Dayville, CT 06241. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Kandy Riley
PLAINFIELD — Kandy R. (Ford) Riley, 57, died Sept .14, 2018, at home.
She was born in Annapolis, Md., daughter of the late Louis and Marie Ford, and lived in Plainfield since 2009 prior that living in N. Grosvenordale. Kandy enjoyed crafts painting.
She leaves her husband of 10 years, Shawn M. Riley; son Thomas Riley of Canada; a brother Billie Ford of Maryland.
There was a Celebration of Life in Maryland. Donations: Cancer research. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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