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Kristin R. Barnes,
high school junior
CHEPACHET — Kristin R. Barnes, 17, of Chepachet, died June 18, 2010. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of Bruce E. and Susan P. (Johnson) Barnes.
Kristin was a junior at Ponaganset High School, a West Glocester junior firefighter and a member of the West Glocester Fire Explorers, Post 2410. She often helped with the family business, Barnes Concrete Co. Inc. in Putnam.
She was the sister of Lauren K., Jillian M. and Tara R. Barnes, all of Chepachet, Michael A. Kruzewski of Webster, Joseph L. Kruzewski of Killingly, and the late James P. Kruzewski; paternal granddaughter of Donald and Mary Barnes of Chepachet and maternal granddaughter of the late Melvin and Phyllis Johnson. She also leaves three nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Her Funeral was June 23, in the Tucker-Quinn Funeral Chapel, Greenville, with burial in Acotes Hill Cemetery, Chepachet.
Mary E. Brown
WEBSTER — Mary E. Brown, 90, of School Street, formerly of Riverhead, N.Y., died June 15, 2010, in Webster Manor Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late William R. Brown Sr. Born in 1920 in Bronx, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Henry and Mary (Fisher) Cassidy.
Mrs. Brown worked as an assembler for electronics manufacturing. She was a member of the VFW in Riverhead, past president of the Women’s Auxiliary, and a member of Riverhead Moose Club.
Mary leaves her brother, John Cassidy of Whiting, N.J.; her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Ann Brown of Putnam; grandchildren, Robert Brown, and Kathleen E. Brown; her great-grandchildren, Joey Brown, Hayden Brown, and Skylar Brown. She was predeceased by her son, William R. Brown Jr.; brothers, Raymond and Robert Cassidy; and her sister, Florence Harrington.
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 18 at in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in the Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y.
‘Betty’ Pelczarski,
church member
PUTNAM — Bertha “Betty” Pelczarski, 75, of Walnut Street died June 9, 2010, at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. She was the wife John Pelczarski for 48 years. She was born May 20, 1935, in Putnam, daughter of the late Lionel and Virginia (Contois) Bellerive. She had made her home in Putnam all her life, a communicant of St Mary Church of the Visitation, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Daughters of Isabella. Bertha worked for more than 20 years in Food Service at Day Kimball Hospital as a cook, also at Pevner’s in Putnam and at Putnam High School. She enjoyed traveling with her husband; twice they traveled across the country, a trip to Hawaii and wintered in Florida. She was an avid bingo and card player, and also enjoyed camping.
She leaves her husband John; daughters, Debbie Pelczarski, Sandy Perron (Brian), Kathy Pelczarski, all of Putnam; siblings, Herb Bellerive of Webster, Gloria Belrose of Peoria, Ariz., Joan Greene of Thompson; grandchildren, Brad Perron of Putnam, Haley Perron of Putnam
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 15 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: St. Mary School, 23 Marshall St., Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Bruce R. Anderson,
Navy veteran
WHITEVILLE, N.C. — Bruce Robert Anderson, 69, died June 16, 2010, in Columbus Regional Healthcare, Whiteville. He was born in Cranston, R.I., son of the late Stanley and Helen Anderson. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He leaves his wife, Millicent Anderson of Tabor City; daughter, Crystal Furbee (Christopher), of San Antonio, Texas; three brothers, Eric Anderson, Steve Anderson and Mark Anderson, all of Rhode Island; sister, Heidi Anderson of Rhode Island. He was predeceased by a brother David Anderson.
A Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. June 25 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with burial in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson.
Helen Woodis,
Sunday school teacher
PUTNAM — Helen Woodis, 96 of Walnut Street died June 26, 2010, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of Leslie P. Woodis. They were married May 29, 1935. She was born Aug. 7, 1913, in Putnam, daughter of the late Leonard and Helen (Lussier) Diamond. Helen worked at the Grant Store in Putnam for over 17 years, and later worked seven years at Bugbee’s Department store as a sales clerk. She was a member of the Putnam United Methodist Church and had served as a Sunday school teacher.
She leaves her husband of 75 years Leslie; children, Wayne Woodis of King George, Va., David Woodis of Pascoag, R.I., Cynthia Curran of New York, N.Y., June Meadows of Mentor, Ohio; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
The Funeral was June 21 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Grove Street Cemetery. Donations: Putnam United Methodist Church, 51 Grove St., Putnam.
Dora M. Hrabos,
foster grandmother
W. THOMPSON --- Dora Hrabos passed away June 18,2010 at the Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was born in 1912 in Worcester, to the late Elmer and Mary Phillips (Kangley).
She grew up in Putnam. She married Stanley Hrabos in 1930, and moved to W. Thompson. Dora worked and retired from Belding Heminway after many years of employment. After her retirement, she went back to work at the John Dempsey Training Center as a Foster Grandmother until her final retirement at 80. As a grandmother, she was called “Nana.” She enjoyed traveling, bingo, and playing cards with her numerous friends.
She leaves her daughter Mildred Litke and her husband Samuel Litke of Brooklyn; three grandsons, Samuel of Salem, Oregon, Timothy of S. Killingly, Daniel of Brooklyn; and five great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Emily, Allison, Sarah, and Bradley; and one great-great grandson, Cohen.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dora’s family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., June 25 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.
Paul J. Cesolini,
carpenter
SOUTHBRIDGE — Paul J. Cesolini, 76, of Therese Avenue, died June 15, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Rt. 9 in Brookfield, Mass. He was born in Southbridge the son of Caio G. and Grace M. (DiBonaventura) Cesolini.
Paul began his career as a truck driver for Buduo Construction in Worcester and later was a self-employed painter and carpenter for 30 years in the Southbridge area. Paul later worked as a ship’s carpenter for Electric Boat in Groton for 12 years before retiring several years ago. Paul enjoyed playing the banjo and deer hunting with his son David. He loved riding his motorcycle.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Rose Marie (Kudron) Cesolini; a son, David P. Cesolini (Linda) of Brooklyn; two daughters, Lisa G. Cesolini of Jewett City, and Paula M. Humes (James) of Pomfret; two brothers, Caio Cesolini Jr. of Bemidji, Minn., and Joseph Cesolini of Southbridge; a sister Gloria Athanas of Worcester; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. A daughter, Gina A. Cesolini, died in 1974.
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 21 at Notre Dame Church, Southbridge, with burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge. Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, Southbridge.
Francis Stevens,
school superintendent
WOODSTOCK — Francis “Fran” C. Stevens, 79, died June 11, 2010, from injuries from a car accident. He was born Oct. 11, 1930, in Killingly, son of the late Clinton Henry and Mildred (Pechie) Stevens.
He received his master’s degree in 1962 and his sixth-year certificate in 1967 from UConn. Mr. Stevens was a science teacher at the Killingly and Brooklyn schools, a teacher and administrative assistant for the Woodstock Public Schools. In 1962 he was employed by the Brooklyn schools, as a teacher and assistant principal and became principal in 1966. He was an education service specialist for the state Dept. of Education from 1967-1978. He served as an assistant superintendent of Schools for Norwich from 1968-1972. In 1972 he was appointed as superintendent and principal for Eastford Public School. After retiring Francis worked for many years at Old Sturbridge Village as an Interpreter in the school. He was a Korean veteran of the U.S. Navy serving as a medic, and served 18 months with the Marines.
He was an assistant Cub Scout master, a coach, umpire, and Farm Team Director of the Little League in Danielson and Woodstock, the Boys State coordinator for the American Legion in Danielson, served as a director of the Windham County 4-H Camp, a part-time news reporter for the Hartford Times and Norwich Bulletin. He served as probate judge in Woodstock and served on the Killingly Town Council and on the State Board of Parole. He was a member of the Windham County 4-H Foundation, a member of Christ Episcopal Church and served the church as vestryman. Francis was a member of the Muddy Brook Volunteer Fire Department and a Life member of Windham County Agricultural Society, Woodstock Agricultural Society, chairman of the Woodstock School Building Committee in 1968, a member of CASA, served on the Legislative Committee and Small Regional Schools Committee, Northeast Area School Superintendents Association serving as President and secretary, a member of the Governor’s Block Grant Advisory Committee, a member of the Woodstock Academy School Building Committee in 1987. Fran was a director of the Woodstock Fair for many years and was a former selectman for Woodstock serving eight years. He was a 32nd degree Mason with memberships in the Putnam Lodge AM and FM and the Moriah Lodge, a member of the of the Scottish Rite and was a Shriner. He was Elected Kappa Delta Pi in 1958, Phi Delta Kappa in 1962 and “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities” in 1959.
He leaves his children: Mark Stevens of Woodstock; Scott Stevens (Amanda) of Woodstock; Susan Blackshear (Doyle) of Griswold; Jennifer Beightol (John) of Hattiesburg, Miss.; sisters: Sylvia Stevens-Zingrone (John) of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Constance Bordonaro of Brooklyn; grandchildren: Ashton Beightol; Abigael Stevens.
A Memorial Service was June 19 in Christ Episcopal Church, Pomfret, with burial with military honors in E. Woodstock Cemetery. Donations: Scholarship Fund, Woodstock Agricultural Society Treasurer, PO Box 1, Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Deborah D. Phelps
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. --- Deborah Dorothy Phelps, 59, died June 19, 2010, at home after a battle with lung cancer.
Deborah was born Aug. 26, 1950, in Putnam, to Dorothy and Robert Tefft.
She leaves her husband, Theodore Perry Phelps; children Kristen Bellisario and Timothy O’Donnell, Indianapolis; Kerrie Bellisario and Thomas Ross, Oyster Bay, N.Y.; Kasey and Shane Carew, Jeremy Phelps and Brian Sutton, Daniel Phelps and Melissa Richards, Amber and Leo St. Augustine, Heather Phelps and Redford Clay, Holly Phelps and Michael Denham of the Biloxi/Ocean Springs area, 15 grandchildren; two brothers; seven sisters; former husband Joseph Bellisario and his family in Florida and North Carolina.
Services were June 22 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home. Donations: American Lung Association of Mississippi, P.O. Box 2178, Ridgeland, MS. 39158, “Freedom from Smoking” program.
Robert Desruisseau,
Vietnam vet
DANIELSON — Robert C. Desruisseau, 61, of Rosedale Street, died June 13, 2010, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.
He was born Aug. 13, 1948, in Putnam, son of the late Clement and Audrey (Baker) Desruisseau. He was married to Kay Hardell in August of 1971.
Robert was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
He attended Putnam High School and graduated from Thames Valley Technical College. Robert worked as a physical research scientist for 32 years at the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center in New London.
On record at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. are inventions he had made for the Coast Guard. He attended The United Methodist Church of Danielson.
Besides his wife he leaves his son Matthew Desruisseau of Danielson; daughter, Jill Desruisseau of Dayville; brother, Richard Desruisseau of Florida; sister, Joyce Desruisseau of Thompson; nephews.
The funeral and burial were private.
Donations: Danielson United Methodist Church, 253 Westcott Road, Danielson, CT 06239 for the Eleanor Hardell Adopt A Family Fund, Attn: Jeff Hardell. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.