Michael P. Humphrey
WOODSTOCK — Michael P. Humphrey, 68, of Woodstock, died peacefully at home on Aug. 11, 2025, with his loved ones by his side. His battle with interstitial lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis) finally ended.
Born July 9, 1957, to his parents, the late John S. and Barbara (Doane) Humphrey, Michael was raised in Swampscott, Mass.
He leaves his wife of 35 years, Deborah (Fitzgerald) Humphrey, of Woodstock, and his Great Danes, Liberty and Justice. He also leaves a good friend, Avery Rollins of Pomfret, who has been like a son to him and helped him through it all.
Michael spent most of his adult life working in the construction field, specializing in carpentry. He possessed impressive skills and a keen sense of design. He had the unique ability to “picture” the final project many stages before completion. Michael was self-employed for 25+ years, focusing mainly in commercial construction, primarily with Barnes and Noble bookstores, Staples Inc., and several other chain stores.
Michael had many different passions throughout the years and with each, he would devote all his energy and attention. His friends often described him as one of a kind. He had an infectious laugh and always brought humor and joy to the moment. His love of music inspired him to buy every type of stereo equipment available at the time and to dedicate hours to hooking it all up (in every room of the house, of course). Growing up on the water, he learned to love boating and the ocean. One of his sport fishing boats, the “Whisper Jack” took him on several adventures: from shark fishing off Montauk, N.Y., to a fantastic voyage with Gloucester, Mass., as his destination
Living in an 1830s home in the country, with a barn, encouraged him to fill that barn with horses. He spent many years bonding with his horses and going on trail rides. Michael developed a love of golf and played as often as possible; one year challenging himself to play every day, rain or shine. Part of the lure was the friendships made on the golf course because it wasn’t always his game, as any golfer knows. Michael purchased a 1997 Corvette C5 and although the Vette was already in good shape, he made this a project car and did many aesthetic upgrades; the end result was classic.
He his sister, Sandra (Humphrey) Harrigan of Fairfield, and her children; Bill (Sam), Katie (Ben), John (Alex), Elizabeth and their children. He also leaves his mother-in-law, Peg Fitzgerald of Spring Hill, Fla.; sister-in-law Linda (Fitzgerald) Burke (Michael) of Beverly, Mass., with their children; Shannon (Patrick), Michael and Andrew; brother-in-law James Fitzgerald (Chris) of Westford, Mass. and daughter Alex; sister-in-law Mary Fitzgerald (Doug Nottingham) of Phoenix; his aunt, Joan Humphrey of Swampscott, Mass., and her daughters Kathy, Laurie and Debbie.
Per Michael’s request, there will be no funeral services. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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Wed. Aug. 20
Photo Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit of photographs by Carmine Angeloni is now on view until September in the Corridor Gallery in the Putnam Municipal Complex. For more info: putnamCtArtsCouncil.com.
Author Visits
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and the Aspinock Historical Society will present Patricia Suprenant from 6 to 7 p.m. The author of “Behind the Scarlett Letter," she will speak and sign books.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present its August art exhibit, “Three Friends: Cathy Shires, Micky Welles & Xiaochong Song. Works by the Quiet Corner Garden Club will be in the display case.
Photography Exhibit
DANIELSON --- The Heirloom Food Company on North Main Street is currently displaying an exhibit by photographer Carmine Angeloni between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The exhibit includes both color and monochrome prints and runs through Oct. 5.
Collection
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club will be collecting new Halloween costumes at the Putnam YMCA through Oct. 7. TEEG will be having a costume distribution at its Fall Festival Oct. 13.
Fri. Aug. 22
Learning Open House
DANIELSON --- Learning in Retirement (LIR -QV) will hold a Fall Open House at 1 p.m. at the Killingly Community Center on Broad Street. The LIR-QV will present Sheryl Faye as Katherine Hepburn: “From Hartford to Hollywood.” There will be a preview of fall courses, light refreshments. Free. Limited seating – first come, first served. No reservations required.
Benefit Concert
POMFRET --- The East Woodstock Cornet Band will be performing a benefit concert for Horns for Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides musical instruments to school children in Connecticut, at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark Memorial Chapel at Pomfret School. Tax deductible monetary donations will be accepted at the door. Parking will be on the east side of Rt. 169, opposite the Chapel. 860- 942-4628.
Sat. Aug. 23
Climate Program
WOODSTOCK --- Roseland Cottage welcomes Historic New England’s Director of Sustainability, Joie Grandbois from noon to 1:30 p.m. for a free interactive workshop and conversation about climate.
Sun. Aug. 24
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America," from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Check for updates: 860-928-1035.
Tues. Aug. 26
Al-Anon Meeting
POMFRET --- Al-Anon will meet at noon on Tuesdays at the Christ Church, 527 Pomfret St. Please use the lower level door, near the flagpole. All welcome.
Thur. Aug. 28
Evening Bird Walk
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will hold a bird walk at 6 p.m. starting from the center on Day Road. Registration required. 860-928-4948. Fee: $10 CAS members; $20 nonmembers.
Sun. Aug. 31
Fund-raiser Concert
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Trail Wood...stock,” an Acoustic Music Festival, at 3 p.m. on the lawn. Bring your own chairs or blankets and a picnic. Cold drinks and snacks available for purchase. Donation: $10 pp. Still seeking few musicians who might like to perform a 15-20 minute set.
Flower Fund-raiser
POMFRET --- The United Services of Connecticut will host its annual Sunflowers for Kids fund-raiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lapsley Orchard.
Mon. Sept. 1
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present for the month of September, “Color Me Happy” by Lynita Shimizu. Reception at 6 p.m. Sept. 9. Display case will feature: Celebrating the Constitution, sponsored by the Anne Wood Elderkin chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Sun. Sept. 7
Poets in the Park
WOODSTOCK --- Two seasoned poets will read from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Roseland Park as part of the Poets at Large poetry series. Poets at Large is a regional group of poets who read in CT and MA, now in its sixth year. Featured poets will be authors Catherine DeNunzio and John Hodgen. Free and will include an open mic.
Sat. Sept. 13
Fall Festival
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host a Fall Festival at the Recreation Park. This is an old fashioned family fun day with a band, old-fashioned games, pie-eating contest, apple pie contest, food and more! This year the department is partnering with PCS PTO for a Harvest Hustle 5K & Kids Fun run. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Particle Accelerator
PUTNAM --- Particle Accelerator music festival, a fund-raiser for suicide prevention education and services, will be held from noon to 9 p.m. in Rotary Park.
Sat. Sept. 20
Bike Fund-raiser
WOODSTOCK --- The Woodstock Academy Scholar-Athlete Society’s first Quiet Corner CT (QCCT) PMC Kids Ride" for children ages 2-10 will begin with check-in between 9 and 10 a.m. at Woodstock Academy's North Campus. The age/ability appropriate route is between 10 and 11. Post-ride celebration. 774 200 1754.
Sat. Sept. 27
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Jordan Freeman: Black Revolutionary War Soldier” performed by Kevin Johnson of the CT State Library at 3 p.m. at the Old Town House.
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Interact Club is there to help
Once again TEEG organized an amazing Backpack distribution which was well attended Aug. 16.
There was a mountain of backpacks to choose from and tables of school supplies and the Putnam Rotary Club’s Interact Club was there to help.
Interact Club members helped children with their selection and ensured the tables were stocked with supplies.
Just like last year, TEEG has implemented a program for free school shoes. Roberta Rocchetti, Interact advisor, had fun measuring the little ones for their shoe size.
Then there were quite a few styles, sizes and colors to choose from. Elise Coyle from Woodstock Academy along with her sister Julia were set up in an adjoining room with gently used and new running shoes and cross trainers that they have collected this past year to donate to people in need.
Rocchetti thanked Ava Tucker, Shyla Beckett, Calleigh Levesque, Billie Lewis, Matthew Rybacki, Sam and Amelia Hachigian from Thompson and Elise Coyle and Julia from Woodstock and Paige Perry and Gabriell Cerasiello from Putnam.
The Interact Club will be collecting new Halloween costumes at the Putnam YMCA from Aug. 18 through Oct. 7. TEEG will be having a costume distribution at its Fall Festival Oct. 13.
The first Interact meeting for the school year will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Putnam Public Library. Any student ages 12-18 from this region is welcome to join. For more information contact Roberta Rocchetti at 860-933-8603 or
captions, top to bottom:
Paige Perry and Gabriell Cerasiello
Calleigh Levesque and Billie Lewis
Matthew Rybacki, back left.
Graduates
CARLISLE, Penn. — Noah Converse Salsich, son of James Salsich and Jessy White of Woodstock, graduated magna cum laude from Dickinson College in May with a bachelor’s in environmental studies and political science. Other recognition included: dean’s list. Salsich is a graduate of Woodstock Academy.