obits pg 6 4-18-24
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John 'Jay' Vincent Swan Jr.,
1st selectman
WOODSTOCK — John (Jay) Vincent Swan Jr. of Woodstock died peacefully in his sleep (His last Irish goodbye) April 10, 2024. He was 74 years old.
He was born June 13, 1949, in Worcester, to Elizabeth (Rowe) Swan and John Vincent Swan Sr. He married Susan (Shaw) Swan on June 22, 1990, in Woodstock, after falling in love while working for the State of Connecticut in the Department of Disability Services. Soon after they welcomed two children, Elizabeth M. Swan and Allison J. Swan.
Jay was a huge advocate for education. He graduated Leicester High School in 1968 and later attended Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, gaining his associate’s degree in 1971. He got his bachelor’s degree in social and rehabilitation services in 1973 from Assumption College in Worcester, and later a master’s in education from UConn in 1984.
Jay had many careers over his lifetime. He worked for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health in the Rutland Rehabilitation Center from 1969 until 1971. He worked for the State of Connecticut in the Department of Developmental Disabilities from 1973 until 2003. During this time he was a case worker, a special education teacher, an adult education coordinator, director of Staff Development, and a contract manager. Always one to keep busy, he began to work for the Town of Woodstock after his retirement from the state in 2003. He was a constable, sergeant, deputy chief, and later the First Selectman of Woodstock, a title he was very proud and honored to have served from 2019 up until his passing.
Jay was also very active in the Boy Scouts of America (Scoutmaster Troop 22 1973-1983; chair of the Indian Trails Council, Scouting for the Handicapped Committee 1978-1983; director of the June Norcross Scout Reservation 1981-1983; District Commissioner, Quinebaug District, Indian Trails Council in the 1980s).
Jay was dedicated to environmentalism and firearms safety. He was a Certified Instructor in Conservation Education, Firearms Safety, and Advanced Bowhunting. He was a life member of the Pomfret Rod and Gun Club, the National Rifle Association, and Ducks Unlimited conservation group. He loved to have the windows down in his truck while blasting The Rolling Stones and The Who. “If it’s too loud, you’re old.”
He had a great, dry sense of humor and loved to quote Mel Brooks movies and Jim Morrison and The Doors, “People are Strange.” He was constantly assisting others, giving advice and a listening ear to those who needed it. He left a legacy as a role model helping his community and people with disabilities. He was a leader who made people feel like they mattered. He loved telling stories that included his friends Marjorie Jones, Joe Dokes, and Joe Schmo.
He leaves his wife Susan (Shaw) Swan; their daughters Elizabeth M. Swan (Shane W. Kegler) and Allison J. Swan (and her partner Ian Sullivan); his “third daughter” Lauren A. Johnson; his siblings Frederick Swan, Marybeth Bardot (Doug) Bardot, and Helen Harris (Richard); his mother-in-law Joyce Shaw; his sister and brother-in-law Lesley and Robert Goodrich; cousins, nieces, nephews, and the Orlowskis, who are like family. He was predeceased by his mom, dad, and his younger brother David W. Swan.
The Funeral was April 16 at St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation in Putnam with burial in Woodstock Center Cemetery on Center Cemetery Road in Woodstock.
Donations: Friends of Webster June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation at https://donations.scouting.org/#/council/066/appeal/3451. Smith & Walker Funeral Home 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Linda Lamoureux
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel….” Maya Angelou.
April 8, 2024 Linda went to the arms of her loving Savior surrounded by her family after a long journey with cancer.
Linda’s first love was her family. She devoted much of her time to caring for family members who had become ill themselves, as well as, being a trained Day Kimball Hospital Hospice volunteer.
She was born March 9, 1954, in Putnam, the daughter of Walter L. LeClair Sr. and Aurore (Langevin) LeClair.
She married (and is survived by her husband of 50 years), Michael Lamoureux in 1972 at St. John’s Church in Plainfield. Together they had two sons. Michael Jr. of Gray, Maine and Daniel of Webster. She also leaves a grandson Quinn of Gray; a loving daughter-in-law, Kristi who was like a daughter to her. Her grand-dog Butterscotch also survives her and brought her great joy. Linda and Mike followed their boys as they grew and volunteered in Boy Scouts, Little League, other sports and in their school activities.
Linda’s family extended to her community with involvement in many non-profits and commitments to many groups who benefited by her grant writing abilities. She served on the Town of Putnam’s Ethics Commission and also on the Putnam Commission on Aging for many years. Throughout her life her faith in God sustained her. In her parish community at St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation she served many years as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, CCD Teacher, RCIA and Visitation Ministry. She volunteered at St. Mary’s School and was a member of the Friends of St. Mary’s. When the businesses in the town of Putnam created the Putnam Business Association she served as the secretary for the first two years.
After college, she spent the next 32 years of her career working for individuals with disabilities at The Arc Quinebaug Valley in many administrative positions. As development director she facilitated many fund-raisers for the good of the organization. She appreciated being affectionately known as “The Head Quack” after facilitating The Arc Rubber Duckie Race for 20 of those years.
She wrote many State grants which helped the agency acquire transportation vans for those they served. As director of Business Development Linda worked within the community to create businesses that would enable the agency’s individuals to have valued work experiences where they could learn and grow but, more importantly, be seen as contributing members of their community. These efforts resulted in The Arc Emporium, Redemption Center, Janitorial Crews, Yard Crews and Individual Placements in various businesses in the 10-town area. She served on the Board of Directors for Northeast Opportunities for Wellness or (NOW) helping to raise funds for the many programs offered to local youth. She also served many years on the Board of Directors for the Little River Acres Senior Housing in Putnam and the Quinebaug Valley Senior Center in Brooklyn which served the 10-town area of senior citizens. Throughout her career she received many accolades for her work.
Linda much preferred recognition for the group or team effort however in 1993 she received the Athena Award from the Northeastern Chamber of Commerce for Leadership Excellence and in 2014 she was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest Rotary Honor, for her efforts in the community.
When her illness progressed and she retired from The Arc she was offered the position of Director at the Quinebaug Valley Senior Center in Brooklyn. There she was able to continue to serve seniors which was one of her favorite positions. There, she created many new programs and services, raised the level of awareness of the senior center in the community and made many friends with some of the most wonderful people in the area … the seniors. She had to retire due to her illness. In retirement Linda continued doing as much as she could to support those in need including facilitating the Christ Child Giving Appeal at the four parishes that were yoked together. Donations were made to TEEG, Daily Bread, The Diaper Bank and local homeless shelters. She worked for the Boot Drive, Tommy Toy Fund and many other worthy causes.
One of her greatest joys was being invited to be an Associate of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. The family is very grateful for their loving support, prayers and love given to Linda during her illness. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Dinesh Kapur, Kristin Joly, A.P.R.N. and the medical team at the Backus Hospital ECHO (Eastern CT Hematology and Oncology Center) for their compassionate care of Linda during her long illness. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations of time, talent or treasure be made to “The ECHO Cancer Foundation” at https://echoassociates.org/make-a-donation or to any of the mentioned community groups that Linda was involved in.
In her spare time, Linda enjoyed painting, gardening, cake decorating (especially wedding cakes) and spending quality time with her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial was April 13 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.