James ‘Jay’ Kenney

THOMPSON — James P.L. “Jay” Kenney, 68, of Old Route 12, died June 18, 2016, at UMass University Hospital in Worcester  Born in 1947 in Worcester, he was the son of the late Harold Michael Kenney Sr. and Anne Veronica (Fitzgerald) Kenney.

Jay attended Assumption Preparatory School, and later received his bachelor’s degree from St. Leo University in St. Leo, Fla.

Mr. Kenney taught French and History at Marianapolis Preparatory School for 25 years. He taught French for five years at Ledyard High School. He also served as the department head of both Spanish and French at Southbridge High School. A proud French teacher, he took great pride in organizing trips to France for both students and adults each year.

Mr. Kenney served as the Democratic Registrar of Voters and as the treasurer of Democratic Town Committee in Thompson. He was the former high sheriff of Windham County. Known as “The Mayor of Mechanicsville,” he fought to keep Sacred Heart Church open. Each year, he religiously put flowers on the graves of his friends and relatives. He enjoyed spending his summers on Webster Lake. 

He leaves his sisters, Glennyce Kenney and her longtime companion Walter Rafferty of Worcester, and Justine Marshall of Barrington, R.I.; nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Harold Michael Kenney Jr. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was June 24 in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

Lorraine O. Navarro

PUTNAM — Lorraine O. (Bouley) Navarro, 88, of Church St., died June 22, 2016, in Davis Place.  She was the wife of the late Angelo Navarro.  Born in 1928 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Aldege and Olivene (Vertefeuille) Bouley.

Mrs. Navarro worked as a bookkeeper at the former Bradley Meat Market and later as a plater for National Chrome.  She enjoyed knitting, playing bingo, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and traveling with The World Travelers. Lorraine was also an avid New York Yankees fan.

She leaves two daughters, Nancy Pasela (Paul) of Smithfield, and Linda Richard (Jim) of Putnam; her sister Carol Sleeper; and her grandson Brad Aubin (Tracy) of Monson, Mass. She was predeceased by her brother Maurice Bouley; and sister, Doris Bernier.

Funeral services are private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Ruth K. Lavigne

N. GROSVENORDALE — Ruth (Klebart) Lavigne, 77, of Buckley Hill Rd., died June 19, 2016, at home.  She was the wife of the late Gerard “Jerry” L. Lavigne.  

Born in 1938 in Webster, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Anne (Blake) Klebart. Mrs. Lavigne was a graduate with an associate’s degree from Bay Path College.

Mrs. Lavigne worked for many years as a receptionist at the McLean Home Nursing Center in Simsbury.

Mrs. Lavigne enjoyed quilting, cross stitching, knitting, genealogy, and watching the boats on Webster Lake. 

Mrs. Lavigne was a member of the Eastern Star. 

She leaves three sons Alan Lavigne of Eureka, Calif., Douglas Lavigne (Bobbie) of Bristol, and Andrew Lavigne (Debora) of Chester; a daughter Susan Foster (Walter) of Waynesville, Mo.; four grandchildren Jason Foster, Deanna Pearson, and Brooke and Lillian Lavigne; five great grandchildren Lucas and Kyle Foster, and Mya, Darius, and Donta Pearson. She was predeceased by a brother Arthur Charles Klebart. 

The Funeral was June 24 at the United Church of Christ Federated, Webster. Donations: United Church of Christ Federated, 4 Church St., Webster, MA 01570.  

Gilman-Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Danny W. Harrington

WOODSTOCK VALLEY —  Danny W. Harrington, 60, formerly of Woodstock Valley, died Sunday, June 19, 2016, at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester.  

Born in 1955 in Stafford Springs, he was the son of the late Chester and Amy (Elson) Harrington. 

Mr. Harrington was a 1972 graduate of Windham Technical High School.

 He was an auto body technician for Olender’s Auto in Vernon for more than 30 years.  

He enjoyed fixing cars and watching NASCAR. 

He leaves his daughters, Katie Bruce (Jason) of Woodstock, and Jeanne Harrington and (Scott Rice) of Canterbury; his sister, Florence Wilbur of Woodstock Valley; and his grandchildren, Carah Bruce, Katelyn Bruce, and Jackson Bruce. 

Services are private. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Susan Zielinski

DUDLEY— Susan J (Wilga) Zielinski, 70, of Sorrento, Fla., died June 16, 2016, at Kent County Hospital. 

She was born in Webster the daughter of the late Paul and the late Rose (Gagnon) Wilga and lived many years in Dudley before moving to Sorrento.  Susan enjoyed a 30-year career as a secretary with the Orange County School Board. She retired in 2013. She was an enthusiastic fan of NASCAR following the race each week. She enjoyed a good game of Scrabble. 

She leaves five children David Zielinski of Thompson, Christine Plaza (Mark) of Thompson, Lisa Stanley (Richard Jr.) of Saunderstown, R.I., Jamie Zielinski of Sorrento and Jody Zielinski of Neptune, N.J.; three siblings Paul Wilga of Webster, Janet Forrester of Webster and Norma Kaptiulik of Shelburne Falls; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Steven Wilga. 

A graveside service was June 21 at St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Webster. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley. Donations: United Cerebral Palsy 1825 K St. NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20006. 

 

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