Richard L. Lucier,
Vietnam war vet
THOMPSON — Richard “Dick” Lucier, 73, of Ballard Rd., died April 16, 2018, at home. He was the companion of Pamela Ballard-Ross. Born in 1945 in Worcester, he was the son of the late Ernest and Frances (Pickett) Lucier.
Mr. Lucier was a veteran of the Vietnam war serving with the U.S. Air Force and worked for many years as an accountant. Dick had a love for nature, was an avid hiker and bird watcher who enjoyed many years participating in memberships with, “The Friends of Quabbin” “The Green Mountain Club” and the “Connecticut Audubon Society.” He was kind, compassionate, positive and strong; a man who bravely faced the challenges of two strokes and cancer with courage, who continued to put others first greeting each day and every person he met with a smile.
He leaves his son, Robert Lucier (Erica) of Palmer, Mass.; daughter Kimberley Lambert (Jim) of Tennessee; close friend and caregiver, Pamela Ballard-Ross and her two daughters, SaraBeth Ross of Seattle, and Katielyn Ross and her fiancé Randy Adams of Portland, Ore.; a sister Barbara Evangelin of Auburn, Mass.; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild.
A private funeral service will be followed by an open Celebration of Life at the CT Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, 218 Day Rd Pomfret Center, from 2 to 5 p.m. April 28. Donations: Connecticut Audubon Society, P.O. Box 11, Pomfret Center, CT 06259 or online at https://www.ctaudubon.org/donate/ Please notate, “To Pomfret Center” for online donations. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Steven C. Wolchesky
WILLINGTON — Steven Craig Wolchesky, 51 of Rt. 74, Willington, died unexpectedly, April 16, 2018, at home.
Born Sept. 1, 1966, in Stafford, the second child of three born to the late John and Elizabeth (Donlon) Wolchesky.
Steven lived in Willington and graduated Windham High School in 1984. He worked many jobs throughout his life. He worked masonry with his father, worked at Mohegan Sun Casino and was currently working for G. P. L. Construction. He was a member of the Local 611 Laborer’s Union. Steven was a very hard worker and took pride in his work. He enjoyed music, skiing and keeping his father’s spirit alive in many ways. He also inherited the “Gift of Gab” from his mother.
Steven leaves two brothers John M. Wolchesky of Pomfret, and Scott E. Wolchesky of Willington.
The Mass of Christian Burial was April 24 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in South Cemetery. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Nancy Loving
Nancy Alice (Sharpe) Loving, 56, died April 12, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital from complications of ovarian cancer.
She was born Dec. 5, 1961, to Frances (Aldrich) and Edwin J. Sharpe Sr. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Pomfret, in the eighth generation to live there. She was her daddy’s helper, and didn’t want to go to school. She eventually relented, with help from the school nurse, Miss Sherman, and graduated from Pomfret Community School in 1975, winner of the Citizenship Award.
She attended the Vocational Agriculture Program at Killingly High School, fostering her love of all things “Farm” and graduated in 1979. Following high school, she moved to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi where she lived with family. She married and moved to New Mexico in 1983 and her love of the Southwest was born.
Following a divorce and the birth of her nephew, Nancy returned home to the family farm in January of 1989 and assisted her father until his death in April 1990. She worked as an instructional assistant at Pomfret Community School, and moved on to a paraprofessional position with the SELF Program at Killingly High School. She became an administrative assistant to the director of Pupil Services for the Killingly Board of Education in November of 2000, and held that position until her passing. She was the “Go To” girl for whatever you needed. In addition to her full time jobs, she had worked the farm for several years and moved to Brooklyn in November of 2003.
Nancy had a great love for everyone, and her last name was so appropriate. She loved cooking, gardening, traveling to California, New Mexico, Aruba, and most recently to Alaska, and having the house where family and friends gathered for events of every sort.
In addition to her mother, she leaves her sister Wendy (DeWitt) Harrington, sister Roberta and her companion Alan, with whom she shared her home; niece Amanda Harrington; nephew Benjamin Alden and his fiancée Maria Thomas; her friend and “sister” Lynn Almquist; and her companion of 21 years, Frank Obuchowski. She also leaves her Mississippi family: Aunt Marge Aldrich, Cousins Kevin(Ali), Eric (Liz), Scott, and their children and grandchildren.
A Memorial Service was April 17 at the Congregational Church of Putnam. Donations: Day Kimball Oncology Department or to the Killingly Agriculture Education Program. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Eleanor Macera
PLAINFIELD — Eleanor (Marocco) Macera, 90, of Lathrop Road, died April 12, 2018.
Born one of two identical twins on Oct. 19, 1927, in Providence, to Angelo and Ermelinda (Spaziano) Marocco, she was one of eight children.
Eleanor/Nora/Lee, as she was known by various relatives and friends, was educated as a seamstress along with her twin sister Elizabeth, but was encouraged and supported by her husband to become a hair stylist which better suited her artistic nature.
She was the owner of Lee’s Beauty Salon in Cranston for more than 30 years where her customers were such regulars that they had standing weekly appointments and became good friends as well as clients. There, she helped train several nieces in the profession. She was an avid lifelong reader and thoroughly enjoyed being on a duckpin bowling league where she served as the team captain. Her artistic nature found expression in the beautiful ceramic pieces she painted, the items she lovingly crocheted, as well as many casual drawings she made in the evenings for relaxation. She was known for her cooking skill which rivaled that of her husband who was an executive chef and there were many interesting exchanges that took place in the kitchen of their home on Byrd Street in Johnston over the years. She took care of her husband for 10 years at their new home in Plainfield through his long bout of Alzheimers with the support of her daughter and son in law. In the last 13 years of her life, as she recovered from that long process of being a caretaker, she was determined to enjoy life in part by making her specialties, spinach rolls and ham rolls for her grandson, David. She delighted in preparing homemade pasta, cavatellis, wine biscuits, and pepper biscuits. Many say that her meatballs and stuffed peppers were surpassed by none. Beyond her normal life pursuits, she had a strong psychic link that started with her twin sister and grew as she opened to a greater reality after her Reiki attunement. With a loving and generous heart, she would send healing energy to any who asked and often to those who came “in front of her” in the night, unaware that they were asking.
She leaves her sister, Elena (Marocco) Pirolli and her children Diane and Hector Rodriguez of Plainfield, with whom she and her husband lived for 20 years, and Gregory and Michele Macera of Westminster, Md.; her grandchildren: David Rodriguez of Plainfield, Drs. Alexis and Stephanie Rodriguez of Cincinnati, and Meghan and Madelyn Macera of Westminster; her great-grandchild, Henry Biagio Rodriguez shortly. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph B. Macera, who died Jan. 3, 2005; her twin soul, Elizabeth (Marocco) Comella; her brothers and sisters, Eligio Marocco, Egidio Marocco, Anna (Marocco) Peterutti, Esther (Marocco) Colorado, and Edna (Marocco) Ritoli.
A Blessing Ceremony of Christian Burial was April 17 at the Highland Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel, Johnston, R.I., followed by burial. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Bertha G. Benoit
WOODSTOCK — Bertha G. Benoit (Hopkins), 92, of Stonebridge Road, Woodstock, joined her husband, Albert (Ben) Benoit, in heaven Feb. 1, 2018.
The daughter of Joseph and Florence Hopkins, Bertha grew up at Maple View Farm on Hopkins Road in Woodstock with her 10 brothers and sisters.
After marriage, Bertha and Ben moved to Putnam, where their three children were raised – Mary, Susan and Junior (Albert Jr). Bertha was a country girl at heart and dreamed of returning to Woodstock. She went to work in a factory after her third child was born and helped save to buy her dream house in the country. Their house was purchased in 1964 and she remained there for the past 54 years. She and Ben took immense pride in their home, and spent countless hours making it beautiful inside and out.
Bertha dedicated her life to caring for family. Absolutely nothing was more important to her than family.
She and Ben traveled extensively to see many of the Natural Wonders of this country including Hawaii. Her love for country music also brought her and Ben to Nashville and Branson.
She was a superb baker – made the most delicious apple and strawberry rhubarb pies. She was an excellent teacher, a steadfast advocate and quite simply, the glue that held her family together. Her talents were limitless – she could sew an outfit with great skill and crocheted and knitted many beautiful Afghans, sometimes for family, a friend or a person in need. She was an avid reader and sports fan – Boston Red Sox and UConn women’s basketball were two of her favorite teams. She also enjoyed painting, gardening, cooking, canning, feeding the winter birds, providing nests for the spring birds, word puzzles and conversation.
She leaves her children, Mary (Benoit) Kennett (Gary) of Woodstock, Susan (Benoit) Robinson (Rusty) of W. Monroe, N.Y., Junior (Albert Jr.) Benoit (Brenda) of Woodstock; grandchildren Deborah, Bryan, Scott, Kathy and Jason; great-grandchildren Bradley, Craig, Amy, Ashlee, Joshua and Sara; and great-great-grandchildren Neveah Zoie, Jaymen, Bentley, Isaiah and Arian; a brother Clarence Hopkins of N. Grosvenordale. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years in 2011, and a grandson Robert in 1996.
Funeral services were private. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Edna (St. Onge) Brown
STAFFORD SPRINGS — Edna Mae Brown, 96, of Stafford Springs, formerly of Putnam, died April 20, 2018, in her sleep at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.
Edna was born Aug, 22, 1921, to the late Peter & Mary (Caffrey) St. Onge in Putnam.
Edna loved reading, walking, dancing, shopping, traveling. In years past Edna served as a committee member and treasurer of Boy Scout Troop No. 25 in Putnam. She enjoyed going to pow wows and attending the Woodstock Fair to watch Troop 25 perform their Indian dancing. Edna worked at Putnam Woolen, Danielson Curtain, AO, Putnam Shoe Store and Data General.
In addition to her parents, she predeceased by her husband Maynard Brown Sr.; brothers Armand, Charley, Bill and Arthur St. Onge. She leaves her son Maynard Brown Jr. (Mary); daughter Paula Brown; granddaughter Erica Etchells and fiancé Nicholas Sterlacci; great-grandson Nicholas Sterlacci Jr.; sister Jeanette Pierro; brothers Peter, Robert and Ronald St. Onge; stepgrandchildren; Sean and Joseph Vasington and their families. The Funeral was April 25 from Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with service following at Christ Church, Pomfret. Burial was in Putnam Heights Cemetery. Donations: BSA Troop 25 Putnam, 53 Grove St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Anita Ducharme
PUTNAM — Anita Ducharme, 88, formerly of Riverside Drive, N. Grosvenordale, died April 18, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital. Anita was predeceased by her husband Andrew (Andy) Ducharme. Born in 1929 in Thompson, she was the daughter of the late Alcide and Delia (Blanchette) Langlois.
Anita was a graduate of St. Joseph’s School in N. Grosvenordale. In July of 1952 she married Andy and was happily married for 6o years until his passing in November of 2012. Anita was a hardworking and compassionate woman who had many occupations and retired in 1993 as the office manager for Community Health and Homecare after 25 years of employment.
She enjoyed watching basketball and baseball with Andy and loved to listen to music. She was an avid reader and had a love of crafting which she shared with her family.
She leaves three children, her daughters, Andrea J. Ducharme of Norfolk, Va.; Laura L. (Ducharme) Santos (Daniel) of Danielson; and her son David A. Ducharme of N. Grosvenordale; grandchildren Angela J. (Apley) Szeredy (Davis); Kyle D. Santos (Melissa), and Darcy (Santos) Laprade; great-grandchildren, Juliana Szeredy, Veronica Santos, Mckenna and Hadley Laprade. She was predeceased by her sisters, Diana Martel, Rita Kempienski, Doris Bissonette and her brother Armand Langlois.
The Funeral was private. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC. 20090-6011. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Roland Landry Service
DANIELSON — Roland L. Landry, 79 of formerly of Danielson, died Jan. 8, 2018, Woonsocket, R.I. He was born Oct. 4, 1938, in Danielson, son of the late Edmond and Ida (St. Germain) Landry. Roland was a communicant of St James Church; he worked at George’s Galley Restaurant in Danielson. He leaves his sister Noreen Colello (Robert) of Moosup; nephew Jeff Colelo of Moosup. He was predeceased by his brother Robert Landry. A Prayer Service will be at 10 a.m. April 30 in the Chapel of Holy Cross Cemetery, Maple Street, Danielson. Burial will follow in the cemetery. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Phyllis Wlaszkiewicz
DAYVILLE — Phyllis L. (Schultz) Wlaszkiewicz, 79, died peacefully April 15, 2018, at Davis Place. She was the wife of more than 38 years to the late Stanley Walter Wlaszkiewicz who died June 20, 2017.
Born in 1939 in Norwich, on March 23, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Russell Albert and Emma (Phillips) Schultz.
Phyllis was married shortly after high school and soon started her family. She worked for many years at the former Idle Wild Farm and various other food companies in quality control.
She leaves her two children Edward Rzeznikiewicz Jr. and Terri Cedio; two sisters, Yvonne and Bettyann; four brothers, Stanley, Nicholas, Gary, and Russell Jr.; four grandchildren and eight grandchildren. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Calvin A. Tarr
POMFRET CENTER — Calvin A. Tarr, 68, of Freedley Rd., died April 15, 2018, in Webster Manor Healthcare Center. He was the husband of Lorna (Tucker) Tarr for 49 years.
Born in 1950 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Carroll Tarr and Thelma (Houdlette) Tarr.
Mr. Tarr worked as a truck driver for American Trucking, LLC.
He was an avid New England Sports fan, including the Red Sox, Patriots, and UConn ladies basketball.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Justin Tarr (Leigh) of Madison, Ala.; daughter, Jocelyn Morse (Seth) of Woodstock; his brother, Owen Tarr of Putnam; and grandchildren, Ainsley Morse and Logan Tarr.
Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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