A. Richard Karkutt Jr.,
Korean war vet
The Honorable A. Richard Karkutt Jr., 86, of Westerly, R.I., died May 4, 2018.
Born in Norwich, he was the son of the late Marguerite Karkutt and Albert Richard Karkutt, Sr. He was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Marilyn (Norton).
He was a graduate of Norwich Free Academy. He earned his college degree from UConn.
A veteran, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He went on to attend Boston College Law School, where he earned his law degree.
He began his law practice in Putnam in 1958. He was first elected in 1963 as Putnam’s probate judge. He served eight consecutive terms. He retired in 1995.
He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for 46 years. He was a longtime season ticket holder to UConn men’s basketball. He was an avid fan of the NY Giants and Boston Red Sox. He always enjoyed the beach and an ice cold beer.
He leaves his children, Kathleen (Len Stavis) of Thompson, A. Richard III, Mary Karkutt-Kulak of Haddam, Trish of Groton, Kenneth of Westerly, Kristin of Lakewood, Ohio; and his grandson Eduardo Karkutt-Kulak.
A Mass of Christian Burial was May 8 at St. Clare Church, Westerly with burial in River Bend Cemetery, Westerly. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, Westerly.
George J.P. Richard,
Air Force vet
BROOKLYN — George J. P. Richard, 83, of Westerly, R.I., died April 27, 2018, at Pierce Memorial Baptist home in Brooklyn. He was born on June 12, 1934, in Brooklyn, son of the late Amedee and Blandine (Fradette) Richard.
He was a graduate of Killingly High School in 1954. George served in the U.S. Air Force and retired from Electric Boat in 1996, where he was a pipe fitter. George enjoyed puzzles, golf, and loved attending air shows. George was very outgoing and friendly to everyone he met. He was a member of AA, which changed his life and where he impacted many lives.
He leaves his daughters, Debra Bonneville (Frank Olin) of Danielson, and Lisa Stott (David) of Plainfield; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a stepdaughter Christin Broccolo of Westerly, and his dear friend Linda Maine and her dog Chester of Wakefield. He was predeceased by his sisters, Georgette (Richard) Campbell and Theresa Richard.
A Private Graveside Service with Military Honors will be at Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Rhode Island. A Celebration of Life will be from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. June 30 at the Plainfield Fire Station, 620 Norwich Rd., Plainfield, CT 06374. All are invited. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Richard A. Scott,
Korean war vet
ALBION, R.I. — Richard A. Scott, 90, of School Street, Albion, formerly of Smithfield, died April 26, 2018, at the Greenville Skilled Nursing in Smithfield. He was the husband of the late Ann (Stifano) Scott. They had been married for 47 years before her death in 2003.
Born in Westerly, R.I., he was a son of the late Richard and Mildred (Manchester) Scott. He had lived in Smithfield before moving to Lincoln. He served in the U.S. Army during Korea.
Richard had worked as treasurer and controller of Glas-Kraft in N. Smithfield for 25 years until 1981, at which point he accepted a position at J.W. Riker where he worked for several years and retired as managing partner. Richard was also the treasurer and secretary of the Smithfield Republican Party for many years. He served on the board of directors of the Smithfield YMCA since its inception in 1971, holding the positions of president, secretary and treasurer. He had most recently begun his second term as president and chairman of the board.
He leaves his children: Susan M. Desrosiers (Mark) of Columbia, Anne M. DeFaria (Jose) of Smithfield and Richard C. Scott (Danielle) of Foster, R.I.; grandchildren: Sarah Cannon (Michael), Matthew Desrosiers, Christina and Jose DeFaria (Shelby), Arianna Scott and Garrett Scott. He was predeceased by his sister Mildred D. Hill and brothers Stanley A. and Larry P. Scott.
His Mass of Christian Burial was May 1 in St. Michael’s Church, Smithfield, with burial in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston, R.I. Donations: Smithfield YMCA, P.O. Box 363, Greenville, RI 02828. Anderson-Winfield Home, Greenville.
Earl W. Gagnon
Earl W. Gagnon, 80, of East Dennis, Mass., formerly of Putnam, died at home April 27, 2018.
Earl was born May 14, 1937 in Putnam. He graduated from Putnam High School in 1955 and then attended the American Academy of Embalming. He then worked at Ahern Funeral Home in Hartford.
In 1958 Earl married the love of his life Sybil Compa, and together they owned and operated the Smith and Walker Paint Store in Putnam for 22 years. He also owned and operated the Smith and Walker Funeral Home until retirement. During that time Earl contributed his time to his country and community as a medical specialist in the Army, former director of Day Kimball Hospital, director of the Citizens National Bancor, former president of Putnam Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Putnam Board of Tax Review, and the Putnam Republican Committee.
Upon retiring, he and Sybil moved to Cape Cod. Earl enjoyed fishing, hunting and boating along with his pets.
Earl was predeceased by his father and mother W. Earl and Claire (Wood) Gagnon and his wife Sybil (Compa) Gagnon. He leaves his sister Lorna Shirer (Ross); nieces Kirsten Taylor (Alan), Kimberly Shirer; nephew S. Ross Shirer III (Tracey) and his cat Polly.
The Funeral was private. Donations: Make a Wish Foundation Gift Processing, 4742 North St., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or at WISH. ORG. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Henderson services
MOOSUP — Carol (Daskowski) Henderson, 78, of Goshen Rd., died Jan. 9, 2018. She was the wife of the late Robert Herbert and the late Edward F. Henderson. Born in 1939 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Blanche (Valliere) Daskowski. She leaves her sons, John Young of Richmond, Maine, and David Young of Moosup; her daughters, Cynthia Reschke of Webster, and Sandra A. Young of Detroit; 12 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and her former husband, Wilfred Young.
Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m. May 12 in Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a Funeral Service at 10 in the funeral home. Burial follows in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale.
Shannon L. Labonte
DANIELSON — Shannon Lee Labonte, 40, of Danielson, died April 25, 2018, at home after a battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 3, 1977, in Putnam, the daughter of William and Roberta (Pearson) Solomon. She was the wife of Chris E. Labonte.
Shannon graduated in 1996 from Putnam High School and was a graduate of QVCC and Eastern CT State University. She was a teacher at Country Kids Child Care and Early Learning Center and had a special place in her heart for her country kid’s family. She worked there for 18 years. Shannon loved life to the fullest. She had a love for reading, frogs and friends. Besides her husband Chris and her parents William and Roberta, she leaves her daughter Zoe Labonte; her sister Shelley Grossman (Adam); niece Willow Grossman; nephews George Grossman and Andre Labonte; her mother-in-law Joann Labonte, her brothers-in-law Gary, Scott (Ana); her father-in-law Edward (Marian); aunts, uncles and cousins. The Funeral was April 28 at the Congregational Church of Putnam. Donations: The Congregational Church of Putnam, PO Box 463 Putnam, CT 06260; or NE CT Cancer Fund of DKH, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or The Putnam Public Library, 225 Kennedy Dr. Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Harold D. Rhoads
BROOKLYN — Harold D. Rhoads, 79, of Brooklyn died April 24, 2018. He was the husband of Barbara (Sherer) Rhoads. They were married Aug. 21, 1959. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1976 with a bachelor’s in computer science. Born April 5, 1939 in Edwardsville, Ill., he was the son of Herman Percy and Corrine (Young) Rhoads.
Harold known by his nickname, Dusty, loved New England and the little town he lived in. Dusty moved his growing family to Brooklyn in 1981 to an old farm where he began raising pigs, goats, and rabbits. He did not quit his day-job as a computer programmer for Travelers Insurance but worked in the evening and weekends along with his wife and sons. After several years of farming, the family moved on to a little neighborhood in Brooklyn where Barbara still lives. Dusty helped the Mortlake Fire Department park cars every year at the Brooklyn Fair and enjoyed the steak suppers and cards at the firehouse as payment. Dusty retired from Travelers Insurance in 2001 after 20 years of service, the last four years alongside his son John. Dusty enjoyed watching baseball, any game that was on he loved but especially the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals. Dusty was a Master Mason at Moriah Lodge in Brooklyn. While living in Illinois, he joined Freemasonry and was at one point, a member of Scottish Rite, York Rite, and the Shriners. He was a member of Eastern Star and Amaranth with his wife for many years. Dusty read books constantly. He played piano and organ at home and taught his children a love of music. He played chess and pitch, teaching his children along the way. Barbara and Dusty played pitch every Friday night with friends.
He leaves his wife Barbara; children, Karen A. Collins (Greg) of Maryville, Ill., Steven T. Rhoads, John S. Rhoads, both of Brooklyn, and Joseph A. Rhoads (Rebecca) of Providence; six grandchildren, Jeffrey, Chelsey, Brendonn, Drew, Lindsey, and Nathan; and three great-grandchildren.
A Masonic Service was held May 1 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: Rainbow Court #20 with memo of “Diabetes” Send to: Sandy Green, Secretary, 1726 South St., Coventry, CT 06238.
Jan Richard-Schmidt
E. KILLINGLY — Jan Susan Richards-Schmidt, of E. Killingly died April 25, 2018, at home.
She was born on April 29, 1952, the youngest daughter of the late James E. and Barbara S. Richards. After graduating from Woodstock Academy, Jan received a bachelor’s from UConn in English and secondary education and a master’s summa cum laude, in literature and the arts from Wesleyan University. Jan also studied at Oxford University in Oxford, England. “Mrs. R-S,” as she was known by her students, taught English, literature, language arts, AP classes, drama, poetry, and many other courses during her career starting at Babcock Junior High School, Westerly, R.I. Afterwards, she taught at Cromwell Middle School, Mitchell College, Tourtellotte Memorial High School, Killingly High School, and ended her career at Rockville High School in Vernon. In addition to teaching, Jan volunteered her time by creating and advising poetry and drama clubs, and was a domestic violence counselor. Jan loved to write poetry and was a nature lover, gardener, gourmet cook and baker. During her life she enjoyed hiking, swimming, traveling, reading, music, and entertaining her family and friends.
She leaves her husband of 40 years, Roland H. Schmidt; her sisters, Cynthia R. Wood of Webster, and Barbara R. Eslinger (Robert) of Pomfret; nieces and their spouses, and her nephews, her father- and mother-in-law, John and Elisabeth Schmidt; her brother and sisters-in-law; her Labrador, Luna Princess Star. In addition to her parents, Jan was predeceased by her brother, James E. Richards Jr.
A private service is planned. Donations: Hartford HealthCare at Home (Hospice), 34 Ledgebrook Dr., Mansfield Center, CT 06250; or online to the International Rescue Committee (US), https://www.rescue.org/outcome/education.
Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Carleton L. Walker
N. GROSVENORDALE — Carleton L. Walker, 84, of Marshall St., died April 30, 2018, at Harrington Hospital. He was the husband of Mona Jean (Foux) Walker who died on May 21, 2017.
Born in 1934 in Waterville, Maine, he was the son of the late Clyde Leon and Agnes (Dyke) Walker.
Mr. Walker worked for more than 20 years at Anchor Glass. He was a member of Valley Springs Sportsman Club, Thompson Rod & Gun Club, and the Polish American Club in Dudley.
He leaves a special granddaughter and caregiver, Jeanna Sands of N. Grosvenordale; his stepchildren, Robert Sands Jr. of Laceyville, Penn., Bonnie Tetreault of N. Grosvenordale, and Diane Sands of Carlisle, Penn.; eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by many brothers and sisters.
A Graveside Service will be at 1 p.m. May 12 in the W. Thompson Cemetery, Rt. 12 (across from Riverside Pizza). Donations: American Lung Association of CT, 45 Ash St., E. Hartford, CT 06108. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Martha Checkon
PUTNAM — Martha M. (Hoover) Checkon, 74, died May 4, 2018, at home.
She was the wife of the late Michael Checkon who died in 2004.
She was born in Patton, Penn., daughter of the late Ralph Hoover and Jeannette (Lechene) Hoover and lived in Putnam for the past 40 years. She enjoyed poetry, writing and needlepoint. She was a talented artist.
She leaves two sons, James Checkon of Thompson and Michael Checkon of Putnam; a daughter, Rhonda Keith of Plainfield; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a brother Gary Hoover of Lewiston, Penn.; a stepbrother Earl Lallemand of Ravenna, Ohio; a sister Beverly Kirk of Ohio. She is predeceased by her sister, Darlene Rioux of Plainfield, CT.
Donations: Daily Bread Food Pantry in Putnam — IHSP, PO Box 281, Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Cris M. March
N. GROSVENORDALE — Cris M. March, 54, died March 30, 2018, at Hartford Hospital.
Cris was born in Milton, N.H.., son of Patricia (Parker) March and the late Clifton March. He lived in New Hampshire for most of his life, but has spent the past three years in Connecticut. Cris worked as a roofer for many different contractors. He was a member of the American Legion in N. Grosvenordale. Cris loved to fish and spend time outdoors.
He leaves his wife, Laurie M. Concepcion of N. Grosvenordale; a son, Christopher March; a daughter, Angela March; his mother, Patricia (Parker) March; a sister, Victoria Kennedy; and two grandchildren; all whom reside in New Hampshire. He was predeceased by his sister, Laurie March.
Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Randy Courtemanche Sr.
DUDLEY — Randy Lee Courtemanche Sr., 57, died April 9, 2018, at home. Randy was born on Nov. 7, 1960, in Southbridge, to Gloria Courtemanche and the late Leo Courtemanche. Randy enjoyed avid fishing and outdoor sportsmanship throughout his life. He was a state champion for calico bass and collected many state pins for incredible trophy fish including channel catfish. He believed that every child should learn to fish and know survival skills. He was also a big NASCAR fan and loved gardening. He was a roofer and artisan. He leaves his mother; seven children; four brothers; a sister and 12 grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at noon June 30 at the Dudley Grange. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster. Donations: Technocopia, 44 Portland St., Worcester, MA 01608; and the Dudley Grange, Post 163, 139 Center Road, Dudley.
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