George L. Gallerani,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — George Lincoln Gallerani, 92, husband of the late Ruth M. (Duda) Gallerani, died July 25, 2018.
Born Feb. 12, 1926, in Springfield, Mass., he was the son of the late George James and Mary (Clo) Gallerani.
Raised in W. Springfield, his family owned Clo Market, where he learned lifelong business skills in his early years instilling a strong work ethic which he passed to his children. A graduate of Cathedral High School, Springfield, Mass., Class of 1943, George was proud to serve in the Navy during WWII, earning several medals including the Secretary of Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
George graduated with a bachelor’s in industrial engineering from UMass following his naval service.
George began his career with General Electric with the Manufacturing Training Program as a manufacturing engineer in Bridgeport. He quickly rose through operations and executive leadership positions at GE taking him to Appliance Park in Louisville, Ky.
He was given an honorary commission as a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky. George later went to Cole Steel/Litton Industries in York, Penn., and then, recognizing his devotion to be closer to his mother and family when his father passed, continued his career with Warner-Lambert/American Optical Corporation in Southbridge.
He was a colorful and dynamic leader who motivated with a keen mind, common sense and a direct manner not to be forgotten. With a cigar in hand, George saw what others missed, corrected the problem, often finding unique solutions. George was a consummate learner with more than 3,000 books in his library. He was an astute Abraham Lincoln and Civil War historian; George was born on Lincoln’s birthday, and given the name George Lincoln. An avid and skilled woodsman, skilled chainsaw operator, woodworker and gardener, George was happiest outside or in his woodworking ‘barn’. His furniture and woodworking will be a legacy for his family. He enjoyed making model airplanes creating wonderful replicas with a great eye for color and design. George and Ruth loved going to auctions and collecting and refinishing antiques. He was adventurous and with family traveled the U.S. seeing national parks and historical sites and continued to travel with Ruth well into their retirement.
He was an active communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam and Saint Rita’s in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. He loved the beach at their Santa Rosa Beach home and spent long hours walking the beach each day with Ruth. His dry humor, storytelling, his wry smile and being a natural teaser amused all and no one could help but be powerfully impacted by them.
He leaves Ruth, his wife for more than 58 years; their six children, sons Michael (Sharon (Goodwin)) Gallerani of W. Simsbury, James (Virginia (Ambrose)) of St. Augustine, Fla., and Fairfield, daughter Laura Perednia (Don) of N. Granby, daughter Carol Otto (Bill) of Lake Tomahawk, Wisc., son Paul (Mary (Walker)) of Woodstock, and daughter Beth DiPilato (Nick) of W. Boylston, Mass.; 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; his brother, Father Philip Gallerani of Orlando, Fla., cousins.
Donations: Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeast Connecticut, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman & Valade Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Robert Lancaster Sr.,
Vietnam war vet
THOMPSON — Robert W. Lancaster Sr., 74, of Thompson Rd., died Aug. 8, 2018, at UMass Memorial Hospital.  He was the husband of the late Margaret “Peg” (Costello) Lancaster.  Born in 1944 in Waterbury, he was the son of the late Robert M. and Mary (Taggett) Lancaster.
Robert was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged on May 28, 1970.
Mr. Lancaster worked for many years for Food Enterprises in Canton, Mass., as a salesman.
Bob enjoyed boating, hunting, fishing, traveling with his wife, and socializing with the new friends that he met after his wife’s passing.
He leaves his children, Robert W. Lancaster Jr. (Sandra) of Thompson and Lori L. Baca (James) of Webster; a brother, William “Bill” Lancaster (Marjorie) of Avon; five grandchildren Robert W. Lancaster III, Evan M. Lancaster, Nolan B. Lancaster, Kaitlin M. Baca, and Meghan A. Baca.
The Funeral Service is at 11 a.m. Aug. 15 at Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with burial in E. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.

Jane (Higgins) Conti
WOODSTOCK — Jane (Higgins) Conti, 63, of Harrisville Rd., died unexpectedly Aug.  7, 2018.  She was the wife of the late Anthony Conti Jr.
Born in 1954 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Rita (Cyr) Higgins.
Jane was a wonderfully talented fabric Artist who enjoyed quilting. She belonged to the Golden Bees and the Interfaith Stitchers. Jane was also a volunteer who prided herself in helping the local homeless veterans. She volunteered at the P.A.W.S. cat shelter, where she was, “saving the world one cat at a time.” In addition to her passion for creating art and volunteering, Jane also enjoyed traveling with her husband and attending the theatre.
She leaves her daughter, Elena Pratt (Ted); stepbrother, Christopher Conti (Kimberly); six brothers, Walter, Gary, Elliott, Peter, Ronald and Alan Higgins; three sisters, Judy Leforte, Maryanne Higgins, Margaret (Peggy) Counihan; and two grandsons Charlie and Cooper Conti.
Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 18 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 248 Eastford, CT. 06242.

Herbert W. Howe
S. WOODSTOCK — Herbert W. Howe, 82, of S. Woodstock died, Aug. 8, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was born Aug. 3, 1936, in Eastford.
He was the husband of Marie (Marrier) Howe. They married Jan. 29, 1956, in Woodstock. His foster mother was the late Alma Johnson.
Herbert was a carpenter and worked with many construction companies. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and football. He had a passion for woodworking and made Adirondack furniture and such.
Herbert leaves his wife Marie Howe; sons Brian Howe (Laura) of Norwich, Steve Howe (Rhonda) of Central Village, Jim Howe of S. Woodstock; grandchildren Kristina Fusari (Nick), Keesen Howe, Angelica Howe, Andrew Howe (Becky); two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Bobby Howe.
Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. A Funeral Service will follow at 6 at the Funeral Home.

Francis R. Mackie Jr.
DANIELSON — Francis R. Mackie Jr. 75, of Danielson, formerly of Texas and Florida, died Aug. 8, 2018, at Hartford Hospital.
Born on Sept. 10, 1942, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Francis and Yvonne (Broulard) Mackie Sr.
He leaves his children Ronald Kneeland (Betsy), Michael Mackie (Yesenia), Lori Larocque, Gail Stanley, Robin Rojas, Donnajo Harris, Janell Aguilar; siblings Mary Brown, Ellie Bransfield, Joseph Butts; stepson Donald “Buzz” Page Jr.; close friend Sandra Racine; grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Francis; sisters Carol, Constance, Shirley and Rose.
A Celebration of life will be held at a later date. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Marion M. Wood
DAYVILLE — Marion M. (Crump) Wood, 78, died July 31, 2018, at Davis Place, Danielson.
She was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., daughter of the late Erie Belmont Crump and Melva (Mouthorp) Crump and lived in Killingly area for the past 40 years, prior to that living in upstate New York.  She was a CNA working in home healthcare.  She enjoyed reading, music, dance, bingo, gardening and animals.
She leaves her companion, Thomas Andrews of Dayville; two sons, Erie Jack Wood (Marnie) of Heuvelton, N.Y., Alvin Wood (Susan) of Killingly; four daughters; Susan Sawyer (Jerome) of Hermon, N.Y., Melva O’Neill of Brooklyn, Donna Gaudreau (James) of Rogers, and Marion H. Chapman of W. Warwick, R.I.; 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Erie Junior Crump of New York. She was predeceased by a son, Gerald Wood and his wife Peggy and the three children; brother John Crump.
A Celebration of Life was Aug. 11 at the VFW in Brooklyn. Donations: CT Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

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