Lawrence D. Lussier
PUTNAM — Lawrence “Larry” D. Lussier, 65, of Farrows St. died unexpectedly on March 23, 2020.  He was the husband of 42 years to JoAnn (Brown) Lussier.  Born in 1955 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Henry and Helen (Morin) Lussier.
Larry worked for Belding Heminway in Putnam. When the plant closed, he worked at Rogers Corporation in E. Woodstock (30+ years). He was a proud member of the Putnam Fire Dept. for more than 30 years.
Larry’s biggest joy in life was being a “Beepa” to his granddaughters. He had a huge heart and always put everyone’s happiness first.  
He loved family vacations, NASCAR, and working in the yard.
In addition to his wife JoAnn, he leaves his son, Captain Justin Lussier (Jenny) and their daughter Emma of Putnam; his daughters, Kimberly Lussier of Putnam, Rebecca Lussier, DVM, of Plymouth, Mass., and Karalee Peach and her significant other, Jon Bastura and her daughter, Madyson Peach of Woodstock; his brother, Robert Lussier Sr. (Barbara) of Putnam; his nephew, Robert Lussier Jr. (Crissy) of Hampton.  Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Putnam Fire Department, 189 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260; or to a pet rescue of your choice.

Leonard Martin
QUINEBAUG — Leonard Martin, 99, died March 25, 2020. He was a longtime figure often seen driving his blue tractor to the Quinebaug Four Corners. He was born in 1921. He worked for 30 years at the American Optical Company in Southbridge and was a farmer for most of his life.  People came from miles around for his hay.  The family worked together to take in hay, milk cows and keep wood cut for the stoves. They have many wonderful memories of taking trips to Dresser Hill Farm for ice cream on hot days after haying, plus trips to the Cape. Many State children spent precious time at the farm. He loved his garden, his blue tractor, bowling, fishing, a good game of pitch on a Saturday night, complete with hotdogs and beans.
He leaves his daughter, Mona Lee of Woodstock; a son, George Martin of Charlottesville, Va., and his eldest son, Leonard H. Martin of Sarasota, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.  He was predeceased by his stepdaughter,  Anne MClellan Pichon, and his wife, Hedvig Okeson Martin.  Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

Erika M. Ryan
PUTNAM — Erika May Ryan, 24, died March 19, 2020, at home. She was born in 1995 in Worcester, and raised in Worcester and Leicester. She was most proud of the time she spent as a Starter Substance Abuse Counselor for Spectrum Health Services. She was in the process of continuing her education to study human services.
Her boys meant the world to her — every breath she took was for them. Erika lived a life filled with hardship, adversity, and crushing loss, yet she remained full of spirit and life. Her resilience shined; she never gave up and she worked so hard to rise above her circumstance; she loved hard and fought harder. She leaves three sons, Daniel, Brayden, and Carson; her fiancé, Ryan Peperato; her father, Thomas Ryan; her sister, Brittany Hanna (Andrew); 2 nephews, Julian and Max; her aunts, her grandfather, Eddie Lindquist of Leicester. She was predeceased by her mother, Jennifer M. Short, and her grandmother, Bonnie E. Lindquist. Donations: Her boys’ college fund: Erika Ryan Memorial, Cornerstone Bank, 200 Charlton Rd, Route 20, Sturbridge MA 01566. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, Putnam. Burial in Hillside Cemetery.

Sr. Blanche Thibault, DHS
Sr. Blanche Thibault, DHS, 94, of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died unexpectedly March 26, 2020, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham.
Born on June 17, 1925, in Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of Albert and Eva (Vigeant) Thibault. Sr. Blanche entered religious life in 1948 and made her religious profession on Aug. 16, 1949, in Putnam. She was then known as Sr. Albert de Ste. Anne. Most of her years in ministry were in nurseries and day care centers in Fall River, Newport, and Putnam. In 1989, she moved to the Provincial House in Putnam, and was active in housekeeping until she retired in 1993. In 2017, she was missioned to St. Joseph Community in Windham.
She leaves the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family; her sisters, Alice Mandeville and Florence Steele of Florida and Imelda Bernard of Ohio. She was predeceased by her brothers, Armand and Oscar and her sisters, Anita and Irene.
Donations: DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, Putnam.

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