James M. Ward,
Air Force vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — James M. Ward, 57, of Ravenelle Rd., died May 1, 2020, at home.
He was the husband of Susan (Andrews) Ward. Born in 1962 in Winthrop, Mass., he was the son of James Ward of Bellingham, Mass., and Patricia (Arneil) Pumphret of Winthrop.
Jimmy was a proud veteran serving with the U.S. Air Force where he learned communications. After leaving the Air Force, Jimmy continued to work in the communications field as he became a cell phone tower engineer, owning his own company. His favorite part of his job was climbing 1,500 feet up to the top of the tower to meet the helicopter and an extension was placed on the tower. Jimmy’s business allowed him the opportunity to travel throughout the U.S. and no matter what state he found himself in he was able to find a gym. He was also known for his love of animals, especially his Mastiffs that he raised.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, James Riley Ward of Alaska; his two daughters, Charlene Ward of upstate New York and Jadyn Ward of Thompson; his stepson, Colton Andrews of Shrewsbury, Mass.; his sister, Tracy Ward Adkins of North Carolina; his half siblings, Sean Pumphret, Paul Pumphret Thomas Pumphret, Caitlin Pumphret, and Kathy Pumphret Norris, all of Winthrop, and Lisa Ward, Maureen Ward, Brian Ward, and Roger Ward, all of Bellingham; and five grandchildren. Donations: The Animal Rescue League of Worcester, 139 Holden St. Worcester, MA 01606. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Edith S. Garvey
DAYVILLE — Edith (Carroll) Garvey, 98, of Lake Road died May 13, 2020, at home.
She was the wife of the late John E. Garvey Sr.  They were married on Nov. 3, 1945, at St. Edward Church in Pawtucket, R.I.
Born in 1921 in Pawtucket, she was the daughter of the late William and Roselene (Collette) Carroll.
Edith attended school in R.I.  She worked for the telephone company as a switchboard operator until her marriage to John in 1945 and then moved to Connecticut in 1956. She was a homemaker and mother of seven children while doing the bookkeeping for her late husband’s business.  She was a Girl Scout leader.  She loved baking, taking walks through the woods and the ocean, especially the wall at Narragansett and Scarborough beaches.  She was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in Dayville. 
She leaves her sons, John E. Garvey Jr. of Dayville (caretaker) and Michael C. Garvey of Dixon, CA.; four daughters, Jean K. Mantoleski of Dudley, Mary L. Fisher of Moses Lake, WA, Margaret M. Coman and Maureen E. Keith, both of Putnam; 17 grandchildren; 18great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph L. Garvey; four sisters; and four brothers.
Burial will be private at St. Joseph Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

Christine Davis
ATLANTA — Christine Chenard Davis died April 21, 2020, after a battle with cancer.
She was born Feb. 25, 1967, and grew up in Putnam, graduating from Killingly High School. She graduated with degrees from Bay Path College and UConn.  She met her husband Bob in Boston and they lived in Tokyo, Japan for 4 years before moving to Atlanta in 1996. Christine taught at the Atlanta Speech School for 11 years. Her coworkers have said “these hallways were always brighter because of Christine”. Christine had a beautiful smile and a warm, generous and fun personality. When asked to describe Christine, the two most-used words were “strength and grace”. She poured her heart into each of her children.
She leaves her husband Bob; three children, Brittany, Tyler and Trent; her father Ron Chenard (Jo Elaine); her mother Maureen Bissonnette (George); her sister Deborah Rondeau (Brian); her brother Kyle Chenard and his girlfriend Kathy; her brother Ray Mathis; her sisters Sue Bissonnette and Kim Kelly. Due to the current health situation, we are unable to have a public service to honor her; however you can find a celebration of her life at www.forevermissed.com/christine-chenard-davis.  Donations: Christine Chenard Davis Endowment Fund at the Atlanta Speech School to support professional development at the school: https://21916.thankyou4caring.org/Christine-Davis-Endowment-Fund.

Michael J. Bernier,
veteran
DANIELSON — Michael J. Bernier, 70, of Carol Avenue, died April 28, 2020, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam of pneumonia after a long illness with MS.  He was born Nov. 28, 1949, son of the late Conrad Maurice Bernier and the late Marie (Francis) Paul Bernier.
Michael served 12 ½ years in the military, four years in the Marines and 7 ½ in the Army. His last tour was Germany where he was diagnosed with MS, retiring with a full medical discharge. His compassion in work and play was computers. His MOS was computer repairman and office repairman. He also got his electrician degree in the military. He received numerous military awards.
He went to St. James and Ellis Tech in Danielson. Prior to going in the military he worked for Senator Ferland of Danielson as a computer repairman. He went to computer schools all over the country for his trade both civilian and military. Michael spent most of his married life with MS. 43 years, before his illness got worst, he loved to take his children Mike and Matt to work with him and they would play all day on computers. He liked to fish and hunt, bowling and playing pool. He was a permanent member of St. James Church, the VFW and the American Legion in Putnam. He was known for his big smile, kindness and his “fun kidding.”
He leaves his wife Blanche M. (Briere) Bernier of 50 years July 4; two sons Michael D. Bernier (Victoria) of Ella Bell, GA, and Matthew D. Bernier (Jessica) of Danielson; one brother Joseph Bernier of UT; grandchildren Jacob, Sarrah, Thomas, Katryna and Rene Bernier and step-grandchildren Majenta Sinardi of Brooklyn and Arron and Zachary Jenkins of Ella Bell, GA; brothers and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by a brother Lawrence Bernier. Burial with military honors will be held later in a veterans’ cemetery. Gagnon & Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Vincent J. O’Connor,
Navy vet
E. KILLINGLY — Vincent J. O’Connor, 79, of E. Killingly, died May 12, 2020, in Worcester after a brief illness. He was married to the love of his life, Diane (Harker) O’Connor in June of 1965.  Born in Providence, he was the son of J. John O’Connor and Antoinette (Dumas) O’Connor. He graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Central Falls, RI, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing his service to his country, he worked for the Providence Journal Bulletin and JF Donovan Chemical Co. in RI. He later owned a trucking company and moved to CT. His final job was for the Town of Killingly as a heavy equipment mechanic.
While in the Navy, Vinnie realized his dream of traveling the world. He spoke and understood multiple languages and used this gift working as a Navy translator. As a truck driver, he visited the 48 contiguous states. He and Diane enjoyed their retirement, traveling throughout New England but especially to their favorite place, Moosehead Lake, Maine. Vinnie recently declared that when this quarantine was over he was “going to drive far and drive fast!”
He leaves his wife Diane, his daughters Suzanne Gosselin (Brian) of Danielson, Margaret Trahan (Dale) of Norwich, Eileen Carlson (John) of Farmington; son Sean O’Connor of E. Killingly; 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; his beagle, Henry. He was the brother of William O’Connor of Sterling, Joanne Lafergola of RI, Jeanne O’Connor, Mary Ellen Noonan and Kathleen Montella, all of FL. The family held a private service at The Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich. In Memory: Do as he did, and take a moment to tell your spouse that you love them, hug your child or grandchild, walk your dog, call an old friend, help a stranger or make someone laugh. Gagnon & Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.


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