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Alan J. Laflamme
POMFRET CENTER — Alan J. Laflamme died June 22, 2013, after a short bout with cancer. He was 59.
Alan was the husband of Joanne Laflamme, whom he married on July 5, 1980; father of Joseph and Amy Laflamme; and son of Ramona (Payne) Mulvaney and the late Roland Joseph Laflamme.
Alan worked as an operations manager for Staples, Inc. for 25 years. Before that, he was a police officer in Putnam; a teacher in Woodstock, Thompson, and Killingly; and a production supervisor for Frito-Lay. He served on the Pomfret Inland Wetlands Commission and volunteered with the Pomfret Little League.
Alan enjoyed beekeeping, tending his fruit trees, and Red Sox baseball. He lived to see his son graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his daughter from the Northeastern University School of Nursing.
In addition to his wife and children, Alan leaves his sister, Joanne Coderre, who helped care for him while he was ill; her husband, Michael; and their son, Jason; his stepfather, Daniel Mulvaney.
A Mass of Christian Burial was July 1 in St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in Abington Cemetery. Donations: Deary Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06239. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Donald Bond Sr.
PLAINFIELD — Donald K. Bond Sr., 70, of Black Hill Road, husband of Barbara Dapsis, died June 27, 2013, at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.
He was born Sept. 8, 1942, in Putnam, a son of the late Donald J. and Thelma (Kinder) Bond and had lived in Plainfield for the past 22 years. He was a Vietnam era veteran of the U.S. Army. Don was employed as reporter at The Bulletin for the past 50 years and had been the editor of the former Journal Transcript for several years. He served as chairman of the Killingly/Brooklyn Springtime Festival from 1999 to 2003, and received the humanitarian award in 2011 from the Northeast CT. Chamber of Commerce. Don helped found the Tommy Toy Fund and chaired the Windham County Committee for 35 years. He had coached Putnam American Legion baseball from 1971 to 1974.
Besides his wife he leaves a son Donald K. Bond Jr. of Brooklyn; three daughters, Donna Pasquerella of Ellenton, Fla., Paula Widman of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Kelly Bond of Woodstock; three grandsons and one great-grandson.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 2 p.m. July 7 at the Central Village Fire Department. Donations: Don Bond Memorial Fund, c/o Core Plus, 202 Salem Tpk. Norwich, CT. 06360. Walk-in donations will be accepted at any branch. Dougherty Bros. Funeral Home, Plainfield.
Dorothy Graveline
THOMPSON —— Dorothy F. (Viens) Graveline, 79, of Wrightson Drive, formerly of Moosup, died June 30, 2013, at home. She was the wife of the late Paul Graveline.
Born Nov. 9, 1933, in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Diana (Martel) Viens. On Nov. 24, 1955, at St. Mary Church in Putnam she was united in marriage to Paul Graveline.
Mrs. Graveline was a very active member of St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale
She leaves a son Mark Graveline (Sandra) of Plainfield; two daughters Susan Srednicki (William) of Thompson and Renee Nadeau (Steven) of Moosup; three brothers Rene Viens and Maurice Viens, both of Thompson, and Robert Viens of Putnam; five grandchildren Mathew, Kaelyn, Nicholas, Tyler, and Nathan.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 9 a.m. July 9 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Leila Coutu
N. GROSVENORDALE — Leila Coutu, 88, of Central Street, died June 18, 2013, at home.
She was born in 1925 in Newton, Mass., daughter of the late Frank and Glennie (Marshal) Littlehale.
Mrs. Coutu worked as a CNA for Milford Nursing Associates. She enjoyed collecting turtles.
She leaves sons; Edward Coutu of Fort Mills, S.C., Thomas Coutu of Fort Walton, Fla., Mark Coutu of Milton, Fla., and Russell Coutu of Hiram, Maine; daughters, Frances Robinson of Milton, Florence Shepherd of Woonsocket, R.I., Jo Anne Field of Hiram, Maine, Norma Sylvester of Medway, Mass., Terry Desnoyer of Leominster, Mass., and Rochelle Coutu of N. Grosvenordale.
The funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St, Putnam.
Robert Beaudreault
WOODSTOCK — Robert L. Beaudreault, 81, of Stonebridge Road, died June 26, 2013, at home after a 17-year struggle with cancer. He was the husband of Gloria (Bissonnette) Beaudreault with whom he married on Oct. 13, 1956, in St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale.
Born in 1931 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Antonio Beaudreault and Effie (Perry) Beaudreault.
Mr. Beaudreault served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 until 1954. He worked as a mason for 31 years for the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation. He was a lifelong member of the Putnam Fish and Game. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, archery, and gardening.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons, Robert P. Beaudreault (Jean) of Woodstock, and Mark D. Beaudreault of Putnam; daughter, Laura A. Salo (Laurence) of Woodstock; brothers, Norman Beaudreault (Yvette) of Woodstock, Harvey Beaudreault (Shirley) of Texas, Paul Beaudreault of AK, Leo Beaudreault (Sharon) of Dayville; sister Ruth B. Roy (Richard) of Woodstock; grandchildren Scott R. Beaudreault, Kelly B. Percy (William), Timothy A. Beaudreault (Erica), Amber Salo, Britany Salo, Hunter M. Beaudreault; seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Beaudreault.
Graveside services are at 3 p.m. Aug. 2 in Elmvale Cemetery, Roseland Park Road, and Senexet Rd. Woodstock. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Beverly Ann Farland
DANIELSON — Beverly Ann Farland, 78, of Danielson died, June 25, 2013, at Regency Heights Nursing Home in Danielson. She was born June 17, 1935, in Burlington, Vt., daughter of the late Raymond and Leonna (Savard) Jacquish. Beverly enjoyed crafts and playing bingo.
She leaves four children Norman, Michael, Sandra, Darlene; four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
A Graveside Service was July 1 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Marjorie Potter
WOODSTOCK — Marjorie G. Potter, 88, of Woodstock, died June 23, 2013, at Regency Heights Nursing Home in Danielson. Wife of the late Arthur C. Potter, they were married March 10, 1946, in Woodstock. He died in 2000.
She was born June 22, 1925, in Florida, N..Y, daughter of the late Ernest and Elsie (Vaughan) Withers Sr.
Marjorie was a homemaker who raised four children. She was a life member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, in Southbridge. She was an avid gardener, a lover of birds and enjoyed nature. Marjorie enjoyed her winters spent in Florida with her husband.
She leaves her children Steven Potter (Cynthia) of Rochdale, Mass., Kathleen Spinney (Donald) of Woodstock, Gary Potter of Woodstock; a granddaughter Tiffany Rose Potter of Brighton, Mass.; siblings Gwendolyn, Gladys, Dorothy, Sally, William. She was predeceased by her son Daniel in 2003 and a brother Ernest Withers Jr.
Burial was private in Elmvale Cemetery, Woodstock. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
John J. Czernicki
WEBSTER — John J. Czernicki, 57, died June 23, 2013, the day before he was to return to work after his recovery from recent surgery> He died in his sleep after a day of fishing and fun with his family on Webster lake.
He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Anthony J. and Stasia (Milas) Czernicki. John was an athlete at Bartlett High School class of 1973 . He graduated from Worcester Poly Tech. He lived in Webster all his life a former firefighter for Webster Fire Dept. John was a 33-year member of the Teamsters Local 170. A part of the Czernicki Champion bowling family that put Webster in the news many times. He made deliveries for Atlas Distributors.
He was inducted into the Candlepin Hall of Fame in 2011.
He leaves his wife Sandy (Shaw) Czernicki; two daughters: Tara Czernicki of Webster and Stasia Czernicki of Woodstock; two brothers: Daniel Czernicki (Theresa) of Lothian, Md., Edward Czernicki (Jeanne) of Webster.
The Funeral Mass was June 28 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial at St. Joseph Garden Of Peace Cemetery, Webster. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.
Hilda P. Sharin
BROOKLYN — Hilda Sharin died June 17, 2013, at Pierce Memorial Home in Brooklyn. Always one to focus on the positive, Hilda kept remarking about what a lovely private room she had with a breezy, pleasant view, and how fortunate she was to have the most heart-centered people taking such good care of her.
Hilda was born on May 6, 1914, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Franklin Posner and Celia Brown Posner, proud and prescient Hungarian immigrants, who came to America a few years earlier to escape the persecution of Jews. The new family moved to New York City soon after her birth, and Hilda spent virtually her entire life there, rising from poverty to ultimately enjoy the best this cultural capital of the world had to offer. While a student at City College of New York, she met the love of her life, Barney Sharin, singing in the college chorus. They were married for 49 years until his death in 1987, raising two children, pursuing professional careers, traveling the world together, and regularly patronizing the Met Opera, Broadway, museums, and many, many concert series over the decades. Lovers of music and each other, they attended classical music performances at least every month and enjoyed singing favorite arias together.
For almost 50 years, Hilda was executive secretary and manager of a prominent corporate law firm in Manhattan. She was a gourmet cook, talented seamstress, and an all-around natural artist, including Japanese brush painting, stained-glass work, and jewelry. She created beauty and loved being surrounded by beauty. After her husband’s death she progressed from a novice bridge player to compete in NYC regional tournaments, earning master points toward Life Master. At the age of 85, she wanted to learn about computers and got her own for email, computer bridge, and word processing, successfully using one until her vision didn’t permit.
Hilda also had an avid interest in reading newspapers and in politics, engaging in spirited discussions with friends and community right through her final years. She served for five years as treasurer of the NYC Manhattan chapter of the League of Women Voters. Always valuing her right to vote, she never missed an annual election her entire life, including last year’s presidential election.
In 2004, several months after her 90th birthday, Hilda made the biggest transition of her life, moving from NYC to Creamery Brook Retirement Village in Brooklyn to be near her older daughter. Adjustment to and acceptance of life’s changes always came easily to Hilda, and she thrived in this new setting. She was legendary for her warm personality, thoughtfulness, ready smile, and enthusiasm for life.
She leaves two daughters, Susan Sharin, of Eastford (and partner Laurina Young) and Carole Sharin of New York City, and other family members from coast to coast. There will be a gathering in Eastford in celebration of Hilda’s life to be announced at a later date. Donations: PierceCare, 44 Canterbury Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234.
Rachel DesJardins
NEW LONDON — Rachel Albina DesJardins, 85, of New London, died June 2, 2013. Born Oct. 17, 1927, in Putnam, she was the only child born to Putnam Woolen Mill workers Conrad and Alice (Chagnon) Magnant.
Rachel attended St. Mary Church and was educated for 12 years at Putnam Catholic Academy where she graduated in 1945 as valedictorian. In 1947, she married Leonard E. DesJardins with whom she celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2012. Rachel was employed for many years as a Medical Records clerk at Windham Hospital in Willimantic.
She and Leonard moved to the Connecticut shoreline where they enjoyed the beaches along with their seven children and 18 grandchildren. The highlight of her retirement was a trip to Europe with her husband.
Rachel was predeceased by her husband, Leonard, on April 17, 2013, and by her younger son, Philip DesJardins,on March 6, 2013. She leaves one son, Dave DesJardins of Chaplin; five daughters: Alice Sheriff and Judith M.DesJardins of New London; Emilie J. Krogrud of Palm Bay, Fla.; Laura DesJardins of Varina, Va., and Denise DesJardins of St. Didace, Quebec, Canada. Donations: St. Joseph School Adopt-A-Student Program, Squire St., New London, CT.
Robert Jennings
DUDLEY — Robert L. Jennings, 67, of Dudley, died June 28, 2013, at Webster Manor.
He was born in Wilcoe, W.Va., son of the late Frank and Opal (Bailey) Jennings and lived in Dudley for the past 40 years. He was a landscaper.
He leaves four brothers, Richard Jennings and Douglas Jennings, both of Brooklyn, Garret Jennings of West Virginia and William Jennings of West Virginia; three sisters, Emma Guevremont of Putnam, Vickie Rebet of N. Grosvenordale, and Elizabeth Clark of West Virginia.
Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Santina Siekierski
THOMPSON — Santina J. “Bella” Siekierski, 81, died June 14, 2013, in UMass - University Campus, Worcester.
She was born in Dudley, the daughter of the late Thomas and Angeline (Esposito) DeNardis. She was raised in Dudley and lived the past 52 years in Thompson. She graduated from Bartlett High School 1949 where she was an outstanding varsity athlete in basketball and softball as well as being a drummer for the band. She worked 40 years at Rexnord in Worcester.
She leaves her husband of 63 years, Raymond Siekierski; four sons: Raymond Siekierski Jr. (Kathy) of Rindge, N.H., Jim Siekierski (Lynn) of N. Grosvenordale, John Siekierski of Dudley, Jeff Siekierski (Kim) of Wilbraham, Mass.; four grandsons; one brother: Thomas DeNardis of Dudley; three sisters: Josephine Davis of Thompson, Anna Tracey of Dudley and Mary Aldrich of Webster. She was predeceased by a sister, Christina DeNardis.
The Funeral was June 24 with burial i St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Webster. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.