- Details
- Category: Current Issue
James Naum,
Korean war vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — James Naum, 82, of Red Bridge Rd., died Nov. 11, 2013 in his home. He was the husband of Anna (Noiseux) Naum.
Born on Sept. 6, 1931, Jankovec, Yugoslavia, he was the son of the late Anastasios and Blaga (Kuzmanovic) Naum. He arrived in the U.S. through Ellis Island on Thanksgiving Day 1931.
Educated in Thompson Public Schools and graduating in 1950, he went on to earn a degree in business from Nichols College in 1952, a bachelor’s degree in science from Willimantic State Teachers College and a master’s degree from UConn.
He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
Jim was a member of the following organizations for over 50 years: American Legion Post 67, Republican Town Committee, Quinebaug Cornerstone Lodge 122 where he served as Grand Master in 1960 and his beloved Thompson Lions Club where he awarded the Melvin Jones award in 2009. Jim has also been in charge of the Lions Golf League for many years.
Jim served several terms on the Thompson Board of Education, Planning and Zoning Commission, Justice of the Peace and he has served on the school building committee for the new elementary school. Jim was also on the Board of Directors for TEEG for many years.
He was a Real Estate Broker in both Connecticut and Massachusetts starting his career some 40 years ago with Negip-Naum Insurance Agency ending his career as a member of the staff of Johnston and Associates.
Jim taught in Thompson Public Schools for 33 years. During this time he wore many hats; Athletic Director, Administrative Assistant in the Middle School, golf coach, Middle School Cross Country Coach and was one of the founders of the QVCJC which was an athletic conference for middle school students.
He was a member of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. He was a past member of the Church Council, served as an usher, and chaired church picnics.
But he will be best remembered as a basketball player and coach at TMHS. He coached the Tigers from 1977 to 1989. In 1987, his team won the State Championship. A feat that had not been repeated since he, himself, was part of the team in 1949 and 1950 under the legendary Jim Canty. In 1987, he was picked as Coach of the Year for small schools in Connecticut.
Jim’s entire professional life was spent helping scholars and athletes of all ages; therefore, donations to: James Naum Scholar Athlete Scholarship Fund, c/o Citizens National Bank, PO Box 6002, Putnam, CT 06260.
He leaves his wife, Anna, of 47 years, his son Thomas and his wife, his daughter-in-law Genevive; a special niece Kelly; a brother Victor; four grandchildren, Heather, Alexander, Loukas, Emily and two great nephews Brad and Christopher. He was predeceased by his son, Michael and a brother, John.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A Funeral Service will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 15 in St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 37 Lake Parkway, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale.
Eleanor Jean Bovia
WESTERLY — Eleanor J. (Otwell) Bovia, 79, of Nutmeg Dr., died Nov. 10, 2013, in the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence. She is the wife of the late Robert J. Bovia. Born in 1934 in Galena, Md., she was the daughter of the late Horace T. Otwell Sr. and Fannie (Boyd) Otwell-Towler.
“Jean” as she was known by most, married the late Robert J. Bovia, on May 15, 1954, in Galena. Soon after marriage, Jean supported Bob’s career in the U.S. Navy, beginning their first move of many. Their children were born in many of the locations that they called home including Annapolis, MD, Pensacola, FL, the Philippines, Japan, Guam, and Maine. In 1069, Bob retired from the Navy and as a family settled in Mystic, before she moved to Putnam in 1986 with Bob. Jean made her home in Putnam, until Bob’s death in 1995. After his passing she spent her years living with various children of her family. Jean loved her family tremendously and always wanted to be the “most useful” as she would say, helping raise her grandchildren and supporting her children.
Jean had a great love for God and read her Bible daily, which gave her great comfort as she neared the last days of her life. She also loved the Boston Red Sox, and bluegrass music.
She leaves two sons Stephen Bovia (Cathy) of Danielson, and James Bovia (Wendy) of Bristol; five daughters Debbie Connor (Steve) of N. Stonington, Kathy Boumenot (John) of Westerly, Kim Bousquet (Tim) of Stonington, Bonnie Stacy (Joe) of Westerly, and Cheri Bovia of Pawcatuck; a brother Horace T. Otwell Jr. of Galena; grandchildren Michael Bovia, Christopher Boumenot, Sarah DaSilva, Corey Beck, Jay Macko, Jr., Zachary Stacy, Ben Macko, Cody Stacy, and Holly Bousquet and great-grandchildren Emilie Bovia and Kennadie DaSilva;. She was predeceased by a brother Dallas Otwell and a sister Dolores Moran.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A Graveside Service will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 14 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. A Memorial Service will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Lighthouse Community Baptist Church, 22 Pequot Trail, Stonington. Donations: Mystic Marine life Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355.
Ruth Madeline
(Andrews) Derois
PUTNAM — Ruth Madeline (Andrews) Derois, 79, of Putnam died Nov. 4, 2013, at Day Kimball Hospital. She was born March 16, 1934, in Glocester, R.I., daughter of the late Arthur and Gertrude (Ide) Andrews.
She was a member for many years at the Putnam Methodist Church, served as a volunteer with prison fellowship ministry and was very active with the local AA programs.
She leaves two daughters Jean Patton and Patricia Briggs of Rhode Island; a son Mark Derois of Connecticut; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; five siblings Charles Andrews of Tennessee, Peg Andrews of New Hampshire, Arthur Andrews Jr. of Florida, George Andrews of Tennessee, Pauline West of Connecticut; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother Robert Andrews.
Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Lynne E. Gayewski
N. GROSVENORDALE — Lynne E. Gayewski, 66, of Riverside Dr., died Nov. 4, 2013, at home. Born in 1947 in Webster, she was the daughter of the late Richard J. and Ellen Y. (Belanger) Gayewski Sr.
She leaves a sister Carol Figueroa of Putnam; two brothers Richard J. Gayewski Jr. (Stephanie) of Florida, and Robert Gayewski (Lisa) of Webster; nieces and nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Nov. 14 in St. Louis Roman Catholic Church, Webster. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Ernest Labonte Jr.
PUTNAM — Ernest Labonte Jr. (Ernie), 64, of Church St., died Nov. 5, 2013, at home. Born in 1949 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Ernest and Roseanna (Nadeau) Labonte.
Ernie worked as a machinist for Linemaster Switch, retiring in 2001. Ernie enjoyed repairing and restoring old cars and attending car shows. He built his own workshop behind his house to work on his many projects. He enjoyed learning on his computer and sharing family photographs. Ernie was a self-taught piano and organ player and enjoyed playing for others.
He leaves his brother, Donald Labonte (Bonita) of Brunswick, Maine; sisters, Claire Mietzner (Kennet) of Muskegon, Mich. and, Roseanne Plihcik of Bristol; nieces and nephews. As part of the Big Brother/Big Sister program, Ernie was a Big Brother to Mark Janczyk and Kevin Tilson. Ernie continued to be actively involved in their lives.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 11 in St. Mary Church, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Maurice J. Mathurin
BROOKLYN — Maurice “Kiss” J. Mathurin, 86, of Anderson Rd., died Nov. 3, 2013, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Theresa (DesJardins) Mathurin. Born in 1927 in Brooklyn, he was the son of the late Joseph and Marie (Richard) Mathurin.
Mr. Mathurin was a N.Y. Giants and N.Y. Yankees fan. He enjoyed politics and anything to do with wood. He played semi professional football for the Danielson Blackhawks. Maurice was a member of the Danielson Elks, Knights of Columbus, and volunteered at the East Brooklyn Fire Department.
In addition to his wife, he leaves step daughters, Michelle Julian of Killingly and Elaine Marino (Jeffrey) of Cromwell; brother, Montcalm Mathurin of Brooklyn; sister, Marie Champagne of Spofford, N.H.; granddaughter Juliann Marino of Cromwell; nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Matty. Maurice is predeceased by his brother Martin Mathurin and his sister Madeline DesRoches.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 9 in Sacred Heart Church, Wauregan. Donations: Charity of donor’s choice. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
James Perkins
U.S. Army vet
ANDREWS, N.C. — Mr. James Allen Perkins, 72, of Valley View Manor Drive Andrews, and also of Dover, Fla., died Oct. 26,, 2013, at home following an extended illness.
Mr. Perkins was born on June 14, 1941, in Putnam, the son of the late Charles Perkins and the late Mary Emma Daigle Perkins. James was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus and also a former member of the Elks Club. James enjoyed playing golf and raising cattle. He and his wife attended the Holy Redeemer Church in Andrews and were members of St. Clements Catholic church in Plant City, Fla.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Nancy Perkins of Andrews and Dove; one son, Larry Perkins of Lebanon, Mo.; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jamie Lee Perkins of Tampa, Fla., Tammy and Paul ‘Brien of Rincon, Ga.., Bobbi Jo and James Bass of Turtletown, Tenn.; one sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia and Herbert Peterson of Pomfret Center; one brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Vivian Perkins of E. Windsor; seven grandchildren, Georgi and Charley Pairas, Raven Brett, Sierra Giles, James, Jimmy and Jonathan Bass, two great grandchildren, Charles and Emma Grace. He was predeceased by his parents and also one sister, Phyllis Zapoliski.
A memorial service will be held later. Donations: Good Shepherd Hospice of Andrews, N.C.; or to the Moffitt Cancer research of Tampa. Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville, N.C.