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Edgar R. Beausoleil
DANIELSON — Edgar R. Beausoleil, 92, of Wauregan Rd., died Dec. 14, 2013, at home. He was the husband of June M. (Allen) Jacob Beausoleil. Born in 1921 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Alphonse & Celina (Beaudreault) Beausoleil.
Mr. Beausoleil worked as an auditor and collector for the IRS for over 40 years. He was a member of the Putnam Elks and the Albert J. Breault VFW. He enjoyed playing tennis and watching the Red Sox, Celtics and UConn Huskies.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his stepdaughters; Carol A. Deary (Dennis) of Putnam and Deborah S. Jacob-Brotherton (Dale) of Cullowhee, N.C.; four grandchildren, Dawn Hinkley, Dennis Deary Jr., Shawn Deary and Travis Brotherton; five great grandchildren. Edgar is predeceased by his brothers; Rosaire, Raymond, Wilfred and Emile Beausoleil.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 20, in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Burial follows in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Deary Memorial Cancer Fund, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT; or to St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St. Putnam, CT 06260.
William Richardson
PUTNAM — William “Bill” Richardson died Dec. 12, 2013, at Hartford Hospital after a protracted battle with brain cancer.
Bill was born Oct. 16, 1952, in Putnam son of the late William J. and Rita A. (Bonosconi) Richardson. Bill was raised in Putnam attending Putnam public schools and worked at Belding Heminway and Putnam Herzl before going to work for the Connecticut Dept. of Mental Retardation/Developmental Services for 27 years where he worked in several group homes around the area and took care many different clients/patients before retiring due to illness in May of this year.
Bill was well known at many of the local “social spots” and for his prowess at “pool” having participated in many area tournaments over the years. Bill also loved fishing, golf with his buddies and more recently motorcycling.
He leaves his children, Andrew and Heather Richardson, both of Putnam; two brothers, David Richardson (Helen) of Woodstock, and Fred Richardson (Cynthia) of Canterbury; his girlfriend Roberta Reddy of Brooklyn; aunt Norma Bonosconi of Putnam; cousins Susan Steward of N. Chelmsford, Mass., Brenda Navarro of Pomfret, Robert Bonosconi of Salt Lake City, and Mathew Bonosconi of Putnam.
The Funeral was Dec. 17 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: CT Brain Tumor Alliance, PO Box 370514, West Hartford, CT 06137.
George A. Daigle,
war veteran
KILLINGWORTH — George A. Daigle, 87, of Killingworth, formerly of Putnam, died Dec. 7, 2013, in Middlesex Hospital. He was the husband of Laurette (Mayotte) Daigle. They were married in 1965.
He was born April 12, 1926, in Putnam, son of the late Armand and Elizabeth (Maloney) Daigle. George worked as an inspector at Pratt and Whitney for 20 years, retiring in 1988. He retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years of service, a veteran of WWII and the Korean war.
He was formerly Higganum. He had made his home in Killingworth since 1988. He was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church in Killingworth. George enjoyed spending time with his children and visiting his grandchildren in Denmark.
He leaves his wife Laurette of Killingworth; two sons Kenneth Daigle (Karen) of Madison, Michael Daigle of Killingworth; his sisters: Gertrude Carr of Brooklyn, Jane Daigle of Putnam, Celine Bonin of N. Grosvenordale, Joann Benoit of Florida; grandchildren Thomas, Mathew, John and Gabrielle.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 11 at St. Mary Church, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam, with full military honors. Donations: St. Lawrence Church, 7 Hemlock Drive, Killingworth, CT 06415. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
T. ‘Terry’ Gorski
N. GROSVENORDALE — Theresa “Terry” Gorski, 67, of N. Grosvenordale, died at home unexpectedly of natural causes, Dec. 7, 2013. She was the wife of the late Richard Gorski. He died in 2008. She was born on Sept. 1, 1946, in Putnam, daughter of the late Marcel and Lillian (Grenier) Bellerive.
She worked for American Optical and Pfizer. She loved knitting and crocheting, was an avid NASCAR fan, always enjoyed attending her grandchildren's activities and traveling.
She leaves daughters, Shelley Wajer (Martin), Dawn Fiori; sons, Paul Goulette Jr., (Margaret), Joseph Goulette (Sheryl); stepdaughters, Janice McJunkins (John), Melissa Godeke (Phil); brothers Roland “Pete” Bellerive (Cecile), Gerald Bellerive, Norman Bellerive (Linda), Michael Bellerive (Laurette); 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Terry’s Life was Dec. 16 at the Riverside Knights Banquet Hall, N. Grosvenordale. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
H. ‘Bud’ Nichols Jr.
veteran
PUTNAM — Harold “Bud” Nichols Jr., 72, of Walnut Rd., died Dec. 11, 2013 at home, after a long battle with cancer. He is the husband of Irene A. (Brochu) Nichols. They were married on July 24, 1965, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam. Born in 1941 in Willimantic on July 20, 1941, he was the son of the late Harold and Theresa (Lepine) Nichols. He lived in Putnam all his life and loved the town.
He graduated from Putnam High School in 1959 and attended H. Ellis Technical and Hartford State Technical Institute. He also served in Army National Guard from 1961 to 1967. Bud worked at SNET until 1973 and then became involved in real estate, building and sales.
Bud served as a board member and Chairman for the Putnam Board of finance, a member of the Putnam Rotary, and the CT board of Realtors and was Chief Ranger for the Forester of America.
Bud enjoyed traveling to Florida in the winter with his wife Irene. They enjoyed their home and friends at Lily Lake.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his son; David E. Nichols (Cindy) of Putnam; daughter, Sandra Brisco and John Williams of Putnam; brother, Ronald F. Nichols (Diane) of E. Hampton; and four grandchildren Ashley and Jennifer Nichols and Daniel and Matthew Brisco of Putnam. He was predeceased by his brother Gerald A. Nichols in 1976.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 14 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery with full military honors.
Anne E. Ranhoff
POMFRET — Anne E. (Rollins) Ranhoff, 88, of Jericho Rd., died Dec. 14, 2013, at Westview Health Care Center in Dayville. She is the wife of the late Per-Jan Ranhoff. Born in 1925 in Milton, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Wingate and Ruth (Whittier) Rollins.
A Mass of Christian Burial in Most Holy Trinity Church with burial to follow in Abington Cemetery will take place in the spring. Donations: P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 191, Eastford, CT 06242. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Arthur Kuper
WOODSTOCK — Arthur Kuper, 94, of Woodstock, died Nov. 27, 2013, at home.
He was born in Woodstock, son of the late Julius and Anna (Wolfe) Kupraschewitz and lived in Woodstock all his life. He owned and operated Lookaway Dairy Farm in Woodstock and he also raised poultry. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved farming and gardening.
He leaves his wife of 70 years, Phyllis R. (Racine) Kuper of Woodstock; two sons, Daniel Kuper (Margaret) of Woodstock, Kenneth Kuper of Woodstock; two daughters, Lorraine Daniels of Webster and Karen Martin of Worcester; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by a brother, Hugo Kuper of Woodstock and by two sisters, Martha Cozzens of Putnam and Hilda Neal of Putnam.
Donations: Muddy Brook Fire Department, P.O. Box 222, East Woodstock, CT 06244; or Hospice of NE CT, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Joseph Pershula
N. GROSVENORDALE — Joseph Pershula, 81, of Riverside Drive., died Dec. 7, 2013, at home. He was the husband of Nancy (Nachajko) Pershula. Born in 1932 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Max and Sophie (Lukasek) Pershula.
Mr. Pershula owned and operated Electric Motor Repair Co. He loved electric trains, going to the Thompson Speedway, and all animals.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Joi Belforti of Lake Forest, Ill.; sister, Mary Bibek of Putnam; and grandchildren, Jody L. and Morgan A. Pellecchia and Max and Kyle Belforti. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jody Ann Pellecchia.
Donations: American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
John A. Rucki
WOODSTOCK — John A. Rucki, 58, husband and best friend of Judith L. Rucki, left this earthly existence Dec. 11, 2013, to be with his Lord and Savior.
Born in Putnam in 1955, John grew up in Abington in his parents’ store, learning the trade and cutting meat with his father, Walter Sr. Eventually his love for the woods drew him towards establishing his own logging and sawmill operation, where he produced milled lumber for many years. Those who knew John knew he was most comfortable cutting timber.
In recent years, John divided his energies between crop farming at his homestead in Woodstock, tending a wide array of naturally grown vegetables, and caring for his aged mother, Lillian, of whom he was extremely proud. He was an avid supporter of the Second Amendment, the Constitution and an individual’s right to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.He loved his Polish heritage and carried the stresses of America’s losses of freedoms heavy in his heart.
He leaves his wife, Judith Lynn Rucki of Woodstock; his mother, Lillian A. Rucki of Abington; two children, Justin and Jessica; two sisters, Lillian and Gloria; a brother, Walter Jr. of Pomfret; a very special friend, Deb Williams of Woodstock; two dogs, R.B. and Koosh.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 14 at Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Hazel E. Slye
POMFRET — Hazel Edith (Nichols) Slye, 73, of Pomfret, died Dec. 3, 2013, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. She was the wife of Frank G. Slye.
She was born July 12, 1940, in Waterbury, daughter of the late Wilfred and Edna (Garlick) Nichols.
She worked for Rogers Coporation for 35 years in the accounting and payroll department. Hazel enjoyed traveling with her husband, especially the trips to Mohegan Sun Casino.
She leaves her husband Frank G.; son Frank C. Slye of Pomfret; siblings, Betty Erskine of Dayville, Ralph Curtis of Middletown, N.Y., Rex Nichols (Teresa) of Thompson, Lois Racine of Southbridge, Sally Nichols of Texas. She was predeceased by her brothers Arthur Nichols, David Nichols and Richard Nichols.
Burial will be in the spring. Donations: The American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St, I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Joyce S. Wiza
WOODSTOCK — Joyce S. Wiza, 73, of Lebanon Hill Rd., formerly of Thompson, died Dec. 6, 2013, in Harrington Memorial Hospital. Joyce was a long time resident of New Hampshire prior to moving to Connecticut 8 years ago. She was the wife of the late Dr. Joseph L. Wiza.
Born in 1940 in Boston, she was the daughter of the late William Foote and Kathleen (King) Whyte. Her father, William, was a noted scholar and writer and was most famous for his book Street Corner Society. Joyce spent her childhood years in Trumansburg, N.Y., and traveled to Venezuela with her parents during sociological studies.
Mrs. Wiza earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Swarthmore College in 1962. She chose to marry a man whose passion was far from hers, as Joseph was a nuclear physicist. Joyce was a passionate political activist who served in many leadership roles over the years which included being president of her local chapters of League of Women Voters and National Organization for Women and actively participating in several political action committees. She was also an avid gardener and a member of several gardening clubs. In recent years she enjoyed classes at the local community college, QVCC in the Learning in Retirement Program.
She leaves her sons, Joseph C. Wiza of N. Grafton, Mass., and Mark E. Wiza of S. Lake Tahoe, Calif.; daughters, Rachel Wiza-Reyes (Ben) of Woodstock, and Alison Wiza of Putnam; her brothers, Dr. Martin Whyte of Acton, Mass., and Dr. John Whyte of Philadelphia; her sister, Dr. Lucy Whyte-Ferguson of Taos, N.M.; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was deeply fond of her sibling’s partners, Tom Wilson Weinberg, Alice Hogan Whyte and Allen Ferguson and all of their children. She was predeceased by her brother Bruce Whyte.
The Service was Dec. 14 at the E. Woodstock Congregational Church, Donations: Epilepsy Foundation of New England, 540 Gallivan Boulevard, Boston, MA. 02124.Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.