- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Stewart M. Tatem
WWII vet
EASTFORD — Stewart Meacham Tatem, 91, went to his home in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ Jan. 10, 2014. He is now free from Alzheimer’s disease.
Stewart Meacham Tatem was born March 31, 1922, to Harry and Floy (Meacham) Tatem. He was the younger brother of Olive Tatem Walker and John McNeil Tatem. He graduated from New Hampton School, New Hampton, N.H., after which he attended Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio for two years, ceasing his studies in order to join the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a lifelong resident of Eastford.
He married Gladys L. Ettell in 1942. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 and served as a radio instructor. After being discharged Stewart returned to Eastford to help run the family woodworking business, started by his great grandfather in 1864. Stewart worked in the mill and eventually became president of Tatem Manufacturing Co.
Stewart lived his life for the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Congregational Church of Eastford, as a member for most of his life, he served on many committees, led high school youth groups and sang in the choir from an early age. He was also a ‘lay preacher’ for several churches over the years.
Stewart was one of the last remaining charter member of the “Eastford Independent Fire Company Number One” established in 1942. He was a member of the “Gideons, International” for 66 years. In the 1960s he was on the “Conservative Congregational Christian Conference” national board and continued as a lifetime member. Stewart served on the advisory board for Hartford National/Connecticut National/Shawmut Bank for many years. Stewart served as Probate Judge for the town of Eastford for 33 years. Stewart became a Registered Professional Engineer in June 1979. In the 1980’s the Crystal Pond Association was organized by Stewart.
Stewart had many different interests that include skiing (snow and water), skating, flying his “Piper Cub” airplane, kite flying, traveling, and sailing. Spending winters in Maui, Hawaii was a favorite part of Stewart and Gladys’ retirement.
Stewart leaves his son Dick Tatem (Judi) of West Unity, N.H.; son David Tatem (Kris) of Hartford, Wisc.; and daughter Beverly Lindemann (Bruce) of Eastford; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Gladys, Jan. 18, 2006.
A service of celebration will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Congregational Church of Eastford. Donations: The Congregational Church of Eastford, PO Box 177, Eastford, CT 06242. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Walter J. Breault,
Army vet
DAYVILLE — Walter J. Breault, 83, of Ballouville Road, died Jan. 11, 2014, at the Oakwood Nursing and Rehab in Webster. He was the husband of Lorraine (Savoie) Breault. They were married in 1951 in St James Church.
He was born June 20, 1930, in Canada, son of the late Theodore and Irene (Lambert) Breault. He worked at Rogers Corporation as a Machine Tender and as a hobby was also a cobbler for many years. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. He was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his wife and foliage tours in New Hampshire.
He leaves in addition to his wife Lorraine, his sons, André Breault (Angela) of Manchester, Roger Breault of Brooklyn; two granddaughters, one grandson. He was predeceased by two sons, Walter L. Breault in 1952 and Joseph W. Breault in 1986, two brothers Richard Breault of Plainfield, Paul Breault of Plainfield and one sister Lucille Breault of Canada.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 17 in St Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Gloria Lavigne
KILLINGLY — Gloria M. Lavigne, 82, of Danielson, died Jan. 7, 2014, after a short illness. She was born in Grafton, Mass., daughter of the late Arthur and Dorila (Cofsky) Rivernider.
She leaves her husband of 61 years, and the love of her life Normand R. Lavigne. She also leaves her sons, Gary D. Lavigne (Carol) of South Windsor, Paul R. Lavigne of Danielson; her daughters, Gail M. Trudeau (Guy) of Brooklyn, Ann D. LaRoche of Boylston, Mass., Joan C. Barlow (wife of Dr. Dennis Barlow, recently deceased) of Eastford, Susan C. Lavigne of Rome, Ga.; her sisters, Ruth Lewcon of Uxbridge, Mass.; Evelyn Daley of Summerfield, Fla.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Wallace Rivernider and her sister, Shirley Rivernider.
The Funeral Service was Jan. 10. Donations: Your favorite charity. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Hazel Frink
WOODSTOCK — Hazel (Holland) Frink, 79, of Woodstock, died Dec. 19, 2013, in Coventry, R.I. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years Barrett Frink. He died Jan. 26, 2012.
She was born Sept. 17, 1934, in Providence, daughter of the late Jerome V. and Minnicent “Penny” (Bates) Holland, She was a graduate of the St. Xavier High School and the Rhode Island School of Pharmacy. She was a member of St. Stephen Church in Quinebaug, and a member of the Church Ladies Guild. She enjoyed knitting, dancing and singing.
She leaves her daughter, Karen Frink of Elkin, N.H.; a grandson Cameron Holland Wood of Andover, and a niece Cheryl Blackmer of Woodstock.
The Funeral Service will be held in the spring in North Woodstock Cemetery. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Doris C. Gileau
PUTNAM —Doris C. Gileau, 84, of Putnam, died peacefully Jan. 8, 2014, at Kindred Nursing Home in Webster. She was the wife of the late Armand Gileau. They were happily married for 55 years. Born Aug. 25, 1929, in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Rose (Laflamme) Croteau.
Doris was an avid bowler, loved playing cards and bingo. She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam.
She leaves four children, two daughters: Denise Marshall of Thompson and Gale Gileau of Putnam; two sons: Kevin Gileau of Windham and Bradford Gileau (Lisa) of Wellington, Fla.; a brother, Richard Croteau (Nancy) of Bonita Springs, Fla.; three grandchildren: Carrie Norris of Killingly, Matthew and Brett Gileau of Wellington; great-grandmother to Kayleigh Norris of Killingly. Doris was predeceased by a brother, Arthur Croteau.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 13 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Day Kimball Hospital, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Thomas Seaton Jr.,
WWII vet
MOOSUP — Thomas J. Seaton Jr., died Jan. 2, 2014. Mr. Seaton was born on Aug. 5, 1922, on Fishers Island, New York, to Harriet Cranska Seaton and Thomas J. Seaton.
He grew up in Moosup, attended Plainfield High School, and then attended Bowdoin College, Maine.
In 1944 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a pilot and aerial gunnery instructor during WWII. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he attended Centre College, Kentucky, and completed his education at Columbia University, earning a master’s degree in library science in 1953.
He married Marguerite Parks in December 1952. In 1954 he was posted to the United States Department of Defense School system in England, where he served as a high school librarian until 1985. In 1990 he returned to the United States, living in Thompson, and later in Woodstock.
Mr. Seaton enjoyed many interests including, hiking, golfing, gardening, piano playing, and collecting antiquarian books. He taught adults to read and changed a number of lives as a literacy volunteer.
He leaves his wife Marguerite Parks Seaton, daughter Jean Seaton Keleher of Kensington, Md.; his son Thomas J. Seaton III of Waldorf, Md., and his son Edward A. Seaton of Pomfret Center; five grandchildren, Christopher, Alexander, and Claire Keleher, and Elena and Jeffrey Seaton; two sisters Evelyn Seaton Treiber of Central Village and Jean Seaton Rosane of Middlebury, Vt.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Germaine Goudreau
DANIELSON — Germaine D. Goudreau, 76, died Jan. 7, 2014, at her home at Maple Courts.
She was born Jan. 18, 1937, in (Goodyear) Rogers, daughter of the late Arthur and Bella (Rickey) Briere. She was a graduate of Killingly High School and was employed at various types of businesses, lastly at Day Kimball Hospital Homemakers in Putnam. She was a diehard Boston Red Sox and Patriot football fan, a talented craft person and great cook.
She leaves her son Anthony Paquin of Bolling Green, Ky.; brother Leo Briere of Danielson; sisters, Lorraine Parkhurst of Brooklyn and Florence Magrey of Dayville; stepbrothers, David Rickey of Plainfield, Robert Rickey of Moosup, Raymond Rickey of Jewett City. She was predeceased by two sons, Richard Michael Paquin and Gerard Richard Paquin; sister Dorothy Hyland and brother Arthur J.N. Briere.
Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.