E. ‘Betty’ Lajeunesse

N. GROSVENORDALE — Elizabeth (Lewis) Lajeunesse, 87, formerly of Riverside Drive, died Feb. 15, 2014, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  She was the wife of the late Robert A. Lajeunesse.  Born in 1926 in Swansea, South Wales, UK, she was the daughter of the late Ivor and Alice (Leigh) Lewis.

Mrs. Lajeunesse was a supervisor for Woodstock Line.  She was a member of the VFW Putnam Women’s Auxiliary.

She leaves her son, Michael A. Lajeunesse of N. Grosvenordale; her daughter, Ruth Simmons of Moosup; her brother, Dudley Lewis of Swansea, South Wales; her grandchildren, Roxanne Rhault, Ron Rhault, and Val Haggerty; and her great grandchildren, Patrick and Montana Haggerty, and Evan and Drew Rhault.

The Funeral was March 28 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale with burial in W. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Community Fire Department and Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 874, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255; and/or West Thompson Fire Department, 248 W. Thompson Road, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255; or to a charity of your choice

 

Jeanne Grenier

N. GROSVENORDALE — Jeanne C. (Cardinal) Grenier of N. Grosvenordale, wife of Jean P. Grenier, died March 22, 2014.

She was born in N. Grosvenordale, daughter of the late Gerard & Adrienne (LaFleur) Cardinal.  Jeanne and Jean were united in marriage in 1962, and made their home in N. Grosvenordale.

Besides her husband, she leaves two daughters and a son-in-law, Anita Richard of Dudley and Louise and Vincent Pugh of E. Hampton; three grandchildren, Jenise Richard, Jean-Paul Richard and Shannon Pugh; brothers, Morris Cardinal, Roger Cardinal and his wife Diane; a sister, Madeline Robidoux; her brother-in-law, Paul Grenier; sisters-in-law, Agnes Gaucher and Margaret Lafontaine. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Paul Richard.

The Funeral Mass was March 27 in St. Joseph’s Church, N. Grosvenordale. Donations:  St. Joseph’s Church, 15 Main St. N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Richard E. Pepin,

Korean war vet

PUTNAM — Richard E. Pepin, 83, of Putnam, died March 19, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital.

Dick was born in Putnam, son of the late Arthur and Eva (LaGrandeur) Pepin and lived in Putnam all his life.  He was a retired pressman, having worked several years at Jacobs Rubber Manufacturing.  He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in Korea. Dick was a member of the Yankee Yesteryear Antique Car Club.  He was a licensed pilot and enjoyed model airplanes, camping, motorcycles and bike riding.  He had a love for animals.  Richard had a great sense of humor and loved laughter.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Eleanor J. (Fifield) Pepin of Putnam; two daughters, Noreen D. England (Rick)of Putnam, Caroline T. Gardiner (Paul) of Putnam; a brother, Les Pepin of Canterbury; a sister, Doris Green of Putnam; seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Arthur Pepin and a sister, Estelle Menard.

Graveside services with military honors were March 26 in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam.  Donations: Putnam Baptist Church, Church Street, Putnam, CT 06260.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Edward S. Babula

THOMPSON — Edward S. Babula, 87, of Thompson, died March 20, 2014, at home.

 Eddie was born in Thompson, son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Gac) Babula and lived in Thompson all his life. 

 Ed was a life-long farmer and enjoyed gardening and woodworking.  He was a bus driver for many years in Thompson, served as a First and Second Selectman in Thompson, and worked for several years for the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home.  Additionally, Ed was a former member of the Thompson Fire Department.  He was a parishioner and usher at St.  Joseph Basilica, Webster.  He enjoyed playing bocce ball with his family.

He leaves his wife of 59 years, Lena D. (Iwanicki) Babula of Thompson; a daughter, Nancy Thomas (David) of Vernon; four grandchildren, Adam Thomas (Cyndi), Timothy Thomas (Shauna), Nicole Thomas and Zachary Thomas; two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Paul Babula and by two brothers, William and John Babula.

 The Funeral Mass was March 24 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Alfred Habercoss,

WWII vet

WILSONVILLE — Alfred A. Habercoss, formerly of Pompeo Road, 95, died March 25, 2014,  

He was born on Jan. 24, 1919, in Dudley, to Anna (Koebke) and Carl Habercoss.  He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Carl and William Habercoss, and by his wife, Natalie (Tonner) Habercoss, who died in 2012.

Attending Thompson schools, in his early 20’s he was an accomplished accordian player and was a member of a trio called the “Serenaders”, playing locally in Webster and Putnam areas in the late ‘30s-early ‘40s. 

Alfred was a WWII veteran, serving from 1942-1945 with the 749th AAA Gun Battalion with tours in Iceland, France, Belgium, and Germany.  After the war, he worked in the American Optical in Southbridge, here he met his wife Natalie.  They married in 1947, and settled in Wilsonville.

He was a member of the Thompson Congregational Church, previous to that, a lifelong deacon at the First Baptist Church in Webster.

Always a talented craftsman, in 1956, along with his father-in-law, Ewart Tonner, they designed a line of colonial antique reproduction miniature furniture, which Alfred and his wife Natalie made in their home workshop.  Branded TONCOSS, the furniture was sold to gift shops and collectors throughout this country and abroad. Alfred retired from this business in the 80’s and began his second venture, collecting and selling antiques in their home shop, and Brimfield antique flea markets.  

He leaves his four daughters, Nancy Beauchamp (Tom) of Thompson, Heather LaPlante (Dennis) of Mendon, Mass., Carol Habercoss and her partner Jim Kelley of San Leandro, Calif., Kristin Sevigny (Will) of Thompson; five grandchildren.

His funeral was March 31 at the Thompson Congregational Church with burial with military honors in Mount Zion Cemetery, Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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