Arthur Blackmore Jr.,

WWII vet

POMFRET — Arthur F. Blackmore Jr., lifelong resident of Pomfret, died on April 12, 2014,  at the age of 90. 

He was born Oct. 28, 1923. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and retired from the Connecticut Department of Transportation in 1978. Mr. Blackmore was a lifelong communicant and caretaker of the grounds for the Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret for many decades. He was active in the American Legion and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. A lifelong beekeeper, Mr. Blackmore (“Mr. Bee”) operated a bee-keeping supply shop known as the Bee Valley Apiary, at his home in Pomfret.

In his later years, Mr. Blackmore welcomed daily companion visits from the staff of Day Kimball HomeMakers. After a fall this past winter, he rehabbed at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham. 

Mr. Blackmore is predeceased by his wife Mary Ann (Skiffington); an infant son, Eugene Edward and, most recently, his daughter Ann Marie Simmons Hill. He leaves his sister, Mildred Craven of E. Longmeadow, Mass., and seven children and their spouses: Daniel (Francene) of Hilton Head, S.C., Mary Margaret (Sebastian) Ragno of Willimantic, Marguerite (Robert) Rose of W. Hartford, Judie Blackmore (Mike) of Pomfret, John (Kathy) of Willington; Kate (James) McGivern of Oradell, N.J., and David (Jackie) of Trumbull; son-in-law, Brian Hill of Austin; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was April 16 in Most Holy Trinity Church, with burial with military honors in South Cemetery, Pomfret. Donations: Day Kimball HomeMakers, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or charity of one’s choice. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Barbara C. Klare

EASTFORD — Barbara Carolyn Wilder Klare, 93, died April 8, 2014, at Westview Health Care Center. She was predeceased by her husband of many years Dr. Rudolph Klare and her son, Andrew Klare.

She was born on Jan. 14, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her family moved to Teaneck, N.J., where they operated a bakery out of their home during the Depression, featuring wedding cakes.

As a youth Barbara developed Rheumatic Fever, which briefly limited her physical activities, but she determinedly overcame the condition, affecting her attitude for the rest of her life. She had a very sheltered childhood until she met Rudy at age 15 at a Seascout exhibition – a worldly young man who had already been to China. She wanted to be a teacher and graduated from Patterson State Teacher’s College and taught elementary school.

She was married in 1944 and supported Rudy through the end of WWII, occupation of Japan and eventual return to GI bill undergraduate and medical school education. They moved to Woodstock in 1955, the year of the hurricane and flood, and quickly became part of the local community. They later moved to Eastford, where she became a near-daily swimmer in the cool waters of Crystal Pond.

Until very recently Barbara continued her active interest in local events, especially those concerning the East Woodstock Congregational Church, where she had been an organist and member of the choir for many years, assisted with the Fourth of July celebration, supported the Sunday School and helped found the Mission Committee. She loved music and playing the piano and had two pianos in the living room to play duets with friends. She helped establish some of the initial local efforts in Learning Disabilities, starting over 30 years ago when very little was known about the condition. Barbara helped establish a summer camp at Crystal Pond for children with learning disabilities. She maintained an interest in medical matters and was member of the Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital and also participated in the Connecticut State Medical Society. She was avid supporter of public education and focused on public broadcasting. She supported multiple local charities, was an avid music, history and natural history enthusiast. No matter the venue, she was always willing to enter enthusiastically into a good conversation.

She leaves two sons, Ronald (Joy)  Klare, and Steven Klare; and three granddaughters, Heather Klare, Jennifer Klare and Whitney Klare.

A Celebration of Barbara’s Life was April 11 at the East  Woodstock Congregational Church. Donations: East Woodstock Congregational Church, PO Box 156, East Woodstock, CT 06244; or the Day Kimball Hospital Development Office, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Doris I. Houghton

WOODSTOCK —  Doris I. Houghton, 68, died April 10, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1946 in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Donald E. Van Orden Sr. and Norma P. (Ashton) Van Orden.

Doris always worked very hard to support her family, retiring due to illness in 1990 from her position as a Cost Accountant for State Mutual Life Insurance. 

She enjoyed helping people and was a wellspring of good advice. She also enjoyed following 

politics and current events, and was always up for a lively debate. 

Doris leaves her daughter, Darlene Selig of Danielson; grandchildren, John Douglas Selig of Somerville, Mass., and Ian R. Selig of Danielson; brothers, Donald Van Orden Jr. of North Scituate, R.I., and John Van Orden (Janice) of  N. Providence; sisters, Judith Kenney (J. Ryder) of Narragansett, R.I., Phyllis Nathanson (Morris) of Providence,  Elizabeth Van Orden of Coventry, R.I., and Norma P. Desjardin (Philip) of Southborough, Mass.  She is predeceased by her daughter Kathlene M. Houghton, son Douglas R. Houghton II, son-in-law John R. Selig, and former husband Doug R. Houghton. 

Burial will be in Acotes Hill cemetery, Chepachet. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Rita T. Mayotte

PUTNAM — Rita T. Mayotte, 82, formerly of Woodstock Avenue, obtained her lifelong goal April 12, 2014, when she was called home to Jesus. She was the wife of Ralph Mayotte, until his passing in 2004. 

Born on July 4, 1931, Rita was the only daughter of the late Adelard and Leona Harvey. In her early years she worked at American Optical in Southbridge, then she and her late husband made their home in Putnam in 1979. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from UConn, she worked as a counselor with Integrated Lifestyle Counseling and as a recreational therapist at the Westview Nursing Home. 

A devoted Christian, Rita was a member of the First Apostolic Church of Danielson. 

In addition to her husband, Rita was predeceased by her son, Michael Cecere; and by four brothers, Raymond, Maurice, Armand and Roger Harvey. 

The Funeral was April 16 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam with burial in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: CT Humane Society.

 

Jeanne M. Tackson

WEBSTER — Jeanne M Tackson, 86, of Park St, died  April 9,2014,  in St. Vincent Hospital.

She was born in Webster, the daughter of the late Harold and Olia (Patenaude) Paradise. She lived here all her life. Jeanne graduated from Bartlett in 1945 and then received her nursing degree from Memorial School of Nursing. She worked more than 40 years at Hubbard Regional Hospital retiring as a Supervising RN in 1992. 

She leaves one son: Dennis Tackson and his partner Trish of N. Grosvenordale; two daughters: Anne Sawilla (Norbert) of Webster, Sara Tackson and her partner Kris of  Peterborough N.H.; grandchildren Michael  and Christopher Tackson, Stephanie Moisan, Jessica Reich, Megan and Jeffrey Shead and Hunter Mathewson and great-grandchildren. Her husband of 34 years, Leonard Tackson died in 1985.

The Funeral Mass was April 16 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Webster, with burial in Sacfred Heart of Jesus Cemetery. Webster. Donations: St. Anne School, PO Box 818 Day St.,; or Accord Adult Day Center, 10 Cudworth Rd. both Webster, MA 01570. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

Susan L. Veilleux

PLAINFIELD — Susan L. (Welch) Veilleux, 55, of Basley Rd., died unexpectedly, April 7, 2014, at home. She is the wife of Robert Veilleux.  Born in 1958 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Prudence (Marquis) Hartley.

Mrs. Veilleux worked for Walmart and Staples.  She enjoyed spending time on her computer, mostly visiting Facebook.  She spent time caring for her plants, and enjoyed the company of her bird, three dogs, and her cat. 

In addition to her husband, Susan leaves her son, Eric Deslauriers of Oneco; her daughters, Vikki Deslauriers of Plainfield, and Melissa Waite of Norwich; her brothers, Richard Welch of Albuquerque, N.M., and Michael Welch of Danielson; her sister, Deborah Duquette of Grosvenordale; and her grandchildren, Christian and Kaylee.

The Mass of Christian Burial was April 11 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

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