Gerard W. Bousquet,

WWII vet

PUTNAM — Gerard “Joe” Bousquet, 89, of Maynard Street, died May 21, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the husband of Sylvia (Letendre) Bousquet for 55 years.  Born in 1924 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Wilheminia (Bourdia) Bousquet.

Mr. Bousquet attended St. Joseph School in N. Grosvenordale and then graduated from New England Technical School.  He was drafted soon after he turned 18 by the U.S. Army.  At the age of 20, and as a Rifleman with the 16th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division invaded Normandy on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, “D-Day.” He then served in the drive across Europe including, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Germany culminating in the ultimate German surrender on May 8, 1945, earning him a Silver Star decoration. 

After being honorably discharged, he and his wife owned and operated Joe’s Oil for 28 years.  He was a member of the American Legion Post #67 in Grosvenordale, Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523, Fourth Degree Knight of The Knights of Columbus Cargill Council #64 where he ran the Knights of Columbus Golf League and was the chairman for the Annual Christmas Giving Appeal for several years.  He was an avid golfer and loved Boston sports, especially the Red Sox.  He was also a fan of UConn basketball. He and his family spent many summers enjoying their cottage at Quaddick Lake. He was well known for his sense of humor.

In addition to his wife, Gerard he leaves his son, Wilfred G. Bousquet (Fran) of Putnam; his daughters, Suzanne Bousquet and her spouse Lisa Carrara of Wallingford, and Leona McKay (Jim) of Manchester; grandchildren, Stephanie and Brittany Bousquet, and Emily and Kenneth McKay.

The Mass of Christian Burial was May 24 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial with military honors in St. Mary Cemetery.  Donations: Knights of Columbus Annual Giving Appeal, 68 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Wendell R. Brechin

WOODSTOCK — Wendell R. Brechin, 79, of Deer Meadow Lane died May 21, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the husband of Joan (Hutchinson) Brechin for 53 years.  Born in 1934 in Barre, Vt., he was the son of the late Russell & Albertine (Goulet) Brechin and the oldest of seven children.  

He lived in Dighton, Mass.,for 39 years before moving to Woodstock nine years ago.

Wendell was a graduate of Burdett College. He had worked as a comptroller for Textron until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the Dighton Lions Club and served on the Dighton School Committee and the Dighton Finance Committee. 

After retirement, Wendell found great satisfaction using his carpentry skills with Habitat for Humanity, Toll Brothers and doing many projects for those in need as he had always done throughout his life. But teaching carpentry for Tantasqua Regional High School was the job where he found his greatest joy and satisfaction.

 In addition to his wife, Joan, he leaves two daughters, Jean Aldous (Stephen) of Glocester, R.I., and Sandra Dean of Brooklyn; his brother, John Brechin of Chicago; his two sisters, Pauline Sherwood of Burlington, Vt., and Helen Ferrari of Modena, Italy; six grandchildren, Matthew, Megan, Emily, and Ryan Aldous, and Madison and Hannah Dean.  

The Funeral was May 25 in Zion Lutheran Church, Oxford, Mass., with a graveside service May 31 in Riverbank Cemetery, Stowe, Vt. Donations: The woodworking program at Tantasqua Regional High School, 319 Brookfield Rd., Fiskdale, MA 01518. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

‘Angie’ Walalis

WEBSTER — Angelina “Angie” M. (DeFusco) Walalis, 94, of Webster, died May 16, 2014.

Angie was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, John J. “JJ” Walalis Jr. He died on Jan. 8, 1988.  

Angie was born on June 4, 1919, daughter of the late Giovanni and Matilda (Iannone) DeFusco.  She lived in Webster for the past 15 years, and had previously lived in Lawrence, Mass., and Maryland.  Angie worked several years at Haverhill Shoe Shop in Haverhill, Polo in Lawrence, and in her younger days she worked for Savastano Catering in Lawrence. 

Angie loved to cook for and feed her family and friends.  She enjoyed reading, crocheting and word search puzzles.  She also enjoyed going to the local casinos and playing the slot machines.  She was a member of the Sons of Italy in Lawrence, Saint Rita Sodality at the Holy Rosary Church in Lawrence.  She was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Webster.

She leaves her son, John J. Walalis III of Webster, Richard D. Majercik and his companion Debra Durant of Webster, whom she thought of as her second son; a brother, Anthony DeFusco of Methuen; a sister-in-law, Helen DeFusco of Beverly; a special friend, Jamie J. Heath of Putnam. She was predeceased by her brothers, Michael DeFusco of Lawrence, Enrico “Harry” DeFusco of South Lawrence and Albert DeFusco of Beverly.

The Funeral Mass was May 20 in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Webster, with burial in Meadowridge Memorial Park, Baltimore. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. , Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Peter R. LeClair

QUINEBAUG — Peter R. LeClair, 61, of Old Turnpike Rd., died May 18, 2014, AT HOME. Born in 1952 in Southbridge, he was the son of Elizabeth (Willett) LeClair and the late George S. LeClair.

Mr. LeClair was a 1970 graduate of Marianhill Central Catholic High School in Southbridge.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in special education from Annhurst College in S. Woodstock.  Peter went on to earn his master’s degree in special education from UConn. He taught and worked in administration for the Dempsey Regional Center for 30 years retiring in 2003.  Peter was a member of the CT CSCA.  He enjoyed gardening with vegetables, flowers, and various herbs and spices.  He had a passion for reading which helped him to know something about everything.  He loved his four cats, being out in the nature, and live music.

In addition to his mother, he leaves his brother, Richard G. LeClair of Phoenix; and his sister, Alicia J. LeClair of Quinebaug. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was May 27 in St. Stephen Church, Quinebaug, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Donations: P.A.W.S, P.O. Box 248, Eastford, CT 06242. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Raymond Siekierski

THOMPSON — Raymond Siekierski, 83, died May 14, 2014, at UMass University Campus, Worcester after a brief  illness. His wife  of 63 years, Santina J. “Bella” (DeNardis) Siekierski died last year.

He was born in Dudley son of the late Sylvester and Caroline (Kudron) Siekierski.

Ray went to St. Louis  School and worked 40 years at Rexnord in Worcester. He then was a custodian at Tourtellotte Memorial High School. 

Ray was a member of Booster A.C. and North Village A.C. he played on the clubs softball teams and the traveling horseshoe teams. He was an avid golfer and the only Siekierski with a registered hole in one. Ray, loved traveling with his “ Bella” vacationing around the country and Europe, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Italy. 

He leaves four sons: Raymond Siekierski Jr (Kathy). of Rindge, N.H., Jim Siekierski (Lynn) of N. Grosvenordale, John Siekierski of Dudley, Jeff Siekierski (Kim) of Wilbraham, Mass.; four grandsons, Alex Siekierski (Ania), Aaron Siekierski (Jenna), Bret Siekierski and Justin Siekierski; two brothers Edward of Oxford and Sylvester Jr. of Dudley;  three sisters Alice Tucker of Dudley, Anna Gardner of Webster and Carol Ciabaszewski of Dudley. He was predeceased by three brothers Frank, Joseph and Adolph 

A Memorial service was May 20 in Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley, with burial  in St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery in  Webster.