Ann Marie Hill

LAKEWAY, Texas — Ann Marie Blackmore (Simmons) Hill of Lakeway, formerly of Pomfret, died April 1, 2014, following a seven- year battle with ovarian cancer. 

Born in 1945, Ann was the first of eight children of Mary and Arthur Blackmore of Pomfret. Her father, Arthur, died 11 days after Ann, on April 12, 2014. 

Ann grew up in Pomfret, and was a 1963 graduate of Putnam Catholic Academy. Following her marriage to Edward Simmons of Putnam, and raising their sons, she earned a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees toward a career in health services administration.  Most recently with Cerner Corporation, Ann’s work involved extensive travel throughout the U.S. and internationally; as she trained staff in the use of new healthcare technologies.

Ann was the wife of TV broadcaster Brian Hill of Lakeway, mother to Michael Simmons of Littleton, Colo., and Jason Simmons of Austin, Texas; and step-mother to Leighton Hill of Virginia Beach, Va. She leaves four granddaughters and one grandson; seven siblings and their spouses: Dan Blackmore (Francene), Mary Ragno (Seb), Marguerite Rose (Bob), John Blackmore (Kathy), Judie Blackmore (Mike), Kate McGivern (Jim) and David Blackmore (Jacki). She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their children and by her former husband Edward Simmons.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. June 13 at the South Cemetery, Pomfret.  Following a graveside service led by Rev. Jonathan Scott, friends are welcomed to join us at the Grill 37, Pomfret. Donations: Nonprofit Hospice Austin http://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved/donate/ ; and Ovarian cancer research http://www.ovarian.org/. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Kenneth T. Merrill,

WWII vet

DANIELSON — Kenneth Torrey “Uncle Ken” Merrill, 90, died May 27, 2014, at home.

He was born Oct. 23, 1923, in Springfield, Maine, the son of Torrey G. and Ada Boyington Merrill. He received his secondary education at Eastern Maine Institute in Springfield. He served in the U.S Navy during WWII aboard a mine sweeper in the South Pacific. He graduated in 1953 from UConn with a bachelor’s in dairy manufacturing, continuing post graduate studies at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic. 

He owned and operated Uncle Ken’s Drive-In for 17 in Willimantic. After that he became a real estate broker, then an appraiser, operating Uncle Ken’s Appraisal Services until his retirement in 2010 at age 86. “Uncle Ken” enjoyed working with people and helping them realize their dreams of home ownership. He practiced the Golden Rule and quietly helped many people. He was a member of the Yankee Yesteryear Car Club where he held the position of secretary for six years. He was an accomplished harmonica player, and enjoyed playing solos for anyone within earshot, also singing and playing with a band at local nursing homes.

He leaves his wife, Jeanne (Demoranville) Merrill; daughters Deborah Merrill of Danielson, Wendy Mason (Roger) of Niantic; son Jeffrey (Hayne) of Gorham, Maine; and five grandchildren: Paul Michael Gignac of Tulsa, Okla., Sarah Roers, currently in Okinawa Japan, with her husband Jason Williams, Jocelyn Magalis of Terryville, Seth Merrill of Johnston, Colo., and Stephanie Roers of Arvada, Colo; older sister Gladys and younger sister Noreen, and more than 40 nieces and nephews, many of whom were present at his 90th birthday party last October. Ken was predeceased by 10 of his 12 siblings.

Ken’s philosophies were: Nothing is forever; Wear a smile; and Try to help others. He felt that if he brought a little sunshine into someone’s life then his time on earth was well spent. He wishes that no one grieve for his passing, only to be thankful for having him around for as long as they did.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. June 8 at Westfield Congregational Church in Danielson. Bring a story to share. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Maj. Bernard Cooney, 

RIANG-Ret.

PUTNAM —  Major Bernard “Barney” Cooney, 66, of School St., died  May 24, 2014, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of Diane E. (Courcy) Cooney. Born in 1947 in Providence, he was the son of the late Henry and Catherine (Corcoran) Cooney.

Major Cooney served his country for four years as a sergeant in the Air Force, including a tour in the Vietnam war. He later served for over 20 years with the RI Army National Guard, retiring as a major. After retiring, he became a photojournalist for newspapers including the Webster Times, the Observer Patriot and Speedway Scene. 

Barney’s interests included nature photography, canoeing, sailing, and model-making. A military historian, he enjoyed collecting and shooting antique rifles. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a volunteer fireman and EMT with fire departments in Pascoag and Putnam.  Barney will be remembered for his storytelling and sharp wit. He had the ability to relate to everyone he came across, and to remain calm in difficult situations.

In addition to his wife of 42 years, he leaves two sons, Michael Cooney (Jennifer) of Moosup, and David Cooney of Putnam; brother, Richard Cooney (Dorothy) of Barrington, R.I.; sister, Frances Burnell of Littleton, N.H.; cousin Susan Schwartze (George) Saunderstown, R.I.; grandson, Matthew Cooney. The Funeral Service was May 31 in St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Putnam, with burial in W. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Boy Scouts of America, 60 Darlin St., East Hartford, CT 06108-320. Checks should be made to Connecticut Rivers Council, in honor of Bernard Cooney. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Raymond Evans Jr.,

WWII vet

PUTNAM — Raymond R. Evans Jr., 92, of Putnam, died Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 at home. He was born March 19, 1922, in Putnam, the son of Raymond R. and Anna (Mercier) Evans Sr. 

He married his high school sweetheart Mary A. Lehrer on May 5,1943. They celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage until her death on Feb. 24, 2002. 

Within a few weeks of being married Ray shipped overseas for the remainder of the war in Europe. He was a veteran of WWII serving with the 8th Army Air Force in the European Theatre. He received the following decorations and citations: EAME Theatre Campaign Ribbon with nine Battle Stars, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, and was Honorably Discharged September 25, 1945. Ray was a member of the 389th Bombardment Group stationed near Norwich, England where he was part of the support crews for B-24 bombers. 

In May of 2008 the American Warrior Flight Foundation took Ray and many other local veterans to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial. During retirement Ray enjoyed the visits of restored B-24 and B-17 bombers to local airports and in 2010 he had the opportunity through the Collings Foundation to fly on a B-24 from Connecticut to Rhode Island. 

Upon returning to civilian life, he worked at General Phonograph, and did precision grinding, making cutting needles for recording the sound track in vinyl records. He was the Office Manager, Plant Manager and Vice President of Wellington Curtain Company for many years. Continuing a long tradition of printing in the Evans family, Ray, along with his wife Mary and son Kenneth, purchased in 1978 the Observer Company and published the Windham County Observer/Putnam Patriot Newspaper.

 At the age of 58 he took evening courses at Central Connecticut State University and obtained a Provisional Teaching Certificate. He established a Graphic Arts Program at Plainfield High School and later Putnam High School, teaching the craft of printing, photography, computer type setting and journalism. Upon retiring from teaching, Mr. Evans was awarded Educator of The Year from the Student Council and was recognized by the Putnam High School Academic community for 18 years of service. He was also a member of the Putnam Board of Education. He was treasurer and served on the building committee for the current Putnam Elementary/Middle schools.

Until the time of his death, Ray was an active member of High Pointe Church in Thompson. He was also a fan of UConn sports and the Boston Red Sox. 

He leaves his children, Kenneth Evans of Putnam, Jeffrey Evans of Putnam, Timothy Evans and his spouse Robert Quelch of Fresno, Calif., Gregory Evans (Patricia) of Putnam, Deborah Guido (Frank) of Marco Island, Fla.; grandchildren, Rebecca Moussally (Phillip) of Basking Ridge, N.J., Carolyn Guido-Traina (Michael) of Warren, N.J., Brittany Evans of Putnam, Michael Evans of Putnam; three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Avis Sherman of Putnam

The Funeral Service was May 30 at High Pointe Church, with burial with military honors in Grove Street Cemetery. Donations: High Pointe Church, 1208 Thompson Road, Thompson, CT 06277; or The Collings Foundation, PO Box 248, Stow, MA 01775. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Marion E. Wilson

DAYVILLE —  Marion E. Wilson, 76, of Williamsville Rd., died May 30, 2014, on her birthday, in Day Kimball Hospital. She is the wife of the late Dr. Charles E. Wilson, Ed.D.  Born in 1938 in Melrose, Mass., she was the daughter of the late John and Violet (Magnuson) Holding.

Mrs. Wilson worked as a nurse for Newport Visiting Nurses. 

She enjoyed playing cards, painting, sketching, sewing, watching the Red Sox and professional tennis. She was an avid lover of animals and enjoyed listening to music especially Patsy Cline, Sam Cooke, and the early days of Rock and Roll music. But, one thing that brought a special joy to her life was traveling with her family throughout Europe, Japan, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Marion loved Pizzeria Regina in Boston’s North End, Revere Beach, Whole Belly Clams at Kelly’s, and black raspberry ice cream

Marion leaves her son, John Wilson (Carrie) of Catonsville, Md.; daughter, Robin Carrier (Jason) of Dayville; brothers, John Holding of Greenland, N.H. and David Holding of Plainville, Mass.; and grandchildren, Thomas Wilson and Sophie Wilson.

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. June 7 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 6. Burial will be private at White Horse Beach in Massachusetts. Donations: Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168; or St. Jude Children Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

 

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