Sr. Doris Bérubé

PUTNAM — Sr. Doris Bérubé, DHS,  94 ,  a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died Nov. 7, 2014, at the Holy Spirit Health Care Center where she has been in residence since September 2012.

Born on Jan. 3, 1920, in Hartford, the daughter of the late Thomas and Philomène (Bélanger) Bérubé Sr. Doris entered religious life in 1942 and made her religious profession at the Holy Spirit Provincial House on July 1, 1943.  She was then known as Sr. Thérèse Thomas.  

Sr. Doris received a bachelor’s from Diocesan Sisters’ College, S. Woodstock, a Certification in TESL, teaching English as a second language from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, Vt. and a master’s from Fairfield University, Fairfield.  Primarily a teacher and educator for most of her religious life, Sr. Doris’ assignments were as follows:  St. Anne School, Waterbury, St. Mary’s School, Putnam,  and Holy Family School, Fairfield.  From 1965-72 Sr. Doris prepared prospective teachers and was named Director of the International Institute at Annhurst College, S. Woodstock.  From 1972-74 she served as principal at St. Mary’s School, Jewett City.  Upon her return to Annhurst College, she was both an ESL teacher and Administrator of the Institute as well as assistant professor in the Education and English Departments until the closure of Annhurst in 1980.

Following this she was CCD Coordinator of St. Mary’s Parish, Putnam and later served as Secretary at Hawkins House in Danielson. Her last assignment was that of Secretariat aide at the Provincial House until her retirement there in 2002.

She leaves two  nieces Ellen Standke of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Diane Paré of Avon; a nephew Normand Mathieu of Bloomfield, and  grandnieces and grandnephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 11 at the Provincial House Chapel followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT, 06260.  Gilman’s Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

 

Margaret Higgins

POMFRET — Margaret Ellen “Peggy” (Rogers) Higgins, 70, died Nov. 1, 2014, at her home in The Villages, Fla.

She married the love of her life, Robert Higgins July 25, 1969. 

 She was born Nov. 18, 1943, the daughter of Alfreda Gagne Rogers and Francis Rogers.    

Peggy grew up in Wolfeboro, N.H., where she spent many summers at their “camp” at Brewster Beach, Lake Winnipesaukee.  Peggy worked and raised her children in Brooklyn. Conn.  In 1989 she and her family started Higgins & Sons Oil Service. 

She was happiest spending time with family and friends.  She loved watching her grandchildren’s activities, whether it was sports, dance or performing in plays.  Her grandchildren were her great loves and there were sleep overs at Grandma’s house often.   She enjoyed the years she spent cruising with friends, watching softball games, her trip to Spain and the summers she would go back to Wolfeboro.  She also enjoyed weekly card night with the girls.  She was an avid reader and would often have a number of books in progress.  She had an infectious laugh and smile, along with a kind word that came from the heart.  

She leaves her husband Bob of 45 years; her children, Robert (Maria), Karen (Ed), Michael (Theresa) and Wendy (Steve); her  grandchildren, Bobby, Joe, twins Matt and Mike, Ben, Riley, Cole and Elizabeth.  Brothers Frank (Bernice), of New Hampshire, Jimmy (Thea) of New Hampshire/Savannah, Ga., Steve (Kathy) of Michigan and Donald of Hartford. Although she had no sisters, she had many close to her that she considered a sister. She was predeceased by her parents as well as brothers Bobby and David.  

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Elks Lodge on Center Street in Danielson.

 

Paul R. Brodeur

PUTNAM — Paul R. Brodeur, 52, died Nov. 7, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital. Paul was born Dec. 17, 1961, in Putnam to Richard and Jeannne (Archambault) Brodeur. 

For several years he worked as a salesman for Dalmik Well Drilling and Napa Auto Parts. Paul was an avid card player and longtime member of the Putnam Lodge of Elks.

He leaves his sisters Louise Brodeur, Michelle Foronda; his brothers Maurice Brodeur, Daniel Brodeur; sons Nathan Brodeur, Shawn Brodeur, and his granddaughter Olivia Torres.

The Memorial Mass was Nov. 11 at St Mary Church, Putnam. Donations: Camp Joslin Camps for Children with Diabetes, PO Box 356, North Oxford, MA 01537. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Russell J. Cote 

NORWICH — Russell J. Cote, 86, of Crouch Ave., died Oct. 11, 2014, in Backus Hospital. Born in 1928 in Worcester, he was the son of the late William and Ellen (O’Neil) Cote. 

Mr. Cote worked as a salesman for Macadams Associates for 25 years and lived in Connecticut for 37 years before moving to California. Russell enjoyed ball room dancing, deep sea fishing, gardening, fine food, and driving along the California Coast where he lived over the last 20 years. Russell was an admirer of Watch Hill, R.I., where he enjoyed times with his family and enjoyed deep sea fishing with “Sparks.” 

He leaves his son, Russell Cote of Newburgh, Ind.; his daughter, Kathleen Laflamme (Kurt) of Plainfield; four grandchildren Sarah, Connor, Olivia and Spencer. He is predeceased by his sister, Nancy Cote. 

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. Gilman-Valade Funeral Homes, Putnam.

 

Donald L. Genest Jr.,

Vietnam war vet

WOODSTOCK — Donald L. Genest Jr., 64, of Brickyard Rd, died Nov. 8, 2014, in Westview Rehabilitation Center.  He is the husband of Susan (Joyal) Genest.  Born in 1950 in Putnam, he is the son of  Edward Bourdia, Sr. of Thompson and the late Pauline (Burdick) Bourdia.

Mr. Genest was a honorably discharged veteran of the Vietnam war serving with the U.S. Army, where he received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Bronze Star Medal.

Donald was united in marriage to Susan Joyal on July 24, 1976, at Sacred Heart Church in West Thompson.

Mr. Genest worked for several years as a truck driver for Jolley Concrete and was also a constable for the Town of Woodstock. He was an avid Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and NASCAR fan.

He leaves his wife; a son Ryan Genest of Woodstock; a daughter Amy Genest of Woodstock; three brothers Leonard “Lenny” Genest of Putnam, James “Jimmy” Genest of Putnam and Edward Bourdia Jr. of Thompson; five sisters Donna Drake of Etowah, N.C., and Theresa Chira of Hubert, N.C., Mary Preston and Cora Grider, and Lorinda Radzik all of Thompson; and a granddaughter Alyssa Egan of Woodstock. 

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Burial services will be private.  Donations: Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or through their website at www.dav.org.  

 

Barbara Weiss

THOMPSON —  Barbara Ann (Harvanek) Weiss, 72, died Nov. 5, 2014.

She was born in Webster, daughter to the late John and Justine (Skorvanek) Harvanek and lived  in Thompson for many years.   

Barbara was a giving and kind spirit.  This was always seen and felt as she worked as a waitress for 45 years in the restaurant business.  She loved taking rides to the beach in the late afternoon to watch the sunset and enjoyed going to the casino when she had the chance.  She also enjoyed watching the Patriots and Nascar.

She leaves two sons, Ron Weiss of Dudley and James” Jamie” (Tammy) Weiss of Thompson; three grandchildren, Jennifer, Samantha and Tyler Weiss; two great-grand children; Hannah and Nathan; a brother Jack Harvanek.

Burial was in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Webster. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster

 

Howard Donovan

PUTNAM — Howard F. Donovan, 83, died Nov. 1, 2014, at home.

Howard was born Nov. 18, 1930, in Fall River, Mass., son to the late Clifford and Mary (McMahon) Donovan and lived in Putnam for most of his life. He was an avid reader with a passion for bowling as well as a proud and loyal fan of all Boston sports Teams, especially the Red Sox; Howard was pleased to attend several games in his final years; He also enjoyed all his friends and staff members at the ARC of Quinebaug Valley. 

He was predeceased by his sister Marilyn D. Strickland. He leaves by his niece Linda Kipper (Larry Stone) of Medfield, Mass., as well as his great niece, Samantha Stone. He was also predeceased by his sister Nancy Kipper and his nephew Keith Kipper.

A Committal Service was Nov. 5 in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Donations:  ARC of Quinebaug Valley, 687 Cook Hill Rd. Danielson, CT 0239. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster, MA 01570.

 

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