ëRussí Everett Avery

POMFRET ó Russell ìRussî Everett Avery died Nov. 19, 2014, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Russ was born in 1941 in Pomfret Center to the late Clara Nutall Avery.  He was a graduate of UConn School of Agriculture and dealt with cattle for many years before starting Country Springs, a well-known bottled water company in Pomfret.  He was a member of the Danielson National Guard for many years.  One of his favorite pastimes was playing golf with friends at his club, Vineyard Valley, and putting together winning teams for local tournaments. Russ spent his final days in hospice care in Virginia.   

He leaves his former wife, Patricia Avery of Charlottesville, Va.; four children and their spouses:  Stephen and Teresa Avery of Bedford, Va., Christina and John Bowman of Charlottesville, Va., Shannon and Richard Hull of Barboursville, Va., and Russell (Scooter) and Ereina Avery, of Ruckersville, Va.; 15 grandchildren; and his brother Douglas Avery and family of Willington.

Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 29 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam, followed by a graveside service in Brooklyn South Cemetery, Canterbury Rd. 

 

Diane Joy Bradley

UNION ó Diane Joy Bradley, 57, of Union, died Nov. 2, 2014, while on vacation in the White Mountains.  She died on the way to do what she loved best, hiking and exploring the great outdoors. Diane was born on April 29, 1957, in Hartland, Maine.

She spent her childhood in Montville, then enrolled at UConn.  While pursuing a bachelorís degree in Spanish, she spent a year in Mexicoóan early indication of her intrepid spirit and her heart for adventure. After spending some time in San Diego, she returned to Connecticut and found a job in social work.  She fell in love with the field and spent the rest of her life working with people with psychiatric and substance abuse challenges.  Along the way, she earned a masterís degree in social work from UConn. Her work was only one of many ways in which Diane helped others.  She and her husband, Ted, often invited friends to live with them when they needed somewhere to stay for a while, and also served as hosts to refugees from Kosovo when they resettled in Connecticut. Diane had a great reverence for all creatures and for all of creation.  She was particularly fond of cats, and also enjoyed spending time in her gardens.  Her friends and family treasure the many plants and flowers Diane passed on to them. Diane was a member of First Congregational Church of Woodstock, where she sang in the choir, served as a deacon, and was a member of the recent pastoral search committee.  Her faith and moral convictions led her to speak out about what she believed and advocate on behalf of others. She had a joyful spirit, generous heart, bright smile, and infectious passion.

She leaves her husband, Edward Bradley; her parents, James and Dolores Strickland; her siblings and their spouses, Gary and Gail Strickland, Nancy and Carlos Atilano, Margaret and Larry Strohm, and Wendy Strickland and Paul Schuster; her nephews and niece, Carl Atilano, Thomas Atilano, and Bethany Strohm.

A Memorial Service was Nov. 23 at First Congregational Church, Woodstock. Donations: The Last Green Valley, P.O. Box 29, Danielson, CT 06239. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Judith Kenhart, DHS

PUTNAM ó Sr. Judith Kenhart, DHS, 77, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died Nov. 20, 2014, at the Holy Spirit Provincial House, where she had been in residence since 2005.              .

Born on Aug. 21, 1937, the daughter of the late Stephen and Joan (Leslie) Kenhart, Sr. Judith entered religious life in 1955 and made her religious profession on April 24, 1957, at the Provincial House in Putnam.  She was then known as Sr. Stephen of the Passion.

A graduate of the Diocesan Sistersí College, South Woodstock,  with a bachelorís, she later earned a masterís from Boston College, and a second masterís from Weston School of Theology, Cambridge, Mass.

Sr. Judith taught at Putnam Catholic Academy, Putnam, her Alma Mater and Cathedral High School, Bridgeport.  After a year as CCD coordinator at St. Ceciliaís parish in Leominster, Mass., she was appointed special assistant to President Buchanan at Annhurst College.  In 1980, she served as director of Family Refuge Center Shelter in Sweet Springs, WV.  In 1985 she became program developer at Catholic Charities in Cambridge.  In 1993 she served as volunteer Coordinator at Womenís Educational & Industrial Union in Boston and in 1995 until 2005 she served as volunteer chaplain at Mass General Hospital in Boston.

She retired to the Provincial House in Putnam in 2005.

She leaves an uncle, John Kenhart of Santa Rosa, Calif.; an aunt, Catherine Schumann of Florida; cousins and a friend, Linda Lamoureux of Killingly.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 22 at the Provincial House chapel followed by burial at St. Maryís Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT  06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.  

 

Eleanor (Evans) Williams

DAYVILLE ó Eleanor Helen (Evans) Williams, 96, formerly of Woodstock, died Nov. 22, 2014, in Westview Healthcare Center.  She was the wife of the late Raymond Williams.  Born in 1918 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Theresa (Mahoney) Evans.

Eleanor attended St. Peterís parochial school in Worcester. She moved to Southbridge at the age of 10 and attended St. Maryís parochial school, Mary Wells High School and Becker College. She worked at American Optical Company for 25 years. 

Eleanor moved to Woodstock after her marriage to Raymond Williams. She attended Most Holy Trinity Church and joined St. Monicaís Guild, The Daughters of Isabella, and Council of Catholic Women. 

She was an avid bridge player and traveler. She and her partner won the Day Kimball Bridge Trophy in 1990. She traveled extensively with 3 close friends to European countries and to Japan. 

She leaves her stepdaughter, Shirley Rapose of Woodstock; her brother, Richard Evans of Manchester and his former wife Geraldine Evans of S. Windsor; nephews, Robert Evans (Catherine) of S. Windsor, and Brian Evans of Timonium, Md.; two great-nephews, Robert and Phillip Evans of S. Windsor.  She was predeceased by her brother, Robert Evans, who was lost in WWII. 

Visitation  is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 26 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Burial follows in Quassett Cemetery. 

 

Theresa Antos

DUDLEY ó Theresa A. (Kudron) Antos, 76, died Nov. 19, 2014, at the UMass Memorial Healthcare Center, Worcester. She was the widow of the late Jacob Antos who died in January of 2004. 

She was born in Webster daughter of the late Stanley and Marie Rose (Fitzback) Kudron and lived in Dudley, most of her life. She worked for many years at the American Optical in Southbridge. She enjoyed bingo, playing cards, gardening. 

She leaves two sons, Lawrence Antos (Christine) of Thompson, and Leonard Antos of Woodstock; dear friend, Baline Grisel of Woodstock; a brother Stanley Kudron Jr. of Worcester; sister Rose Marie Cesolini of Pomfret; her 3 grandchildren, Katherine, Jacob and Sydney. She was predeceased by a sister, Gloria Burlingame.

The Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 26 at St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: St. Joseph Grammer School.†Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Richard B. Greene

DANIELSON ó Richard B. Greene, 82, died Nov. 14, 2014, at the UMass Memorial Medical Center.††

He was born April 5, 1932, in Danielson, son to the late Harold E. and Annie (Bray) Greene.††

Richard was owner of the R.B. Greene Transportation Inc. of Danielson for 58 years.

Having resided in Danielson for most of his life, Richard was a member of the 1951 graduating class of Killingly High School; He was an active member of his community and served it well by being a dedicated member of the Westfield Congregational Church, the Danielson Elks, the Fraternal Order of Police Association, and serving as a member of the Fan Advisory Board for the Patriots 1776 Club; he was always helpful with the provision of trucks to be used as floats for the Spring time Festival.††Richard was an accomplished pilot who greatly enjoyed to fly and was a member of the original Black Hawks Football Team of Danielson, back in the day when the players wore leather helmets.

He leaves his wife†Carol A. (Basley) Greene, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage; his son: Robert B. Greene as well as his children Randy B. Greene and Chelsea J. Greene of Danielson; two stepdaughters: Carlene Sabourin of Danielson, and Christine Credit of Putnam as well as their children: Jason Cayen, Tiffany DeBruycker and Austin Sabourin; his great-granddaughter Jaida. †He was predeceased by a brother: Franklin T. Greene.

A memorial service was Nov. 22 in the Westfield Congregational Church in Danielson. Donations: Westfield Congregational Church Steeple Fund, Main Street, Danielson. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Dolores Hubert

N. GROSVENORDALE ó  Dolores E. (Gaumond) Hubert, 77, died Nov. 10, 2014, at home.††She was the wife of Roger D. Hubert who died July. 1, 2014.††

She was the daughter of the late Amedee and Mary A. (St. Germaine) Gaumond and lived in Thompson for the past 47 years.††She worked for many years at Putnam Mfg. and Stevenís Linen.†

She leaves two daughters; Cynthia Gatineau of N. Grosvenordale and Nancy and her husband Allen Rexford of Dalton, N.H.;  four granddaughters ; a brother Richard Gaumond of Connecticut. She was predeceased by three brothers, Leonard, Bernard, and Laurant Gaumond; three sisters, Jeanne Kruzel, Doris Duquette, Alice Benway.

Donations: American Lung Assoc.††A graveside service was Nov. 22 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Grosvenordale. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Mark Sortwell

N. GROSVENORDALE ó Mark W. Sortwell, 47, of Marshall St. died Nov. 10, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam.††

He was born in Webster and lived in N.  Grosvenordale for the past 10 years prior to that living in Webster.

He leaves his parents, William F. and Patricia A. (Gardner) Sortwell; two brothers; Robert and his wife Donna Sortwell of Killingly and Scott Sortwell of Danielson; two sisters; Debra and her husband Thomas Jones of Nashville, and Linda and her husband William Rivera of Dudley.††

There was a Celebration of Life Nov. 14 with burial in Worcester County memorial Park. Donations: United Church of Christ, food share program, Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster. 

 

..