Robert P. McElroy,

Korean war vet

POMFRET — Robert P. McElroy, 82, of Blossom Dr., died Dec. 29, 2014, in UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. He was the husband of Gail (Sutherland) McElroy who he met when she was 12. They were married for 59 years. 

Born in 1932 in Boston, he was the son of the late Frederick and Irene (Talbot) McElroy.

Mr. McElroy was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean war. He worked as a manager of online telecommunication systems and software for several companies such as Barden Corp., American Chain & Cable, Young & Rubican Advertising and Continental Insurance Co. He also taught computer classes for IBM.  He was a coach for the Ridgefield Little League Association and was the president of the Ridgefield Speed Skating Association.  He enjoyed playing the piano, listening to classical music and “tinkering.”  He also enjoyed volunteering at Westview Health Care Center, St. Joseph Living Center, and the Norwichtown Rehabilitation. He always made sure that his family came first.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons, Kevin McElroy (Lynell) of Danbury, and Kenneth McElroy of Pomfret; his brothers, Richard McElroy (Eloise) of Woodstock, John McElroy of Randolph, N.J., Joseph McElroy (Glenda) of Sunlake, Ariz., and William McElroy (Marilyn) of Danielson; grandchildren, Caitlin McElroy, Kelly Jean McElroy, Jonathan Sakolski and Russell Sakolski.  He was predeceased by his brothers, Frederick, Francis, and James McElroy; and his sisters Mary Victory and Irene Kernan.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 10 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., with a funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30  a.m. in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Donations: The activity funds at Westview Healthcare Center, St. Joseph Living Center or to a charity of your choice.  

 

Jean Drouin

PUTNAM — Jean-Yves “Frenchie” Drouin, 67, died Dec. 29, 2014. He was born Aug. 3, 1947, in St. Zacharie in the Province of Quebec, Canada, to Henry and Jeanne D’Arc Drouin. He lived 51 years of his life in Putnam.

He was a long time resident of Putnam well known for being a hard working carpenter. Many buildings in Putnam and surrounding towns have had some sort of work done by JYD. If you look around, you see porches, additions, roofs, garages and other works of art built by the great handy man.

When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed riding with his wife Michelle on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, They put on thousands of miles together, with his most frequent destination being the Dunkin Donuts on Woodstock Ave. He was a regular at Habitat for Humanity Restore and most of the local flea markets. You could always find him hunting down yard sales. He had a good eye for a bargain.

After his daughter moved to North Carolina, Jean became a big NASCAR Fan and was able to attend a few races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was able to race a race car around the track himself. 

He leaves his wife, Michelle Drouin; his daughter, Crista Drouin Deckert, his son in law, Robert Deckert and granddaughter Peyton of North Carolina; his stepdaughter Amber Vitner and stepgrandson Kaleb Doulette of Oklahoma; two sisters and four brothers: Marie-France Drouin of Thompson, Manon Hawes of Danielson, Jean-Paul Drouin of Canada, Denis Drouin of Putnam, Gaetan Drouin of Florida, and Christian Drouin of Florida).

A final gift of Love was given by Jean and his Family through Life Choice Tissue Donation. 

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 7 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. with a Funeral Service at 6 in the Funeral Home. Donations: Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut, 377 Broad St. New London CT 06320.  

 

Bruce Mazzarella

DANIELSON — Bruce R. Mazzarella, 58 of Westcott Rd. died Jan. 2, 2015 at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. 

Bruce was born June 1, 1956, in Putnam, son of the late Henry and Alma (Bourque) Mazzarella. He married Gracia (Orinoco) Mazzarella on Oct. 30, 2004, in Killingly.

Bruce was devoted to his family and friends. He built a tree house, a water slide, a potato gun and a zip line, he enjoyed hosting cookouts, and loved riding his snowmobile and Harley. Bruce worked with The Providence and Worcester Railroad and Reali Plumbing & Heating. He co-owned Northeast Technical Service with Michael Racicot. His last employment was as a plumber with MCR Refrigeration. He was a past member of the Elks #1706 in Danielson.

He leaves his wife Gracia Mazzarella; two daughters: Lacey Ann Mazzarella of Danielson and Tiffany Marie Mazzarella of Eastford; brother Dennis Mazzarella (Karen); grandson Nicandro Anthony Mazzarella.

Funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 7 from the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. t St. James Church, Danielson. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 .

 

Mark L. Salce

PUTNAM —  Mark L. Salce, 56, of  Bibeault St., died Jan. 4, 2015, in Day Kimball Hospital . He was the husband of Susan (Morey) Salce. Born in 1958 in Southbridge, he was the son of Yvette (Gagnon) Gravel of Southbridge and the late Luigi Carmine Salce.

Mark worked for A & M Tool & Die as a machinist for 34 years. He enjoyed golf and watching the New England Patriots and the Red Sox.  He loved to play poker with all of his friends  Mark was a member of Cargill Council 64, Knights of Columbus Putnam and Creation Church

In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Christopher Salce of Putnam; his daughter, Shawna Salce of Putnam; his eight siblings, Matthew Salce (Missy) of Killingly, Michael Salce (Debbie) of Westfield, Mass.,  Anthony Salce of Woodstock, Jennifer Duhaime (Rob) of Belchertown, Mass., Satina Salce of Quinebaug, Luigi Salce of Oxford, Mass., Jennifer Reynolds of  Woodstock, and Jeff Salce of Quinebaug; his brother-in-law, James Morey (Alma) of Putnam; stepmother, Jane Salce of Quinebaug. 

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home, Putnam.

 

Kristin S. Reynolds

WOODSTOCK —  Kristin Serafin Reynolds of Woodstock, died Jan. 3, 2015, at Hartford Hospital. She was born May 16, 1940, in New London, daughter of the late William and Esther (Olson) Serafin.

In 1959, Kris met the love of her life, Joe, and they married on Oct. 28, 1961. After teaching first grade for several years, The Christmas Barn was opened in 1965. Kris has had many life-long friends. 

Besides her husband, she leaves her two sons, Jay and Mark, both of Woodstock; grandchildren: Kyle, Jotham, Morgan, and Hannah; sister Dorothy Taylor of Quinebaug; nieces Kristine DeMello of N. Stonington and Susan Krysinski of Thompson. She was predeceased by her sister Sally Larzelere.

A celebration of Kris’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 8 at the East Woodstock Congregational Church. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

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