Donald A. Spaeth,

Army vet

WOODSTOCK —  Donald A. Spaeth, 67, of Joy Rd., died March 13, 2015.  He was the husband of Pamela (Barry) Spaeth.  

Born in 1947 in Jamaica, N.Y., he was the son of the late Edward Allison Spaeth and Helen Muriel (Schneider) Spaeth.

Donald attended the Canterbury School in New Milford and graduated from Williams College with the Class of 1969.  He served as a first lieutenant in the Army 82nd Airborne Division; 1971-1973.  He was an English teacher for both the Hyde School and Woodstock Academy.  A lifelong musician, he later went on to open String Tinkers, an artisanal music store in Putnam.

In addition to his wife, Donald leaves his son, Thomas Allison Barry Spaeth of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Spaeth of Portland, Ore.; his brothers, Peter Edward Spaeth of Mineola, N.Y., and Edward Gregory Spaeth of Stony Brook, N.Y.; and his niece Corinne Helen Spaeth of Mineola.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Donald’s family from 6 to 8 p.m. March 19 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

Robert Choiniere Jr.,

Vietnam war vet

NORTH WATERBORO, Maine — Robert G. Choiniere Jr., 66, Lazybrook Ln., died March 9, 2015, in Casa Grande, Ariz.  He was the husband of Mary (Bigos) Choiniere.  Born in 1948 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Robert and Lorretta (Deotte) Choiniere Sr. 

Mr. Choiniere was a U.S. Marine who proudly served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. He worked as a machinist for John M. Dean.  He was a member of the Gold Prospectors of America and enjoyed panning for gold.  He also enjoyed fishing, beer brewing, and sports, especially the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.  

In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Jeremy Choiniere of N. Waterboro; his daughter, Jill Smith (Sam) of Leeds, Maine; his sister, Sandra Chubbuck (Wade) of S. Killingly; grandchildren Kayla and Gabrielle.  

Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. March 21 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam followed by a funeral service at 5 p.m. in the funeral home

 

Florence ‘Siddy’ Davis

N. GROSVENORDALE — Florence C. (Anderson) Davis, 77, of Riverside Dr., died March 7, 2015, in Harrington TCU Center, Webster. She was the wife of the late Albin Davis.  Born in 1937 in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Hilmer and Florence (Butler) Anderson.

Florence attended Leicester, Mass., schools, was a homemaker, and lived in N. Grosvenordale for many years.  

She leaves two sons, Carl Davis, and Timothy Davis and his husband Rick Van Vleet-Davis; her daughters, Edye and Kathleen Davis, Kris Bolduc, Marlene Stuart, and Mary Bredefeld; five brothers, Lawrence, Leonard, Dennis, Robert and Thomas Anderson; two sisters, Margaret Elkind, and Eileen Fitzgerald; several grandchildren; her very good friend and neighbor Ellie.  In addition to her husband, Florence is predeceased by her son Peter Parzek.  

The Mass of Christian Burial was March 14 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Jean M. Fitzback

THOMPSON — Jean M. Fitzback, 82, formerly of Thompson, died Feb. 24, 2015, at Crystal Bay Senior Living in Destin, Fla., after an illness. Her husband of 49 years, Albert L. Fitzback, died in 2003.

She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of Louis and Vera (Kirkconnell) Copp and lived in Thompson most of her life. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1950, where she was selected as the recipient of the Good Citizenship Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution. After living in Thompson, she moved to Maryland and then to Florida in 2013.

Mrs. Fitzback worked as a secretary for her husband’s business, Albert L. Fitzback Land Surveying for many years before retiring in 1997.

She was a member of the Glee Club at Crystal Bay Senior Living. She enjoyed bowling in leagues at Mohegan Bowl-A-Drome, camping, reading, completing puzzles, painting and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale.

She leaves four children, Bruce Fitzback of Putnam, Sharon Briggs (Steven) of Oxford, Mass., Susan Julian (Paul) of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., and Sheila Bembenek (Lance) of Woodstock; seven grandchildren, Sean and Kyle Briggs, Sara Julian, Lisa Guyot, Jessica Griffin, Mikaela and Kaitlyn Bembenek; a sister, Natalie Morgan of Stonington.

A funeral will be held  March 28, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. March 28, in the funeral home. Donations: Emerald Coast Hospice Foundation, 340 Beal Pkwy NW #C, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; or to Crystal Bay Senor Living, either to the Activities Department or a gift to the Associate Appreciation Fund at 2400 Crystal Cove Lane, Destin, FL 32550.

 

Alphonse Kolat,

WWII vet

PUTNAM — Alphonse H. “Chela” Kolat, 89, of Putnam, died March 11, 2015, at Hartford Hospital. Alphonse was affectionately known as Chela. He was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Putnam, son of the late Joseph and Carolina (Dzioba) Kolat. On Nov. 22, 1947, at St. James Church in Danielson, he married the love of his life Evelyn A. Szmist. They made their home in Putnam.

Chela was a communicant of St. Mary Church in Putnam and lived his life in Putnam. He attended Israel Putnam School and Putnam High School. 

He joined the U.S. Navy on Sept. 30, 1942, after high school. As a WWII Navy combat veteran, he served aboard the ships; the USS Anticline and the destroyer the USS Saterlee, as a third class petty officer gunner’s mate. He participated in four major actions in the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater, the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France earning the American-European Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. 

Chela worked for 38 years with American Optical in Putnam and Southbridge. He was the superintendent of the shipping department. He ended his working career at Belding-Corticelli Mfg. in Putnam after 10 years. He was a life member of the; Putnam Elks, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans and Eagles of Southbridge. He was a Charter Member of the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. 

His passion was his garden, in which he loved growing vegetables and mostly gave away to family and friends that wanted fresh vegetables. He loved and fed all the birds and cats who came to get breakfast at the Kolat’s house every morning. He made sure that bird seed and cat food was on the shopping list every week.

He leaves his wife of 67 years, Evelyn Kolat of Putnam; a sister-in-law, Edna Szmist Lavallee of Danielson; uncle Daniel Dzioba of Ledyard; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Emeryk Kolat and Frederick Kolat; his sisters, Helen Lulli, Julie Kowalski and Flora Kempain-O’Neil of Worcester.

A Mass of Christian Burial was March 16 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery in the spring.  Donations: NECCOG, P.O. Box 759, Dayville, CT. 06241. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Lorraine Marion

PUTNAM — Lorraine Marion of Putnam, died March 12, 2015. She was the wife of the Norman Marion. He died Dec. 10, 1992. She was born in 1923 daughter of Eugene and Georgianna Dery. 

She spent many of her work years employed by Belding Heminway and retired from day Kimball Hospital. She enjoyed square dancing, camping and winters in Florida.

She leaves her children: Constance Child, Lea Levesque, Mary Miller, Rene Marion; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her sister Germaine Dery.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the spring at St. Joseph’s Church, Dayville. Donations: Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.  Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Metabeth Balta

DUDLEY — Metabeth (Qualls) Balta, 104, formerly of  Schofield Avenue, died March 12  ,2015, in Brookside Rehab & Healthcare, Webster.  Her husband of 49  years, Stephen Balta, died in 1979

She was born in Hanson, Ky., the daughter of the late Richard and the late Fannie (Haywood) Qualls .

She graduated from Hanson High School. She settled in Dudley in 1930. She worked the looms of Packard Mills in Dudley and was an inspector at the American Optical Company in Southbridge retiring in 1972 

Metabeth's  pastime was spent  crocheting, knitting, rug braiding, rug hooking, and sewing all of her life and traveling in her retirement.

She leaves her two daughters: Betty Latour (Raymond) of Southbridge, Linda Smalarz (Paul) of E. Thompson; nine grandchildren: Paula Champagne of Maine, Deborah Deary of Dudley, Omer Gadoury of Winchendon, Mass., Pamela Belanger of Webster, Robert Latour of Dudley, Paul Latour of Webster, Karen Smalarz of Woodstock, JaneEllen Romprey of E. Thompson and Jeffrey Smalarz of Thompson; 16 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter Barbara Gadoury and an infant daughter Ilona Balta an infant granddaughter Kathryn Smalarz  and her sister Lucille Buchanan.

Burial will be at a later date in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Webster . Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

M. Racine-Williams

DAYVILLE — Marilyn L. “Mary Lou” Racine-Williams, 79, of Dayville, died March 6, 2015, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. Marilyn was born Oct. 19,1935, at her childhood home in Woodstock. She was the daughter of the late Fredrick and Addie (Daniels) Racine.

Marilyn grew up in Woodstock, CT, where she attended school. She worked for Idle Wilde Farms in Pomfret Center for 25 years and then retired. Mary Lou enjoyed her retirement and filled her time with her grandchildren, dancing, being “Nana” to many, making good conversation and enjoying her coffee with family and friends.

Marilyn leaves her twin sons, Robert Williams of Dayville and Richard Williams of Dayville; daughters, Carol Laliberty of Putnam, Donna Bidwell (Raymond) of New Hampshire; a brother Gerald Racine (Susie) of Woodstock; a sister Natalie Freeman (Arthur) of Maine; grandchildren, Melinda Spenard, Melissa Spenard, Samantha Bidwell, Justin Laliberty, Katie Spenard and Daniel Elie; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, JJ, Kyle and Julianna; her bird, Noah; her dearest friend Cathy B. She was predeceased by her brothers, James Perry, Robert Perry, Fredrick “Junior” Racine and Charlie Racine, her sister Jacqueline Plante and also her grandson Seth Williams.  

Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or to your local food bank in your area. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Lucille J. Viens

PUTNAM — Lucille J.  Viens, 78, of River Rd., died March 13, 2015, in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late Bernard Viens. 

Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Leroy and Edouila  (Benoit) Bernier.

Mrs. Viens was a clerk for retail for Bugbees Department Store, W. T. Grant and Kmart.   She also worked as an assistant for Portraits by Nan.  She enjoyed knitting and spending time with her family.  She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation. 

She leaves a son, Michael Viens (Nanette) of Putnam; her grandson, Christopher Viens of Putnam; nieces & nephews.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 19 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Providence St. Donations: Putnam Fire Department Scholarship Fund, 189 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260; or to Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

Doris Demarest

EASTFORD — Doris B. Demarest, 87 of Eastford, died Feb. 11, 2015, at home. 

She was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Waterbury  to the late Arthur E. and Eunice (Moore) Bloss.  Doris grew up in Bethlehem.  She received her master’s degree in mathematics from UConn.  She taught math at Coventry High School for many years until her retirement.

Doris married William G. Molnar in 1952 and moved to Ashford.  William died unexpectedly in 1960.  She later married Milton W. Demarest and moved to Eastford. Milton died in 2001.

She leaves her children: Tracey M. Borovicka (Steven), Beverly M. Mazzarella (Philip), George W. Molnar (Wendi), Nancy M. Beaudoin (Joseph), Sheryl E. Priest, Lorraine E. Demarest, Jennifer Werner, Charles Demarest (Lisa), Jeffrey Demarest, and Daniel Demarest; 14 grandchildren, 5 (+ 2) great grandchildren; four sister in-laws and 1 bother in-law.

A Memorial Service celebrating Doris’ life will be held at 2 p.m. May 30 at the South Woodstock Baptist Church on Roseland Park Road, Woodstock. Burial will be private. Donations: Eastford Independent Fire Company # 1, PO Box 333 Eastford CT. 06242.

 

Phyllis Kuper

WOODSTOCK — Phyllis R. (Racine) Kuper, 90, of Woodstock died March 12, 2015.  She was the wife for 70 years of the late Arthur Kuper who died Nov. 27, 2013.  

She was born in Putnam, on St. Patrick’s Day, which she was very proud of.  She was the daughter of the late, Augustus and Lillian (Milligan) Racine and lived in Woodstock all her life.  She was a member of the Woodstock Historical Society and Ladies Aide of the North Woodstock Congregational Church.  She was the go-to person, when you needed a volunteer for any project.  She loved animals especially horses.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening and being outdoors.  

She leaves two sons, Daniel R. Kuper (Margaret) of Woodstock and Kenneth A. Kuper of Woodstock; two daughters, Lorraine Daniels (William) of Webster and Karen Martin of Worcester; four grandchildren: Jason Kuper , Sarah Gilbert, Shelly Matte and Richard Kuper; four great-grandchildren and a great-grandson. She was predeceased by two brothers Russell and Lloyd Racine, two sisters, Priscilla Olds and Elizabeth Saltonstall and a grandson, Aaron A. Kuper. Donations: Humane Society or Dog Pound. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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