George J. Kasek,

National Guard vet

DAYVILLE — George J. Kasek died Sept. 9, 2015, at Westview Nursing Home and Rehab Center. He was born Feb. 7, 1938, in Hartford, to the late Mary (Magiera) and Joseph Kasek. 

George attended Hartford High School and later enlisted in the National Guard.  George worked as a service manager at Langan Volkswagon and later as a supervisor at Electric Boat in Groton. George spent his free time coaching his kids in youth sports. He was a head coach for youth football, Griffin Hockey, and an all-girl softball league for many years. He enjoyed boating in Mystic, hunting, fishing, camping, bird watching, crystal mining, and spending time with his grandchildren.  George was also actively involved in the Good Sam Camping Club as Connecticut Assistant Director. George and May thoroughly enjoyed traveling all around the country with their camping family.  

He leaves his wife of 40 years, May (Simonzi) Kasek; his children Kenneth Kasek and Jennifer Kingsley of Scotland, Timothy and Jennifer Kasek of S. Windsor, Andrew and Melissa Kasek of Los Angeles, Christine Blaser of Woodstock, Lisa and Robert Surprenant of Danielson, Daniel Simonzi of Providence, and Susan and Thomas Jodoin of Myrtle Beach, S.C.;  14 grandchildren and four great-grandsons: Jessica Simonzi and James Gagne, Brandyn Surprenant and Bethaney (Surprenant) Tucker, Christopher and Hilary Kasek, Noah and Chelsea Simonzi, Stacy Baranski, Shawn, William, Samuel, and Jake Kasek, Laura Kasek, Jack and Robbie Surprenant, Hudson Tucker and Caden Spencer, as well as, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Theodore Kasek and his sister Jean (Kasek) Callahan. 

The Christian Mass was Sept. 14 at St. James Church, Danielson. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

John Kapitulik Jr.,

Navy vet

WEBSTER — John J. Kapitulik Jr., 77, died Sept. 8, 2015, at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge. 

He was born in Thompson, son of the late John J. and Stella (Horanzy) Kapitulik Sr. and lived in Webster most of his life.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran.  He was retired from the Webster Police Dept, where he was a police office for more than 33 years.  He was a member of the BPO Elks, Masons, American Legion, Booster AC, 200 Sportsmen Club, lifetime member of the Beagle Club.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf.  

He leaves his wife of 53 years, Jeanne R. (Leboeuf) Kapitulik of Webster; a son Joseph J. (Joyce) of Orange; a daughter, Christine Esposito (Kevin) of Webster; a sister Esther Lesse (Edward) of Webster; two grandchildren.  He was predeceased by a sister, Estelle Kapitulik

Services are private. Donations: Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, Veterans Way, Webster, MA 01570.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Chelsea M. Chenard 

NEW BRITAIN — Chelsea M. Chenard, 25, formerly of Killingly, went into the arms of her Savior Sept. 5, 2015, at the hospital for special care in New Britain.

Her strength and resolve were unwavering in the sight of insurmountable odds. She had a great love of friends and life itself; especially music and video games. 

She was born June 16, 1990, and attended Killingly Public Schools and was a communicant of St. James Church. 

She leaves her parents Irene Chenard of Brooklyn and Richard Chenard of Dayville; brother Joseph Chenard of Brooklyn; grandmother Mildred Woodmancy of Virginia; uncles, aunts and many cousins. She is predeceased by two uncles Michael R. Chenard and Robert Gonyer; grandparents Marcel and Rita Chenard and grandfather Charles Woodmancy. 

A Graveside Service was Sept. 11 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Corby L. Kruzel

WOODSTOCK — Corby L. Kruzel, 50, of Woodstock, died Sept. 7, 2015, in Woodstock. He was born Dec. 4, 1964, in Putnam, son of the late Stanley B. Kruzel Sr. and Juliette (Flagg). 

A lifelong resident of Woodstock, he was a 1981 graduate of Woodstock Academy. He loved to golf, fish and watching NASCAR, his favorite driver was Dick Trickle. Corby started a band when he was younger called OO-OO in the Septic. He worked for Colts Plastics for 17 years. Corby also designed and built ponds.

He leaves his daughter Kelsey Kruzel and her fiancée Chris Roltz of New Hampshire; siblings Debra Gagnon of Thompson, Stanley Kruzel Jr. (Jane) of Thompson; godmother and aunt Jackie Croteau of Woodstock, who he nicknamed Inchie, a godson Nathan Gagnon (Alison) of Woodstock; nieces and nephews, Casey, Felicia, Tony, Britttany Mae and his good friend Mike Labelle.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Burial will be private. Donations: ASPCA American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) 424 E. 92nd St, New York, NY 10128-6804. 

 

Constance C. Credit

DAYVILLE — Dayville-Constance C. Credit, 82 of Dayville, died Sept. 6, 2015, at Davis Place after a brief illness. She was the wife of Paul T. Credit. They were married April 7, 1951, in St. James Church. He died Sept 19, 2011.  

She was born March 4, 1933, in Killingly, daughter of the late Steven and Eva (Alix) Suboliski.  Constance enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She attended Killingly High School.

She worked as a certified Nurses Aid at the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn. Constance enjoyed crafts, knitting, crocheting, sewing and gardening. She knitted many hats for newborns at Interfaith Stitchers. She was a former member of the Q.V.S.C.

She leaves her daughters: Sandra L. DeFilippo of Canterbury, Kathie Galbreath (Jim) of Dayville; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by son-in-law Samuel DeFilippo in 2011.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 10 in St Joseph Church, Dayville, with burial in St Joseph Cemetery. Donations: PAWS, PO Box 191, Eastford, CT 06246. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

William Bates

KILLINGLY — William “Bill” Bates died Sept. 7, 2015 at Davis Place.

He was born Jan. 7, 1928, to Rose (Lefleur) and George Bates. A life-long resident of Thompson, Bill enjoyed watching sports, woodworking, crossword puzzles, feeding and watching his birds, as well as trying to outwit the squirrels. 

Bill graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School where he played on the 1944 championship basketball team which was inducted into the school’s Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2014. 

He leaves his wife of 66 years, Evelyn (Carpenter); daughter Nanci and her husband Rus. 

A Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at St. Joseph’s Church in N. Grosvenordale. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Walter Kania Jr.

DAYVILLE — Walter A.  Kania Jr., 64, a lifelong resident of Dayville, died Sept. 4, 2015 at his son’s home after a battle with cancer. 

He was born Feb. 23, 1951, in Worcester,  son of the late Walter and Marion (Slota) Kania Sr. 

Walter was a simple family man, he loved nothing more than time at home with his family, especially with his kids and granddaughters. 

He was a graduate of Johnson and Wales University. Walter was a humble man, one of integrity, hard work and commitment. 

He worked more than 30 years for the Rogers Corporation filling many positions.  

He leaves his son Ryan Kania and his fiancée Jamie Pezzente; daughter Lori (Kania) Gidopoulos (George); his granddaughters Kassie Kania, Addie and Kristina Gidopoulos and Amanda Gidopoulos and her fiancé Mike; great-granddaughters Kyleena, Navia and Maya; sister Carol Kania; godson Matt Kania and his granddog Lexi.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 12 in St. Joseph Church, Dayville. 

Donations: The Masonic Charity Foundation, P.O. Box 70 Wallingford, CT 06492. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Jessica Monahan

THOMPSON — Jessica Aleria (Saunders) Monahan, 43, of Quaddick Rd, died Sept. 10, 2015, at home. She married her husband, Sean F. Monahan, on May 22, 1998, in San Antonio. She was the daughter of Terry and Seria (Aleria) Saunders.  

She was born in Butuan City, in the Philippines, and came to the U.S. when she was 10 years old. Although at first not knowing the English language upon her arrival, she soon was fluent and excelled academically and in athletics in school. She attended San Antonio College in San Antonio and was a graduate of the paralegal studies program at UConn. 

Mrs. Monahan worked as a paralegal/office manager with her husband, Sean F. Monahan, attorney at law. She was invaluable to his law practice. She enjoyed downhill skiing, rock climbing, hiking, camping, gardening, traveling, and tennis and excelled in all of these activities, but her favorite pastime was watching her children’s sporting events and academic achievements. She was also a savvy board and card game player. She traveled extensively with her family, including to many national parks in the American West, Italy, Turkey, France and Greece. She was a hard worker, always active, vibrant and lit up a room with her presence. Those who met Jessica would never forget her.  She lived her life devoted to God and her family.  She was beautiful inside and out. However, she was not only beautiful, but had that rare quality of beauty and intelligence.  She also possessed a joie de vivre that was infectious to all that knew her.

In addition to her husband, she leaves her daughters, Seria Marie Hunter of Atlanta and Athena Noelle Monahan of Thompson; and her sons, Connor Saunders Monahan of Thompson, and MacArthur O’Neill Monahan of Thompson; and her parents Terry Saunders of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., and Seria Saunders of Rapid City, S.D.; and her sisters, Juliet Saunders of Rapid City, Lailane Henderson of Coral Springs, Fla., and Cristy Mosher (Kevin) of Tampa, Fla.; numerous in-laws,  including “father and mother-in-law Robert and Cecile Monahan of N. Grosvenordale. 

Visitation is from 5 to 7 .m. Sept. 17 in her home, 14 Quaddick Rd., Thompson. A Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Sept. 18 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale.  Burial, with the immediate family members, will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. A reception at the Knights of Columbus hall in N. Grosvenordale,  will follow the Mass. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes. Donations: for her children’s education may be made to The Jessica A. Monahan Irrevocable Trust, c/o Bank of America, 211 Kennedy Dr., Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

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