M. Idabelle Chapman

WOODSTOCK — M. Idabelle (Phillips) Chapman, 104, a former resident of Woodstock, died Jan. 8, 2016, at Pierce Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

 Born Oct. 12, 1911, in Willimantic, she was the daughter of the late Dwight and Hattie (Irons) Phillips. She was the wife of John H. Chapman for 62 years. He died in January 2003. 

Idabelle graduated from Windham High and Bryant College. Her early career began with employment in her father’s business, Phillips Brothers Grain Company and General Store at Hampton Station. After her marriage, she and her husband John, owned and operated Pinecroft Farms in Woodstock. She was a highly competent office manager as well as a skilled truck driver. She was very proud of getting her Class II driver’s license. Over many years she was actively involved with nearly all aspects of the farm. She did not retire until she was well into her 80s. In addition she was a member of Farm Bureau and served as past president of the State of Connecticut. She also was a prior member of a local camera club and a member of the Grange. 

Mrs. Chapman was known for her lively spirit, abundant energy and her zest for life. She loved to travel with her husband and did so extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. She especially enjoyed spending summers on Great Eastlake, N.H. She was an accomplished cook, gardener and seamstress. 

She leaves her son, John Chapman (Noreen) of Woodstock; daughter, Judith Joly (Lucien) of Bloomfield; grandchildren, Jason Chapman (Angela) of South Windsor, Dana Chapman of Woodstock, Brett Joly (Teresa) of Branford, Dr. Kyle Joly (Julie) of Fairbanks, AK, and Rebecca (Joly) and John Grounds of Washington, D.C.; eight great-grandchildren; and she had the privilege of becoming a great great grandmother. She was predeceased by her daughter, Arlene Chapman. 

Private burial will be held in the spring at Quassett Cemetery. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Lorena Savard

PUTNAM — Lorena B. Savard, 73, died Jan. 15, 2016, after a battle with ALS.

She was born Aug. 30, 1942, in Putnam, daughter of the late Alfred and Florence Berube. Lorena attended Putnam High School and graduated from Quinebaug Valley Community College with honors in 1978. Lorena was recognized in Who’s Who of American Women and a member of the American Biographical Institute. She was a parishioner of St Mary Church of the Visitation, and married Roger Savard in 1962.  Lorena loved to travel with her husband and traveled extensively throughout the U.S. She enjoyed reading and doing research and lived her life in a holistic and organic manner.

She leaves her husband, Roger;  son Dean (Amanda) of Corsica, Penn.; four grandchildren, Mickayla, Kasey, Chance, Amber and one great-granddaughter Kaliea; nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan 18 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation , Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: DKH Hospice of Northeast CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Michael A. Bellerive

PUTNAM — Michael A. Bellerive, 54, of Putnam died Jan. 12, 2016, at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge, following a battle with cancer. 

Mike was the husband of Laurette (Wilcox) Bellerive. Married for 34 years, Mike and Laurette were wed on Oct. 17, 1981. A lifelong Putnam resident, Mike was born April 1, 1961, in Putnam, the son of the late Marcel and Lillian (Grenier) Bellerive.

Mike was a longtime employee of Xtra Mart (Global Montello). He began his career with Xtra Mart in 1998 and worked as a manager in stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Mike was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation, as well as a former member of the Fish and Game Clubs in Pomfret and Putnam. Among his many passions, Mike enjoyed NASCAR, hunting, trips to the White Mountains and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. Skilled with his hands, Mike could fix anything and enjoyed challenging work. A truly generous man, Mike would not hesitate to drop what he was doing for anyone who needed his help. His altruistic nature was truly a source of inspiration for all who knew and loved him. He will be remembered for his love of life, his great laugh and quick wit, and his never ending well of kindness. He was a man who could make you smile on your worst day, and the first to congratulate you on your best.

He leaves, in addition to his wife Laurette; his boys David Bellerive and Benjamin Bellerive, both of Putnam; his siblings Gerald Bellerive of Dayville and Norman Bellerive of Lancaster, N.H.; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Theresa Gorski and Pete Bellerive. He also leaves the “children of his heart” — “sons” Cory and Josh, and “daughters” Heather, Elisa, and Lyannae.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 23 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial will in the spring in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Particle Accelerator, c/o United Services, 1007 North Main St., Dayville, CT 0624; or the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St, I-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Norman J. Messier Jr.

EUSTIS, Fla. — Norman Joseph Messier Jr. of Eustis went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Jan. 8, 2016.

He was born March 31, 1940, in Putnam and graduated from Putnam High School.  He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 57 years.  

He was a correctional officer with the Connecticut Department of Corrections in both Somers and Brooklyn for 20 years, retiring in 1986 with the rank of lieutenant.  His passion over the years was raising, training and racing Standardbred race horses and in more recent years raising and racing homing pigeons in Florida, where he has lived since retirement.

After his experience in 1991 of attending the “Walk to Emmaus”, a program designed to build church leadership, he developed a heart for missions and served on numerous medical/construction/and Emmaus start-up teams in both Cuba and Guatemala.  The highlight of his life was his trip to the Holy Land. 

He is the son of Norman J. Messier Sr. and Catherine Blake Messier.  He leaves his wife Judith Nielsen Messier; sons: Norman J. III (Robin) of Sherrills Ford, N.C., Gregory Wayne (Renee) of Dayville, and Michael Scott (Donna) of Woodstock; grandchildren:  Dana of Sarasota, Fla., Jessica of Holyoke, Mass., and Rebecca of Woodstock; sisters:  Norma Enright of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Jeanne Blair of Winter Garden, Fla..  He was predeceased by sisters Joyce and Carol.

A home-going service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, 1000 E. 1st Ave., Mount Dora, Fla. Donations: Life’s Choices of Lake County, 27 E. Pinehurst Blvd., Eustis, FL  32736; or Lake Cares, Inc., 2001 W. Old US Hwy 441, Mt. Dora, FL  32757.

 

Thomas Robinson Sr. 

N. GROSVENORDALE — Thomas G. Robinson Sr., 62, of Central St., died Dec. 31, 2015, at home.  He was the husband of Susan (Perkins) Robinson.  Born in 1953 in Worcester, he was the son of the late Harry and Elizabeth (Kiefer) Robinson. Mr. Robinson worked as a stock handler for Ethan Allen.  He enjoyed watching NASCAR races, the Three Stooges, and MASH.  

In addition to his wife, Thomas leaves his sons, Thomas Robinson Jr., Shane Robinson, and Jeffery Robinson; his daughters, Jennifer Carey, Hope Robinson, and Kelly Robinson; his stepchildren, James Careau, Rosemarie Careau, and Melinda Yeary; his brothers, Michael Robinson, Joseph W. Harrison, Brian D. Harrison, John A. Harrison, Richard J. Harrison; his sister, Katherine G. Donnelly; grandchildren.   Valade Funeral Home, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Ronald R. Benoit

N. GROSVENORDALE — Ronald R. Benoit, 67, died Jan. 15, 2016, at Davis Place, Danielson.  He was born in Putnam, son of the late Leodore and Agnes (Lamiotte) Benoit and lived in N. Grosvenordale for the past two years, prior to that living in Putnam. 

He leaves his wife of 48 years, Joann E. (Daigle) Benoit.; three brothers; Eddie (Alice), Richard (Barbara), all of Putnam and Normand (Beverly) of Sabastian, Fla.;a sister, Carol Riggs (Gary) of Springhill, Fla.  He was predeceased by a sister, Jeanne Bennett. Services were private. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

..