Camille ‘Cam’ Lussier,

Air Force vet

OCALA, Fla. — Camille A. “Cam” Lussier, 95, formerly of Klondike Street, Grosvenordale, died peacefully June 18, 2016, at the Legacy Hospice House.  

He was born May 14, 1921, in Putnam to the late Arthur and Lillian (Bonin) Lussier.  He was a veteran who proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and made his home “on the Klondike” for most of his adult life.  Old friends may remember him as a “fixer” in the bobbin winding department of the former Belding Corticelli (thread mills in Grosvenordale and Putnam).  Retiring after 30 years of service as a machinery maintenance worker in 1986, Cam enjoyed traveling, making life-long friends along the way.

He was preceded in death by his wife and mother of his children Dorothy (Alley) in 1994, and second wife Norma (Gariepy) in 2002.  He leaves three daughters, Lillian Sidebottom (late husband is Donald) of Ocala, Patricia McDaniel (Russell) of Old Saybrook, Darlene Marriott (Daniel) of Brooklyn; grandchildren Dwain Clark Jr. (Christine) of N. Lauderdale, Fla., Stephanie Dambreville (Martin) of Long Island, N.Y., Kathryn Mawdsley (Michael) of Old Saybrook; great-grandchildren Anthony Clark and Dylan Dambreville; and special long-time friend, Jan Duquette of N. Grosvenordale.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 6 at the West Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Attn.:  Tammy Marzik, Connecticut Veterans Home, 287 West St., Rocky Hill, CT  06067. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

George Materas Jr.,

Vietnam war vet

BRANFORD —  George A. “Matte” Materas Jr., 78, a longtime Southbridge resident, died July 25, 2016, at The Connecticut Hospice.

Born on March 5th, 1938, in Southbridge to the late George A. Materas Sr. and Claire (Gauthier) Materas, he grew up in Southbridge then moved to the Groton area where he has lived the last 25 years. George was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Vietnam war. 

He worked at Arland Tool & Manufacturing Sturbridge with his father for many years, Friendly Ice Cream plant in Wilbraham, Mass., and for many years as a limousine driver for the Connecticut casinos.

George grew up playing cards with his parents and his family. His love and skill of card playing progressed throughout his life. He eventually became one of the most skilled poker players in New England winning hundreds of poker tournaments.

George is predeceased by his sister Joan Brousseau and his wife and love of his life Catherine O’Neil Materas.

He leaves three children, Christine Sprouse (Dennis) of Sturbridge, Jeffrey Materas (Elaine) of Southbridge, and Steve Materas (Ronda) of Pomfret;  eight grandchildren, Sean, Dennis, Jessica, Harry, Joy, Hillary, Gianna, and his grandson Michael J. Sprouse who died in 2013 who was there Monday to welcome him home; and two great-grandchildren Jacob and Charlotte. 

A Graveside Service was July 30 at the Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge. Donations: The Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford CT 06405.  Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Thomas R. Goulet

DANIELSON —  Thomas Robert “Tommy” Goulet, 61, of Cook Hill Rd, died July 30, 2016, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Theresa (Ravenelle) Goulet for 38 years. 

Born in 1954 in Putnam, he was the son of Robert A. Goulet of Putnam and the late Doris (Cloutier) Goulet.

Tommy was a planning and scheduling manager for Riverdale Mills in Northbridge, Mass. He enjoyed cooking, gardening and raising tropical fish.  He coached youth baseball and basketball for many years while living in Thompson.

In addition to his wife and father, he leaves his children Jared Goulet of Danielson and Danielle Heersink (Tim) of Woodstock; his brother, Jason Goulet of Jewett City; his sister, Patricia Pribula of Pawcatuck; his father’s wife, Lise Goulet; his half-brother, Robert Goulet of Putnam; his half-sister, Ashley Goulet of Putnam; three grandchildren, Rowan, Alexa, and Cierra.

The Funeral Mass was Aug. 3 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations: Make A Wish Foundation or to the American Heart Association. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

Beatrice Riley

BROOKLYN — Beatrice O’Connell Riley, 76, died July 31, 2016, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn. She was born Jan. 23, 1940, in Putnam, daughter of the late George D. O’ Connell and Simone O’Connell. 

Beatrice had a very full life, working many jobs, among them, Glass Container, Hale Manufacturing and her last job was at Westcott Nursing Home as a housekeeper. 

She leaves her four children, George Long Jr., Debra Aldrich, Lisa Bazinet and Elizabeth Langlois; her seven sisters Gloria Benard, Shirley Lynch, Evelyn Mathews, Deanna Mayo, Priscilla J. Midboe, Jane Delaney and Susan Smith; her brother Paul O’Connell; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a younger brother George D. O’Connell Jr.

A Graveside Service will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 5 at St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Putnam VFW, 207 Providence St., Putnam. Gagnon and Costello Funeral, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. 

 

Louise M. Gudelis

Liudvyka Marija Grigas, known to most as Louise, died July 27, 2016.

She was born Sept. 25, 1935, in Lithuania, just before the onset of WWII.  As a young child she enjoyed the privileges of an upper middle class upbringing.  Both of her parents were in government service.  Her father, Bronius Grigas, was deputy mayor of Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania.  Her mother, Jadvyga, worked for the Ministry of the Interior.  Louise’s household included a nanny, a maid and a cook.  Although she was an only child Louise grew up in an extended family environment along with her eight cousins.  Her early childhood consisted of summers spent berry and mushroom picking in the countryside and snowy winters with dog-pulling sleds.  

Louise’s carefree days ended abruptly in 1940 with the first Russian occupation of Lithuania.  She and her family were forced to endure midnight raids and the deportation of close family members to Siberia.  The following year, 1941, Germany occupied Lithuania and Louise’s father was arrested and deported to a Nazi concentration camp where he later died.  In 1944 the Russians reclaimed Lithuania.  To avoid deportation to Siberia, Louise, then age nine, and her mother and cousins fled to Austria in a horse covered wagon with only a few possessions.  These were particularly hard times.  Louise and her mother faced near-starvation and witnessed the brutality of war first hand.  Upon the end of the war in 1945 Louise and her mother along with thousands of other refugees were placed in American-run Displaced Persons camps throughout Germany.  Some of Louise’s fondest memories and closest friendships were of her years spent in these “DP” camps.  Finally, in April of 1949 Louise and her mother arrived in the U.S. on the transatlantic passenger ship “General Black.”

Upon arrival to the U.S., Louise and her mother lived in Great Neck, New York.  The two shared a small room of a private house in which Louise’s mother worked as a housekeeper.  At first, assimilation into American culture proved difficult for Louise and she yearned to go back home to Lithuania.  Despite feeling different from her American peers, Louise had typical teenage interests.  She enjoyed books, music and movies and was a diligent journal keeper.  In 1953 Louise graduated from Great Neck High School.  She went on to receive her B.S. from New York University’s School of Commerce in 1957.  Louise’s first job while still in high school was working at a local restaurant as a “popover girl.”  During her NYU days Louise worked at CBS as a casting assistant.  She worked with such famous celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Frankie Lane and Tony Bennett.  Upon graduation from college her fluency in multiple languages landed her a job at the United Nations where she worked until 1960.

In 1959 Louise married Drasutis Gudelis.  Shortly thereafter they moved to Cos Cob where they raised their two children Paul and Laura.  Sadly, the marriage ended in divorce in 1980.  Louise went on to receive her master’s degree in library science from Southern CT State University.  Her professional career as a librarian began at the Convent of Sacred Heart in Greenwich.  Upon leaving that post in 1983 Louise came to the Greenwich Library where she remained for the next twenty-two years.  At Greenwich she was a reference librarian, the local history and genealogy librarian and head of lending services.  Upon her retirement in 2001 Louise continued to work part time in the children’s room for yet another four years.  She shared her love of books with all children.  

Louise was passionate about many things, but it was her devotion to her faith, family and Lithuanian heritage that defined her and made her the kind, selfless and independent woman that she was. 

The Funeral Mass was July 30 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Convent, 600 Liberty Hwy, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

 

Sandra D. Rovatti

PUTNAM — Sandra D. Rovatti, 74, of Putnam, died July 24, 2016, at the Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam after a brief Illness. She was the wife of Robert Rovatti. They were married Nov. 17, 1962, in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. 

She was born April 28, 1942, in Webster, daughter of Rene and Aili (Romppainen) Dumas. Sandra was a 1960 graduate of the Tourtellotte Memorial High School. Sandra worked for Attorney McGilvary in N. Grosvenordale, the Social Security Office in Willimantic, law firm of Gross, Hyde and William, and for Rovatti Plumbing and Heating, Inc.  Sandra enjoyed spending winters in her Florida home for many years. She enjoyed caring for her flower gardens and working in her yard. 

She leaves, in addition to her husband Robert, her children Deirdre Brennan of Putnam, Darryl Rovatti of Auburn;  her sisters Sharon Johnson (Bruce) of Thompson, Judy Chartier of Palm Harbor, Fla.; her brother George Dumas (Sandy) of Norwich; granddaughter Madison Brennan of Putnam. She was predeceased by a daughter Andrea, Jan. 3, 1973. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was July 29 in St. Mary Church. Donations: Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund, c/o Day Kimball Hospital, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Gloria Summers

PUTNAM — Gloria Ann Summers, 83, of Putnam, died July 26, 2016, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was the wife of Raymond Summers. He died in 1994. 

She was born Aug. 15, 1932, in Boston, daughter of Solomon and Ameenie (Ghanem) Saif. Gloria worked at Danielson Curtain for 27 years. She enjoyed cooking for her family, bingo, dinners out at the Empire Buffet. She was an avid listener and always enjoyed WINY Radio’s Trivia and was a regular caller to GARY O’s Morning Show. 

She leaves her children, Geraldine Caouette (Lee) of Pomfret Center, Susan Shaevitz (Bob) of Putnam; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Thomas Summers in 1972, her granddaughter Tammy in 1982, and her siblings, Mary, Alice, Marie and Robert. 

The Graveside Service was July 30 in Putnam Heights Cemetery. Donations: Putnam Masonic Lodge #46, PO Box 46, South Woodstock, CT, 06267. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

 

Willis L. McKinney

N. GROSVENORDALE — Willis L. McKinney, 81, of N. Grosvenordale, died July 27, 2016, at home.

He was born in Logan, W.Va., son of the late Sonny and Lizzie (Adkins) McKinney and lived in Putnam before moving to N. Grosvenordale.  He worked for several years at Foxwoods casino in the kitchen. He was a mechanic most of his life, having worked for Firestone.   He was a lifetime member of the Valley Springs Sportsman's Club, a member North American Hunting Club and the Thompson Rod and Gun Club.

The funeral was private. Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

..