Robert J. Miller,

WWII vet

PUTNAM — Robert J. “Bob” Miller, 95, of Liberty Highway, died Aug. 24, 2016, at Westview Health Care Center.  He was the husband of Winifred “Wini” (Rushford) Savulis-Miller. 

Born in 1920 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Telesphore and Edith (Johnson) Miller. Bob attended St. Mary’s School, and graduated from Putnam High School, class of 1938. 

Bob married Marion E.K. Leavestrom, of Worcester in 1948. They raised five children. Marion passed away in June of 1973. Bob was remarried in 1977 to Loretta St. Onge Johnston, gaining eight stepchildren. Loretta passed away on Jan. 25, 2003.  

After working as a mill hand in local textile mills as a young man, Mr. Miller became employed at the National Chromium Company, in Putnam, a small electro-plating firm. Miller spent 43 years as a foreman, sales manager and vice president of National Chromium Co., retiring in 1985.

Bob took a leave of absence from National Chromium to enlist in the U.S. Army during WWII. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations with Battery B, 789th Field Artillery Battalion, in Combat Intelligence and Prisoner Detail. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant, and returned to National Chromium in 1946. 

Bob was active in scouting, joining the Boy Scouts of America Troop 23 in 1933. He was selected by the Boy Scouts of America National office to represent his Council at the first   Boy Scouts of America national jamboree in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting in America. In that same year, 1937, Bob attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Bob first became a Scoutmaster at the age of 18, was Scoutmaster of St. Mary’s Church Troop 21 for 25 years, and held various executive positions along the way, including District Commissioner and District Chairman. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, which recognizes registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.  

A devout Catholic, He was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation, and a member of St. Mary’s choir for many years.  Bob devoted many years of distinguished service to the Putnam community, holding public office as chairman of the Water Commission 1967 – 1972, Board of Selectmen 1963 – 1969, First Selectman 1973 – 1975, Economic Development Commission 1976 – 1985, and a member of the Democratic Town Committee 1964 – 1978.  

He was a member of the Aspinock Historical Society for 36 years, giving many lectures, slide shows and walking tours, most of them related to the history of textile mills in northeastern Connecticut. Bob was the first Putnam Municipal historian, holding that position from 1989 until retiring in 2006. The Robert J. Miller History award is presented each year to a deserving student at Putnam Elementary School. 

On Aug. 8, 1998, the town of Putnam dedicated the Robert J. Miller Park, in honor of the municipal historian. The park marks the start of the Putnam River Trail. A quote from a local newspaper says it all: “Perhaps Miller’s greatest life-long assets have been his love of people, his listening ear, and his willingness to help anyone in need, regardless of nationality or creed”. 

In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons, Stephen Miller of Bristol, Ernst Miller of Torrington, and Philip Miller of Thompson; his daughter, Maria Miller of Medford, Mass.; his stepsons, Arthur Johnston of Woodstock, Kevin P. Johnston of Pomfret, Peter Johnston of Danielson, Mark Johnston of Dayville, and Shawn Johnston of N. Grosvenordale; his stepdaughters Roberta Hayes of Dayville, Christine Lessig of  E. Woodstock, and Rosemary Surdyka of Wilbraham, Mass.; his grandchildren, Austin Miller, Audrey May Anderson, Virginia Miller, and Andrew Miller. In addition to his previous wives, Marion and Loretta, he was predeceased by his eldest daughter, Ann K. Miller, in 2013, his sister, Dorothy Miller, and brother Norman “Spike” Miller. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 29  in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial with military honors in St. Mary Cemetery.  Donations: Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Glen W. Heath,

Vietnam war vet

GROSVENORDALE —  Glen W. Heath, 75, Riverside Dr., died Aug. 24, 2016, at home. He was the husband of Betty (Warren) Heath.  Born in 1940 in Burlington, Vt., he was the son of the late Wayland and Eva (Brown) Heath.

Mr. Heath served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict. He worked as a truck driver for Trainor Transportation, and drove a bus for Foxwoods.  He was a certified diesel technician and worked as a diesel mechanic for the Killingly Department of Education.  He was a member of the Community Fire Department and Fire Police. Glen was also a member of the Danielson Elks, the American Legion, and the Webster Council of the Nipmuc Tribe.  He was a communicant of the Living Faith United Methodist Church and a Life member of the Killingly-Brooklyn Ambulance. Glen enjoyed football and sports.  He collected John Deere tractors and liked to work with his hands, always tinkering with anything mechanical

In addition to his wife, Glen leaves his sons, Frank Heath of Grosvenordale, Jesse Heath (Tammy) of Thompson, Timothy Heath (Cherie) of N. Grosvenordale, and John Heath (Jessica) of Grosvenordale; his daughter, Tina Tetreault (James) of Putnam, his brothers, Bert Heath of Quinebaug, Chester Heath of Florida, Melzer Heath of Putnam, and Frank Heath of Putnam; his sisters, Patricia Labonte of Florida, Evelyn Preston of Putnam, Corinne Duquette of Putnam, Lorraine Adam of Thompson, and Joyce Lefevre of Central Village; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his brothers, Roy Heath, Wayland Heath Jr., and Calvin Heath; and his sister, Linda Ball. 

The Graveside Service will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 3 in West Thompson Cemetery followed by a funeral service at 11. in the Living Faith United Methodist Church, 53 Grove St., Putnam. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Michael J. Griggs,

Air Force vet

DANIELSON — Michael J. Griggs, 63, of Danielson died unexpectedly Aug. 25, 2016 at home. Born on Oct. 30, 1952, in Putnam, he was the son of Anita C. (Barrette) Griggs and the late William J. Griggs.

He was a graduate of Killingly High School Class of 1970. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1973. He worked at Electric Boat as a rigger. He was a communicant of St. James Church.

Besides his mother Anita of Danielson, he leaves his sister, Sheila C. Ilewicz (James) of Dayville; nephew, Mathew J. Ilewicz and niece, Jessica C. Ilewicz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 6 at St. James Church, 12 Franklin St., Danielson, with burial following with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. 

Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045. 

Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Rita M. Lachapelle

WOODSTOCK — Rita M. Lachapelle, 70, of Woodstock, formerly of E. Hartford died Aug. 16, 2016, at Riverside Nursing and Rehabilitation in E. Hartford. 

She was born in Putnam on April 24, 1946, daughter of the late Leo R. and Marie (Gauthier) Lachapelle. 

She lived in Woodstock most of her life, a graduate of Woodstock Academy Class of 1964. She went to Annhurst College in Woodstock and graduated with a teaching degree in 1968. She was a teacher for two years in western Massachusetts. 

Rita worked as a bookkeeper for several auto dealerships in Central and Eastern Connecticut, most recently working for Scranton Motors in Vernon. She loved her cats and dogs.

She leaves her two sisters; Elaine Lachapelle of Woodstock, Diane Ortyl of E. Hartford; nieces; Michelle Ortyl-Kozikowski (Henry) of Enfield, Marisabel Rosario of Enfield, grandnephew; Nathan and grandnieces; Zoey and Arianna. 

A Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Palmer Memorial Hall, 523 Rt. 169, Woodstock Hill.

 Donations: Companion Animal Sanctuary, 46 Floeting Road, Ashford, CT 06278; or PAWS, PO Box 191, Eastford, CT 06242. 

Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Edmond O. Breault, 

WWII vet

WEBSTER — Edmond O. Breault, 90, died Aug. 22, 2016, in Blaire House after a long illness. His wife of 59 years, Mary A. (Gion) Breault, died in 2007.

Born in Worcester and raised in Putnam, he was the son of Hector and Jeannette (Auger) Breault. He moved to Webster in 1950. He then lived in Auburn and Worcester.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a seaman first class on the USS South Dakota and the USS Manila Bay. He belonged to the Webster-Dudley American Legion Post #184 and to the VFW.

Mr. Breault owned and operated Ed’s TV from 1960 to 1979 when he retired. He previously worked at the American Woolen Company and at the American Optical Company in Southbridge. In his retirement, Ed volunteered to sing and play “all the oldies” at various local nursing homes.

He was a communicant at St. Joseph Basilica and a member of its Holy Rosary Sodality and Sacred Heart Society. He served as a lector for 35 years.

An all-around handyman and builder, he constructed his own home in Webster and also built another home on Quaddick Pond in Thompson. He enjoyed wood working and made the missalette holders for the church out of oak.

He leaves a son, Richard R. Breault (Mary) of Worcester; two granddaughters, Emma Logan (Robert Logan VI) of Salem, Mass., and Maggie Breault of Worcester; a great-grandson, Robert Logan VII; a sister, Lorraine Demers of Danielson.

The Funeral Mass was Aug. 27 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial with military honors in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: First Church of the Nazarene, 233 Eastern Ave., Lynn, MA 01902. 27 Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Donald H. Gilbert,

WWII vet

WEBSTER — Donald H Gilbert, 92,  died Aug. 27, 2016, at Harrington Healthcare Hubbard Campus. Donald was born in Webster, son of the late Emile J and the late Aldora (Marien) Gilbert. 

Donald is a Navy veteran of WWII and served during the invasion of Normandy. 

Mr. Gilbert was the owner and president of Gilbert Distributors for 28 years before his retirement 

Donald was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, The Webster Lions Club and a Past King Lion . Donald enjoyed a good meal and a round of golf.

He leaves his wife of 68 years  Marie Gloria (Bernier) Gilbert; one son: Paul Gilbert (Kathleen) of Thompson; three daughters: Nancy McGrath (John) of Woodstock, Donna Garabedian (Joseph) of S. Grafton, Mass., Patricia Millos of Auburn; nine grandchildren Thomas and PJ Gilbert, Daniel and  David McGrath and Katie Britt, James and Thomas Garabedian. Corey and Andrew Millos; five great-grandchildren. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1 p.m. Sept. 1 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on East Main Street, with burial with military honors in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley. Donations: massfallenheroes.org  100 Hallet St. Boston MA 02124

 

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