M. Philip Gratton,

Army Reserves

EASTFORD — M. Philip Gratton, known to his family and friends as Phil, 82, of Eastford Rd., died Sept. 16, 2016, at home. Born in 1934 in Ellington, he was the son of the late Albert and Rose Laurance (Leduc) Gratton.

Phil Gratton was brought up and attended schools in Pomfret and Thompson and made his home in Eastford for most of his adult life.  Phil served in the Army/Army Reserves from 1954-1962.  He was employed as a truck driver and mechanic for Charles S. Bowen Trucking of Eastford and later retired in 1995 from Republic Oil in Willimantic.

Phil was a communicant of St. Philip the Apostle Church and recently Most Holy Trinity Church.  He was a member of the Teamsters and the American Legion, Rockville Post.  He had served as a constable for the Town of Eastford, treasurer of the Eastford Republican Town Committee, and president of the Eastford Trail Thumpers Snowmobile Club.  Phil enjoyed spending time with family and friends at his cabin in Maine, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling and anything that had to do with being outdoors. Another of his favorite interests was watching NASCAR races.  Phil owned and built stock cars with help from friends that raced at the Thompson Speedway and Stafford Speedway from 1965-1972.  

He loved spending time and traveling with his devoted friend and companion Deborah Noble. 

Phil will be remembered most for his fun-loving spirit, and his witty sense of humor.   

He leaves two sons Brian Gratton of Eastford and Martin Gratton of Florida; four daughters Debra Reynolds (Russell) of Eastford, Audrey Giorgi (Kenneth) of CaliforniA, Arlene Goodwin (Bruce) of Ashford, and Mistie Hagenhoff (Nicolas) of Texas; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by two brothers, Roger and Paul Gratton.

The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 in St. Philip Church, Pompey Hollow Road, Ashford, with burial in the parish cemetery. 

Donations: Hospice and Palliative Care of NE CT, P.O. Box 632 Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Rita Trudeau

CHARLTON — Rita (Savaria) Trudeau, 98, of Masonic Home Rd, died Sept. 17,2016, in Overlook Masonic Health Center in Charlton. She was the wife of the late “Ray” Orian R. Trudeau. 

She was born in 1918 in Southbridge, daughter of the late Joseph and Marie Antoinette (Desaulniers) Savaria. 

She was predeceased by her sister Jeanette Savaria.

For most of her married life, Rita lived on Floral Ave in N. Grosvenordale.

 Mrs. Trudeau was a chief optical inspector for the American Optical Company of Southbridge. 

Upon her retirement, after 42 years, she and Ray moved to S. Dennis, Mass. In 1985, they picked up roots again and settled in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Ten years ago, Rita made the move to the Overlook of Charlton. 

She was  an active member of the Southbridge Women’s Club.

She leaves her sister, Claude C. Dumas of Southbridge; her nieces Jeanne Bridgeo of Southbridge, and Loretta Para of Webster; nephew Edward Dumas of Venice, Fla.; great-nephews Ben Bridgeo and Joseph Dumas; great-nieces Danielle (Bridgeo) Phillips and Sarah Dumas and her great-grandniece Ava Phillips. 

The Mass of Christian Burial is at 1 p.m. Sept. 24 in St Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. 

Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St, N. Grosvenordale. 

 

Kathleen M. Meisler

THOMPSON – Kathleen M. (Makara) Meisler, 56, died Sept. 14, 2016, at home.

She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of the late Bernard Makara. She lived in Thompson for 10 years before moving to N. Grosvenordale last year. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1978 where she was a member of the cheerleading team.  She attended Southern Mass. University in Dartmouth and received her associate’s degree from Becker Junior College in Worcester.

Kathleen was a medical assistant at Dr. Paul Harrington’s office in Charlton for 10 years. She then was a phlebotomist at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam for several years, retiring in 2015 due to illness.

She was a member of St. Louis Church in Webster. She volunteered at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford. She enjoyed going to the beach.

She leaves two children, Makara L. Newkirk (Matthew) of N. Grosvenordale and Alan B. Meisler of Bangor, Maine; three grandchildren, Logan Preston, Emma Newkirk and Gracie Newkirk; her mother, Dorothy M. (Pizzetti) Makara of Webster; a sister, Karen Matyczynski (Steven) of Dudley; and a nephew, Kaven Matyczynski. She was predeceased by her brother Kevin Makara.

The Funeral Mass was Sept. 19 in St. Louis Church, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, 565 Ashford Center Road, Ashford, CT  06278. Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster.

 

William Moriarty Jr.,

U.S. Army vet

PUTNAM — William T. Moriarty Jr., of Putnam, died Sept. 8, 2016.

William was born June 30, 1933, to Dr. and Mrs. William T. Moriarty Sr. and Marguerite (Conley), in Boston.  William graduated Williston Prep. School in North Hampton, Mass., in 1952 and served as class president for four years.  William went on to graduate Colgate University in 1956 with a degree in education.  In 1956, William enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the 25th Military Intelligence Detachment, honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1959.  

William went on to Framingham State University for a master’s degree in education, with further studies at Dartmouth Medical School for the studies of addiction.  William taught English in conjunction with being head of guidance in the Medway, Mass., school system. William went on to work as hospital administrator of Riverdale Hospital, Oradell, N.J.  William’s later career became focused on counseling families and individuals impacted by addiction.  William was CEO of Eagle Hill at Sandy Hook, and Seafield Pines, Keene, N.H. Rehab. facilities.  At the end of William’s career, he served as counselor at Spectrum Addiction Services and MSPCC.

He leaves his wife of 37 years, Janice (Marrier) Moriarty, and grandson Brian Sullivan, who he was very close to; three three children, Paul, Pamela and Megan; six stepchildren, Louis Boneski Jr. (Kim), Mark Boneski, Matthew Boneski (Katherine), Timothy Boneski (Kristen), Elizabeth Sullivan and Linda Boneski; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Donations: Salvation Army.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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