Robert J. Holland,

Vietnam war vet

THOMPSON — Robert J. Holland, 73, of Thompson, formerly of E. Killingly, died Oct. 26, 2016, at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester, after a brief Illness. He was the lifelong companion of Mary Woodson. He was born Dec. 6, 1942, in Smithfield, R.I., son of the late John F. and Helen (Bushee) Holland. 

He was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam war. Robert worked as a truck driver for many years for Jolley Concrete and later for Tilcon. He was a member of the E. Killingly Fire Department and was an EMT. Robert enjoyed his trips to the casino, crossword puzzles and computer games, he was very talented at building model trains. Most of all he enjoyed his daily coffee at Zip’s and Four G’s in Dayville. Robert had a big heart and was always willing to help out his family and his friends.

He leaves his companion Mary; his sister Joan Fox; his brother John Holland, both of Danielson; nieces Sandie Riemann and Shari Cote; nephew Michael Fox, and his cat Puff.

Burial will be private in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: East Killingly Fire Department. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

James H. Thebado

PUTNAM —  James H. Thebado, Ph.D.., 84, of Keech St. formerly of Springfield, Minn., died Oct. 11, 2016, in St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester. He was the husband of the late Jeanne (Sward) Thebado who died in 2005. Born in 1932 in Ft. Bragg, N.C., he was the son of the late Frederick and Viola (Stevenson) Thebado.

Mr. Thebado was a pharmacist in three states and co-owner of Sward-Kemp Drug Stores of Springfield, Minn., and also had locations in six towns throughout southern Minnesota.  He was an artist, enjoyed playing golf, was a “joke teller,” cribbage player and an avid Red Sox fan. He coached youth football and was well known as an exceptional punter coach. 

He leaves his family; Janis E. Beltis (Jeffrey) of Putnam, Joan M. Beltis (Richard) of Dedham, Mass., Judith A. Thebado of Putnam, Jeff Thebado of Thompson, and James Gerard Thebado (Scott Smith) of Weymouth, Mass.; grandchildren, Allison Yarosh (Kris), J. Spencer Beltis, Richard Andrew Beltis, and Garrett James Beltis; and his great-granddaughter, Zoie E. Beltis; niece, Malinda Conley and her daughter, Kalena Conley; his aunt, Shirley Mulig, of Ohio. He is predeceased by his brother, Frederick Thebado, and his sister, Katheen Stevens.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 5 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Donations: The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West Brookline, MA 02445-7226. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Raymond T. Bartkus

WOODSTOCK — Raymond T. Bartkus, 88, of Woodstock, died Sept. 23, 2016, at home. Born in 1928 in E. Granby, he was the son of the late Anthony and Anna (Pautienus) Bartkus.

Ray was born and raised on a farm in East Granby, the youngest of eight children.  He was an enthusiastic student graduating from Simsbury High School and went on to attend Columbia University in New York City.  After graduation and service to his country, he went to work on Wall Street.  He worked for several firms before becoming a senior vice-president for L.F. Rothschild, Unterbert, Towbini, Inc.  In 1988 he retired and returned to his home in East Granby for a short time before moving to Woodstock to join his family.  Throughout his life, Ray was an avid traveler, managing to visit all of the continents over the years.  Some favorite highlights of his journeys were an elephant ride to photograph tigers, hiking in the Galapagos, and visiting a lifelong friend in China.  

Ray enjoyed being a member of the Woodstock Senior Citizens group, and when his health allowed, participated in some of the activities.  He attended services at the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Pomfret.  Afterward he could be found at the Vanilla Bean having coffee with some of his closest friends.

He leaves his nieces, Sharon B. Mulvey and Michele Koss, both of Woodstock; and his great-nephew, Michael, also of Woodstock.   

The Memorial Mass is at 10 a.m. Nov. 4 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Gilman Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

J. Paul Joyal

N. GROSVENORDALE — J. Paul Joyal, 80, of Ravenelle Rd., died Oct. 27, 2016, in his home.  He was the husband of Betty (LaPointe) Joyal. In January. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  Born in 1935 in Burlington, Vt., he was the son of the late Hilaire and Blanche (Rousseau) Joyal. 

Mr. Joyal worked as a mason for UConn and worked many years for his brother, Leo Joyal Masonry.  He was a member of the West Thompson Fire Department for more than 50 years serving as their chief for 15 years.  Paul enjoyed hunting, NASCAR, was a major race fan, and enjoyed country music. 

In addition to his wife Betty, he leaves daughters, Sue Genest of Woodstock, Debbie Cyr (Rick) of Thompson; his brother, Leo Joyal (Melissa) of Pomfret; his sisters, Theresa Guertin of Putnam, Cecile Bellerive of Putnam, Lucille Farrell (Robert) of Danielson, and Rachel Ladyka (Joel) of N. Grosvenordale; his grandchildren, Amy Genest, Ryan Genest, Craig Cyr, and Jason Cyr; his great-granddaughter, Alyssa. He was predeceased by a brother, Willie Joyal, and his sister, Joan Martel. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 2 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Donations: Day Kimball Healthcare Oncology Department or to Hospice of Northeast Connecticut. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Eleanor Racette, 

Putnam’s ‘Wallpaper Lady’

PUTNAM — Eleanor Racette, known to generations as Putnam’s “Wallpaper Lady,” died suddenly Oct. 29, 2016,  at Day Kimball Hospital.

She proudly served as a Navy WAVE during WWII.  In her 95th year at the time of her passing, she was perhaps the most senior member of Putnam’s business community, still active in the family wallpaper business. Eleanor always pursued study in nature, her favorite subject.

She leaves her son Frank; and daughter and son-in-law Spring and William Price.  Additional information may be found at www.smithandwalkerfh.com

 

St. Rita St. Onge, D.H.S.

PUTNAM —  Sr. Rita St. Onge, 99, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit died Oct. 27, 2016 at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham where she had been in residence since July 1, 2016.

Born on Aug. 30, 1917, in Putnam, the daughter of the late William A. St. Onge and Alma (Desautels) St. Onge, she entered religious life in 1935 and made her religious profession on Aug. 23, 1938, at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France.  She was then known as Sr. Rita de la Croix

After her profession, she was assigned as a teacher at Notre Dame du Mur, Morlaix, and at Ste. Marie Juniorate in Auray, both in France.  From 1942-44, she was an internee in Vittel, France during WWII.

Upon her return to the U.S., Sr. Rita received a bachelor’s at Annhurst College, S. Woodstock and later a master’s in theology at Providence College.  Her teaching assignments included St. Mary’s School, Putnam, and St. Anne School, Waterbury,  From 1951-53, Sr. Rita was named American representative on the General Council, St. Brieuc, France.  After serving nine years as Mistress of Novices in the American Province, she was appointed Provincial.  Upon termination of her term, she taught at Annhurst College after which she served as CCD Coordinator at St. Mary’s Parish and from 1986-2001 she served as pastoral associate in the same parish.

She was predeceased by three brothers, Msgr. Paul St. Onge, at one-time the Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, Rev. Theodore St. Onge, and Atty. William St. Onge, United States Representative at one time.  She leaves her spiritual family, her sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the DHS Associates as well as nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 31 at the Provincial House chapel followed by burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT, 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

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