Andrew Niles Crabtree,

Sgt. 1st Class 

NASHVILLE — Sgt. First Class (retired) Andrew Niles Crabtree, 32, of Clarksville, Tenn., died Feb. 2, 2017, at Centennial Hospital in Nashville. He was born Oct. 28, 1984, in Putnam, to Peter and Susan (Reall) Crabtree.

Service were Feb. 5 at Grace Community Church in Bowling Greene, Ky., and on Feb. 10 Fort Campbell Army Base Liberty Chapel, FT Campbell, Ky. He was buried on March 17 with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.  

Andrew was home schooled and graduate from Woodstock Academy in 2003.  On Sept. 2, 2003, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Health Care Specialist.  Andrew served as a Medic with the 2nd BN, 9th Infantry Regiment out of Casey, Korea.  He served as the NCOIC of a Search and Rescue Team in a second deployment to Honduras in September 2006.

In 2009, Andrew attended Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., and graduated in July 2011 and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group as a Medical Sergeant and was deployed to Afghanistan as a Medical Sergeant coordinating medical support for the region.  He was promoted to Sergeant First Class in September 2012 and assumed duties as a Senior Medical Sergeant.

SFC Crabtree was Medically Retired in 2016 and stayed with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a civilian Dive Equipment Technician until the time of his death. SFC Crabtree’s awards and decoration include the Army Commendation Medal (with three Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (with four oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service, Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Special Forces Tab, the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Operations Combat Diver Badge.

SFC Crabtree is a graduate of the Healthcare Specialist Course, Basic Leader Course, Rappel Master Course, Equal Opportunity Leader’s Course, Airborne School, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Advanced Leader’s Course, Combat Diver’s Qualification Course, Naval Special Warfare Diving Equipment, Maintenance and Repair Course, Special Forces Diving Medical Technician Course, Special  Operations  Command  Jumpmaster  Course,  Special  Operations  Combat  Medical  Skills  Sustainment Course, Advanced Special Operations Technique Course, and the Senior Leader’s Course.

He leaves his wife Racheal; children Levi and Gavin; grandmother Irene Crabtree and grandfather Robert Reall.

Donations: Special Forces  Association Chapter 38,  P.O. BOX 223,  FT Campbell, KY 42223.

 

Albion H. Tarr Sr.

DANIELSON — Albion H. Tarr Sr., 93, of Danielson, formerly of Putnam, died April 5, 2017, in Davis Place in Danielson. He was the husband of Hazel Tarr. She died in 2012. They were married for 61 years. 

Albion was born on May 19, 1923, in Stetson, Maine, son of the late Hartley and Gertrude (Luby) Tarr.

Albion liked fishing and was a fan of the New York Yankees. He worked for the Highway Department for the State of Connecticut.

He leaves his children Sally Lamiotte of Danielson, Albion Tarr Jr. “Sonny” Tarr (Paula) of Dayville, Jimmy Tarr (Sandi) of Chandler, Ariz., Lorna Williams of Southbridge; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Services are private and burial will be at a later date. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

D. ‘Skippy’ Mayo Sr.

POMFRET CENTER — David “Skippy” Mayo, 76, of Grosvenor Road, died April 4, 2017, at home.

He was the husband of Frances “Molly” (Clements) Mayo for 52 years.  Born in 1940 in Pomfret, he was one of 18 children of the late Louis and Louise (Austin) Mayo.

David owned and operated David Mayo Rubbish Removal for 30 years.  He also worked at Putnam Woolen Mill, Hale Manufacturing, and the Pomfret School.  He loved family, especially at Sunday dinners and holidays. In his spare time, David loved being outside, whether it was building something in his garage or growing beautiful plants.  He enjoyed working in his many flower and vegetable gardens and fishing.  He also had a special love for all of the animals that he raised over the years.

In addition to his wife Molly, David leaves nine children:  Lisa Salvas (Warren) of Putnam; David Mayo Jr. (Dawn) of Dayville; Lincoln Mayo (Paula) of Pomfret; Kathleen Young (Jeffrey) of Royalston, Mass.; Amy Martel of Putnam; Luke Mayo (Emily) of Coventry; Mary Ellen Mayo (Karin Croucher) of Danvers, Mass.; Kelly Hachigian (John) of Webster, and Troy Mayo (Holly) of Putnam; two brothers, Peter Mayo of  Tennessee and Charlie Mayo of Putnam; two sisters, Marie Ramsdell of Putnam and Shirley Miracle of Kissammee, Fla.; 10 grandsons, nine granddaughters, and one great-grandson. He was predeceased by 13 brothers and sisters.

The Funeral Service was April 8 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St. with burial in Pomfret South Cemetery.  Donations: Masonicare Hospice.  

 

Barbara Murdock

POMFRET CENTER — Barbara (Baker) Murdock, 94, of Pomfret Center died April 6, 2017, at home. 

She was born Aug. 16, 1922, in Putnam, daughter of the late Percy and Eleanor (Scott) Baker. She married William Murdock Jr. on Aug. 28, 1943. He died Feb. 10, 2017.

She leaves her daughters, Sandra Murdock and Diane Murdock, her son Douglas Murdock; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons John Murdock and Donald Murdock also her siblings Ellery, Lawrence, Joan, Carolyn and Eleanor.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. April 17 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. April 18 at the Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial at South Pomfret Cemetery. Donations: Charity of one’s choice.

 

Madelyn M. Verdone

N. GROSVENORDALE —  Madelyn M. Verdone, 82, of Riverside Dr., died April 4, 2017, at Westside Care Center in Manchester.  She was the wife of Robert A. Verdone for 63 years.  Born in 1934 in Southbridge, she was the daughter of the late Simone and Hazel (Blair) Cudworth.

Madelyn was a homemaker and enjoyed bowling.

In addition to her husband, Madelyn leaves her son Mark Verdone of Columbia; her daughter, Karen Oatley of Killingly; her brother, Douglas Cudworth of Southbridge; three grandchildren.

The mass of Christian Burial was April 12 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Lydia Castonguay

WOODSTOCK — Lydia M. (Lannaville) Castonguay, 89, of Woodstock, formally of Putnam, died April 4, 2017, at Westview Health Care Center, Dayville, where she had been a resident for the past year.

Lydia was born in Woonsocket, R.I., on March 22, 1928, daughter of the late Arthur and Mabel (Gaumond) Lannaville and was educated in the Putnam school system.  On Aug. 18, 1945, she married Donald P. Castonguay Sr., with whom she celebrated 63 years of marriage. He died Dec. 20, 2008.

In her younger years, Lydia worked at Ace Cleaners as a press operator and after the birth of her children was a homemaker.  For many years, she and Donald lived on Mill Street in Putnam, before moving to St. Onge Apartments where she became affectionately known as “the Mayor” and enjoyed spending time with “the ladies” of St. Onge apartments.  Although she did not travel often, one of her favorite memories was a family trip to Disney World.  She enjoyed ceramics, bingo and eating sweets.  Additionally, she looked forward to and enjoyed her annual birthday celebration at either Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun casino, playing slots and enjoying the buffet. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxilary at the VFW in Putnam and served as a chaplain for many years at the Putnam Grange.

She leaves her son, Michael P. Castonguay (Judith) of Woodstock; five grandchildren, Michelle Comtois (Mark) of Dayville, Thomas Castonguay (Rebecca) of Del Valle, Texas, Kara Wilk of Woodstock, Jackie Wilk of Oxford, Mass., and Mikayla Wilk of Lexington, Ky.; six great-grandchildren, Tyler Castonguay, Alyssa Comtois, Christopher Comtois, Corinne Castonguay, Kaylee Castonguay and Eli Andrade; two great-great-granddaughters, Olivia and Aubree; a daughter-in-law, Christine Castonguay of Putnam; a brother-in-law, Harvey Bennett of Putnam; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dick and Mildred Cole of Belchertown, Mass. Lydia was predeceased by a son, Donald P. “Butch” Castonguay Jr.; brother, Arthur “Sonny” Lannaville; three sisters, Rose Boucher, Alma “Elsie” Bennett and Jeannette Preston.

Visitation is at 1 p.m. April 22 in Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster, with a prayer service at 2:30  p.m. celebrated by Rev. Tom Meyer.  Private burial will be in Abington Cemetery, where she will rest beside her beloved husband Donald.

 

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Swenson Service

EASTFORD --- Sidney E. Swenson "Sid", 78, of Eastford died Jan. 2, 2017 at home in Eastford. 

A Memorial Service for him will be held at 11 a.m. April 22 at the Christ Church  Episcopal in Pomfret.