Richard Rawson,

WWII veteran

THOMPSON —  Richard Rawson, 91, of Thompson, died June 5, 2017, at Westview Healthcare Center in Dayville. He was the husband of Blanche (Waters) Rawson who died Aug. 19, 2014. 

Richard was born on June 1, 1926, in Thompson, son of the late Edward and Bertha (Logee) Rawson. 

Richard was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School and upon completion, enlisted in the U.S. Navy (Seabees), where he served in Okinawa building airstrips. In 1947, he founded Rawson Sand and Gravel, and began manufacturing much of the equipment that he would need for the business. Out of this necessity was born his passion for inventing and engineering, which he embodied for the duration of his life, even resulting in patents. One of the items on Richard’s bucket list was to rebuild the dam at the origination of the Five Mile River in Quaddick, with the goal of creating hydroelectric power, which ultimately required the construction of his own propeller turbines using induction generators. Part of his passion for all things mechanical centered on taking things apart, repairing them, and making them better than new; he did this for himself, family and friends. His repair shop, and the friendships built and fostered therein, were a great source of joy to him later in life. 

He leaves his two sons, Allan (Kathie) Rawson of Putnam and James (Donna) Rawson of Thompson; his two brothers Nathan Rawson of Chesapeake, Va., and David (Barbara) Rawson of Thompson; his grandchildren, Benjamin (Joanne), Jeffrey (Jessica), Gary (Nikki), and KJ Rawson (Stephanie Crist) and Caitlin Dutiel (Will); great-grandchildren, Ian, Alec, Logan, Macy, Evan, Maya, Alice, Beau, Curtis, Blake and Grace; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Larry Rawson and a sister Rachel Tremblay.

Donations: Thompson Hill Fire Department, Thompson, CT. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Herman H. Prince,

Korean war vet

FABYAN — Herman John “Sonny” Prince, 89, of Oakdale, former longtime resident of Fabyan,  died June 4, 2017, in Danielson.  Born in 1927 in Fabyan, he was the son of the late Herman and Sylvia Prince. He was the husband of the late Theresa (Rogalski) Prince.

“Sonny,” as he was known, served proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. He then became a long-time resident of Fabyan where he was a self-employed dairy farmer. He truly enjoyed playing horseshoes and horseback riding.

He leaves his daughter, Kathleen Bonin (Paul) of Oakdale; his half-brother, Lenard Martin of Woodstock; his granddaughter, Jessica Greve of Kalamazoo, Mich.; his grandson, Jonathen Hudon of Kalamazoo; his two great-grandsons, Winston Greve and Simon Greve; and his companion Ethel Asselta of Putnam.

Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

 

Susan C. Brown

POMFRET CENTER — Susan Christine Brown, 58, of Searles Road, died June 6, 2017, at home.  Born in 1958 in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Richard J. and Joan (O’Rourke) Brown.

Ms. Brown worked as a coding coordinator at United Natural Foods in Dayville.

Susan was devoted to helping others. She was an active volunteer at the Pomfret Food Pantry. She was the team captain for the UNFI Relay for Life Team “Natural Born Heroes,” raising more than $200,000 over the years. She also worked as an American Sign Language interpreter. She enjoyed singing, reading, traveling, theatrics.

She leaves her brothers, Richard Brown and his life partner Brian Marks of Philadelphia, and Gregory Brown (Stella) of Cumberland, R.I.; her sister, Pamela Smith and her life partner William Moskowitz of Philadelphia; her special aunt, Margret Walsh of Cambridge, Mass.; her nieces, Cara Policelli (Henry) of Louisville, Colo., and Laura Smith of Portsmouth, N.H.; aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Visitation was June 11 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Relay For Life of Northeast Connecticut, 825 Brook St. I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067; or the Pomfret Food Pantry, 207 Mashamoquet Road (Rt. 44), Pomfret Center, CT, 06259.

 

Craig M. Billings

N. GROSVENORDALE — Craig M. Billings, 34, of Fabyan Road, died in a motor vehicle accident June 5, 2017, in Thompson.  Born in 1983 in Putnam, he was the son of Cathy Billings of N. Grosvenordale and the late Ronald George Billings.

Mr. Billings worked as a cook at many local restaurants. Craig was known for his sense of humor. He took great pride in pulling pranks on family and friends any opportunity he could get. He was kind hearted in nature, an active volunteer at Daily Bread. He enjoyed spending time with his dog, Axel, and was an avid Yankees fan. 

In addition to his mother, he leaves his sister, Tammy Billings of Putnam; his half-sister Missy Choquette of Danielson; his half-brother, Jason Billings of Danielson; his foster brothers, Justin LaRochelle, Darcy LaRochelle, and David LaRochelle, all of N. Grosvenordale; aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his late brother, Ronald Billings. 

In keeping with Craig’s loving and generous spirit, it was his decision to donate life so that others may live; Craig was an organ and/or tissue donor.

A celebration of Craig’s life was June 9 at Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club, N. Grosvenordale. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist his family with funeral costs: https://www.gofundme.com/craig-billings-funeral-expenses  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church. St., Putnam.

 

Robert  P. Zamaites

PUTNAM — Robert P. Zamaites, 50, of Providence St., died suddenly June 10, 2017, at home.  He was the husband of Ann Marie Gonzalez.  Born in 1966 in Webster, he was the son of the late Joseph Zamaites and Elaine (Auger) Savoie-Ignasiak.

Robert worked as a construction worker and roofer. He enjoyed spending time with his family.

In addition to his wife Ann Marie, he leaves a son Zachary Zamaites of Putnam; three daughters, Savanah Zamaites of Putnam, Tasha Menard of Putnam and Amanda Zamaites of Worcester; three sisters, Laurie DesLauriers (Arthur) of Clearwater, Fla., Melissa Baumuller (Robert) of Putnam, and Robin Gosselin (Mark) of Thompson, a brother Richard Savoie of Meriden; nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial  will be at 10 a.m. June 20 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

 

Patricia Bundza

WORCESTER — Patricia A. (Bembenek) Bundza, 63, of Worcester, died June 3, 2017, at UMass Memorial Hospital.

Patty was born in Webster and lived her adult life in Worcester. She worked as an administrative assistant at Belmont Home in Worcester. She also fulfilled her lifelong dream of being a teacher after receiving a second degree from Worcester State College, and teaching in Worcester and Millbury. She earned her first bachelor’s degree from Clark University graduating with honors. She was feisty, generous, and kept people laughing right to the end. She loved her cats: Smoky, Phish, Marshall, Xena, CoCo, Pumpkin, Rondo, Java, Pinky, Carvelli, Tess, Bruce and Kayla. She had many talents — actress, musician, candlepin bowling champ and more., She was also an outstanding student and Latin scholar. 

She leaves her son Christopher Larivee (Renee) of Worcester; mother, Antionette Bembenek of Webster; brother, Raymond R. Bembenek Jr. of Woodstock ; niece Laura Bembenek of Woodstock; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was June 7 in St. Joseph’s Basilica, Webster with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Carl Charbonneau, 

Air Force vet

N. GROSVENORDALE — Carl John Charbonneau, 81, died May 9, 2017, at the Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield, Peacedale, R.I. 

He was born in Preston, son of the late Philip and Emma (Kristek) Charbonneau and lived in the area most of his life.   He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Carl was a school custodian at Tourtellotte Memorial School for many years. He was a past member of Thompson Lions, Valley Springs Sportsman Club, and was a 4H leader and a Cub Scout leader.

He leaves his wife 57 years, Carmen (Langelier) Charbonneau; two sons, David Charbonneau (Pam) of Thompson, Harold Charbonneau (Melissa) of Putnam;  two daughters, Karen Cole (Blair) of Thompson and Marie DeJesus of Thompson; seven grandchildren, Joseph and Joshua Charbonneau, Nicholas and Chelsea DeJesus, Mickayla Mack, Dominique and Robyn Charbonneau. He was predeceased by a son, Carl Charbonneau Jr. and a brother, Philip Charbonneau.

A Mass of Christian Burial was June 10 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: St. Joseph School, PO Box 137, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Dorothy Dutram

DUDLEY— Dorothy Dutram,  94,  formerly of Delaney Ave died June 8, 2017, at Hope Hospice of Bonita Springs, Fla.

Dorothy was born June 1, 1923, in Webster, the daughter of the late William and the late Mary Ann (Bauman) Kaczmarek.  She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years Warren “Dutchy” Dutram  .

She was a 1941 graduate of Bartlett High School. She worked as a secretary for several local businesses before taking a position at Bartlett High School and later Dudley Elementary School on Mason Road as secretary to the principal. She retired in 1986. She was a former member of St. Louis Church in Webster.

Dorothy leaves one daughter: Diane M Cram  of Bonita Springs; a son: Paul Dutram  of Waterville, Maine; three grandchildren Justin of Arizona, Christen in Arizona and Ethan in Arkansas; nephew Donald Dutram; niece Gloria Manente of Connecticut; god child Janice Ducharme of Connecticut.

After cremation a private funeral service will be held at Massachusetts Veteran Cemetery, Agawam, Mass. Donations: Charity of your choice. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

..