Bradford Ross Downs,

Marine vet

WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Bradford Ross Downs of Woodstock died unexpectedly June 15, 2017. Brad was born May 22, 1942, in Fairfield, son of Clara Evelyn Walker Downs and E. Wallace Downs. 

He moved to Woodstock on his own at the age of 16 where he attended and graduated from Woodstock Academy. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1964 earning the USMC Good Conduct Medal. He was an accomplished horseman, breeding champion Appaloosa horses and later enjoying working with his beloved Percheron horses. He held a life time interest in farming, starting as a member of Future Farmers of America and continuing his love for the outdoors through gardening and maintaining property. A master mechanic who could “fix anything”, he enjoyed projects that took extra effort to repair. He and Patricia liked to travel together seeing landmarks and going on cruises. He loved his family, his horses, his garden, and being at the pastures. 

He leaves his wife of 28 years, Patricia A. Downs; daughter, Cynthia Karen Downs; stepchildren Wendy, Tonia, and Earl; first wife Helen; 10 nieces and nephews. 

A graveside service was June 23 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Webster, with military honors. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Gerald T. Wilga,

WWII vet

THOMPSON — Gerald T. Wilga, 92, of Quaddick Town Farm Rd., died June 19, 2017, at home.  He was the husband of the late Sophie (Silvestri) Wilga.  Born in 1925 in Webster, he was the son of the late Stanley and Eva (Budrow) Wilga.

Mr. Wilga was a graduate of the Bartlett High School and was a U.S. WWII veteran serving with the U.S. Coast Guard being honorably discharged on Sept. 16, 1943.

Mr. Wilga worked for more than 35 years as a mechanic at Massachusetts Electric.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 67 in N. Grosvenordale, the Quinnatisset Golf Club, and the Raceway Golf Club, both of Thompson. Gerald enjoyed traveling with his family up North and down to the Cape. He also enjoyed golfing and fishing.

He leaves nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers Paul Wilga, Robert “Tug” Wilga, Bernard Wilga, and Raymond Wilga. 

Visitation is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 29 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Followed by a service in the funeral home at 11:30, burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in N. Grosvenordale with military honors. Donations: Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. 

 

Joanne Jolly

PUTNAM — Joanne M. Wojtasiewicz Jolly of Putnam died June 14, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Raymond “Pete” Jolly. They were married in 1951 in Turners Falls, Mass. He died in 2005. 

Born on April 16, 1932, in Turners Falls, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Genevieve (Tranoski) Wojtasiewicz. 

She graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1950. Joanne and her husband moved to Putnam in 1952. She worked at Putnam Savings Bank, American Optical and Ellis Tech in Danielson where she retired.

She leaves her brother Francis Wojtasiewicz of Tennessee; sister Patricia Rewa of Tennessee; aunt Rose Pupek of Springfield, Mass.; nephew James Rewa of Putnam (made his home with her); special niece Rita Guay (Donald) of Chicopee, Mass.; niece Pamela Rewa of N. Hampton, Mass.; special friend Theresa McQueeny Newington; nieces, nephews and cousins. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was June 19 in St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, Putnam with burial in Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, Turners Falls. Donations: NECCOG Animal Shelter, 125 Putnam Pike, Dayville, CT 06241; or St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Bernard J. Knych, 

Korean war vet

WEBSTER — Bernard J. Knych, 87, died June 13, 2017, at home. His first wife of 17 years, Catherine (Vear) Knych, died in 1974. His second wife of 35 years, Illona B. (Bacon) Knych, died in 2014. He was born in Webster, the son of Albert J. and Agnes (Czechowski) Knych and lived here all his life. He graduated from Bartlett Trade School .

He was a Navy veteran of the Korean war and was a member of the Polish American Veterans. Mr. Knych was a battery specialist at Norton Company in Worcester for many years, retiring in 1992. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Basilica. He belonged to the Booster Athletic Club. He had also been a member and past president of the Kosciuszko Club. He enjoyed golfing at the Roseland Golf Course in Woodstock. He was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

He leaves two daughters, Linda J. Cyr-Bibeau and her fiancé Paul Kubik of Webster, and Barbara K. Jeneral (Jeffrey) of Dudley; three grandchildren, Christopher Cyr of Pomfret, Kelly Menghi of E. Putnam and Erica Spears of Webster; four great-granddaughters, Natalia, Savannah, Amelia and Star; a sister, Joan Comeau of Webster; an aunt, Gladys Przystas of Webster. He was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Knych. He was looking forward to the birth of his 5th great-granddaughter in November. The Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. June 16 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace. The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council will render the military honors at the cemetery. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. June 15 at Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St. Donations: St. Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570.

 

Paula Wrubel

DUDLEY — Paula M Wrubel, 72, died unexpectedly June 12, 2017, at Harrington Hospital Hubbard Campus.  Paula was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Harold and the  Angela (Stansky) Dobson. 

She loved being a homemaker  Paula was a devoted Catholic and an animal lover . She had a kind heart, always taking in stray animals in her neighborhood and doing her best to find homes for them .

She leaves her husband of 51 years Stanley Wrubel;  one son: David Wrubel (Linda) of Southbridge; three sisters, Barbara Potter of Barre, Mass., Rita McChesney of Florida, and Bernice Largesse of Florida; grandchildren: Samantha Wrubel ,and Ian Hancock. Jonathan Faford and his wife Megan, Kayla Faford and Joshua Faford and two great-grandchildren Mason and Logan. She was predeceased by her daughter, Linda Faford.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. June 26 at St. Stephens Church, routes 197 and 131, Quinebaug. Private burial will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Bartel funeral Home, Dudley.

 

Roger P. Landry,

Air Force vet

PUTNAM — Roger P. Landry, 73, died June 10, 2017, at home..

Roger was born in Putnam, son of the late Mederic and Alice (Martineau) Landry and lived in Putnam all his life.  

He served in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970 and attained the rank of sergeant.  

After his discharge he worked for many years at Pratt & Whitney, where he worked as a construction electrician until his retirement,

He leaves his sister, Susan Harwood of New Hampshire.  He was predeceased by three sisters: Marie Phaneuf, Claudette Landry and Denise Landry.

Donations: Animal shelter of the donors’ choice.  

Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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