Frank W. McNally,

WWII vet

BROOKLYN — Frank W. McNally, 94, died peacefully July 29, 2017, at home, following a short illness.

He was the husband of Beverly (Burgess).

He was born April 16, 1923, in Danielson, the second of four sons born to Iscah K. and Agnes C. (Johnson) McNally. He graduated from Putnam High School, attended Eastern Connecticut State University and Bryant College. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and was eventually assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Group 33 at Cherry Point, N.C. 

During WWII he was involved in many battles from Ulithi to Guadalcanal, and was in the first wave to attack Okinawa. 

His shorthand skills allowed him to participate in confidential advance planning for war operations. He achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant. 

Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1946, Frank earned his pilot’s license for single-engine aircraft. 

During his service he experienced the world, but his heart always stayed close to home.

Frank and Beverley were high school sweethearts and wed on July 4, 1948. 

They lived in W. Thompson, where they built a home. 

He worked as an accountant for Wycoff Steel and Pervel Industries. Upon his retirement in 1976, he continued to provide financial services for many organizations. His affinity for finances continued until his final days as he monitored the stock market on his computer, providing advice to family and friends. 

Frank was active in several public and civic organizations including the 55-Alive Program, ARC of Quinebaug Valley, and the Industrial Commission. 

He was instrumental in the establishment of the first daycare facility in Thompson while serving on the School Building Committee. Frank was a member of the Christ Church in Pomfret, and served on its Vestry Committee.

Frank’s Masonic career was very extensive. He was involved with several impendent bodies of Freemasonry. A member of Quinebaug Lodge #106, he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in March 1961 and served as Worshipful Master in 1968. Exalted as Royal Arch Mason in Putnam Chapter #12 in May of 1967, he served as Most Excellent Grand High Priest in 1994. Frank was awarded Grand Commander Knight Templar of Connecticut in 1999 and was an Associate Marshal and District Deputy of Masonic District 9-A. 

Frank’s Scottish Rite Membership was in the Valley of Hartford. On May 4, 2002, the Honorary Title of Past Grand High Priest Prince Hall Holy Royal Arch Masons of Connecticut was conferred upon him.

Frank will be remembered as a loving, devoted, and generous man to all, with an unequaled zest for life. 

He never spoke negatively of anyone. His smile and bright blue eyes lit up a room, and his warm personality made all feel welcome. 

He is predeceased by his brothers Russell and Robert, and leaves his brother Walter. In addition to his wife of 69 years, Beverley (Burgess), he leaves three children: Constance Crawford (Chris), Alison McNally (Bobby German), and Frank W. McNally Jr. (Sandra); grandchildren: Christopher Crawford Jr. (Karen), Alison Crawford, Alex Crawford (Taylor), Jason McNally, and Lisa McNally; and his great-grandchildren (Chloe, Ryan, Camden and Casey Crawford). 

A Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 4 at the Christ Church in Pomfret. Guests are invited to stay after the service for a Celebration of Life gathering in the Great Hall to share their memories of Frank with family and friends. Donations may be to the Christ Church Flower Fund. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Robert LaFollette Jr.,

WWII vet

KILLINGLY — Robert “Bob” M. LaFollette Jr., 88, died July 29, 2017. 

Born May 29, 1929, in Fort Madison, Iowa, he was the son of the late Robert M. LaFollette and Inez Nettie Belle (Shepherd) LaFollette. Bob was the namesake of the famed Wisconsin Senator “Battling Bob” LaFollette, who visited Bob’s boyhood home and became fond of him. He was longtime resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., and lived in the Killingly area from 2010 until his death. 

Bob graduated from the University of Kansas, where he played football.  Bob served in the U.S. Marine Corps where he received a good conduct medal, honorable service lapel, and WWII Victory Ribbon and later received a US Army commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He worked as a NASA contractor at the Mississippi Test facility and is a noted Pass Christian, Miss., Hurricane Camille survivor. 

He retired as an engineer from the National Marine Fisheries Service in 2007. He was an avid sports fan, especially football and tennis. He loved his pets, boating, coin collecting, and enjoyed studying computer technology. He was predeceased by his wife Sheila Rose (DeMoss) LaFollette and son Michael Cummins. He leaves his sister Mary Ann Lorden; brother-in-law John Lorden; son Thomas LaFollette (Toni-Marie); daughter-in-law Ruth Cummins; six grandchildren and their families; cousins, nieces and nephews.  

The Funeral Service was Aug. 2 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Salvatore M. Morra,

Coast Guard vet

DAYVILLE — Salvatore M. Morra, 85, of Fieldstone Road, died July 29, 2017, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Elena (Riccio) Morra. Born in 1932 in Providence, he was the son of the late Michele and Adelina (Ruggieri) Morra.

Mr. Morra worked for Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Genser Manufacturing as a maintenance mechanic for many years.  He served in the Coast Guard during the Korean Conflict and was responsible for manning the southeast light station on Block Island. Salvatore enjoyed hiking and gardening. 

In addition to his wife, he leaves two sons, Martin Morra (Joan) of Glenville, N.Y., and Mark Morra of Dayville; his two granddaughters, Emily Morra and Margaret Morra, both of Glenville; and his sister, Adeline Lonardo of Warwick, R.I.

The Funeral was private. Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Robert Lefebvre,

Air Force vet

PUTNAM — Robert Joseph Lefebvre, 82, of Putnam died July 27, 2017,  at Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Joyce Lefebvre. She died in 2014. 

Born on July 3, 1935, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Louis and Rose (Lamoureux) Lefebvre. He served in the U.S. air Force and was a member of the VFW Post 13 in Putnam.

Robert was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam. He worked as beamer for Putnam Herzl and also worked at Sealy, International Paper and for Gilman Funeral Home as a pallbearer. He was a fan of the Celtics, the Patriots and the Putnam High School football team. He was a member of the Chain Gang during games from 2005 to 2008. 

He leaves his daughter Lisa Hamblin (John) of Putnam; grandchildren Joey Hamblin and his girlfriend Paige of Putnam, Joshua Hamblin (Joanna) of Woodstock; great-grandchildren Tatiana and Tristan Hamblin of Putnam.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 1 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial with military honors in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam CT. 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Raymond L. Regis,

Vietnam war vet

DAYVILLE — Raymond L. Regis, 81, of Dayville died July 22, 2017, at home. He was the husband of Carol (Clark) Regis. They were married Feb. 10, 1962, at St. James Church. Born on Sept. 9, 1935, in Danielson, he was the son of the late Lucien and Phyllis (Piette) Regis.

He attended St. James School and graduated in 1953 from Killingly High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. 

Ray was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in Dayville. He worked at American Thread Co., Electric Boat, Interoyal Corporation in Plainfield for 17 years. He retired from Rogers Corporation after 11 years. Ray was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Danielson. He enjoyed playing cards with family and fishing at Alexanders Lake, where he lived with his wife for 45 years. He was an avid coin collector, loved watching the Red Sox, Patriots, and UConn men’s and women’s basketball. Ray enjoyed playing the lottery daily and his walks around the lake. 

Besides his wife Carol he leaves his daughter Karen Greene (Mark) of Danielson; siblings Richard Regis (Naomi) of Brooklyn, Robert Regis (Patricia) of Brooklyn, Annette Crowe (Howard) of Pennsylvania, Nancy Lohbusch (Rudolph) of Danielson; grandchildren Connor Greene, Courtney Greene both of Danielson. He was predeceased by an infant sister Nancy Regis and sister Lorraine Breault. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was July 27 in St. Joseph Church, Dayville, with burial with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

E. William Fekete,

WWII vet

WALLINGFORD — E. William Fekete, 91, died July 24, 2017, at Masonicare of Wallingford. He was the husband of Alice Gow Fekete. 

Bill was born Sept. 18, 1925, in Wallingford, to the late Gabriel and Mary (Kobling) Fekete. A lifelong resident of Wallingford, Bill was involved with numerous clubs. He was a proud member of the Hungarian Club, the VFW and a member of the choir at First Baptist church since his youth. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in his teen years and proudly served his country in WWII as a combat engineer. Prior to his retirement, he worked as a superintendent at International Silver for over 38 years.

Besides his wife Alice, he leaves his sons Timothy (Elizabeth) Fekete and Mark (Sharon) Fekete; daughter-in-law Judith Fekete, stepdaughters, Aimee (John) Powers and Jeannette (Paul) French; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his first wife, Martha Tanch, sons E. William Fekete Jr and James Fekete, infant daughter Mary Margaret Fekete, brothers Gabriel (Deborah), Nicholas (Irene) and George (Margaret) Fekete as well as his sisters, Jennie (Michael) Chatary and Mary (Julius) Biro. A Funeral Service was July 27 at the First Baptist Church, Wallingford. Donations: Memorial Gifts Fund at the First Baptist Church. B.C. Bailey Funeral Home, Wallingford.

 

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