Roger A. LaBrec,

Korean war vet

DANIELSON — Roger A. LaBrec, 85, of Danielson, died Oct. 2, 2017, at home. 

He was born Nov., 28, 1931, in Putnam, son of the late Alphonse and Yvonne (Landry) LaBrec. Roger was married to Misao (Iwano) LaBrec. She died in 1981.

Roger worked construction from the age of 16 on. He built the house that he lived in. He loved to get his hands dirty fixing things. On the farm he would fix the farm tractors, the dump trucks and the bulldozers. 

He was a veteran of the Korean war, serving with the U.S. Air Force. During his enlistment he would travel to fix antennas in various places. Roger also worked for the Town of Killingly in the Killingly Garage.

He leaves his son Charles LaBrec (Mary Brzezenski) of Derry, N.H.; his daughter Naomi Clifford of N. Grosvenordale; his significant other for 27 years Cindy Espinosa of Danielson; grandson Joshua Stewart; his great-granddaughter Madison Coffin. Besides his wife Roger was predeceased by a sister Constance Rybacki and a granddaughter Kayla Coffin.

The Funeral was Oct. 6 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson, with military honors. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Frank Babcock Jr.

DANIELSON — Frank E. Babcock Jr., 80 of Danielson, died Oct. 7, 2017, at Davis Place in Danielson. 

He was born June 5, 1937, in Norwich, son of the late Frank and Clarabell (Penry) Babcock. He was the husband of Rita Babcock. She died in 2013. 

Frank had a long career at American Standard and was a coach in the Plainfield Little League.

He leaves his children Robert Babcock of Danielson, Mary Rhoades (Allen) of Danielson and Christine Coleman (Mark) of Willington; his grandchildren Travis Babcock of W. Warwick, R.I., Matthew Coleman and James Coleman of Willington; his brother John Babcock (Pam) of Danielson; his sister Joan Cullins (Fenton) of Sherman, Maine; nieces and nephews. Besides his wife Rita, he was predeceased by his son Guy Henries and his brothers David Babcock, Percy Babcock, Ronald Babcock and Albert Babcock. A Graveside Service will be at noon Oct. 14 at Riverside Cemetery, Rt. 14 A, Sterling. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Karen (Rider) Shea

THOMPSON —  Karen (Rider) Shea, 66, of Hiawatha Dr., died Oct. 7, 2017, at UMass Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of 44 years to Scott C. Shea.

Born in 1951 in Cleveland, she was the daughter of the late Morris and Helen (Shredl) Rider.

Karen was an alumnus of Kent State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary school education and where she met her future husband.

On July 14, 1973, she was united in marriage to Scott C. Shea, in Ohio.

Mrs. Shea worked for many years prior to starting her family as a credit analyst at Data General Corporation. 

Mrs. Shea enjoyed tracing her family’s ancestry, knitting, cooking and celebrating the holidays.

She leaves her husband Scott Shea; two daughters Jill Thomas of Killingly and Valerie Larose (Carl), formerly of Killingly; her siblings William Rider and twin sister Kathy Grundman; two grandchildren Daniel Larose and Charlotte Thomas; nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by a brother Richard Rider.

Donations: ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128; or to your local “No Kill” Animal Shelter. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Doris E. Greene

PUTNAM — Doris E. Greene, 99, of Putnam died Oct. 6, 2017. Doris was born July 15, 1918, in Putnam, daughter of the late Arthur and Eva Pepin of Putnam.

She attended St. Mary’s and Putnam High School. She was married to the late Leslie Greene. She was a homemaker until later in her life. She worked for Cherry and Webb and Bugbee’s department store. She enjoyed cooking for her family and was also an avid reader, loved all animals especially cats. 

She leaves her children Richard and Joan Greene of Thompson, Colin and Linda Greene of Wakefield, N.H., Joyce Sears of Pomfret, Debra and George Carabina of Woodstock; brother Leslie and Charlotte Pepin of Canterbury; grandchildren Kelly Greene, Garry Greene, Tammy Dalterio, Kevin Greene, Mandy Carroll, Geoffrey Greene, Meghan Canning, Antonio Carbina; nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her siblings Estella Menard, Arthur Pepin and Richard Pepin

Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, Putnam with burial in Grove Street Cemetery. Donations: American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005; or PO Box 31, S. Woodstock, CT 06267. 

 

Muriel M. Beausoleil

PUTNAM — Muriel (Morin) Beausoleil, 80, of Sayles Ave., died Oct. 2, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home.  Born in 1937 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late David and Edwardina (Beaudreault) Morin.

Mrs. Beausoleil worked as a clerk for Bugbee’s Department Store, Kmart, and Rite Aid.  She enjoyed shopping, going out to eat, playing cards, traveling to vacation in Wells, Maine. 

She leaves her daughter, Michelle Nicol (Kevin) of Putnam; grandchildren, Ethan Nicol, Evan Nicol, Megan Nicol, and Kyle Nicol, all of Putnam.  

Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Christopher S. Bell

NORWICH — Christopher “Chris” S. Bell, 68, of East Town St., died Oct. 2, 2017, at the William W. Backus Hospital. He was the husband of Paula (Rosenberg) Bell for 36 years. 

Born April 8, 1949,  in Arlington, Va., he was the son of the late Walter E. Bell Jr. and Bettie (Weeks) Bell Kerouack.

Before retiring, Chris was a self-employed antique dealer or as he liked to say, “a purveyor of fine junk”. He enjoyed collecting “parts of stuff” preferably in multiples to use in his assemblages. While a lover of most music his favorite genre was jazz. Chris could often be seen (or heard) in community theater performances in eastern and southeastern Connecticut. His rich and melodic voice as well as his flair for drama (or comedy) made him a welcome addition to many casts.

In addition to his wife Paula, he leaves his brother, Michael A. Bell (Carla) of Gaston, S.C.; his brother in-laws, Warren Rosenberg of Woodstock and Joel Rosenberg (Beverly Burke) of Brooklyn; his sister in-law, Barbara Bell of Bombala, Australia; nieces and nephews: Beth Peck, Samantha Truong, Bruce Bell, Sean Garland-Bell, Tim Garland-Bell, Jenny Bell-Knight, Jeff Knight, Matt Bell, Carrie Bell, Cara Rosenberg-Ramos, Salomon Ramos, Allie Rosenberg, Bailey Rosenberg, Connor Rosenberg; great- and great-great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Wayne Bell.

A Memorial Service was Oct. 8 at the Temple Beth Israel, Danielson. Interment was private.  Donations: Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society, c/o Rosa Goldblatt, 63 Sherwood Dr., Norwich, CT 06360. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Dustin Lee Orr

DANIELSON — Dustin Lee Orr, 33, of Brick House Rd, died Oct. 5, 2017, in Backus Urgent Care Center. Born in 1984 in Putnam, he was the son of Jody and Susan (Strout) Orr of Danielson.

Dustin was a shaker for Cassella Waste for many years. He enjoyed lifting weights, drawing and listening to music.  He was an avid Patriots fan. 

In addition to his parents, he leaves his brother, Travis Orr; his nephew, Ryan Orr; his paternal grandmother, Shirley Orr; aunts and uncles.

The funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Gladys Pizzotti

QUINEBAUG —  Gladys Pizzotti, formerly of Breezy Lane, died Oct. 1, 2017,  in Day Kimball Hospital.  

Born in Wilsonville, she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Lillian (Gilmore) Pizzotti.

Miss Pizzotti graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School.  

After graduation, she worked at a variety of jobs including as an inventory clerk for Webster Shoe Company; a machine operator for Beneeda Bed Spread Mill; a sales person in the Men’s Department for Montgomery Ward; assistant bookkeeper for Putnam Hardware; and as a bookkeeper for Windham Hardware.  

Gladys found her niche with the Kenyon Oil Company, Inc.  

She began her employment with them as bookkeeper, moving up to the position of office manager.  

She retained this position for many years before becoming the treasurer for Kenyon Oil Co. and several of its subsidiary companies.  She relinquished her management position in 1993 and was appointed executive administrative assistant until she retired to care for her family.  

She leaves nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  She was predeceased by her brothers, James Pizzotti, Earl Pizzotti, and Arthur Pizzotti; her sisters, Irene Pizzotti, Dorothy Groh, Mae Stiles, and Rose Pezzolesi; and her sister-in-law, Claire Pizzotti.

The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 6 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Dudley. Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

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