Henry R. Mayotte,

Korean war vet

DANIELSON — Henry Mayotte, 87, formerly of Peckham Lane, died Oct. 20, 2017, in Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1929 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Henry and Jennie (LaCroix) Mayotte.  He met his wife Beatrice (Benard) Mayotte at age 14 and they spent the next 70 years together. They spent their retirement living in Ocala, Fla., and traveling the country together.  He cared for her at home with debilitating Alzheimer’s for five years until her death in 2014.   

Mr. Mayotte worked as an electrician for Local 35 and was a proud 63-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He was a Korean war Army veteran. He enjoyed traveling, taking family and friends to dinner and regaling everyone he met with stories of his life or a quick-witted joke.

He was a member of many organizations over the years in both Connecticut and Florida such as The Elks, The American Legion and local sportsmen’s clubs.

He leaves his grandchildren; Melissa Hynes (Don), Gabriel Mayotte (Sharon), Joshua Keen and Kayla Keen of Hawaii; and six great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his children, Timothy Mayotte and Patricia Keen. 

A Graveside Service with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 27 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association for research and programs and services. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Paul Levesque Sr.,

WWII vet

PUTNAM —  Paul Levesque Sr., 92, of Thurber Rd., died Oct. 19, 2017, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  He was the husband of the late Theresa (Dufault) Levesque.  Born in 1925 in Fall River, Mass., he was the son of the late Mitchell and Lumina (Breault) Levesque. 

Mr. Levesque was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran.  He earned the WWII Victory Medal, American Area Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, 10 Stars Philippine Liberation Medal, and 2 stars Navy Unit Commendation.

He went on to work as a union carpenter, Local 24, for Peasley Construction.  He was the past commander of Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523 in Putnam, a member of the Thompson American Legion, and was a communicant of St. Mary Church, where he attended daily Mass.  In retirement, he worked as a professional dressman for Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory.

He leaves his son, Paul Levesque Jr. (Lea) of Dayville; his sisters, Lorraine Menzone of Dudley, and Viviane Murray of Woodstock; his grandchildren, Matthew Levesque and his companion Theresa Wrenn, and Monique Braman (Spencer); his great-grandchildren, Christopher Frost, Cooper Levesque, Cameron Frost, Madeleine Frost, Sawyer Braman, and Stratton Braman.  He is predeceased by his twin sister Pauline Lorange and his sister, Germain Mountford and his brothers Raymond and Normand Levesque.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 25 in St. Mary Church, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Project Northeast, 81 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Lorna E. Boucher

N. GROSVENORDALE — Lorna (Hebert) Boucher, 56, of Quinebaug Rd, died Oct. 19, 2017, unexpectedly at home.  She was the wife of 37 years to Phillip D. Boucher. They met at the age of 16 at a pizza parlor and have been together ever since. 

Born in 1961 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Roland and Lucille (Auger) Hebert of Quinebaug.

Mrs. Boucher was a graduate of St. Joseph School, Marianapolis Preparatory School, and Nichols College.  She was employed with Cerrone, Graham & Shepherd, P.C.

as a CPA. for 10 years.  She was a member and treasurer of the Pomfret Rod and Gun club, a member of the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs.  Lorna was a Level II Archery Instructor and a deer and pheasant hunter

In addition to her husband Phillip and her parents, she leaves her daughter, Vanessa Boucher (Michael Pescheta) of Worcester; her son, Eric Boucher (Doung) of N. Grosvenordale; her sister, Linda Valade (Joe) of Woodstock, and Lorie Bonnette (Cory) of Woodstock; and her miniature dachshund, Daisy.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 23 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Laura Lee Hunt

PUTNAM — Laura Lee (Czajka) Hunt, 49, of Putnam, died Oct. 15, 2017, at home after an illness.

She was born on Jan. 24, 1968, in Worcester, daughter of Marion (Skip) Czajka and her stepmother, Rita Cardinali, of Quinebaug.  She was predeceased by her mother Elizabeth (Pastva) Czajka.  

Laura loved flowers, gardening, birdwatching and cats. She was a devoted NASCAR fan; her favorite driver being number 48 Jimmy Johnson.  She was also an active Patriots fan. She enjoyed doing outdoor sport activities with them, loved snow, sledding, and making snowmen with them. 

She was the mother of Nathan, 14, and Corinne, 12, of Putnam. She also leaves two brothers: James Czajka of Snoqualmie Falls, Wash., and Gene Michael Czajka of N. Windham; three sisters Christina Konarski (Ken) of Pomfret Center, Victoria Brandon of Moyock, N.C., and Anita McNeany of Marlborough, Mass; nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. 

The Funeral was Oct. 21. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

George A. Coderre

DANIELSON — George Anthony Coderre, 91, of Danielson died Oct. 16, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. He was the husband of Georgette (Surprenant) Coderre. 

He was born on March 9, 1926, in N. Grosvenordale, son of the late Henry and Anna (LaCroix) Coderre. 

George was the owner of a Painting and Wallpaper Company and later working for Electric Boat in Groton. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale. He loved to jog and was active in running marathons. He was a very hard worker, a member of the Thompson Lions Club and The Thompson Fire House. 

He leaves his wife Georgette Coderre of Danielson and a nephew. George was predeceased by his siblings. 

A graveside service was Oct. 21 in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Daniel C. Cording

WOODSTOCK — Daniel Creevy Cording, 31, of Woodstock, Oct. 14, 2017, at home.

Born on Aug. 18, 1986, in Uxbridge, Mass., he was the son of Robert and Colleen Cording. Daniel married Leisl Lissfelt on Aug. 11, 2012.

Daniel graduated from Woodstock Academy and College of the Holy Cross. He started his own business, Cording Painting LLC, and painted houses and businesses. 

He enjoyed spending time with his wife, Leisl, and with family and friends. Daniel approached life with great passion and was never afraid to show it. He enjoyed the outdoors, a good beer, a poker game among friends, and was an avid fan of both the New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics. Daniel was often quick to smile or laugh, and had amazing dimples. In high school, he won “best smile,” and no one else even came close. He preferred a simpler life and found that in his home in Woodstock, surrounded by trees, quiet, and his devoted, yet insatiably hungry black lab, August. 

He leaves behind not only friends who loved him, but also a trail of Dunkin’ Donuts cups, empty bags of Skittles, and a colorful array of discarded Starburst wrappers. Daniel was smart. He questioned everything and liked to think deeply about philosophy or ponder the expanse of the universe. Moreover, Daniel was skilled with his hands. He was an ardent worker and painter who strived and succeeded in breathing life back into the houses he repaired. 

He leaves his wife, Leisl; his parents, Robert and Colleen; his two brothers, Robert and Thomas; Leisl’s family; aunts, uncles and cousins.

The Memorial Service was Oct. 20 at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Oie Maynard-Murd

PUTNAM — Oie V. Maynard-Murd, 84, of Putnam, formerly of Brooklyn, died Oct. 18, 2017, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home. 

She was born Aug. 5, 1933, in Saaremaa, Estonia, daughter of the late Sergei and Juuli (Eist) Vapper. 

Oie spent many years waitressing in local restaurants and was known for her vivacious personality.  

She leaves two grandchildren, Christopher and Catherine Maynard of Brooklyn; a sister Maie Valma’ a nephew Alfred Valma, niece Anita Horan, all of Long Island, N.Y.;  a stepson Karl Murd of Brooklyn; a stepdaughter Vicki Davis of Plainfield. She was predeceased by a son Leonard M. Maynard in 2010; her first husband Leo Maynard Jr in 1992 and husband Leo Murd in 2008, a brother Julius Vapper in 2013. 

The Funeral was Oct. 23, with burial in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: St. John Lutheran Church of Killingly, 190 Wauregan Road, Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St. , Danielson.

 

Sandra E. Sparks

PUTNAM — Sandra Elaine Sparks died Oct. 5, 2017 after a battle with head and neck cancer.

She was born Nov. 14, 1946, in Putnam, the second oldest child born to Stanley and Theresa Schapp. She spent her childhood in Danielson. She met the love of her life, the late James D. Sparks Sr. of Greensboro, N.C. Sandra and James were married in February 1966. James was drafted to the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war which led to a brief residency in Barstow, Calif., for the newlyweds. 

They returned to Danielson, with their first child in tow, James D. Sparks Jr. Sandra and James lived in a neighborhood surrounded by family. Their lifestyle was typical of that era, James was the breadwinner and Sandra stayed home and took care of their son and their home. In 1973, their daughter, Tammy Lyn (Sparks) Shirley, was born. James and Sandra shared a 20-year marriage, which unfortunately ended in divorce. 

After their divorce, Sandra struggled with achieving independence, but she overcame and conquered this challenge. She lived in Fredricksburg, Va., for about 10 years where she worked as a convenience store manager. She moved back to Connecticut in 2000; she began working for Staples. She retired in 2015. In 2001 her battle with head and neck cancer began.

She loved having her family get together for special occasions; Christmas was her favorite holiday.

She leaves her children, James D. Sparks Jr. and Tammy L. (Sparks) Shirley; her daughter and son in-law, JoAnn M. Sparks and Michael R. Shirley; her grandchildren Taylor J. Sparks, Sheldon M. Sparks, Lynden M. Sparks, Austin M. Shirley and Jocelyn D. Shirley; her sisters Patricia A. Gingras and Carol M. Hebert; her brother Stanley J. Schapp; her brother in-laws Dante Gingras and Norman Hebert; her nephew Shawn Hebert and his wife Ann. She was predeceased by her father Stanley J. Schapp Sr.; her mother Theresa M. (Bombardier) Schapp; ex-Husband, James D. Sparks Sr. 

A Memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 28  at Holy Cross Cemetery on Maple St. in Danielson. Donations: The Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH, Day Kimball Healthcare Development Department, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260 and online at https://www.daykimball.org/give/make-your-gift/. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

William Figueroa

PLAINFIELD — William A. Figueroa, 76, died Oct. 9, 2017, at the UMass Healthcare Center, Worcester.

He was born in Puerto Rico son of the late Antonio and Anastasia (Maldonado) Figueroa and lived in Plainfield for the past 34 years, prior to that in Dayville.  He was a painter and of recent worked at Sorel’s Garage in Brooklyn.  He enjoyed fishing and old cars.

He leaves three sons, Antonio Figueroa of Lebanon,  William Figueroa of Danielson, and John Mayo of Plainfield; his companion Linda A. (Mayo) Figueroa of Plainfield; seven grandchildren; Angela, William, Keisha Figueroa, Mateo and Jovan Ortiz and Hailey and Braedon Horn.  He was predeceased by a sister Juanita and a brother Jose.

Calling hours are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 in Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster, with private burial.  A service will be held at 12:45 p.m. in the funeral home. Donations: Puerto Rico Relief Fund.  

 

Dorothy Yurkevicius

WEBSTER — Dorothy F. (Skrzypczak) Yurkevicius, 72, died Oct. 16, 2017, at the Overlook Masonic Health Center, Charlton.

She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Adam and Cecile (Mailloux) Skrzypczak and lived in Webster all her life. Dorothy worked for many years at the American Optical in Southbridge. 

She was the wife of Paul Yurkevicius who died in 1994. She leaves a son Paul Bugan of Pomfret; a daughter Cheryl Bellantoni (David) of Dudley; two granddaughters; a brother, Adam Skrypczak of Dudley. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Alvin N. Baker

DUDLEY — Alvin N. “Al” Baker, 73, died Oct. 20, 2017 at home after being stricken ill. His wife of almost 18 years, Cynthia A. “Cindy” (Fontaine) Baker, died on Aug. 25, 2016.

Mr. Baker first worked at Rogers Corporation in Rogers in several capacities, including machine operator and custodial engineer. He then worked for the Town of Dudley Water Department for 25 years before he retired.

Al loved to go to flea markets and yard sales.  He always had a friendly smile and liked finding a “great bargain.” He was an ardent fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. 

He leaves two daughters, Justine L. Wilga of Webster and Michelle J. Choquette (Raymond) of Dudley; five grandchildren, Matthew McConnell (Holly), Brianna Oroszko, Evan Wilga, Krystal Fontaine and Garrett Wilga; three great-grandchildren, four siblings, Pauline Baker of N. Grosvenordale, H. Russell Baker Jr. of Southington, Deborah Carlieil of Greenfield, Mass., and Kay Sargent of Canandaigua, N.Y.

He was born on July 4, 1944 in Putnam, CT and raised in Oxford, the son of Harry R. Baker, Sr. and Rena M. (Barton) Baker and lived in Webster and Dudley for most of his life. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1962.

The Funeral was Oct. 25 in Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster. Donations: Harrington Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Sayles St., Southbridge, MA 01550. 

 

..