Lucille E. Rhault

PUTNAM — Lucille E. (Gagne) Rhault, 94, of Sunnyside Ave., a lifelong resident of Putnam, died Nov. 11, 2017, at home.  She was the wife of the late Ronald A. Rhault.

Born in 1923 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Joseph T. and Lillian (Labossiere) Gagne.

Lucille was a graduate of the Putnam Catholic Academy. On Aug. 24, 1940, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, she was united in marriage to Ronald A. Rhault. He died in 1967.

Mrs. Rhault worked for many years as an aide at the John Dempsey Regional Center working with special needs children. 

Mrs. Rhault enjoyed vacationing with her family traveling to Pennsylvania, Florida, and northern New England.  

She leaves her children Caroline Perron (Edward) of Putnam, Ronald Rhault (Diane) of Mansfield Center, and Paulette Gilman (Paul) of Groton; a sister Rochelle Beaudry of Putnam; nine grandchildren Phyllis, Brian, David, Roxanne, Valerie, Ronald Jr., Stacie, Melinda, and Christopher; 15 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a grandson Michael Perron and two sisters Annette Duval and Theresa Johnson.

Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 16 in Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Providence St., Putnam. Burial follows in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Adoration Chapel, c/o St. Mary Church, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

James Bump

PUTNAM — Jim Bump died Nov. 6, 2017.

He was born Oct. 15, 1945, in Springfield, Mass., son of C. Kilbourne and Gertrude (Lapham) Bump. 

He went to Williston Academy after attending Minnechaug High School. At Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn., class of 1969, he majored in piano, after realizing that he could read music faster than text. There he began to build instruments, laying the foundation for several years of lute building and about 19 years at Old Sturbridge Village. At OSV, he demonstrated crafts and built replicas of furniture and tools, from plows to looms to a printing press, so that historical techniques could be shown without damaging the original antiques.

In the 1990s, Jim worked as a church organist and accompanist to students, soloists and choruses. Trying a week of classes at Summer Keys, Lubec, Maine, he was taken on as piano accompanist for adult amateur musicians. He fell in love with Lubec, and bought a five-bedroom house, where he rented rooms to music students, making friends from around the world. After 10 years, he resigned from accompaniment and concentrated on hosting string quartets, in which he was always the viola.

In 2012, Jim helped to start the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra, which continues to meet in Ashford and perform in nearby towns.

He leaves his brother Ben and sister-in-law Ellen Bump; cousins, and longtime companion Rachel Lewis and her family.

They are planning a gathering with music and memorabilia, to be announced later. Funeral arrangements and cremation have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra, Saul Ahola, treasurer, 88 Butts Rd., Woodstock, CT 06281.

 

Alan L. Chase,

Korean conflict vet

WASHINGTON, Iowa — Alan L. Chase, 88, of Highway 92, died Oct. 20, 2017, in Manor Care Health Services in Davenport, Iowa.  He was the husband of Margo Mitts.  Born in 1929 in Newark, N.J., he was the son of the late Julian and May (Green) Chase.

Mr. Chase worked as a civil engineer and as a county planner for many years.  He was a published writer. Active in community theaters in Ohio, Michigan and Florida, he both acted and directed.  He performed with operatic and other choral groups. A Korean war veteran, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army.  

In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Nina (Brett) Chase, currently a resident of Fort Mohave, Ariz. 

A graveside service will be held in the spring of 2018 in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson.  Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Florence S. Verrier

KILLINGLY —  Florence S. “Flossie” (Clouart) Verrier, 98, died Nov. 7, 2017, at Westview Healthcare.  She would have celebrated her 99th birthday on Nov. 9.  She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence P. Verrier, who died in 1990.

She was born in 1918 in Uxbridge, Mass., the daughter of the late Jennie S. (Postma) and Leo J. Clouart.  She and Larry lived in their hometown of Uxbridge until they retired to Cape Cod in 1978.  Florence and Larry were avid golfers and for a number of years owned the former Pine Ridge Country Club in Upton with the late Walter Taylor of Northbridge.

She graduated from Uxbridge High School where she was a majorette for the marching band and a member of the drama club.  She and Larry were president and vice president, respectively, for their 1936 graduating class. She worked for many years at the Whitinsville Savings Bank, where she started as a teller and became bookkeeper.  In 1966, Florence and bank co-worker, Elva McNeil completed their goal of swimming a total of 50 miles in the Whitinsville Community Center pool during weekly lunch break swims. 

Florence enjoyed reading, gardening, crossword puzzles, walking, loved family gatherings.  She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam.  

She leaves a son, Brian P. Verrier (Jean) of Uxbridge; and a daughter, Lauren J. Dignam (John) of Putnam, with whom she made her home; five grandchildren, Lawrence Verrier II of Whitinsville, Mass., Scott Verrier of Holden, Mass., Brian Verrier Jr. of Grafton, Mass., Allison Morin of Killingly, and Timothy Dignam of Putnam; 10 great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Brandon, Nicholas, Reagan, Matthew, Theresa, Sean, Cole, Kieran, and Brynn; and one great-great-grandchild, Landon. Florence was predeceased by her sisters, Annie Mitchell, Marion Dillon, and Eleanor Cassidy; and a great-grandson, Patrick Verrier. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 11 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Donations: Westview Recreation Fund, 150 Ware Rd., Dayville, CT 06241. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Clarence E. Pike

HAMPTON — Clarence E. Pike, 61 of Hampton died Nov. 6, 2017, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam from respiratory problems. 

He was born Sept. 2, 1956, son of the late Charles and Virginia Pike.

 A lifelong resident of Hampton, he graduated from Parish Hill High School in 1974. 

Clarence worked at Pikes Sawmill with his dad all his life. 

He leaves siblings, Daniel, Alice Pike Lee, Charles Jr. William and Norma Pike; two nieces, one nephew, and six grandnieces and nephews. 

Services were private. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Claire Sandra Martin

Claire Sandra Martin, 81, entered into her heavenly rest Nov. 10, 2017.  

She was born July 27, 1936, in Putnam, to George and Evelyn Basto Davis.  She graduated from Woodstock Academy in Woodstock in 1955 and attended Northeastern Bible Institute in Essex Fells, N.J.

Sandra and her husband, Francis Martin, ran a camping and marine business as well as a small dairy farm for several years in Canaan, Maine.  Throughout Sandra’s life her main interest was serving God and worshipping Him by singing in choirs as well as a soloist, attending worship services, being a counselor at the Billy Graham crusade in New York, and serving as camp counselor for teenage girls at the Word of Life camp in Schroon Lake, N.Y.  She later was a substitute teacher in Christian schools and also the public school systems in Maine and Connecticut.  Sandra moved to Georgia and then eventually to Cleveland, Tenn., where she took many encore courses at Lee University and was considered an alumni.  She is a former resident of the North Cleveland Towers.

She leaves her son, James Martin (Martha); daughter, Bethany Moilan (Arne); granddaughters, Sarah Orluck (Tom), Rebekah Martin, and Naomi Martin (Hunter); two great-grandchildren Caleb Thomas Orluck and Memphis Grace Scoggins, twin sisters, Jennifer Simms (Phil), and Johanne Wenger (Jim). Sandra is preceded in death by her husband, Francis Martin; parents, George and Evelyn Davis; brother, George Davis.

The Funeral was Nov. 13 at Serenity of Cleveland Funeral Home with interment in the Old Tasso Methodist Church Cemetery. Donations: North Cleveland Church of God, 335 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311.

 

CDR Michael Masley Jr.,

Navy veteran

THOMPSON — Commander Michael C. Masley Jr. died Nov. 7, 2017, at home.

Commander Masley led an active and fulfilled life. 

He graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in 1971.  He then graduated from the U.S, Naval Academy with honors in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in oceanography/physics. CDR Masley attended the Surface Warfare Officers’ School in California where he was awarded the Admiral Arleigh Burke Award; later he attended the Surface Officers’ School where he again earned the Admiral Arleigh Burke Award; During CDR Masley’s 20 years of service in the Navy, he was the first lieutenant and navigator aboard the USS Robert E. Peary from 1975-1977. He then served as the Main Propulsion Assistant on the USS Nicholson from 1979 to 1981. He was assigned to the USS Olendorf  in 1983 as the Operations Officer  and other duties included Combat Systems and Nuclear Weapons Officer and Tactical Action Officer. In 1985 he received orders to report to the USS Sterett as the Operations Officer. Other duties included Anti-Air Warfare Coordinator and Electronic Warfare Coordinator. The USS Mahlon S. Tisdale became his last ocean-based tour of duty from 1987-1989 where he was the Executive Officer. 

CDR Masley reported to his first shore duty in May 1989 at the Pentagon in the Office of the Chief  of Naval Operations where he held several positions.  In 1992 CDR Masley was assigned to the College of Continuing Education at the Naval War College in Newport, as a professor teaching National Security Decision Making courses and was National Decision Making Coordinator. He retired from active duty on Aug. 1, 1995. 

While serving his country, CDR Masley earned a master’s degree in Systems Management and a certificate in informations systems from the University of Denver in 1991 and a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina University in 1995. CDR Masley was awarded a second-place award from the American Council on Oceans Law for his research paper on U.N. Ocean Laws Impact on the New Navy Strategy in 1993 . This paper was requested for use by the United States delegation to the United Nations and is still used today. CDR Masley had many papers published during his time at the War College.  During his 20 years of service, CDR Masley received multiple medals and awards and prided himself on his service to his country.

Upon retirement in 1995, CDR Masley was hired as the first Senior Naval Science Instructor and began the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Core (NJROTC) unit at Oxford High School. Under his direction, the unit earned 25 national program awards in 20 years. In the first year, an award was created for his unit “Outstanding First Year Program Award” for NJROTC Area 4. In the second year, the unit was awarded the Chief of Naval Education and Training Unit Award, the only second year unit to receive this award. CDR Masley’s unit also earned the White House National Daily Point of Light on Sept. 28, 1999 and became the first NJROTC unit of any service branch to receive this distinction. Other NJROTC unit awards under CDR Masley’s direction include 16 Distinguished Unit awards in 17 years in Area 4. As Color Guard Coach, CDR Masley led his teams to 14 National Championships. 

A former cadet nominated CDR Masley for and he received the coveted Thomas S. Green Public Service Award for outstanding municipal employees in 2013. He retired from his post as Director of the NJROTC Unit in October 2017.

CDR Masley was a member of the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, the US Naval College War Foundation, St. Bernard’s Council Nights of Columbus in N. Grosvenordale, the Oxford American Legion Post # 58, the Military Officers Association of the United States, and more. 

CDR Masley won the Award of Merit by the Armed Forces Committee of Worcester County and was presented with the Keys to the City of Worcester,  an Oxford Tercentennial Award. 

CDR Masley was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Dudley. He was fond of the New England Patriots, not just for their winning record but also for their dedication to hard work to achieve the goal of being a winning team.

Commander Masley’s greatest gift was his love for life and he led his life as a public servant. He never hesitated to give a smile, offer words of support and encouragement, and provide a helping hand to anyone, anywhere in need. 

He leaves: his brother Joel Masley (Juliana), and their children Arianna, Nicholas, and Alexandra; his brother John (Elaine) and their children Kristen Dahlman (Andrew) and Evan. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael C. Masley Sr. and Agnes Masley,

The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 13 at St. Anthony Padua Church with in St. Anthony Cemetery, Webster. Donations: The Commander Michael C. Masley Jr. Fund at the Webster Five Cents Saving Bank (for scholarships at Oxford HS and Tourtellotte Memorial HS and to support veterans’ affairs). Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

John Poplawski Jr.

DANIELSON — John Poplawski Jr., 67, formerly of Welsh Street, died Nov. 10, 2017, in Davis Place after a long illness.

He was born in Webster and raised in Thompson, a son of John Poplawski Sr. and Rose M. (Romanek) Poplawski. He lived there until moving to Danielson 19 years ago.

Mr. Poplawski worked in a variety of jobs for many years at the former John Dempsey Center in Putnam and then for Northeast Placement Services in Woodstock. He was a member of St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale. He enjoyed participating in Special Olympics at Ellis Tech in Danielson and in Willimantic. Among his numerous awards, he earned gold medals in track and in swimming.

He leaves three siblings, Rose M. Tiernan (Thomas) of W. Haven, Mary B. Thiesing (Robert) of Jupiter, Fla., and Thomas Poplawski (Kathleen) of Thompson; nephews and nieces, a grandnephew, several grandnieces; cousins; and an aunt, Wanda Poplawski of Thompson.

Visitation is from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 16 in Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: Northeast Placement Services (NEPS), PO Box 185, S. Woodstock, CT 06267-0185. 

 

Margaret Snyder

WEBSTER — Margaret “Maggie” (Soojian) Snyder, 87, died Nov. 11, 2017, at home after an illness. She was born and raised in Auburn, Mass., the daughter of Sarkis and Verona (Dasho) Soojian and lived in Leicester, Mass., before moving to Webster in 1953. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1948. Mrs. Snyder was a member of the First Baptist Church of Webster. She leaves her husband of 64 years, Albert W. Snyder Sr.; three children, Debra A. Snyder-Robillard (Bruce) of Putnam, Pamela S. Poitras (Albert) of Thompson, and Albert W. Snyder Jr. (Linda) of Altmar, N.Y.; five grandchildren, Albert William “Willie” Snyder III, Heidi Snyder, Brian R. Robillard (Sara), Scott W. Poitras and his fiancée Monique Ares, and Kevin R. Poitras; a great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her twin brothers, Krikor and Apraham Soojian. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery.  Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster.

 

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