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Lawrence E. Jones,
Army Air Corp vet
WOODSTOCK — Lawrence Edwin Jones, son of the late Roy and Corinne Jones died Nov. 13, 2017. He was born March 16, 1922, in Willimantic, and was a longtime resident of Woodstock.
As a UConn faculty boy he was raised on the UConn campus where his lifelong love of learning and educating was born. He received his bachelor’s degree from Springfield College, and both a master’s degree and a 6th Year Certificate from UConn. He served for 2.8 years in the Army Air Corps Weather Service.
Mr. Jones taught mathematics at Woodstock Academy, Plainfield High School and Windham High School. A devoted educator, he also coached cross country and track, and worked informally with gymnastics students. For several years he was the Scoutmaster of Woodstock’s Troop 27.
During his career Mr. Jones was a member of The National Association of Teachers of Mathematics, The New England Association of Mathematics Teachers, and the Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut (ATOMIC), for whom he was a Charter member, served a term as president, and was a frequent convention speaker. He published numerous math writings, including the book The Sundial and Geometry. He was a five-time recipient of a National Science Foundation Fellowship, served on several secondary school evaluation teams, and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary society of men in education.
In his early years he worked with his Dad operating the Roy Jones Chicken Barbeque Service. This was instrumental in his inaugurating the renowned chicken barbeque booth (for which he served as chief) at the Woodstock Fair in 1957.
After retiring from teaching in 1980 he worked as a programmer in the Data Center at Eastern Connecticut State University where he also taught a class each semester as an adjunct professor. For many years he enjoyed working summers as a historic interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village.
In retirement he was able to enjoy his long time interest in gnomonics, the art of calculating and making sundials. He was a charter member of the North American Sundial Society and designed several sundials to mount on the main pavilion at the Woodstock Fair. They were calibrated with precision for the first week of each September, and he only stopped placing the primary dial when his wife would no longer allow him on the roof of the pavilion porch.
Mr. Jones was predeceased by his wife Gloria. He leaves his sons Gary Jones of Woodstock, Stanley Jones (Wendy) of Pembroke, N.H., and Steven Jones (Bouquette) of Bethlehem, N.H.; three granddaughters Melissa Jones of Littleton, N.H., Jennifer C. Jones of Chichester, N.H., and Hannah Jones of Pembroke.
He was a member of the Woodstock Hill Congregational Church (where he served as deacon), and his Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 2. Private burial was in Storrs Cemetery. Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Francis R. Gregoire
PUTNAM — Francis R. Gregoire, 69, of Underwood Rd., died unexpectedly Nov. 14, 2017, at Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Susan (Deslauriers) Gregoire for 41 years. Born in 1948 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Leodore and Lillian (Bonneville) Gregoire.
Francis worked as a fiberglass supervisor for Repco in Ivoryton, previously working for Danco Manufacturing in Putnam. Francis was a proud and active member of the Putnam Lions Club. He served as president and went on to represent the club on the state level as District Governor 23C for the 2000-2001 year. He served on the board of directors for Putnam Ambulance, also serving on the Putnam Water & Sewer Commission. He loved to hunt and fish.
In addition to his wife Susan, he leaves his daughter, Rebecca Gregoire of Ashford; and his grandchildren, Mellissa Garner of Killen, Ala., Elizabeth Garner of Ashford, and Aurora Paradis of Moosup. He was predeceased by his brother, Paul Gregoire.
The Funeral Service was Nov. 18 in Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation, 40 Temple St. #1B, New Haven, CT 06510.
Jeannette D. Columbia
PUTNAM — Jeannette D. (LaPointe) Columbia, 92, of Wicker Street, died Nov. 18, 2017, at home. She was the wife of the late Richard E. Columbia. Born in 1925 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Arthur and Alice (LaRose) LaPointe.
Jeannette was a seamstress and owned and operated LaPointe Tailoring. She enjoyed knitting and sewing.
She leaves her son, Richard A. (Linda) Columbia of Putnam; grandchildren, Nicolas (Crystal) Columbia of Putnam and Michelle (Brad) Smith of Putnam; five great-grandchildren, Mya, Veronica, Kailyn, Nicolas, and Jacoby. She was predeceased by her brother, Leo H. LaPointe.
The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by her cousin Fr. Larry LaPointe was Nov. 21 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St Mary Cemetery Putnam. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Doris J. Corriveau
N. GROSVENORDALE — Doris J. Corriveau, 67, of Fabyan Road, died Nov. 18, 2017, in Webster. Born in 1950 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Jeannette (Montpelier) Corriveau of N. Grosvenordale and the late George W. Corriveau.
Doris was a homemaker. She enjoyed baking, making puzzles and playing board games.
In addition to her mother, she leaves her daughter, Tina (Christopher) Caron of Webster; her five brothers, George Corriveau of Pennsylvania, Alfred Corriveau of Willimantic, Roger Corriveau of N. Grosvenordale, Richard Corriveau of N. Grosvenordale, and Paul Corriveau of Thompson; and her four grandchildren, Gregory Caron, Nicole Caron, Benjamin Caron and Gabriella Caron. She was predeceased by sister, Pauline Rock
The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 22 at St. Stephen’s Church, Quinebaug with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Evelyn R. Paulson
BROOKLYN — Evelyn R. Paulson, 73, of Brooklyn, died Nov. 9, 2017, at UMass in Worcester.
Born Oct. 9, 1944, in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Edmond and Marie (Schroth) Harnois. She was the wife of Larry G. Paulson and they married on Oct. 2, 1980, in Plainfield.
Evelyn was a Communicant of St. Joseph Church. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and shopping.
She leaves her husband Larry G. Paulson; her sisters JoAnn Ormerod (Robert), Karen Cote (Jeffery); her nieces Samantha Soltesz, Michelle Comeau, Betty-Jo Scott; her nephews Larry Westover, Donald Steele Jr.; a special aunt Ruth Brodeau.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 18 in Our Lady of La Salette Church, Brooklyn. Burial will be at a later date. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Isabel T. Wargat
MOOSUP — Isabel (Rosario) Wargat, 77, of Collelo Ave., died Nov. 14, 2017, at home. She was the wife of Charles L. Wargat. Born in 1940 in Inarajan, Guam, she was the daughter of the late Jose and Dolores “Rita” (Crisostomo) Rosario.
Mrs. Wargat was a homemaker. She loved baseball and volunteered for the Moosup Little League. She enjoyed her gardening, especially roses.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her sons, Steve Wargat of Moosup, Dave Wargat (Esther) of Colchester; her sisters, Rita San Nicholas, Bennett Aguon, and Lourdes Gonzalez; and grandchildren, Bryanna, Shelby, Ryan, Justin, and Kaitlyn.
Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.
Dorothy Whittemore
THOMPSON/FORT MYERS, Fla. — Dorothy F. (Summers) Whittemore, 92, died Nov. 18, 2017, in Putnam.
She was born in Woodstock, the daughter of the late Robert and Ethel (Basto) Summers. She lived in Thompson and Fort Myers.
Dot had great times with her friends on Caribbean Cruises and at the many Florida attractions. She could yodel with the best of them and she enjoyed playing the Thomas organ.
Dorothy leaves her husband of 55 years, Clarence J. Whittemore; her sister-in-law Mabel Burke; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by siblings; Robert Summers Jr. (also known as Archie), Raymond Summers, Elizabeth Heath and Beverly Manso.
A remembrance ceremony will be held in the spring. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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