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Tina Olivo
PUTNAM — Artina “Grandma Tina” (Zanni) Olivo, 106, yes, 106, died Dec. 7, 2017, at Westview Health Care Center in Dayville.
She was born Nov. 28, 1911, in Providence, daughter of the late Vincenzo and Caterina (Laurenza) Zanni. She was the wife of the late Anthony Olivo. She was predeceased by her siblings Peter, Angelina, Antoinetta (Sabatini), Guido, and Joseph Zanni; and sons-in-law Ross Rogers and Umberto “Al” Colangelo, who promised to hold the door to Heaven open for her. She leaves her daughters, Helen Colangelo Freuden of Putnam; and Edith M. Rogers of Palm Coast, Fla.; grandchildren Linda Colangelo and Laura Crosetti; Lisa and Marios Evripidou; Paul Colangelo and Colleen Howell; David and Tracey Colangelo; Ross Rogers; Cheryl and John Blair; Debra and Michael Cataldo; and Mark Rogers; great-grandchildren: Stavros Evripidou; Emily, Noah, and Grace Colangelo; Nicolas Colangelo; Shannon and Nicholas Rogers; John Ross Blair and Jessica Riann Blair; nieces and nephews.
Tina worked at Universal Optical in Providence for many years before retiring in 1975. She was also a buyer of ladies fashions at Pinkerson Dress Company in Providence. In the summers, she worked with her husband at their family-owned Olivo’s Beach in Narragansett, R.I. She lived in N. Providence for many years before making her home with her daughter Helen in Putnam in 2000, where she quickly embraced the spirit of this vibrant community.
She spent an unfathomable 42 years in retirement and literally enjoyed a second lifetime of good health that allowed her to pursue her passions of family, gardening, art, opera, classical music, knitting, crocheting and traveling. Her cooking was legendary, along with her insistence that family always gather at a table to enjoy her home-cooked meals and each other’s company.
She took great delight in having every birthday since 100 acknowledged by family and friends, and through citations received from the former President of the United States and the Connecticut State Legislature. She was also proud to be a 15-year volunteer with the Northeast District Department of Health, where her health and longevity was featured in numerous public health presentations. Tina was defined by her kindness, care, and grace, and was a remarkable example of a life well-lived and a woman much-loved. She was a true matriarch.
Grandma Tina always said she would live to be 105. Accomplishing this with ease, she took another victory lap.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret. Visitation is at the church at 10 a.m. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Raymond Navarro,
Korean war vet
POMFRET — Raymond Navarro, 88, of Freedly Rd., died Dec. 8, 2017, at Westview Healthcare Center. He was the husband of the late Ann (Donlon) Navarro.
Born in 1929 in N. Grosvenordale, he was the son of the late Sabato and Giovanna (Leo) Navarro.
Mr. Navarro was a veteran of the Korean war serving with the U.S. Army where he received the Good Conduct Medal and Army Occupation of Germany Medal.
Raymond was united in marriage to the former Ann Donlon on Oct. 2, 1954, in Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret. She died Nov. 26, 2008.
Mr. Navarro worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator for the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation.
He was a life member of Putnam Lodge of Elks 574, Pomfret Lions, Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523, Thompson American Legion Post 10088, and the Quinnatisset Country Club. Ray was fondly known as the “mayor” of the Cady Tavern in Chepachet. He enjoyed playing cards, was a lifelong golfer achieving nine holes-in-one, listening to live music, and loved to dance.
He leaves three sons Raymond Navarro (Donna), Daniel Navarro (Sandra), and David Navarro (Katrina), all of Pomfret; two brothers John Navarro of Dayville and Danny Navarro of Pompano Beach, Fla.; 10 grandchildren Nicholas, Patrick, Drew, Alison, David, Elizabeth, Anthony, Dan, Ben, and Elisse; and three great-grandchildren Olivia, James, and Kiera . He was predeceased by his daughter Lisa Navarro, a sister, and seven brothers.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.
Jessie V. Auclair
DANIELSON — Jessie V. (Warren) Auclair, 69, of Dyer St., died Dec. 5, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home after a short illness. She was the wife of the late Alpherie Auclair. Born in 1948 in Killingly, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Viola (Bennett) Warren.
Mrs. Auclair was a homemaker.
Mrs. Auclair enjoyed volunteering at the friends of Assisi food pantry and the St. James Church Bazaar.
She leaves her companion of many years Earl Fournier of Danielson; her siblings Frank E. Warren of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Ella Rondeau of Dayville, and Betty Heath of Grosvenordale; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister Barbara Cameron.
A Celebration of Jessie’s Life will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 in the American Legion Hall, Rt. 200, Grosvenordale. Donations: Friends of Assisi Food Pantry, 77 Water St., Danielson, CT 06239. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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