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Floyd Cranska Cole,
WWII vet
THOMPSON — Floyd Cranska Cole, 96, of Thompson, died March 17, 2018.
Floyd was born on the 4th of July, 1921. He studied at Marianapolis Preparatory School before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.
It was his dream since childhood to become a pilot. Assigned to the 8th Air Force he served in the 452nd Bomb Group, 729th Squadron stationed at Deopham Green in Norfolk, England, as pilot and group leader with a crew of 10. As pilot he fought in 30 combat missions over Germany in 1944-45, each time bringing his plane “Final Approach” and his crew home safely. Floyd received the Air Medal for meritorious service while participating in aerial flight. After his tour of duty in England he returned to the U.S. and trained on the B-29 bomber in Florida.
Upon discharge from the Army Air Corps he attended Trinity College in Hartford and earned a Phi Beta Kapa Key. He transferred to Rensselaer University in New York state earning a degree in chemical engineering. He joined Monsanto in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts as a plastics engineer, becoming one of the industry’s early pioneers. He left Monsanto to become head of the Color Department at Foster Grant Plastics in Leominster, Mass.
Floyd and Jean had five children, David, Blair, Craig, Judith and predeceased by Ross.
They raised their family in Leominster until Floyd retired, and with Jean, moved to the family homestead in Thompson where Floyd had grown up. Floyd was an avid gardener and shared his time between Thompson and Nokomis, Fla.
For many years he attended 452nd Bomb Group Reunions with his former military crew mates even flying with two of them from Ft. Meyers to Venice, Fla., on the Collings Foundation B-17 “Nine-O-Nine” which received quite a bit of news coverage in southwest Florida.
Floyd enjoyed attending “WWII Warbirds” shows and standing beneath the fuselage of a B-17 was often the center of attention.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Jean, four children and seven grandchildren
A Memorial Service was March 24 in the Chapel at Marianapolis Preparatory School, Thompson. Donations: Thompson Congregational Church Rebuilding Fund. The church is recovering from a devastating fire. www.thompsoncongregational.org/donate. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Richard P. Slattery,
U.S. Navy vet
BROOKLYN — Richard P. Slattery, 80, of Brooklyn, died March 18, 2018, at William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. He was the husband of Lucy (Mack) Slattery.
He was born March 17, 1938, in Los Angeles, son of Louis and Mary (Shea) Slattery.
He made his home in Brooklyn since 1964, moving from California. He worked for Southern New England Telephone Company and Pacific Bell for more than 40 years. He was a communicant of Our Lady of LaSalette Church in Brooklyn.
Richard served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Los Angeles. He was known as a Jack of All Trades and a self-sufficient farmer. While working for the telephone company Richard was very proud to be recognized by the phone company for saving someone’s life on two different occasions. Richard had a great passion for his family’s genealogy, and spent many hours researching.
He leaves, in addition to his wife Lucy, his children Edward Slattery (Deborah) of Brooklyn, James Slattery (Vickie) of Stuart, Fla.; grandchildren Rebecca, Jeffrey, Britany, Zachary; his brothers Jerry Slattery of Pennsylvania and Thomas Slattery of California.
The Mass of Christian Burial was March 24 at Our Lady of LaSalette Church in Brooklyn with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Deanna V. Mayo
DANIELSON — Deanna V. Mayo, 76, formerly of Bailey Hill Road in Danielson, died March 16, 2018, at Davis Place in Danielson. She was the wife of Frank Mayo Sr. They were married July 18, 1964. He died Feb. 9, 2013.
She was born Jan. 23, 1942, daughter of George and Simone (Jolly) O’Connell. Deanna made her home most of her life on a farm in Woodstock then moved to a farm in Danielson and lived there for more than 25 years.
In 2012 she then moved to Thompson to live with her son Robert and his wife Cheryl. It was a thrill to watch her and her husband dance. Everyone would stop just to watch. She worked most of her life in factories, Hale Manufacturing, then Anchor Glass and before she retired she worked at Foxwoods Casino.
She went to Three Rivers College where she completed the program for a medical transcriptionist. She never used her skill in the workplace but was proud of her accomplishment.
She leaves her children: Robert Mayo (Cheryl), James Mayo; Frank Mayo Jr. (Leslie), Brian Mayo (Marie); her daughter- in-law Ranel Wetherell; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; siblings Paul O’Connell, Gloria Benard, Shirley Linch, Evelyn Mathieu, Priscilla Midboe, Susan Smith and Jane Delaney. She was predeceased by two sons, Craig Wetherell and Theodore Mayo; a brother George O’Connell Jr. and a sister Beatrice Riley.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. March 28 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with a Memorial Service at 7. Burial will be at a later date.
Joan R. Almquist
PUTNAM — Joan R. Almquist, 86, of Webster, formerly of Putnam died March 19, 2018. Born in 1932 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Edgar and Alexine (Rothwell) Phaneuf.
Joan was an administrative worker for Belding Heminway and later for TJ Maxx. She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation and was active in many church functions including the choir and the Daughters of Isabelle.
She leaves her sons; Karl Almquist (Lynn) of Bakersfield, Calif., Kurt Almquist (Rose) of Woodstock, Kristian Almquist (Kim) of Gilbert, Ariz., and Kevin Almquist (Cece) of San Antonio; her daughters, Karen Dewey of Phoenix, and Kathy Hart (Joe) of Phoenix; her brother Peter Phaneuf of Putnam; her sister Barbara Gardner of Woodstock; 17 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial was March 26 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Grady R. Marshall
VERNON — Grady R. Marshall, 48, of Regan Rd, died suddenly March 22, 2018, at the Manchester Memorial Hospital. Born in 1970 in E. Stroudsburg, Penn., he was the son of April (Englert) Palmer and the late William R. Marshall Sr. He was the former husband of Beth Anne (Lusa) Marshall.
Grady was a graduate of the Woodstock Academy and was the owner and operator of Marshall Machine in Willington.
Grady was the sunshine on a rainy day. He had the ability to look on the bright side of every situation and was known for his infectious smile.
He leaves his children, Joshua, Joseph, Charlotte, Sophia and Emily Marshall, all of Willington; three brothers, Bruce Palmer Jr. of Danielson, Paul Palmer of Pomfret Center, and Dwayne Marshall of Woodstock; a sister, Christeen Seeley of New York; and nieces and nephews. Grady was predeceased by his stepfather Bruce Palmer Sr.
Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. March 30 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 at the funeral home.
Florence D. Pieper
N. GROSVENORDALE & SHELTON — Florence D. Pieper, 88, of Shelton, entered her eternal rest March 17, 2018, in the Griffin Hospital. Born in 1930 in Webster, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Helen (Duszlak) Beaulac. She had been a Shelton resident for over 11 years, living most of her life in N. Grosvenordale.
She was employed as a production clerk at Colt’s Plastic Company in Dayville for 39 years retiring in 1996. She enjoyed baking and cooking.
She leaves her children: Jean Pieper and her partner Gary Cammisa, and Kenneth Pieper (Wendy); nieces. She is predeceased by her brothers Henry Beaulac and Leo Beaulac.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. March 27 in Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin at 9 a.m. March 28 in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in the parish cemetery. Donations: Griffin Hospital Development Fund, 130 Division St. Derby, CT 06418; or to Community Ambulance, Inc. P.O. Box 874 N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255.
Steven P. Pusczynski
BROOKLYN — Steven P. Pusczynski, 63, of Brooklyn, died March 21, 2018, at home in Brooklyn.
He was born June 21, 1954, in Erding, Germany, son of Donald and Anna (Wagner) Pusczynski.
Steven graduated from Killingly High School in 1972 and from QVCC in 1974. He was a Communicant of Our Lady of La Salette Church in Brooklyn. He worked as a machine operator at the Amstar Corp. Steven had a passion for NASCAR and followed the circuit, his favorite driver was No. 2 Brad Keselowski.
He leaves his mother and father Anna and Donald of Brooklyn, his brother Andrew Pusczynski (Janet) of Brooklyn, his sister Linda Steele of Brooklyn; nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. April 2 in Our Lady of La Salette Church, Providence Road, Brooklyn. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Roger B. Logee,
WWII vet
DANIELSON — Roger B. Logee, 98, died unexpectedly March 16, 2018, at home.
Roger was born Sept. 19, 1919, in Danielson, the son of the late William David Logee and Ida Chriscilla (James) Logee.
Roger grew up on North Street in Danielson, where he discovered his love of horticulture through the family business, Logee’s Greenhouse.
He served his country in WWll in North Africa and Europe during seven campaigns in the Ninth Infantry Division.
Roger is a lifelong member of Westfield Congregational Church in Danielson where he met and married his wife, Fay. Together they built The Country Greenhouses on Cook Hill Road in Danielson, where they served the community for more than 40 years. Roger was also known for his love of cats and rabbits. He shared his knowledge of plants and life stories with all who were lucky enough to visit him in his greenhouse.
He leaves his son; Richard Logee (Deborah) of Killingly; his daughters Betty (Logee) Merow (Gene) of Killingly, Katherine (Logee) Griswold (Thomas) of Groton; his daughter-in-law Faye Logee of Eastford; his grandchildren; Gena Rider, Todd Merow, Cory Merow, Mary Griswold, Thomas Griswold, Elizabeth Logee-Charles, Richard Logee Jr., Jonathan Logee, Keri Logee, Heather Logee, Jessica Ruiz and his great-grandchildren Willow Charles, Samuel Charles, Andrew Griswold, Noah Griswold, Adam Griswold, Jenna Griswold, Emily Griswold, Richard Logee III, Cooper Logee, and Alexander Merow; his cat Yoki. He was predeceased by his wife; Fay (Demoranville) Logee; his son, James Arnold Logee; and fourteen brothers and sisters; Floyd Logee, Mason Logee, Ernest Logee, Emily Francisco, Sarah Baroni, Julia Somes, Lyndall Logee, Archibald Logee, Fay Smith, Joy Martin, Mary Ellen Ross, Bernice Logee, Richard M. Logee, and Rupert Logee.
A celebration of Roger’s life will be at 2 p.m. April 8 at Westfield Congregational Church, Main Street, Danielson. Donations: Westfield Congregational Church, 210 Main St., Danielson; or Hospice of Day Kimball Hospital. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Yvette Lafantasie
BALLOUVILLE — Yvette A. (Gaudreau) Lafantasie, 82, died March 23, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.
Yvette was born in Brooklyn, the daughter of the late Bertram Gaudreau and Yvonne (Lambert) Gaudreau. She lived in Connecticut for her whole life. She worked for many manufacturing firms such as LaRosa and Sons Inc., Hale Manufacturing Co., and Belding Heminway. Yvette was known to be an excellent cook. She loved to spend her time gardening.
She leaves her daughter, Pamela A. Lafantasie of Ballouville; her brother Lionel Gaudreau of Killingly; her sisters, Eva Matthewson of Killingly and Evelyn Mazzarella of Killingly. She was predeceased by her husband; Ernest P. Lafantasie; her brother, Thomas Gaudreau; and her sister, Isabelle Noble.
Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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