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Richard W. Haselton,
veteran of 2 wars
PUTNAM — Richard W. Haselton, 90, of Van den Noort St., formerly of W. Woodstock and Norwich, died Jan. 3, 2108 at home. He was the husband of the late Annadele (Horndahl) Haselton. Born in 1927 in W. Hartford, he was the son of the late Harry and Corrine (Nash) Haselton.
Richard was a veteran of two service branches during WWII and Korea. First, he served with the U.S. Navy being honorably discharged on Aug. 2, 1946, at Lido Beach, Long Island, and then as an Air Force navigator/weapons officer, achieving a final rank of 1st Lt.in Korea. He received the American Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, and the Victory Medal.
He was united in marriage on May 1956 in Norwich to the former Annadele Horndahl who died on Aug. 6, 1989.
Richard and Annadele were lovers of animals, sharing their home in W. Woodstock with various pets over the years. Richard also loved cars, racing the sports cars he owned and tuned. He maintained a sailboat and never quit his dream of sailing the world. Richard was a self-employed stationary salesman and at other jobs life. He was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in W. Woodstock for 50 years, serving a turn as Deacon, and often ringing the bell calling the congregation to Sunday service. He leaves his half-brother, David Haselton of Roanoke, Va.; nieces and nephews; dear friends, Marc and Jane Fine, Woodstock neighbors of 40 years. A Memorial Service of Thanksgiving will be held at 2 p.m. May 5 in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Woodstock Valley. Donations: The Church of the Good Shepherd, 12 Bradford Corner Rd., Woodstock Valley, CT 06282. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Robert E. Tanner Jr.,
Korean war vet
DAYVILLE — Robert E. Tanner Jr., 86, of North Rd. died April 24, 2018, at Pine Grove Healthcare in Pascoag. Born in 1932 in Providence, Robert was the son of the late Robert and Bessie Veronica (McKnight) Tanner Sr. Mr. Tanner was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean war. After his military service, he worked as a sheet metal worker and was employed by the Frank Beatie Sheet Metal Company, Universal Sheet Metal Company, and the Superior Sheet Metal Company. He also spent time working for the railroad.
Robert was a member of the Putnam VFW Post #1523, and the Providence VFW. He also enjoyed fishing. But, above all he cherished the quality time that he spent outdoors walking his dogs down by the lake.
He leaves two daughters, Joanne Kirby and Carol McLaughlin (James), all of Warwick, R.I.; his companion, Beverly Fedorowicz of Dayville; four grandchildren, George Kirby, Trisha Mannarino, Ryan McLaughlin, and Justin DeChristofaro; two great-grandchildren, Dina Pappas and Olivia Mannarino, and his dog, Bella. He was predeceased by two sons, Wayne Tanner and Robert Tanner III; his daughter, Diane Tanner; his sister, Betty Tanner, and his dogs Bonnie and Clyde.
Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Sr. Maria Archambault
PUTNAM — Sr. Maria Archambault, 87, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died April 25, 2018, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, where she had been in residence since July 8, 2016.
Born Pauline Leona Archambault on Aug. 16, 1930, in Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Wilfrid and Leona (Patenaude) Archambault. She entered religious life in Putnam in 1948, and made her religious profession on Aug. 23, 1951, at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France. She was then known as Sr. Marie Wilfrid.
Following her return to the U.S. she taught in schools staffed by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Fitchburg, Mass., and in Burlington, Vt., and she obtained a bachelor’s from Annhurst College in 1961. That year the American Province of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit sent its first missionaries to Chile and Sr. Maria was part the first group of 13 sisters missioned to that country. From 1963-65 she worked in Antofagasta where she served as principal and teacher at Colegio San Luis, a Jesuit elementary school. From 1966-69 she served as mistress of Novices in Antofagasta and from 1970-71 she did Pastoral work in Tocopilla. She became vice provincial of our communities in Chile in 1972 serving in that capacity until 1975. From 1976-79 she did Pastoral work among the poor of Antofagasta and from 1981-87 she served a second term as vice provincial of Latin America, which then included Peru. From 1987-93 she resumed her pastoral work in Antofagasta and in 1993 until 1996 she was named to the General Council of the Congregation with residence at the Generalate in Rennes, France. She returned to Latin America in 1996 and was missioned to Lima, Peru and to pastoral work in Callao, Peru, until 2001 at which time she returned to Chile. In addition to pastoral work at this time she also accompanied temporary professed Sisters as part of their formation as well as a woman preparing to take vows as a member of our Secular Branch. Following health issues she returned to the American Province and retired to the Provincial House in August of 2008. She was admitted to Holy Spirit Health Care Center in Putnam in February of 2010 and then to St. Joseph Living Center.
She leaves her sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the DHS
Associates as well as a brother, Marcel Archambault; nieces and nephews of Pittsfield.
The Mass of Christian Burial was April 28 in the chapel of Holy Spirit Provincial House with burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: DHS Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT. 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
G. ‘Meme’ Choquette
DUDLEY — Geraldine “Meme” C. (Champagne) Choquette, 82, of Schofield Ave., formerly of Thompson Hill Rd, Grosvenordale, died April 28, 2018, at Lanessa Extended Care Center in Webster. She was the wife of the late Philippe N. Choquette. Born in 1935 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Emma (Lamoreaux) Champagne.
Mrs. Choquette worked for more than 25 years at Bates Shoe Company in Webster, after which she went to work as an assembler at Sanitary Dash in N. Grosvenordale.
She was a member of the National D.A.V. auxiliary, VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 10088 in Quinebaug where she was twice elected president, American Legion Post 67 in N. Grosvenordale, and was a communicant at St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale. Geraldine enjoyed watching stock car racing.
She leaves four sons Raymond Choquette (Michelle) of Dudley, Roland Choquette of N. Grosvenordale, Lawrence Light Jr. of Putnam, and Robert Light of Danielson; six grandchildren, Gregory, Tonya, Amanda, Allison, Matthew, and Brianna; seven great-grandchildren, Shane, Bradley, Michael, Lukas, Mark, Emma, and Vanessa. She was predeceased by her siblings, Raymond Champagne, Richard Champagne, Joan Prentiss, and Dolores Kratz.
The Funeral Service was May 2 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale.
Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452.
May Simonzi-Kasek
DAYVILLE — May (Lucier) Simonzi-Kasek, 80, of Lens Ave., died April 26, 2018, at home.
She was the wife of the late William J. Simonzi Jr. and George Kasek.
May was born in 1937 in Putnam and was the daughter to the late Alferie and Louise (Menard) Lucier.
May graduated from the Putnam Catholic Academy and Annhurst College with honors.
She then worked in the medical field.
At the age of 52, May made a career change and worked for CIGNA Corporation in Bloomfield until her retirement on May 31, 2002, from the Lincoln Financial Group in Hartford.
She retired as an administrative assistant to the assistant vice president.
May enjoyed her memberships with the Daughters of Isabella, Griffin Youth Hockey League, Greater Hartford Arts Council and The Good Sam Club, Laurel Mountain Camping Group, where she and her husband traveled around the country in their RV.
They especially enjoyed spending the winters in Florida with their friends.
May enjoyed planning the camping trips with her many travel maps.
May and her husband had the opportunity to travel to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in 1985.
She especially cherished the memories of the beautiful historical treasures and memorable sights while visiting with her son, Daniel who was stationed in Heidelberg.
She leaves her sons, Daniel Simonzi of Westerly, R.I., Kenneth Kasek and his companion Jennifer Kingsley of Scotland, Timothy Kasek (Jennifer) of S. Windsor and Andrew Kasek (Melissa) of California; her daughters, Christine Blaser of Woodstock, Lisa Surprenant (Robert) of Danielson and Susan Jodoin (Thomas) of S. Carolina; 13 grandchildren, Jessica, Brandyn, Bethaney, Christopher, James, Hilary, Shawn, Stacy, Chelsea, Noah, William, Samuel and Jake; and five great-grandchildren, Jack, Hudson, Robert, Caden and Graham.
May was predeceased by her brother Roger Lucier and two sisters Lucille Plaga and Lucette Bernier.
The Mass of Christian Burial was April 30 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
Donations: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; The American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005; or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607.
Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
May’s final quote to her family in her obituary was “Include a good picture of me.”
Bartolomei Services
PUTNAM — Claire (Robitaille) Bartolomei, 89, of Thurber Rd, formerly of Vandale St., died April 1, 2018, in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late James H. Bartolomei Sr. Born in 1929 in Ballouville, she was the daughter of the late Armand J. and Albina (Cusson) Robitaille. Claire worked as a school lunch director for the Putnam School System, was a member of St. Mary Church of the Visitation, The League of Catholic Women, Daughters of Isabella, Widows Support Group, and was a literacy volunteer.
She leaves her sons, James H. Bartolomei Jr. (Donna) of Brooklyn, John A. Bartolomei (Pamela) of Woodstock, Jeffrey F. Bartolomei (Laura Burke) of Woodstock, and Jay R. Bartolomei and Karen Minette Weinstein of W. Hartford; daughters; Jo-Ann B. Dean of Vernon, Joyce D. Adams (Michael D.) of Killingly; and Dr. Jill M. Espelin (Gary) of W. Hartford; grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
Visitation is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 3 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A Mass of Christian Burial at will be at noon in St. Mary Church of the Visitation Church, Putnam, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Webster. Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home for the Residents Activities Fund, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260.
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