- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Russell F. Robbins,
Korean war vet
THOMPSON — Russell F. Robbins, 86, of Thompson, died June 12, 2018. He was the husband of 62 years to Louise J. Robbins (Lajoie).
Russell was born on June 30, 1931, in Thompson where he lived his entire life. He was the son of the late Henry and Evelyn (Kies) Robbins. Russell was a proud veteran of the Korean war serving in the U.S. Army. Russell retired from Wyckoff Steele in 1989. He was a life time member of the Thompson Rod & Gun Club and Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club and a member of the American Legion CT Post #67. Russell loved managing his farm, raising animals, gardening and hunting & fishing with his family and friends.
In addition to his wife Louise, he leaves sons Russell (Paula) of Putnam, Dana (Julie) of Thompson, Ronald (Kathy) of Thompson, Mark (Jean) of Thompson; and daughters Melissa (Steven) Ericson of Thompson, Debra (Lars) Johnson of Thompson. Russell also leaves behind Guy (Charlene) Regis of Thompson. He leaves 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters Norma (Ernest) O’Leary of Thompson and Carol (Robert) Smith of Thompson; sisters-in-law Wanda (Raymond) Robbins and Mercedes (Robert) Robbins. He was predeceased by a son Dennis James, and his brothers Raymond E. Robbins and Robert M. Robbins and his sister Shirley Walker.
A graveside service to honor Russell will be at 11 a.m. June 23 at East Thompson Cemetery on East Thompson Road. A memorial celebration of his life will follow at the Thompson Rod & Gun Club on Brandy Hill Road. Donations: Robbins Family Scholarship Fund, c/o the Town of Thompson, P.O. Box 899, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. This family scholarship was established in 1998 by Robert M. Robbins. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Bernard Mac Donald,
WWII vet
BROOKLYN — Bernard A. Mac Donald died June 13, 2018.
He lived in Brooklyn for 50 years with his wife, Elinor (Batterson) and raised Stephen and Ann Sara there. Born in 1925 in Lowell, Mass., Bernie grew up in Somerville with his parents and older brother Somerled, who emigrated from Canada. Three oldest children, all daughters, were lost in infancy and childhood. His father had been a school teacher and legislator in Prince Edward Island and became a salesman in Boston.
Bernie changed his name from Angus on his birth certificate when he joined the Navy in January 1942 after Pearl Harbor and changed his birth date. He turned 17 in boot camp and shipped out to the North Atlantic on the USS Matagorda carrying a copy of Milton’s Paradise Lost. He served in the South Pacific on the USS Bataan and was wounded during a kamikaze attack. He landed in Japan with the first occupying force after the Japanese surrender. His brother Somerled served in the Navy in WWII also. They once ran into each other in a South American bar on shore leave and they remained close until Somerled’s death in 2006.
Bernie received a bachelor’s degree in 1946 and master’s in 1952 from Boston University, and his PhD in English literature from UConn in 1976. He taught at the Hatch Prep School, The Thomas School in Connecticut and he traveled the country for the Baldridge Reading Services, based in Greenwich.
He met his wife Elinor in 1958 in Wisconsin while both worked for Baldridge. Six months later they were married and living in Beverly Hills. They settled in Brooklyn in 1969. Bernie taught American literature at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic and Elinor taught psychology at Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson. He and Elinor also taught in the local Brooklyn Town Jail.
The family spent every summer in Rock Barra, Prince Edward Island, Canada. He loved spending the entire summer there with a specific area of study planned and boxes of books packed in the car. One summer he read Baudelaire in French, teaching himself French along the way. One of his last projects, before he became ill in 2016, was reading Ancient Greek poetry, with a Greek dictionary at hand.
He loved literature and music, listening to the Metropolitan Opera live radio broadcast on Sundays. He loved the Red Sox, theater and talking with friends about everything from politics to poetry. He was a member of the Failed Poets Club (FPC) for many years. They shared written and artistic work, providing criticism to each other. He said once that he never gave up anything to raise his children. He was true to himself and his love of learning. He delighted in his children’s endeavors as they went into the world, providing a sounding board and support when needed. A friend said he was like a fine wine, he got sweeter as he got older. He was radically egalitarian and a feminist. He hated hubris and did not suffer fools. Bernie was not afraid to say what he thought, even if others would not agree. He was monstrously intelligent but was never condescending, treating all with respect and dignity. He will be missed for his intelligent blue eyes and his humor.
He leaves his wife of 60 years, Elinor of Brooklyn; his son, Stephen A. (Karen Bate) of Arlington, Va.; his daughter A. Sara (Rob Barnett) of Summit, N.J.; grandchildren Catherine (Thomas Nash) of Richmond, Va., Amanda of Austin, Texas; Julia Barnett of Harvey Cedars, N.J.; Dylan Barnett and Jessie of Summit, N.J.. Donations: PEN America supporting their mission to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. https://pen.org/donate/. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Barbara J. Gleason
PUTNAM — Barbara J. Gleason, 85, of Pomfret St., died June 10, 2018, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of Donald H. Gleason, Sr. Born in 1933 in Natick, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Harry and Pearl (Jeffrey) Brag.
Mrs. Gleason worked for many years as a dental hygienist for Drs. McGinn. She enjoyed painting with watercolors and gardening.
Along with her husband, she leaves her sons, Jeff Forte of Cape Cod, Mass., Jay Forte of Florida, Mark Forte of New Hampshire, and Chris Forte of Florida; her daughters, Diane Morash of Hingham, Mass., and Joan Alan of Pennsylvania; her step-son, Donald H. Gleason Jr. of Plainfield; her step-daughters, Melodi Lenky and Linda Paradise, both of N Grosvenordale; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Anne E. Beaudreault
N. GROSVENORDALE — Anne (Froehlich) Beaudreault, 59, of Blain Rd, died June 10, 2018 in her home. She was the wife of Gary L. Beaudreault. Born in 1959 in Mineola, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Francis B. and Carol F. (Hoar) Froehlich.
Mrs. Beaudreault worked as a postal worker for 17 years, retiring from the Pomfret Center Post Office. She enjoyed shopping, sunbathing, flower gardening, and baking. She always made sure the cookie jar was full.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her sons, Gary L. Beaudreault Jr. (Nicole) of Woodstock, Stephen M. Beaudreault (Allison) of Moore, Okla., Joseph F. Beaudreault (Toni) of Thompson, and Daniel N. Beaudreault of Thompson; her daughter, Caitlin Koschmieder (Ryan) of Oakdale; brothers, Tim Froehlich of Tennessee, Jay Froehlich of Florida, and Bob Froehlich of Long Island; sisters, Penny Vedder of Pennsylvania, Mary Meyer of Long Island, Carol Peluso of Long Island, and Cathy Liard of Long Island; her grandchildren, Anna, Zoey, Anthony, Ava, Ethan, Tyler, Jacob, Jacen, Sadie, Adalyn and Hailey. She was predeceased by her sister, Reggie Reilly.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. June 30 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
Helen Spink
EASTFORD — Helen (Marquis) Spink, 91, of Eastford, died June 11, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam. She was the wife of the late Ellsworth B. Spink Sr. They were married Sept. 15, 1945, in Woodstock.
She was born Oct. 16, 1926, in Putnam, daughter of the late Arthur Joseph and Irene (Chandler) Marquis.
She leaves two sons, Ellsworth Spink Jr., Peter Spink Sr. (Donna), all of Eastford; brothers Bob Marquis of Hampton, Henry Marquis of Putnam; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by a daughter Priscilla Viens, grandson Eli and her three brothers and four sisters.
Services were private. Donations: Eastford Independent Fire Co., PO Box 333, Eastford CT, 06242. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Arthur ‘AJ’ Vogel
Arthur “AJ” James Vogel, 58, died unexpectedly June 12, 2018, at UMass Memorial, complications arising from a heart attack.
Born Jan. 28, 1960, in Hartford and was raised in Fabyan, AJ studied engineering at Thames Valley State University and worked for 23 years at the CT DMV. Restless in retirement, he rejoined the work force as the town of Killingly’s transportation supervisor for seven years. His final years were his happiest, as he passionately pursued his dream of officiating for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He also dedicated himself to coaching both football and softball, pushing his players to be their best on and off the field. He was a lifelong Cheesehead, never missing an opportunity to brag about his prized Green Bay Packers.
He leaves his mother Edna Vogel; two children Trevor and Stephanie. He was predeceased by his father, Arthur Vogel. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. June 20 with a Trisagion Service at 6 p.m. at Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster, under the direction of the Graham, Putnam & Mahoney Funeral Parlors. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. June 21 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Fellowship Hall in Webster. The family asks for AJ’s memory to live eternally through each of you - through beach trips, football games, NASCAR races, and good times shared with loved ones - we ask that you keep AJ alive in your actions.
..