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Kelley Lynn Bates
DETROIT — Kelley Lynn Bates, 39, died Sept. 20, 2018, at Henry Ford Hospital- Detroit.
Kelley was born in 1979 in Putnam, daughter of Timothy Edward Bates Sr. and Linda Sue (Cartier) Bates.
Kelley enjoyed being with her family and her dog, Jack.
She leaves her father: Timothy Edward Bates Sr. (Dayla); three brothers: Timothy Bates Jr. (Jen), Michael Bates (Julie), and David Birch (Shye); one sister: Tammy Peterlin (Lonnie); four nieces: Hannah McCarthy, Brooklyn Peterlin, Brittney Peterlin, and Madison Bates; three nephews: Jacob McCarthy, Cayden Bates, and Brayden Birch. Kelley was predeceased by her mother, Linda Sue Bates; and her grammy, Laura Cartier.
Ralph J. Gammardella
PUTNAM — Ralph J. Gammardella, 89, of Putnam, died Sept. 16, 2018, at UMass in Worcester. He was the husband of Georgiana (Proulx) Gammardella for 66 years. Born June 28, 1929, in Providence, he was the son of Frank and Evelyn (Greco) Gammardella.
Ralph was a truck driver and worked for the State of CT DOT, Kenyon Oil, Lehigh Bottled Gas, R.B. Green and he was also a stone mason. He enjoyed going to the beach and spending his winters in Florida. Ralph liked to golf and work in his garden.
He leaves his children Ralph Gammardella, Susan Lucey (Rick), Sandra Huth (Mike) Sally Donovan; 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
The Funeral Service was Sept. 22 in the Putnam Baptist Church, with burial at Grove Street Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: Putnam Baptist Church, P.O. Box 85, Putnam. Smith and Walker funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Robert J. O’Brien
PUTNAM — Robert J. “Bubba” O’Brien, 66, of Farrows St., died Sept. 24, 2018, at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London.
He was the husband of the late Diane (Gerardi) O’Brien. Born in 1952 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Thomas and Anita (Bourdia) O’Brien Sr.
Mr. O’Brien worked in construction, including paving. He enjoyed going to Dunkin’ Donuts, listening to the band “The Cars,” and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan.
He leaves his son, Patrick O’Brien of Taftville; his daughter, Jennie O’Brien of N. Grosvenordale; his brothers, Thomas O’Brien of Canterbury and Michael O’Brien of Hamden; his grandchildren, Griffin O’Brien, and Tatina and Nathen Alicea; his stepchildren, Vicky and Christopher Blanchard; and his former wife, Cindy (Bessette) O’Brien.
The Funeral was private. Gilman and Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.
Alice M. Biesiadecki
THOMPSON — Alice M. (Breault) Biesiadecki, 88, of West Thompson Rd, died Sept. 29, 2018, at home. She was the wife of the late Walter Biesiadecki. Born in 1929 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Felix and Rose Alma (Madaga) Breault. Alice was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School, Class of 1947.
On May 12, 1956, at Sacred Heart Church in Thompson Alice was united in marriage to Walter Biesiadecki. He died May 29, 2004. Mrs. Biesiadecki worked as a secretary at various local mills.
She was a member of the Thompson Historical Society where she was on the membership committee and photo preservation committee. She was also a member of the St. Joseph Bible study group. Alice enjoyed gardening, sewing, doing family genealogy, and spending time at Quaddick Lake.
She leaves a son, Thomas Biesiadecki (Junita) of Plainfield; two daughters, Jean Hershberger and her companion Scott Croft of Thompson and Karen Lamarre (James) of Dudley; eight grandchildren, Thomas, Lynn, Timothy, Jason, Barry, Steven, Xavier, and Christopher and five great-grandchildren, Justyn, Joshua, Travis, Emilie, and Collin. She was predeceased by an infant sister Lucille Breault.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Oct. 6 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Linda P. Litchfield
MOOSUP — Linda P. (Brissette) Litchfield, 72, of Sara Ln., died Sept. 24, 2018, at UMass Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Peter L. Litchfield Sr. Born in 1946 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Theresa (Perreault) Brissette.
Mrs. Litchfield retired as a picker for Staples, Inc.
She leaves her sons, Peter L. Litchfield Jr. (Mary) of Salem, Scott S. Litchfield (Patricia) of Griswold, and Trevor E. Litchfield (Theresa) of Moosup; her brothers, Ronald Brissette of N. Grosvenordale, and Roger Brissette of Clearwater, Fla.; her sisters, Carol Briere of Putnam, Theresa Pelletier of Thompson, Cynthia Boucher of Thompson, Ann Pion of Webster, and Donna Hendrickson of Thompson; and her grandchildren, Colby, Clayton, Abby, Collin, Elizabeth and Katalina.
A Graveside Service was Oct. 2 in High Street Cemetery, Dayville. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Loretta S. Lucier
PUTNAM — Loretta (St. Rock) Lucier, 90, formerly of Alpha St., died Oct. 1, 2018, in Westview Healthcare Center from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was the wife of the late Alfred J. Lucier Jr. Born in 1927 in Wauregan, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Armeline (Duval) St. Rock Sr.
Mrs. Lucier was a graduate of Quinebaug Valley Community College where she earned her associate’s degree. She worked as an executive secretary for St. Mary Church, retiring in 1999 after 30 years. She was a member of the Aspinock Historical Society and Interfaith Stitchers. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting.
She leaves her son, Gary Lucier (Deborah) of Putnam; her daughter Bonnie Lucier of California; her grandchildren, Kyle Lucier (Sarah), and Ryan Lucier and his partner Meghan; and great-grandchildren, Adison Lucier, Quinn Lucier and Autumn Lucier. She was predeceased by her brother, Walter St. Rock Jr.; and her sister, Juliette Mandeville.
Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association.
Eileen Thyarion
PUTNAM – Eileen Marie Myra Thyarion, 60, of Five Mile River Rd., died Sept. 9, 2018, at Vibra Hospital in Leicester, Mass., after a long battle with cancer.
She was born Dec. 18, 1957, in Stoneham, Mass., daughter of the late Isabelle and James Myra. Growing up in Arlington, Mass., Eileen graduated from Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, with an associate’s degree. She worked in the mental health field for more than 20 years as a residential counselor. At various times she worked for the U. S. Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, nursing homes, residential group homes and independent-living facilities, assisting people with mental health issues, particularly veterans and the elderly.
Eileen was a practicing Catholic and a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam. She had a big heart and loved animals, especially her dog, Peace. She was also an enthusiastic amateur painter. Moving to northeastern Connecticut in 2007, Eileen lived in Putnam with her sister and best friend Patricia Gaffney. Together they were raising their nephew Cody Keene and niece Cora Rose Desrosiers. They called her “Auntie Buffy” and were her best buddies.
She also leaves her brother Stephen and his wife Ann, of Belton, Texas, her brother Thomas Myra (Cheri) of Burlington, Mass.; nephew Craig Myra (Corey) of Virginia; cousins; a dear friend, Carol Ann Sullivan of Scituate, Mass.
Following cremation, a graveside service and burial was Sept. 15 in the family plot in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford, Mass. A Memorial Mass was Sept. 26 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Gaffey Funeral Home of Medford, Mass.
Grace Walp
DAYVILLE — Grace Walp, 76, of Ballouville Rd., died Sept. 18, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1942 in Sharon, Penn., she was the daughter of the late William and Grace (Gardner) Walp.
Mrs. Walp was a self-employed baker and a foster parent.
She leaves her grandsons, David “Josh” Kidd, Matthew Kidd, and Roger Maxwell Jr. She was predeceased by her daughter, Geraldine Morar.
Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.
Hillary C. Young Jr.
PUTNAM — Hillary Charles Young Jr., 62, of Putnam died Sept. 27, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital.
He was the husband of Janet (Dragon) Young for 35 years.
He was born Nov. 2, 1955, in Augusta, Maine, son of Hillary C. and Barbara E. (O’Laughlin) Young Sr., of Bozrah.
He was a Communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam.
Hillary worked for Electric Boat for many years as operations supervisor and left a legacy at the shipyard.
He loved music, playing guitar and bowling.
He was an avid outdoorsman enjoyed fishing and camping.
He leaves his sons Hillary C. Young III, William J. Young, Robert J. Contois and Christopher J. Contois, all of Putnam, brother James P. Young (Rene) of Bozrah; grandchildren. He was predeceased by sister Barbara T. Young, grandparents William and Ethel O’Laughlin and Hillary J. and Elizabeth F. Young and uncle George E. Young.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 2 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery.
Donations: American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.
Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
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