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Janice L. Bates,
Korean war vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Janice L. Bates, 87, of Fabyan Rd, transcended to a higher place Oct. 19, 2018. Born Feb. 9, 1931, in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late John and Louise (Paul) Bates.
Jan spent her life learning, teaching, and enriching the lives of those around her. Following her service to her country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, she earned her master’s degree and spent almost three decades teaching seventh grade science, with the majority of her career at the Thompson Middle School.
She leaves her best friend and devoted partner of 45 years, Kathryn O’Rourke; her brother, John Bates and his wife; cousins, nieces, nephews, and their collective children and grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, sisters, Virginia Swanson and Millicent Soderberg, and a brother Daniel Bates.
The Funeral was private. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489. Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Paul A. Gardner,
Korean war vet
WOODSTOCK — Paul A. Gardner, 85, of Woodstock died Oct. 16, 2018, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. Husband of 65 years to Barbara (Phaneuf) Gardner, they were married Oct. 24, 1953.
He was born July 22, 1933, in Putnam, son of the late Arthur J. and Grace (Morrell) Gardner.
Paul worked for Wyckoff Steel, retiring in 1989, Putnam Woolen for eight years, Charter Oak Construction for 15 years and Bingham and Chilkott for 15 years. He was a life member of the Putnam Lodge of Elks #574 and a member of the Putnam VFW Post 1523. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, singing, dancing and spending time with family and friends. Paul also enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, boating and cutting wood. He was a Veteran of the Korean war serving in the U.S. Army.
Besides his wife Barbara he leaves his children, Sandra L. Line (John) of Milton, Vt., Bret A. Gardner (Cassie) of Plainville, Gail A. Whipple (Dick) of South Lake Tahoe, Calif.., Donna M. Bellanceau (Greg) of Woodstock; brothers Roland, Joe and Charlie; grandchildren AJ, Nathaniel, Taylor; step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; a special friend Fern Phaneuf.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 22 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam, with military honors. Donations: American Lung Association of Connecticut, 45 Ash St., E. Hartford, CT 06108. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Cranston Briggs, O.D.,
Army vet
DAYVILLE – Cranston Archer Briggs, 88, of Dayville, died Oct. 18, 2018, at home after a brief illness. He was the husband of Mildred (Bean) Briggs. They were married Oct. 19, 1957.
Dr. Briggs was born Aug. 16, 1930, in Putnam, son of the late Elbertus Archer Briggs and Helen Keech Briggs. He was a graduate of Killingly High School (1948) and the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (1954). He served in the U. S. Army on active duty as an optometrist from 1954 through 1957 and on active army reserve through 1966. He started his optometric practice in Farmington, Maine, but returned to Danielson in 1960. He was an optometrist in private practice in Danielson for 49 years.
For almost 20 years, he and his wife enjoyed Western Square Dance, and, for many of those years, he served as a square dance caller for several clubs, as well as at the Brooklyn Senior Center and for the Daughters of the Holy Spirit sisters of Putnam. Throughout his life, he enjoyed spending time at Alexander’s Lake. He had long affiliations with the United Methodist Church of Danielson, the Masons and the Grange. He was a member of the Killingly Housing Authority during the construction of the original Maple Courts project.
Besides his wife, Mildred, he leaves his children, Barbara Briggs Scripps (Sebastian) of New Canaan, and Kenneth C. Briggs of Dayville; three grandchildren, Katherine and Julia Scripps and James Briggs; one great-grandson, Briceson Briggs. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joanne Jean Yeaton, and their son, David.
There will be a private graveside service. Donations: Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (alzinfo.org). Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
William ‘Bill’ Jones Jr.,
Navy vet
THOMPSON — William “Bill” Jones Jr., 81, formerly of Ballard Rd., died Oct. 16, 2018, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. He was the husband of the late Sonia (Gawle) Jones for 61 years. Born in 1937 in Putnam, he was the son of the late William and Ellen (Dolan) Jones Sr.
Mr. Jones was a member of the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Iowa. He worked at Putnam Herzl Finishing Company for 25 years, then as a rural carrier for the N. Grosvenordale Post Office for another 25 years. He also worked as a bus driver for the Thompson school system. Over the years he enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and playing the slots at the local casinos. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and driving his DeLorean. Bill had a great sense of humor.
Bill leaves his son, William A. Jones (Judi) of S. Killingly; his four daughters, Donna Sullivan (John) of Stafford Springs, Laura Papia (David) of Quinebaug, Lynn Byberg of Pomfret, and Sharon Belliveau (Scott) of E. Putnam; his brother, Richard Jones (Alice) of Las Vegas; nine grandchildren, Frank McKusick (Eileen), Brianna Sullivan, Sabrina Aubin, Matthew Papia, Rebecca Byberg, Andrea Byberg, Farrah Belliveau, Stacey Belliveau, and Hayden Belliveau; two great-grandsons, Quinn and Cassidy McKusick.
The Funeral was Oct. 21 at Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery in Webster. Donations: Friends of Autistic People (www.autisticadults.com) or 974 North St., Greenwich, CT 06831.
Betty A. Baranski
POMFRET CENTER — Betty A. (Holgerson) Baranski, 75, of Hampton Rd., died Oct. 17, 2018, at home. She met her husband, Francis H. Baranski in the birthing center at Day Kimball Hospital 75 years ago. They started dating in high school and enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Born in 1943 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late William and Rose (Lafave) Holgerson.
Mrs. Baranski worked as a kindergarten teacher for 32 years with the Killingly Public-School System. She was a member of St. Monica’s Guild and Most Holy Trinity Church. She graciously volunteered her time at Day Kimball Hospital. Betty enjoyed crossword puzzles, cross stitching, and was an avid reader. Her life revolved around God and her family.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her son, Steve Baranski of Pomfret; her daughter, Joelle Guillot of Pomfret; and her grandchildren, Stacy Baranski, Elizabeth Guillot, Matthew Guillot, Alexander Guillot, and Kathryn Guillot.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 22 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Ronald R. Blain
N. GROSVENORDALE — Ronald R. Blain, 82, of Riverside Dr., died Oct. 19, 2018. He was the husband of Margaret (Laabs) Blain. Born in 1936 in Webster, he was the son of the late Rosario and Bella (Barrette) Blain. Ronald was a graduate of St. Joseph High School in N. Grosvenordale graduating with the Class of 1954.
On Dec. 27, 1958, at St. Louis Church in Webster, he was united in marriage to Margaret Laabs. Mr. Blain worked as a self-employed builder and real estate agent.
Ron was a former member of the Thompson Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus St. Bernard Council # 2087 in N. Grosvenordale, and a member of the Board of Directors for Hometown Bank from 1996 – 2012. He enjoyed playing golf and tennis at his Florida residence. In his earlier years he enjoyed snowmobiling.
He leaves his wife, Margaret (Laabs) Blain; two daughters, Carol Borowski (John) of Webster and Karen Thoms (Norman) of Colchester; a sister Theresa Gadoury of Dudley; six grandchildren, Nicholas, Margaret, Matthew, Elizabeth, Megan, and Alyssa and two great-grandchildren, Addison and Landon.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 27 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: St. Joseph Food Pantry, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Doris W. Durst
WOODSTOCK — Doris Woodward Durst, 99, of Woodstock, born in Pullman, Wash., passed into the hands of her Lord Oct. 8, 2018.
Doris and John Hudson Durst met as classmates in the Agriculture Program at UConn and married on Dec. 27, 1940, having graduated in June. The wedding was at her parents’ Grassland Farm in Salisbury.
The necessity of providing food to the troops during WWII brought attention to Doris, who was featured in magazine articles such as Mademoiselle, as a young woman active in farming who was helping the cause on the home front.
John and his brother Gus took over a nearby Salisbury farm called Hilltop. John and Doris lived there; it is where their first two children were born, Jay and Wayne (Woody).
She and John then enjoyed raising dairy cattle just across the border in New York on Sheffield Hill Rd in Amenia, N.Y. This 420 acre farm was named Quanqual Farm (Quantity and Quality) where they had a Guernsey herd and produced Golden Guernsey milk, a premium product at that time. John and Doris expanded their family, with John Allan, Doria and Kate all born in western Connecticut. Following the passing of Doris’ parents, John and Doris remained in agriculture; in time, John returned to UConn to obtain his teaching Certification in Agriculture, after which the family moved to a small Woodstock farm on Center Road, where they had one more child, Jeff.
Doris always exhibited an exuberance with and involvement in life. She was active throughout her life in her church, first as a Christian Scientist then, after moving to Woodstock, in the East Woodstock Congregational Church as well the Woodstock Hill Congregational Church. The Ornament-Making Group was a special favorite church-related activity. The Concert Choir of Northeastern Connecticut drew Doris in, music having been part of her life since childhood.
Entries in the Woodstock Fair and community service were part of her joy in her life.
Doris’ parents, Edwin Garver Woodward (the first Dean of Agriculture at the UConn Radcliffe-Hicks School of Agriculture) and mother Lucille Mathews Woodward (who was elected to the Connecticut Legislature representing Salisbury from 1939-1940, where another representative was Gus Durst - father of Doris’ husband-to-be, John) both died in the Hartford Circus fire of July 1944, along with their grandson by daughter Ruth. The lasting sorrow of this event was with her during her entire adult life.
Woodstock Academy became John’s teaching post as he began his new career in the fall of 1957. At the Academy, Doris served in several capacities. “Doris’s Deli” had significant impact on the culture of WA. It was a common hangout for students and teachers, often at the same time, and seemed to present “neutral ground.” She impacted many students over the years.
More than one person in town has commented about how “Mom” was always whistling when she came into stores or the Post Office; she was said to do her best thinking when she was whistling. She loved to sew, play piano/organ, sing, read, do crossword puzzles and drive her car.
If Doris were able to communicate in the moments before her passing, it would have been her sense of adventure and joy that would have prompted her to proclaim “we’re off!” which is how her positive outlook always manifested itself.
She leaves her family: Jay and Joann, Wayne (Woody) and Dotti, John Alan and Chris, Kate and Steven Hunt, and Jeff and Jane; grandchildren: Gretchen and Scott Provost, Jerry and Deanna Durst, Allison and Christopher Britt, Erin and Reid Hayden, Jessica Danowski, Matthew and Heather Hunt, Sierra Hunt, Zachary and Emily Durst, and Laura and Keith Morin; several great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, John Hudson Durst and by her daughter, Doria Danowski.
Burial will be private but a Celebration of the Life of Doris Durst will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 27 at the East Woodstock Congregational Church, E. Woodstock. Donations: Woodstock Academy Center for the Arts/Music Program. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Karen L. Lafontaine
N. GROSVENORDALE — Karen Lynn (Savoie) Lafontaine, 53, of Elliot Hill Road, died Oct. 20, 2018, in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of Daniel Lafontaine for 23 years. Born in 1964 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Ronald Savoie of Florida and Marion (White) Chasse and her husband Kevin of Florida.
Karen Lynn was an administrative assistant for several local businesses. She was a 1982 graduate of Killingly High School.
In addition to her husband and parents, she leaves her daughter, Tamara Lafontaine of N. Grosvenordale; her son, Seth Lafontaine of N. Grosvenordale; her brothers, Ronald Savoie of Westerly, R.I., Randy Savoie of Catalina Island, Calif., and Matthew Roy of New York; and her sister Lauren Savoie of Dayville.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will be private.
Nancy Schnaittacher
WOODSTOCK — Nancy C. (Coster) Schnaittacher, 69, of Rt. 197, died at home after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the wife of Peter R. Schnaittacher for 47 years. Born in 1949 in Alexandria, Va., she was the daughter of the late William H. Coster, Jr and Moselle (Johnson) Coster.
Mrs. Schnaittacher was a thoughtful, accommodating, and a giving woman, always putting her family first. Nancy was adventurous in a quiet way. She loved traveling, knitting, basket weaving, and skiing in her younger years. More recently, she was an avid horseback rider and enjoyed hiking, walking (committed to picking up trash on those walks striving to preserve the environment) bike riding, and baking. Having been a member of the Woodstock Garden Club, she continued her love of gardening in her own yard, tending to a variety of perennials and fruit trees. She loved using her iPad and enjoyed antiques, museums and the theater. Additionally, she was a Day Kimball Hospital volunteer putting in hundreds of hours over the years.
In addition to her husband, she leaves a son, Jeremy Schnaittacher of Seattle; daughters, Gwynne Schnaittacher of Seattle and Brianna Schnaittacher of Woodstock; her sister, Jean Landry (Bob) of Dade City, Fla.; and her loyal lady hound Percy.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Mansion at Bald Hill, Plaine Hill Rd, Woodstock. Cremation services by Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Pancreatic Action Network.
Anita Gaudette Faford
Anita Blanche Marguerite Gaudette Faford, 94, died Sept. 29, 2018. She was born in Killingly the daughter of the late Eli and Rose Dupere Gaudette.
She retired as a Registered Nurse from Pierce Baptist Nursing Home in Brooklyn. Anita was a member of St. James Church in Danielson. She loved to dance with her husband Clarence and especially loved square dancing. Anita and Clarence also loved RV traveling. Her favorite hobbies were knitting and crocheting. She leaves her son, Albert Jules Bergeron Jr. (Paula); daughter-in-law, Suzanne Bergeron; grandchildren, Michael Bergeron (Janet), James Bergeron (Terri), Albert J. Bergeron III (Sarah), Taylor J. Bergeron (Emily), Beth M. Grzebien (Danielle), Lorra Sweeney; nine great-grandchildren, and one due January 2019. Anita was predeceased by her husband, Clarence Faford; son, Ronald Bergeron; and two stepsons, Rodney and Robert Faford.
A Catholic Mass will be held at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at St. James Church, Danielson with Father John O’Neill officiating. Inurnment follows in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Reception follows. Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, Suffolk, Va.
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