- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Clayton R. Shead Jr.,
WWII vet
Clayton R. Shead Jr. died Nov. 12 2018.
Clayton was born June 17, 1924, in Putnam to Clayton R. Shead Sr. and Esther Diggins Parent.
He graduated from Putnam High School in 1942 where he was the star running back on the football team. Upon completion of school
Clayton enlisted in the U.S. Navy over the Army, because he said the food was much better.
He served during WWII aboard the USS Patoka.
Against his mother’s wishes, after the war, he re-enlisted where he served on the USS Power and USS Winslow before being discharged on Dec 7, 1948.
On leave from the Navy, he married Doris Bosworth of Eastford on Nov. 16, 1946.
The couple had three children, Kevin, Barry and Audrey.
The family settled in Eastford in the home that Clayton built.
He worked for many years at UConn in the Agricultural Facilities and Maintenance Dept.
He spent his “down time” raising cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and turkeys.
In addition to serving his country, Clayton served his local community.
He joined the Eastford Independent Fire Company in 1952, and continued active service until 2009.
There he served as deputy chief, head of the Fire Police, and burn officer. He also served as town constable for many years.
Doris became ill in 1999 and Clayton cared for her every need, acting as her personal live-in nurse.
After Doris passed, Clayton spent his time traveling to Ireland, the Grand Canyon, and Jamaica with friends. Clayton had a loud, booming personality; he loved talking to every person in the room, cracking jokes and laughing.
Clayton leaves his son, Kevin Shead (Susan) of Eastford; son, Barry Shead (Brenda) of Woodstock; daughter Audrey Carabeau (Garry) of Eastford; grandchildren Benjamin Shead (Kathryn) of Thompson, Jason Shead (Elizabeth) of Thompson, Heather Minka (Nicholas) of Holden, Mass., Alison Shead of Los Angeles, Jesse Carabeau of Baltimore, Sarah Sanderson (Jared) of Woodstock, and Keith Owens of Orlando, Fla.; eight great-grandchildren.
The Funeral with military honors was Nov. 17 at Smith and Walker, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: EIFC #1 PO Box 333 Eastford CT 06242.
Roger Privee,
Vietnam war vet
DANIELSON — Roger Privee, 79, of Danielson died Nov. 16, 2018, at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich.
He was born May 8, 1939, in Putnam, son of the late Lionel and Lena (Blanchette) Privee. He was the husband of Melanie (Cullins) Privee for 39 years. They married on Aug. 11, 1979.
Roger was a member of the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper in the Vietnam era.
Roger was a life time resident of Danielson and was the owner of Residential Sanitation for many years. He coached Little League for several years and was beloved by his players. He was an avid New England Sports fan and especially enjoyed watching the UConn women’s basketball team.
Besides his wife Melanie, he leaves his daughters Shelly Ansaldi (Edward) of Somers and Tonya Heath (Travis) of Sterling; his son Christopher Privee of Danielson; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, four brothers and his daughter Lori Hunting.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 23 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. A Graveside Service will be held at a later date in Connecticut’s Veterans Cemetery with military honors. Donations: Killingly Little League, PO Box 627, Dayville, CT 06241.
Josephine DiVincenzo
POMFRET CENTER — Josephine (Ruoppo) DiVincenzo, 89, formerly of South Main Street, Putnam, died Nov. 17, 2018, at the Matulaitis Skilled Care Facility in Putnam. She was the wife of the late Armand DiVincenzo.
Born in 1929 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Santolo and Luisa (Catoni) Ruoppo.
Josephine was employed by Belding Heminway, Colt’s Plastics and the American Optical Company (AO) in various manufacturing and production jobs, retiring from the AO in 1993. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary of the Visitation Church in Putnam.
She was a mentor and teacher of good life values. She enjoyed cooking for the holidays as she brought her Neapolitan cooking styles to the table every day. She liked to travel and returned to Naples, Italy, three times to visit family and tour the area. She also enjoyed knitting, sewing, crafting small decorations and toys for her grandchildren. She loved music and dancing and was always the first one up for a line dance at weddings and other events.
Josephine leaves behind three sons, David (Joan) of Hamden, Paul (Sandy) of Madison, and Gregory (Tina) of Wethersfield; six grandchildren, Michael, Mallory, Julia, Olivia, Laura and Daniel; nieces, nephews and friends, especially her recent friends and acquaintances at Seely Brown Village in Pomfret Center.
Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. at St. Mary Church of the Visitation Church, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT. 06067.
Lillian A. Gilbert
PUTNAM — Lillian A. Gilbert, 78, of Putnam died Nov. 10, 2018, in Putnam. She was born on Dec. 5, 1939, in Fitchburg, Mass., daughter of the late Thomas and Myrtle (Provost) Quinn.
She was a loving and kind person. Lillian enjoyed puzzles, reading, knitting, crocheting and enjoyed life.
She leaves a son Mark Cerasiello Sr., (Lisa) of Putnam; sisters Geraldine Quinn of Virginia, Sherry Dymek (Henry) of Massachusetts, Darlene Houle and her companion John of Pennsylvania; grandchildren Mark Cerasiello Jr., Dawn Cerasiello; great-grandchildren Gabby Cerasiello, Isaiah Blaise; nieces, nephews and cousins.
There were no services. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Kelley A. Greene
THOMPSON — Kelley A. Greene, 57, of Thompson, died Nov. 16, 2018, after a long illness. She was the first daughter born Feb. 22, 1961, in Webster, to Richard and Joan (Bellerive) Greene of Thompson.
She lived in Windham County and worked at Frito Lay for more than 25 years. Kelley loved dancing, music, skydiving and her pets: Skippy, Molly and Missy. She had a great sense of humor and a smile that could brighten any room.
Besides her parents Richard and Joan, she leaves two sisters Tammy Dalterio of Southbridge and Mandy Carroll of Plainfield; her two nephews L. John Dalterio III and Brandon Thornton; her two nieces Katlyn Thornton and Lesley Beland.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 28 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam, with burial in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B Southington, CT 06489. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Kenneth W. Hunter,
U.S. Army vet
BROOKLYN — Kenneth W. Hunter, 80, died Nov. 14, 2018, in an auto accident in Brooklyn.
He was born in Killingly, son of the late Arthur L. Hunter and Beatrice C. (Colwell) Hunter and lived here most of his life. He was a U.S Army veteran. Ken was a chicken farmer all his life. He enjoyed fishing and clamming.
He leaves his wife Barbara (Rukstela) Hunter; a son James Hunter of Georgia; a brother Robert Hunter of Brooklyn; two sisters Marjorie Auger (Moe) of Putnam and Malene Wilson (Roger) of Willington.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Carl Jankowski,
WWII Marine
DUDLEY — Carl P. Jankowski, 93, died Nov. 14, 2018, at the Harrington Hospital, Southbridge.
He was born in Webster son of the late Jacob and Anna (Tschierzy) Jankowski and lived here most of his life. He was a WWII U.S. Marine Corp veteran.
Carl was a machinist, and worked for Pratt Whitney in Hartford. He was a past commander of the PAV, and a longtime member of the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council.
He was part of the invasion of Guam and Saipan. Carl received the honor of being the first Grand Marshall of the Veterans Day Parade.
He leaves his wife of 69 years, Irene (Wedda) Jankowski; three daughters, Christine Laroche (Gui) of Milford, Mass., Debra Jankowski of Dudley, and Carol Parks of N. Grosvenordale; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Carl was predeceased by three brothers, Louis, Chester and Ralph and a sister Josephine Patterson.
A Memorial Mass will be announced at a later date. Donations: Charity of donor’s choice. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
..