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Nora Virginia Johnson
POMFRET CENTER — Nora V. (Harrington) Johnson, former Pomfret town clerk, 89, of River Rd., died Feb. 14, 2019, at home. Born in 1929 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Beatrice (Sheldon) Harrington.
Nora was a proud graduate of the University of New England, Class of 1949.
On June 21, 1952, in the gardens of the main house at Quinnequack Farm, she was united in marriage to H. George Johnson. He died Jan. 11, 1993.
Mrs. Johnson served the Town of Pomfret for more than 43 years as the town clerk, retiring in 2010 at the youthful age of 80. Nora will always be fondly known as the “Life and Spirit of the Pomfret Town Hall”. Prior to becoming the town clerk, she worked for the Windham County Transcript.
She was a life member of the Pomfret Rod and Gun Club where she became an accomplished fly fisherman. Nora was an avid card player, never known to lose at a game of rummy or bridge. She was an active member of the American Morgan Horse Association. Nora bred, raised and enjoyed her Morgan horses.
Mrs. Johnson will always be remembered for her two greatest loves: her majestic Morgan horses and the beautiful Town of Pomfret.
She leaves two sons, David W. Johnson of St. Jacob, Ill., and Pomfret, Paul W. Johnson (Joanne) of Pomfret; four grandchildren, Andrew Johnson, Amy Vertefeuille (Ryan), Melanie Noble (Joshua), and Adam Johnson; four great-grandchildren, Jenna and Jack Vertefeuille, Mackenzie and Lyla Noble. She was predeceased by a daughter Virginia N. Johnson; and four brothers George, Frank, Lawrence, and William Harrington.
A Celebration of Nora’s Life will be at 11 a.m. March 9 at the First Congregational Church of Pomfret, 13 Church Rd., Pomfret Center. A private burial will take place in the spring in the Bruce Cemetery in Pomfret. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Albert R. Bourgault,
WWII vet
GROSVENORDALE —Albert R. Bourgault, 91, of Grosvenordale died Feb. 15, 2019, at home. Born in 1927 in Fitchburg, Mass., he was the son of the late Victor and Rose (Gagnon) Bourgault. Mr. Bourgault was the husband of the late Lucille (Bernier) Bourgault, whom he married in 1957.
Mr. Bourgault worked for Rizom Shoe and as a custodian at Thompson Town Hall.
He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was a member of the American Legion Post 67 and the VFW Post 1088. Albert also served as president for the Thompson Senior Citizens Center.
He leaves his brother, Raymond Bourgault of California; three grandchildren Donna Mehltretter of Florida, Doreen Hertzfeld of N. Grosvenordale, and Michelle Bartholic of Dayville; six great-grandchildren Barry, Drew, Alex, Coty, Amanda, and Colton. He was predeceased by his wife, a son Donald J. Warren, and two brothers, Raynold Bourgault and Leo Bourgault.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 20 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial with military honors in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Donald Mayo,
Air Force vet
PUTNAM — Donald Mayo, 84, of Sabin St., died Feb. 13, 2019, at home. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Racine) Mayo. Born in 1934 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Donald and Gertrude (Poirier) Mayo.
Donald was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force serving for nearly 10years during the Korean war with the 44th Field Maintenance Squad and 1605th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squad being honorably discharged on Dec. 5, 1955.
Mr. Mayo worked for more than 25 years as an engineering assistant for Pratt & Whitney.
Donald had a true passion for the game of golf, he also enjoyed reading about the Civil War and other historical events, ice fishing, and hunting.
Mr. Mayo was a member of the Knights of Columbus Cargill Council 64 and Boy Scouts.
He leaves his sons, Ken Mayo of Putnam, Greg Mayo (Christine) of Napa, Calif., Chris Mayo of Putnam, and Thomas Mayo (Kristin) of Upton, Mass.; a brother, Roland Mayo of North Carolina; a sister, Jacqueline Cournoyer of Dudley; six grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Jonathan, Caitlin, Bryce, and Samuel; and one great-grandson Brayden.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. March 2 in St. Mary Church, Putnam, with burial with military honors in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Alzheimer Support Group of NE CT, 325 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Alice F. Lazur
WOODSTOCK — Alice F. Lazur, 98, of Woodstock died Feb. 11, 2019, at home. She was the wife of the late Edward P. Lazur.
She was born on Aug. 21, 1920, in Webster, daughter of Wladyslaw and Felicia (Dzienisiewicz) Nawrocki.
Alice made her home in Woodstock since 1947 and was married June 9, 1947, at St. Joseph Church, Webster. She was a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret. Alice was active with the Senior Citizens Club of Woodstock in the Craft Club, Exercise Club and enjoyed traveling with the club. Alice worked for Woodstock Public Schools in the cafeteria and for Day Kimball Hospital for more than 25 years as a nurse’s assistant, retiring in 1989. She also volunteered at Day Kimball as an escort. She loved to host game parties over all the major holidays. These parties always included singalongs as Alice and her siblings sang and danced to polkas. She also loved dining out with family and friends, especially when there was Polish food to be enjoyed. Alice was an avid UConn women’s basketball fan.
She leaves her children James Lazur (Risa) of Chaplin, John Lazur of Woodstock; daughter-in-law Barbara Lazur of Lebanon; grandchildren Kirstyn, Becka, Evan; great-grandchildren Tiffany and Kory; sister-in-law Marie Nawrocki; nieces Janet, Paula, Elaine; nephew David. She was predeceased by her son Edward Lazur in 2002, siblings Walter Nawrocki, Harriet Stoica, Johanna Huard and granddaughter Linda Lazur.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Cemetery, Webster. Donations: Burdick Birthing Center, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Marion A. Allaby
WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Marion A. Allaby died Feb. 14, 2019.
She was born into a Christian family May 10, 1931, in Brooklyn, N.Y. The family moved to Scotia, N.Y. She grew up in The First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady.
During her high school years in Scotia High School she was very active in the church and its youth group. While in high school she was a cheerleader and a member of the marching band.
After graduating from high school, she went to Gordon College where she played on the women’s basketball team, sang in the college choir and in a women’s trio. She graduated in 1953. In 1954 she married Stanley R. Allaby.
Marion taught many women’s Bible classes and sang in and directed the choir of Black Rock Church where she and her husband served for 41 years.
She leaves her husband, Stanley R. Allaby; four children, Norman Allaby of Bethel, Darlene Moore of Woodstock, Kimberly Clemmer of Lake Mary, Fla.; and Stephen Allaby of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nine grandchildren and four great- grandchildren; a sister, Marjorie Johnson of Glenville, N.Y., and by a brother, Gordon Johnson of Fort Myers, Fla.
Two memorial services: 2 p.m. Feb. 21 in The Woodstock Evangelical Covenant Church and at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 in Black Rock Church, Fairfield. Visitation with the family afterwards. Donations: Wheels For The World, in memory of Marion Allaby - https://www.joniandfriends.org/donate or (818) 707-5664 ext. 1740. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, Putnam.
Pauline Davis
PUTNAM — Pauline Ina Meader Davis, 96, of Putnam, died Feb. 6, 2019.
She was born Nov. 29, 1922 in Leominster, Mass., daughter of Ray L. and Vera (Bates) Meader.
She graduated from Rockville Elementary School. Because of circumstances beyond her control, she was unable to attend high school. This is something she always regretted. She was needed at home to care for her younger siblings.
She married Norman Davis on Oct. 25, 1941, in Rockville at the Union Church. She was a long time member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and was a member of the Tolland SDA Church. She had a strong faith in God.
She was quite witty and had a wonderful sense of humor. Whenever you walked through her door, you were always made to feel welcome. She loved sewing, knitting, crocheting, needle point, and embroidery. She made many quilts and donated them to her church for the needy. She made newborn preemie sweater sets and gave them to hospitals. She was generous and helped numerous people. She was the matriarch of the family.
She leaves her sister Jane Prescott (Robert); and her brother Richard Meader (Janice), and her loving caretaker of two years, Alice Chartier; four children, Norman Davis Jr. (Claudia) of Sandy, OR, Donald Davis (Christie) of Littleton, Colo., Carol Davis of Stonington, and Nelson Davis of Putnam; five grandchildren: Glenn Davis, Everett Davis, Tristin Gleason (Dan), Claudia Davis-Williams, and Isabelle Davis; four great-grandchildren: Logan Sigla, Devon Hedding, Luke Gleason and Nicholas Gleason; and a great-great-grandson, Carter Sigla. She was predeceased by: her husband, Norman Ellis Davis; her brother Stanley Meader; her sisters Ruth Merrill, Marjorie Peters; and her brother Ray L. Meader.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Rockville Tolland Seventh Day Adventist Church, 9 Hartford Turnpike, Tolland. Donations: Charity of your choice. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Barbara J. Messier
PUTNAM — Barbara J. (Heath) Messier, 75, of Killingly Ave., died Feb. 16, 2019, at Hartford Hospital. She was the wife of Gerard Messier Jr. Born in 1943 in Spencer, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Albert and Elizabeth (Summers) Heath.
Mrs. Messier worked for many years at Borden Candy Company in N. Grosvenordale until its closing.
She enjoyed crafting with plastic canvas, crossword puzzles, and listening to Country Western music. She loved spending time with her family as frequent visits to see her husband at the Matulaitis Nursing Home.
She leaves her husband; four children Gerard Messier Jr. (Tammy Jean), Valerie Schrump (Donald), Elizabeth Messier, and Cheryl Piligian (Robert), all of Putnam; two brothers Phillip and Albert Heath, both of Putnam; a sister Ethel Heath of Brooklyn; eight grandchildren Catherine, Timothy, Heather, Justin, Jared, Thomas, Kimberly, and Joshua; 11 great-grandchildren Lucas, Xavier, Zachary, Amy, Matthew, Skyler, Kadyn, Lexi, Anthony, Cameron, Trevor, and Ely; and her cat “Baby”. She was predeceased by a son Joseph Messier; and her siblings Robert Heath, Martha Ritchie, Beverly Benoit, and Dorothy Vanasse.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 24 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A Memorial Service will begin at noon. Burial take place in the spring in the Brooklyn South Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
Louis Bush
DANIELSON — Louis Alfred Bush, 81, of Danielson die Feb. 7, 2019.
He was employed at Hales Mfg. for many years. He enjoyed fishing, playing horseshoes and he was a big fan of the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox and Elvis Presley.
He leaves his wife of more than 40 years, Joanne (LaBonte) Bush; his children: Rose Marie (Bush) Ferrara, Karen Ann Bush, Steven Bush from Putnam and Louis Bush Jr. of N. Grosvenordale; seven grandchildren, Corey Cyr and Ryan Dauphinais (Putnam), Jamie Parker (Danielson), Skye, Jasmine, and Steven Garceau (Worcester), Sheila Aranjo (Fall River, Mass.); three great-grandchildren.
His family is planning a Celebration of Life which will be announced at a later date.
William E. Gendreau
QUINEBAUG — William E. Gendreau, 59, of Quinebaug, died Feb. 8, 2019, at William W. Backus Hospital of Norwich after a battle with cancer. William was born Sept. 26, 1959, in Southbridge, son of Henry “Pete” and the late Shirley (Talbot) Gendreau.
William graduated from Bay Path High School. He worked several years in the printing ink business. Most recently worked for Auto Zone in Webster as a commercial sales manager.
Willie devoted 41 years to the Quinebaug Vol Fire Dept. as captain. He proudly served as lieutenant with the Webster Fire Rescue and formerly with Southbridge Fire Dept. where he began his career in fire service.
He leaves his wife of 36 years, Justine (Bodreau) Gendreau; one daughter: Ashley Gendreau of Quinebaug; one son: Ryan Gendreau (Lucy) of Danielson; his father Henry “Pete” Gendreau; of Southbridge; one sister: Cheryl Gendreau of Auburn; his brothers and sisters in the fire service. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald Gendreau. A Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 14 at St. Stephen’s Church,in Quinebaug. Bartel Funeral Home, Dudley.
Emily Messier
DANIELSON — Emily (Voorhees) Dejardin Messier, 82, died Feb. 12, 2019, at the Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam.
She was born in Norwalk, daughter of the late Edwin Voorhees and Loretta (Prince) Voorhees and lived here all her life. Emily enjoyed crocheting and sewing. She leaves three sons, William Dejardin (Cheryl) of Dayville, Phillip Dejardin of Killingly and Ronald Dejardin of Connecticut; two daughters, Deborah Dejardin of New Hampshire and Ann Marie Stadig of Westborough, Mass.; 14 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; a brother Donald Voorhees of Florida. She was predeceased by a son, James Dejardin and a brother Robert Voorhees.
Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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