- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Peter 'Chico' Andersen
PUTNAM — Peter R. Andersen, lovingly known to all as “Chico,” died unexpectedly on April 30, 2019. Chico was born in June 1953 in Teaneck, N.J. During his childhood his family moved to northeastern Connecticut.
Chico loved his little town and wanted nothing more than to serve it as a Putnam police officer, and at the age of 42 he fulfilled his dream. He was the definition of a community police officer. He was highly thought of and frequently sought after by the residents of Putnam. When people needed help, they knew where to go, Chico.
Chico served on the Putnam Police Department for 20 years before retiring. In his time, he served as a D.A.R.E. officer, was the face of the Thanksgiving meal drives outside of Price Chopper and was even known to stop motorists on holidays to give them gift baskets and to wish them well on their way and happy holidays. There is no true way to measure just how many people he touched, but his loss is felt by countless members of the community.
The outpouring of love and support his family has already received is a testament to the amazing man he was and how much he was loved.
In his retirement Chico enjoyed playing countless hours of bad golf and holding court at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Woodstock Avenue with his Dunkin’ Crew. He was always more interested in how others were and would go out of his way to make sure everyone felt welcomed at his table. He truly cherished the people he saw day in and day out.
Chico always said the thing he was most proud of were his daughters. Whether it was family gatherings, holidays, family vacations, going to the movies or Sunday breakfasts his most treasured times were with Amy, Heather and their families.
Chico is predeceased by his brother Mark Andersen, his mother Lois Andersen, and his father Carl J. Andersen. He leaves his daughters Amy T. Moriarty and her partner Joe Fogarty, and his daughter Heather L. Andersen and son-in-law Rick Stanley and his grandsons Dominique and Roman Stanley; siblings Anne Harninger, Sally Andersen, Niel Andersen, Carla Andersen (Marcus Walther), Laura Lefevre (Richard), Judith Holt, Ingrid Lincoln (Wayne), Ellen Andersen, and Gus Andersen (Laura Fisher-Andersen); nieces, nephews and close friends.
Visitation was May 7 in Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, 565 Ashford Center Rd, Ashford, CT 06278.
Albert C. Desrosiers,
WWII vet
CONCORD, N.H. — Albert C. Desrosiers, 97, died April 26, 2019, at Espsom Healthcare Center, Epsom, N.H. He was the husband of the late Gloria (Lamoureux) Desrosiers who died on Nov. 13, 2000. Born in 1922 in Woonsocket, R.I., he was the son of the late Onesime and Eloise (Desrosiers) Desrosiers.
Mr. Desrosiers was a proud WWII veteran who served in the Army Air Corps on Iwo Jima as a truck driver and parachute rigger. He worked as a machinist and upholsterer, and later as a sewing machine repairman for Inter Royal Corp. in Plainfield. He was a past Commander of the American Legion Post 67 in N. Grosvenordale and was a member of the Thompson (CT) VFW. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a communicant of Christ the King Parish in Concord for the past 18 years. He enjoyed playing cards.
He leaves his sons, Andre Desrosiers (Cheryl) of Thompson, Roger Desrosiers (Susanne) of Concord, and Marcel Desrosiers (Deborah) of Brattleboro, Vt..; sister, Anita Lamoureux of Woonsocket, R.I.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Albert was predeceased by his brother “Bob” Desrosiers and his sister Blanche Dube.
The Mass of Christian Burial was May 3 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Al would have liked everyone who knew him to please remember a WWII veteran today. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Donald P. Valade,
Korean war vet
PUTNAM — Donald P. Valade, 87, of Thayer St., died Jan. 24, 2019, at Day Kimball Hospital. He was united in marriage on July 1, 1972, to the late Theresa A. (Picciarelli) Valade. Born in 1931 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Joseph and Irene (Rocheleau) Valade.
Mr. Valade proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean war. He went on to work as a material handler for Putnam Herzl for 27 years. He was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation. He was a Lifetime member of the Albert J. Breault VFW Post #1523.
He leaves his sister, Constance Rivette (James) of Lewes, Del.; his sister in-laws, Kay Picciarelli-Small, Claire Valade and Jeannette Valade; nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brothers, Richard Valade and J. Robert Valade.
The Mass of Burial was May 8 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial with military honors in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Bettie Churchill
Bettie L. (Brothers) Churchill died April 24, 2019, at home. She was the wife of the late Harold O. Churchill. She was born July 22, 1950, in Norwich. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Betty (Miller) Brothers.
A 1968 graduate of Bacon Academy she and her late husband owned H&R bakery of Colchester. She also managed the Wendy’s in Putnam and worked at the Putnam Walmart. She enjoyed camping.
She leaves her son Harold R. Churchill (Terri) of Ballouville; her daughter Tammie (Churchill) Achorn (George) of Danielson, Bobbie Jo Churchill and fiance Greg Joslin of Putnam; grandchildren Courtney and Ryan Churchill of Ballouville, George Achorn III of Danielson; great-grandson Dakota Churchill of Ballouville; sister Lorna Rae (Brothers) Aldrich (Gary) of Florida; brother Jay Brothers (Dawn) of E. Hartford. She was predeceased by her sister Marcia Ray (Brothers) Wroblinski and her late husband Stephen Sr.
There were no services. In her memory she loved yellow daffodils you can plant some and remember her everytime they bloom. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Darlene ‘Judy’ Kizis
N. GROSVENORDALE — On April 8, 2019, Darlene Judith “Judy” Kizis went down swinging after a short, intense battle with cancer at home. She was born on Dec. 12, 1948, in Southbridge, Mass., to Ralph and Blanche (Borey) Mondor and was raised and educated in Charlton, Mass.
Judy was a loving friend to all the creatures that walk, fly, and swim on this planet be they great or small. To all that met and knew Judy it should be easy to picture her laughing, her intense blue eyes flashing, as she nodded her head in approval at the following epitaph:
When this you see, remember me, / And bear me in your mind, / Let all the world say what they may, / Speak of me as you find.
She leaves her husband of 40 years, Matthew; sons, Eric and Shane; daughter, Dawn Marie; stepdaughter, Tasha; grandchildren, a great-granddaughter; her sisters, Suzanne and Debby; and a brother, Ralph. She was predeceased by two brothers, James and Richard and a sister, Rita.
Services were private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Benjamin Kondysar Sr.
PUTNAM — Benjamin M. Kondysar Sr., 63, of Ballou St., died April 29, 2019, at Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1955 in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late Boleslaus and Sophie A. (Valicki) Kondysar.
Mr. Kondysar enjoyed working on the family farm, Guardian Glass, groundskeeper at Roseland Park, and a watchman at Beldings in N. Grosvenordale. He later became a professional wrestler with the WWE and was known as the “Masked Superstar,” “Masked Marvel” and “Ben Bronski,” partnering with Steamboat Steve. Ben also enjoyed referring himself as a “Master Scrapper.” Ben also worked at various night clubs across three states and was known as the Dancing Doorman by many.
He leaves two sisters, Sandra Montie (Robert) of Putnam and Roseann Montie of Danielson; nephew, Andrew Joseph Montie of Putnam. He was predeceased by his parents and his son Benjamin Kondysar Jr.
Donations may be made directly to the funeral home: Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Barbara McDuffie
PUTNAM — Barbara F. McDuffie, 78, of Sabin St., died April 27, 2019, at home. Born in 1940 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Regina (Gagne) Cady. She was a graduate of Putnam High School in the Class of 1958.
Barbara worked for many years as a secretary in the business office at Day Kimball Hospital. She enjoyed trips to the casinos with her friend Ellen Hayes, visiting her son in New York, attending Mass at Most Holy Trinity Church, square dancing, and traveling with her dear friend, John Hackett.
She leaves her children, Candice Guli (James) of Pomfret Center; Robert Pawlikowski (Judy) of Rome, N.Y.; grandchildren, Celeste Bruyere (Sean), Randy Pawlikowski and fiancé Lauren Hoalcraft, Todd Pawlikowski, Casey, Cody and Corinne Guli; her cat, “Baby Kat.”
She was predeceased by her siblings, Arthur Cady, Louis Cady, Norman Cady, George Cayer, Blanche Defocy, Florence Adams, Beatrice Sumner, and Jean Roy.
A graveside service will be at 9:30 a.m. May 18 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Hospice of NECT, P.O. Box 632 , Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
John B. Polanski
BROOKLYN — John B. Polanski, 76, a life long resident of Brooklyn and Killingly, died in his sleep April 30, 2019, at home. Born Feb. 8, 1943, in Putnam, son of the late John and Josephine (Nixon) Polanski.
He was a 1963 graduate of Harvard H. Ellis Tech, majoring in architectural drafting. He graduated from Hartford State Technical Institute in 1965, majoring in civil engineering. He joined the Danielson Fire Department in 1961, at 18 and was a past fire chief (1978-81) of the E. Brooklyn Fire Department, spending 17 years with the department.
John loved collecting antiques and going to auctions. He was a milk bottle collector and an antique dealer. John was a life member of the Windham County Agricultural Society. He ran Jeremiah’s Antiques in Putnam for several years. John was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping, fishing, ice fishing and going to the beach. He was a sports fan of the UConn women’s basketball, New England Patriots, New York Yankees and a golf fan.
He leaves his daughters Christine A. Chenail of Brooklyn, Kelly J. Rivers (James) of Pomfret, Sharon L. Korsu (Jay Jr.) of Brooklyn; grandchildren Devin, Daniel, Katherine, Keenan, Hali and Emma; sister Joyce Lyons of Southbury; nephews Michael and Benjamin; his companion and caregiver Lisa Danburg, who lived with John and his dogs Zoey and Miley.
The Funeral was May 4 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. Donations: E. Brooklyn Fire Department, 15 South Main Street, Brooklyn, CT 06234.
John J. Toper Jr.
DAYVILLE — John “Sonny” Toper came around the bend, down home stretch and crossed the finish line for the last time on April 28, 2019, at Westview Healthcare, Dayville.
He was born Jan. 17, 1938, in Putnam to John and Viola Toper Sr.
John graduated from Putnam Trade School and worked various construction jobs mostly for Pete Zadora Builders. He coached and played softball for Wildwood Restaurant in Killingly. John’s true passion/obsession was horse racing. For 65 years he never achieved the ultimate perfecta.
If you met John, you knew instantly he was a unique human being. For those who did not, think Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino or Kramer on Seinfeld. Underneath his eccentricities and idiosyncrasies was a kind compassionate human being, always trying to buy someone a grinder at Better Valu Supermarket.
Early in retirement John learned the value of a daily routine. These people made his day enjoyable: Mike and Rhea from Stop & Shop, Matt’s Vegetable Stand, Jen from Saveway and his colleagues from WINNERS at Black Dog.
He leaves his sister Irene (Paul) Koistinen; brother Richard (Lucy) Toper, nieces and nephews, Natalie (Gerald) Morey, Richard (Debra) Gaudreau, Dr. David (Billie) Gaudreau, Renee (Julius) Angelini, Robert (Kim) Koistinen, Susan (Ralph) Santabarbara, Mark Toper and Kelly (Paulo) De Marino. John was predeceased by his sister Helen (Richard) Gaudreau and niece Donna Robinson. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
George E. Therrien
N. GROSVENORDALE — George E. Therrien, 81, of Fabyan Rd., died May 3, 2019, at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. He was the husband of Jacqueline (Savage) Therrien. Born in 1937 in N. Grosvenordale, he was the son of the late Joseph at and Alberta (Houle) Therrien.
George was employed as a machinist and worked for Wyman Gordon in Worcester. He was a member of the West Thompson Fire Department and was an avid NASCAR, UConn women’s basketball and the Boston Red Sox fan. George especially loved the time he spent with his family at Old Orchard Beach and the trips to Loudon, N.H., with his sons and grandsons.
In addition to his wife, he leaves two sons, Richard (Melissa) Therrien of New Boston, N.H., Philip (Wanda) Therrien of Wauregan; daughter, Celeste Therrien of Putnam; daughter in-law, Kylee Therrien of Florida; two brothers, Norman (Anita) of N. Grosvenordale, and Paul (Jackie) of Ariz.; two sisters, Theresa Oloff and Rita Poirier both of Massachusetts; three grandsons, Mark, Andrew (Gina), and Randall; three step grandchildren, Heather, Josh, and Stephanie; two great-grandsons, Luke and Jude; and three step great-grandsons, Gavin, Joe, and Jamiel; brother-in-law, Ernest Savage; two sister-in-laws, Edna Harpin and Marie Corriuveault. He was predeceased by his son, Edward Therrien; and three brothers, Raymond, Roger, and Gerard Therrien.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. May 8 in Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A gathering begins at 9 a.m. May 9 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT. 06489; West Thompson Fire Department, 248 W Thompson Rd, N. Grosvenordale, CT. 06255; or St. Joseph Food Pantry, 20 Main St. North Grosvenordale, CT. 06255.
William Zamagni Sr.,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — William “Mr. Z” Zamagni Sr., 93, died peacefully on April 28, 2019, at Westview Health Care Center, Dayville. He was the husband of the late Barbara (Popple) Zamagni. Born Sept. 30, 1925, in Putnam he was the son of the late Amedeo and Robelinda (Meotti) Zamagni. Mr. Zamagni proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy during WWII. He worked at the former Putnam Woolen Mill and was a mail carrier for the Putnam Post Office. He was a member of the Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam. He enjoyed Big Band music, jazz, doing crossword puzzles and playing solitaire. He leaves his sons, William Zamagni Jr. (Kathleen) of Putnam, and Charles Zamagni (Nancy) of Putnam; his daughters, Pamela Coderre (Maurice “Moe”) of Putnam, and Penelope Zamagni (Robert Baskerville) of Todd, N.C.; his grandchildren: Derek Coderre and his wife Stacie, Lance Coderre (Lisa Tonnessen), Jason Zamagni (Eileen), Matthew Zamagni (Candice), and Army SSG Andrew Zamagni; and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Zamagni Sr.; and his sisters, Elaine Rovatti, and Nora Byrne. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. May 8 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Aspinock Historical Society of Putnam, Inc. PO Box 465, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
..