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Robert R. Blain,
Korean war vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Robert R. Blain, 83, of Rachel Dr., died Sept. 16, 2019, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of Patricia (Jamrogowicz) Blain. Born in 1935 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Norbert and Rose May (Molloy) Blain.
Mr. Blain served with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. To overcome his fear of heights, Bob went on to earn his pilot’s license. He worked as a biomedical technician at Day Kimball Hospital for 20 years. Prior to that he was a T.V. repairman for Mike’s T.V. and worked at Putnam Herzl. He liked boating around Long Island Sound and loved to take long rides on his motorcycle. He rode in the pace car and safety vehicles at Thompson Speedway and was an avid NASCAR fan. He took great pleasure in working on his computer to communicate with family and friends. He enjoyed being outside in his yard and listening to jazz music. Bob and his wife traveled to 48 states as well as Canada and Mexico.
In addition to his wife, Bob leaves his daughter, Nancy Berube (Ken); grandchildren, Adam, Mitchell, and Natalie.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 20 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Albert T. Collins Jr.,
Vietnam war vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Albert T. Collins Jr., 73, of Sunshine Terrace, died Sept. 17, 2019, at home. He was the husband of Diane (Jenkins) Collins. Born in 1946 in Providence, he was the son of the late Albert and Dorothea (Taylor) Collins.
Mr. Collins grew up in Warwick, R.I., and lived in Glocester, R.I., for 50 years while raising his family before moving to the “Quiet Corner” of Connecticut in a village of Thompson. He worked as a forklift operator for Anchor Glass for 32 years and Norampac for 13 years, retiring in 2011.
He was veteran of the Vietnam war serving with the U.S. Navy.
Albert’s favorite past times were playing guitar and singing, listening to music, especially the ‘40s.” He enjoyed watching baseball and sharing his love of steam trains with anyone who would listen. He was a kind hearted soul that would lend a hand or an ear to anyone in need.
In addition to his wife Diane, he leaves his son, Randy Collins of Glocester; his daughter, Wendy Parr (David) of Dayville; grandchildren, Brandi Collins and her partner Daniel Zielinski; Darren Collins (Krystal), Kassidy Collins, Savannah Collins, Jennifer Parr, and Melissa Parr; his great grandchildren, Malcom Zielinski, Sydney Zielinski, and Matthew Rosa; friends, especially Kevin Mack. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles T. Collins, and his sister, Eleanor A. Collins.
Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: Thompson Congregational United Church of Christ, PO Box 308, Thompson, CT 06277.
Leonard J. Lefevre,
military veteran
BROOKLYN — Leonard J. Lefevre, 72, of Brooklyn, formerly of New Britain and W. Hartford, died Sept. 9, 2019, at Davis Place in Danielson. He was born May 31, 1947, in Hartford, son of the late Theodore R. and Thelma (Dee) Lefevre.
Lenny was a 1966 graduate of Northwest Catholic High School in W. Hartford. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force (1967-71), and then a SSG in the U.S. Army (1980-86) and was honorably discharged.
Lenny worked at Farrell Treatment Center in New Britain for many years as a substance abuse counselor until his recent retirement due to health issues. He truly loved his job there as well as his colleagues and clients. Lenny was a friend of Bill W, and was the recipient of his 30-year medallion just days before he died.
He leaves his sister, Donna Bailey-Gates (Christopher) of Palm Coast, Fla.; cousins and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 20 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with military honors at St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Donations: Consider giving others a fighting chance against addiction by making a donation in his memory to: Farrell Treatment Center, c/o David Borzellino, 586 Main St., New Britain, CT 06051. Gagnon & Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Frank L. Weinand Jr.,
Navy vet
WOODSTOCK — Frank Weinand Jr., 77, died Sept. 20, 2019. Born in 1942 in Pendel, Penn., he was the son of the late Frank Weinand Sr. and Mary (Herner) Weinand. Frank was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He worked in computer programming for IBM for many years and later established a successful management consulting firm, FLW Associates, Inc serving as its president and principal owner until his retirement in 2009. Frank was a member of the VFW Post 207 in Putnam. He was an avid sports fan and especially loved NASCAR and the New England Patriots. Frank enjoyed performing Johnny Cash karaoke at local venues. He enjoyed a lively political debate and asked that, upon his death, it be revealed that he was the anonymous author of the Woodstock Patriot, a satirical local political newsletter distributed in the late 1990s.
He leaves his sons David Weinand (Valerie) of New Hampshire, Gregory Weinand (Kris) of Maine; daughter; Samantha Weinand of Holland, Mass.; one brother, Robert Weinand of Pennsylvania; four grandchildren: Jackie, Dylan, Carly and Kyle; and two great-grandchildren: Finnley and William. Frank was predeceased by a son, Michael Weinand, and a sister, Terry MacBlain.
A Celebration of Frank’s Life was Sept. 25 at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Providence St. in Putnam. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Knights of Columbus in Putnam; or VFW Post 207, also in Putnam.
Michael W. Bucher
THOMPSON — Michael W. Bucher, 53, of Thompson, died Sept. 17, 2019, after a battle with pancreatic cancer at home.
He was born Nov. 21, 1965, in Cornwall, N.Y., son of Richey L. and Joan (Schrepfer) Bucher. He was the husband of Tammy (Joly) Bucher. They were married July 9, 2005.
Michael was an avid bass fisherman and enjoyed his time on Quaddick Lake. He was a hardworking and good man. Michael had an infectious laugh and spirit.
He leaves his wife Tammy Bucher of Thompson; his mother Joan Bucher of Danielson; his daughters Samantha Charette (Matthew) of W. Warwick, R.I., and Michelle Bucher of Thompson; his brother Richey D. Bucher (Maureen) of Danielson; his dog Finley, his grand puppies Lucky, Riley and Winifred and all his fish (girls) in Quaddick Lake. He was predeceased by his father Richey L. Bucher and his sister Karen Bucher.
Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. Donations: Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168; or to Day Kimball Hospice, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.
B. Stammel-Dionne
PAWCATUCK — BobbieSue Stammel-Dionne, 37, of Pawcatuck, died unexpectedly Sept. 15, 2019, at home.
She was born April 26, 1982, in New London, daughter of Kathy Menghi and Bob Stammel. She was a former student at Plainfield Schools. The highlight of her days were spent hanging out with her miracle baby Preston.
She leaves her husband Jamie Dionne; her son Preston Dionne, her stepsons Austin Dionne and Aaron Dionne; her mother Kathy Menghi; her father Bob Stammel; her brothers Bill Menghi and Dennis Menghi; her half- sisters Stacey Black and Sarah Chiappone; her half- brother Tristen Stammel. She was predeceased by her two angels Hannah Dionne and Autumn Dionne.
The Funeral was Sept. 21 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with burial in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic. Donations: American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.
Michael J. Papini
WOODSTOCK — Michael J. Papini of Woodstock died Aug. 24, 2019. He was born April 7, 1969, in Norwich and was raised in Woodstock.
Michael graduated from Woodstock Academy in 1987 and then entered the three-year, postgraduate program in Aviation Maintenance at H. H. Ellis Regional Vocational Technical School in Danielson. Upon completion of that program he received the Aviation Maintenance diploma and the FAA Airframe and Powerplant License. He enrolled in an 1100-hour course in Avionics Maintenance and prepared for the FCC General Radio Operator’s License. After receiving the Avionics Maintenance Diploma, he transferred to Thames Valley Community College in Norwich and was granted an A. S. Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology. Michael was employed by many federal subcontractors.
The Red Sox baseball team and the Patriots team have lost an avid fan. Mike enjoyed sports, motorcycles, cars and wildlife. He was an avid reader of John Grisham novels.
Niece and nephew, Olivia and Giovanni, said: “Uncle Michael always had a loving spirit about him, a wonderful smile, and a great sense of humor.” They would always end up having a great time with Michael teasing them and teaching them to say that they were “Number 1”. The holidays and birthdays were always a joy. Michael always gave the kids thoughtful and funny cards, and they especially loved the candy canes he placed underneath the Christmas tree for them.
He leaves his mother, Patricia Papini, of Woodstock and was predeceased by his father, John Papini Jr. He also leaves a brother, John Papini (Heather) of Florida; a nephew, Giovanni; a niece, Olivia, both of Florida; an uncle, Stanley Kaiko (Beatrice) of South Carolina and their children; an uncle, Bob Kaiko (Lucy) of Connecticut and their children; one grandaunt, Ann Kaiko.
Visitation is at 9 a.m. Sept. 28 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with a procession to The Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, at 9:30 a.m. The Mass starts at 10 and burial follows at the Woodstock Hill Cemetery, Rt. 169, by Woodstock Academy, north campus. Following the burial, friends and family are invited to gather for lunch at the Papini residence on 50 Hopkins Road, Woodstock. Donations: The New Roxbury Land Trust, Inc., P.O. Box 98. Woodstock, CT 06281; or The Quiet Corner Garden Club, P.O. Box 1004, Woodstock, CT 06281.
Aldo Perez
BROOKLYN — Aldo Perez, 47, of Allen Hill Rd., died Sept. 14, 2019, at home. He was the husband of Rebekah (Arndt) Perez. Born in 1971 in Puerto Rico, he was the son of Antonio Perez and Carmen (Rivera) Aponte.
Aldo spent the final years of his life devoted to his family-natural and chosen. He was a grateful member of the Moutoudis Group family and had the fortuity to spend his days working beside men he loved like brothers. His first text every morning was to his best friend, Mike Leonard, and throughout his day he impacted everyone he came in contact with his kind words and genuine love for everyone. He retired every evening to his favorite spot on the couch watching CNN with his wife and his 3-year-old Angel, Lillian. Aldo successfully beat addiction and throughout his recovery worked tirelessly to support others recover from theirs ‘and build happy and meaningful lives. Aldo’s favorite things were cars, watches, politics, milk, shoes, Formula 1 racing, Sammi’s cheesecake, the New England Patriots, sushi with Mike Leonard, skating and surfing, great art and food. Aldo had a strong belief in God. In addition to his wife Rebekah, he leaves son, Adonis Perez of New London; daughters, Naomi Pagan of New London, Alannys Perez of New London, and Lillian Ana Perez of Brooklyn; brothers, Omar Perez, Tony Perez, and Luis Perez; sister, Wanda Perez; grandson, Xavior Perez. A Celebration of Life will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 29 at Wrights Mill Farm, 65 Creasy Rd. Canterbury. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.
Ryan Michael Bishop
N. GROSVENORDALE — Ryan Michael Bishop, 23, of N. Grosvenordale, died Sept. 17, 2019, at home. He was born in Southbridge, raised in N. Grosvenordale and graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School. He worked as a track service assistant at Thompson Speedway. He leaves his parent, Richard M. and Kerry L. (Sledzik) Bishop of Ocala, Fla.; a sister, Misty L. Bishop of N. Grosvenordale; a daughter, Kathryn M. Phillips; his paternal grandparents, Paul and Sandra Bishop Leesburg, Fla.; his maternal grandmother, Alma Arpin of N. Grosvenordale. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Leona LaFountain
WEBSTER — Leona LaFountain, 82, died Sept. 15, 2019, at Webster Manor. She was born in Webster, the eldest daughter of the late Joseph and Constance Jeffrey (Lamothe). She worked as a police dispatcher in Dudley. and was also the secretary to the chief of police. She enjoyed feeding the squirrels peanuts and watching them out the window. She leaves five children Lynne Sward of N. Grosvenordale, Ct; Mark LaFountain (Kim) of Northbridge, Mass., Luann LaFountain (David) of Oxford, Mass., Suzanne Chase of Webster, Leonard LaFountain (Karen) of Aliso Viejo, Calif.; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; one brother: Leonard Jeffrey (Sandy) of Foresthill, Calif.; two sisters: Elaine Jeffrey of Quinebaug and Jeanne Wunsch (Edward) of Webster. The Prayer Service was Sept. 24 at Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley, with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Webster. Donations: Dudley Police Association, 71 West Main St, Dudley, MA 01571.
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