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Victor J. Strama,
U.S. Army vet
WOODSTOCK — Victor J. Strama, 89, of Rocky Hill Rd., died Oct. 11, 2019, at home. He was the husband of Emma (Payos) Canas-Strama. Born in 1930 in Rayland, Ohio, he was the son of the late Michael and Josephine (Journee) Strama.
Mr. Strama was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Quartermaster and Transportation Corps in the Far East Command during the Korean war. He was a graduate of Oklahoma State University and the Siebel Institute of Technology and was one of 403 Certified Master Bakers in the U.S.
Mr. Strama was one of the founders and Charter Member of the Bread Bakers Guild of America, a 50-year member in the American Society of Baking, and the Retail Bakers of America. Mr. Strama served as a chief executive officer and operating officer with many blue-chip companies including Kellogg’s, Unilever USA, and the Walt Disney Company. Prior to his retirement in 2012, Victor was director of Bakery Manufacturing for Meijer in Middlebury, Ind. Victor was very proud that he had mentored many current leaders in the baking industry during his active career.
Mr. Strama had a passion for flying and was a private pilot from the age of 16 and was a 60-year member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Victor was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 47 in Putnam, the National Rifle Association, and a member of the American Legion, Post 111 in Woodstock.
He leaves his wife, Emma; a son, Veejay Strama of Boston; a daughter, Vickie J. Moreland of Vancouver, Wash.; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers, Michael and Robert Strama.
A private graveside service will be held at the CT Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Claire L. Gothreau
PUTNAM — Claire L. (Petrin) Gothreau, 87, of Fairmount St., died Oct. 10, 2019, at Davis Place Nursing Home. She was the wife of Leon N. “Bing” Gothreau. They were united in marriage on Oct. 11, 1952, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Born in 1932 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Pierre and Maria Petrin.
Mrs. Gothreau worked as a bank teller for Citizen’s National Bank and was a member of the Putnam Senior Citizens and the Daughters of Isabella. She enjoyed traveling, shopping and bowling.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her son, James Gothreau of Putnam; her daughter, Elaine Richmond (Clark) of Pomfret Center; her sister, Florence LaRose of Putnam; her grandchildren, Michele Norman, Clinton Richmond, Paisley Gothreau, and Shai-Lin Gothreau; and her great-grandchildren, Luke Norman, Lydia Norman, Francesca Richmond and Lorenzo Richmond. She is predeceased by her brother, Norman “Pep” Petrin.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 15 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation Church, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Gregory Neil Sharp
Gregory Neil Sharp, 72, died Sept., 29, 2019.
Born in 1947, in Rome, N.Y., he was the son of the late Kenneth and Winifred (Sprague) Sharp.
At the age of 10 Greg moved to Shelton.
He worked for several years at Bill’s Bedding in Danielson.
Greg’s hobbies included collecting keychains.
Greg had several good friends in the Putnam area which he took great satisfaction in being with.
He leaves his sisters Barbara Duncan of Mirror Lake, N.H., Wanda Sharp of Shelton, Beverly Ricci of Bethel and Anita Lord of Southington; 13nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Neil Wellington Sharp.
Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Luke A. Adams
CANTERBURY — Luke A. Adams, 41, of Canterbury, died Oct. 1, 2019, at Backus Hospital in Norwich.
Luke was born in 1978 in Putnam, son of Gary Adams Sr. of Connecticut and Karen (Burdick) Schneider and husband Kirk of Virginia.
Luke enjoyed working as a heavy equipment operator for local contractors.
He loved the New York Yankees and New York Giants, was an avid fisherman, loved the outdoors.
He was a member of the Men’s Auxiliary VFW Post 4908 in E. Killingly and a life member of Demolay-Israel Putnam Chapter Sponsored by Moriah Lodge in Brooklyn & Putnam 46.
Besides his parents, he leaves his son Brendin Adams and his mother Tracy Adams of Putnam; brothers and sisters, Rich Chmelko of Moosup, J.R. Adams of Moosup, twin sister Heather Adams of Canterbury, Jason Adams of Killingly and Alisha Adams of Gaston, S.C.; step brothers Brandon and Kris Schneider; stepsister Ellen Schneider of Virginia. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
Robert Allen Billings
DAYVILLE — Robert Allen Billings, 56, of Dayville died unexpectedly Oct. 3, 2019, at home.
He was born July 4, 1963, in Putnam, son of the late Margaret Cote.
Robert was the husband of Colette (Cee Jae) Damuth.
They were married on Oct. 6, 2002. Robert was a graduate of Ponaganset High School in N. Scituate, R.I.
He was a professional truck driver for M & M Transportation, Inc. in Putnam.
Formerly, Bob and his wife spent 8 years driving together as long-haul owner-operators through 48 states, and they loved working together.
Bob enjoyed woodworking, fishing, mechanics.
Besides his wife he leaves two daughters, Caitlin Phillips of Putnam and Kelsey (Billings) Kegel of Plainfield; his step-son Vincent Leatham; six grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother Margaret and brother Richard.
A Celebration of Life will be from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Putnam Lodge of Elks – in Putnam. Donations: S. Killingly Volunteer Fire Dept. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
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