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Owen A. Tarr
PUTNAM — Owen A. Tarr, died March 15, 2022 after a lengthy illness. He was born in 1946 in Putnam, the son of the late Carroll and Thelma (Houdlette) Tarr.
Owen was a well-known and respected lifelong resident of the area. He was the director at 7 Hills Foundation where he worked with developmentally delayed adults. He enjoyed playing baseball in his early years and was instrumental in running the Putnam Softball League for many years. Owen later served as the chairman of the Putnam Recreation Committee for 40 years and also was elected and served on the Putnam Board of Selectmen for 25 years. He was a longtime fan and season ticket holder of the New England Patriots.
He leaves his longtime companion Nancy Best; his sister, Lurena (Tarr) Heath; and his cat Dúkie. He was predeceased by brothers, Calvin A. Tarr and Caroll Tarr.
The Funeral Service was March 19 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam. A private graveside service will take place later. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St, Rocky Hill, CT 06067; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489.
Francis ‘Howard’
Edwards Jr.
WOODSTOCK — Francis “Howard” Edwards Jr., 92, died March 16, 2022, at Westview Health Care Center after a brief illness. In 1969, Howard married Pauline (Jones) Wonoski who predeceased him.
Born Oct. 2, 1929, to the late Francis H. Edwards Sr. and Evelyn P. (Sinclair) Edwards, he lived in Woodstock his entire life. After graduating from Woodstock Academy in 1948, he worked in the construction industry and then went on to start his own business, Edward’s Roofing in 1974. Howard’s son Wayne later joined him in the business, and Howard ran until his death.
Howard enjoyed working in the garden that Pauline established before her death. He also enjoyed feeding the birds and deer. He will be missed by his furry companion cat Cali.
He leaves his son, Wayne Edwards (Laurie) of Putnam; and his daughter, Sherry Engh (Peter) of E. Woodstock; his grandson, Jotham Edwards; his granddaughter, Kayla Engh (James Roy); his great-granddaughter, Hannah Roy; his sister, Marilyn Sherman of Woodstock; his sister in-law, Patricia Edwards of Delaware; He was predeceased by his sons, Walter, Dennis, and Dale; his brother, Gerald “Gee” and his brother in-law, Allen Sherman.
Following cremation, a private service and burial will be held at the East Woodstock Cemetery. Donations: Muddy Brook Fire Department, P.O. Box 222, E. Woodstock, CT 06244. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Lorraine L. LaPorte
THOMPSON — Lorraine L. LaPorte, 84, of Thompson, died March 18, 2022, in the Westview Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Adrien LaPorte, who died in 2012. They were married for 17 years.
Loraine was born in 1937 in Putnam. She was the daughter of the late Lawrence Gagne and Eva (Trahan) Gagne.
Her last place of employment was Crabtree and Evelyn in Woodstock. Lorraine enjoyed camping and traveling with the Plainfield Seniors. She also enjoyed spending time with family, especially her seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She leaves her daughters, Debra Castonguay (Jack) of Thompson, and Denise Briere (Albert) of Putnam;, son Dennis Lyon (Denise) of Port Richey, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Tami, Holly, Dusten, Jessica, Russell, Jarod, and Zachary; and eight great-grandchildren, Tyler, Madison, Cole, Ava, Brandan, Allison,Abby, and Rylee.
At Lorraine’s request, services are respectfully omitted. Donations: The Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.
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