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POMFRET CENTER — Sgt. Joseph M Johnson, 84, of Freedley Road died unexpectedly July 1, 2023. He was the husband of Patricia (McMorrow) Johnson for 63 years. Born in 1938 in Lynn, Mass., he was the son of the late Joseph and Esther (Ricketts) Johnson, and predeceased by his sister Carole Ann (Johnson) DeCosta.
He married the love of his life, Patricia McMorrow in 1960 in Taunton, Mass. Together they raised their four daughters and moved to be closer to their grandchildren as they came along. He leaves his daughters Susan Johnson and her partner Tommy Cherubino of Chaplin, Karen Johnson and her partner Cindy Bishop of Dayville and Arlington, Mass., Linda Thompson (David) of Mendon, Mass., and AnneMarie Larkin (Jim) of Pomfret; five grandchildren: Jack and Owen Thompson and Mason, Cooper and Avery Rose Larkin who were the light of his life; his baby brother Robert Johnson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nieces, nephews and extended families.
Joseph grew up in Taunton, and graduated from Msgr. James Coyle Boys High School Class of 1956. He joined the U.S. Navy in June of 1956 as a Radioman 3rd Class. He served in the Pacific on the USS Zelima AF-49, a refrigeration ship, and in the Atlantic on the USS Pawcatuck AO-108, an Oiler. He received an Honorable Discharge in December of 1959.
He was a member of the Massachusetts State Police from 1962 to 1968. In 1968 the family moved to Connecticut and he became a member of the Connecticut State Police until 1991. He retired as a sergeant in the Eastern District Major Crime Squad in 1991. He spent most of his career at Troop D Danielson but worked all over the state.
He was a 4tn degree Black Belt in karate and ran the Danielson Karate Club in the 1980s where he enjoyed teaching and competing. He was the security director for the Swiss Bank Corp in their USA Precious Metals Refinery for five years. He also served as the security director for the Woodstock Fair for five years. After retiring, each month he ran a breakfast in Putnam with other Troop D retired troopers. Once a year he ran a Southwest Florida Get Together for retired troopers and their spouses in Punta Gorda, Fla., while they lived there.
Joe was a life member in the Putnam Elks Lodge. He enjoyed fishing and learning how to make and use his own flies. Joe and his wife Patricia traveled in their motorhomes for a number of years up and down the East coast, and met and made many friends. They were members of the Holiday Ramblers R.V. Club.
The Mass of Christian Burial was July 7 in Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with private burial. Donations: TEEG in North Grosvenordale, CT, https://teegonline.org/giving. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Robert MacFarlane III
EASTFORD — Robert MacFarlane III, 71, of Eastford, died peacefully on June 28, 2023, at his home.
He was born on Aug. 8, 1951, in Putnam, son of the late Robert and Arline (Young) MacFarlane Jr.
Robert was owner of RM Trucking of Eastford for 40 years. He also owned and operated RM’s Diner in Eastford and RM Bar and Grill in Ashford. Robert was an avid vegetable gardener and loved to cook.
He leaves his life partner of 33 years Karyn Reiner of Eastford; his daughter Jessi MacFarlane (Daniel Dombrowski) and their sons Caleb and Lucas of Woodstock; his step children Zachary Reiner (Samantha) and their children Ilsa and Jonas of Eastford, and Jessica Lostrappo (James) and their son Alexander of Putnam; his nephew David O’Brien (Wendy) of Eastford.
A Graveside Service will be at 11 a.m. Aug.12 in Grove Cemetery, Eastford. A celebration of life will follow. Donations: Day Kimball Hospice of Northeast Connecticut PO Box 632 Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Phillip E. Willis
EASTFORD — Phillip E. Willis passed away peacefully July 8, 2023, at home.
Phil was born Dec. 8, 1959, in Putnam to Robert P. Willis Sr. and Doris “Dodie” Ayers Willis. He grew up in Eastford, where he lived most of his life. Phil was a graduate of The Woodstock Academy and Paul Smith’s College, where he received degrees in forestry and surveying. He owned and operated P. Willis Construction, Inc. for 43 years, retiring in the spring of 2022.
A lifelong coach and mentor, Phil was an inspiration for those around him. His love for sports and providing opportunities for youth led Phil to spend decades advocating for and supporting youth organizations and youth sports, including coaching at St. Mary’s School, Eastford Elementary School, Frock Rock Youth Basketball, NECONN Soccer, Northeast United Premier Soccer and The Woodstock Academy. He enjoyed many years of service as a member of The Woodstock Academy Foundation, the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center and the Pomfret Lions Club. Phil was recognized for his efforts by NECASA, the Eastford Athletic Hall of Fame, The Woodstock Academy and by Frog Rock Youth Basketball, receiving the SSG Joseph E. Phaneuf II Memorial Award for Dedication. He will be forever remembered for his ability to inspire others to be their best and to have a true sense of self-belief.
Phil had an infectious sense of humor and lived each day to the fullest. He found great joy in helping others do the same. He enjoyed spending time in Florida, traveling, and spending time with his loved ones creating wonderful memories.
He leaves the love of his life, his soulmate and wife of 31 years, Stacey; his sons Blake Willis (Mary) of Virginia Beach, Vir., and Ryan Willis (Taylor) and his first grandchild, Hayes Phillip, of Bridgewater, Mass.; and his “Pippy,” daughter Abigail “Abby” Willis of W. Hartford; his brother Robert Willis Jr. (Kristen) of Eastford; his sister Caroline “Cally” Robbins (Edward) of Dayville; his mother- and father-in-law Vincent and Suzanne Maltese of Tinton Falls, N.J.; his sister-in-law Tina Woodward (Gary) of Holmdel, N.J., and his brother-in-law Adam Maltese (Andrea) of Bloomington, Ind.; nieces and nephews: Justin Willis and his daughters; Jordan Willis (Milka) and their sons; Angela Morelly and husband Mike and their son; Jim Robbins and wife Breanna and their son; Andrew, Max and Scott Woodward; and Juliana and Cecil Maltese.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. July 15 at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 Child Hill Road, Woodstock. Donations: the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 401 Park Dr., Suite 22 West, Boston, MA 02215; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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