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Alexandria Leighton,
artist
LEICESTER, Mass. — Alexandria C. Leighton, 34, of Boyd Street, died Feb. 8, 2013, in UMass University Campus in Worcester. Born in 1978 in Natick, Mass., she was the daughter of Dwight Leighton and his wife Sharon of Woodstock, and Jean (Carroll) Leighton of Fitchburg, Mass.
Alexandria worked as a social worker for Faith House. She created and sold her own artwork which included painting on canvas and handmade jewelry. She served as a sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous and volunteered for children’s Bible study. She enjoyed coaching soccer and basketball for her brothers and sisters.
In addition to her parents, she leaves brothers, Adam Leighton and Kevin Leighton, both of Woodstock; sisters, Katrina Leighton and Cassandra Leighton both of Woodstock; and her paternal grandparents, Joyce Leighton of Baldwinville, Mass., and Grover Leighton of Eugene, Org.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Agnes Plantier
BROOKLYN — Agnes Plantier, 92 of Hartford Road, died Jan. 24, 2013, at home.
She was the wife of the late Arthur Plantier. She was born April 11, 1920, in Putnam, daughter of the late Arthur Wilfred and Celia Goncharrow. Agnes was an LPN, she worked at the Westview Nursing Home for more than 25 years, she had also worked for a physician’s office in Willimantic and Willimantic Thread Company.
She made her home in Brooklyn most of her life, a communicant of Our Lady of LaSallette Church in Brooklyn. She was a devout Catholic. She enjoyed puzzles, crafts and flowers. Agnes was outgoing, loving, and was soft spoken.
She leaves her son, Arthur “Skip” Plantier of Brooklyn; a sister, Sophie Pizzo of Jewett City; grandchildren, Beverly Plantier of Jefferson, Ga.; Audrey Plantier of Thompson; Laurie Plantier of Dayville; great-grandchildren: Mariah Plantier, Chad Plantier, Kolisha Bancroft, Justin Plantier, Crystal Turnquist; great-great-grandchildren: Jaelynn Plantier, Ladon Bancroft, Eden Plantier. She was predeceased by her siblings, Alice Edenfield, Gladys Tryon, Frank Goncharrow and Helen.
Services will be at a later date. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
R. ‘Dick’ Provencher
DAYVILLE — Richard Provencher, 84, of Dayville, died Feb. 2, 2013, at home.
He was the husband of the late Shirley (Zulkiewicz) Provencher.. Dick and Shirley were married Oct. 1, 1953. She died May 5, 2011.
He was born Dec. 25, 1928, in Danielson, son of the late Thomas and Aurore (Marquis) Provencher. In his early teens Dick began work by delivering groceries at Meyers Market in Danielson, and eventually became the store’s butcher.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Company C-169th Infantry, where he was fortunate to have been able to travel to Switzerland and Germany. Dick always said those were some of the best years of his life. He was a member of the Danielson Blackhawks football team.
In December 1961 he purchased Dick’s Esso in Attawaugan. In 1977 he moved the business to what is currently Dick’s Dayville Garage in Dayville. Dick never cared to retire and continued to work at the garage until he was 82. Dick’s passion was taking good care of his many loyal customers. Back in the day, he had a huge customer following and prided himself for being known as fair and honest. Using his knowledge and experience from Meyer’s Market, in the early 1960’s Dick had what was considered one of the first gas stations that doubled as a convenience store. He sold candy, snacks, ice cream, Stewart sandwiches, groceries, various sundries and even Christmas trees. Dick’s Esso was “the” place to hang out for many young hot rodders and their muscle cars. Dick had a great sense of humor, and loved to play pranks on his employees as well as his customers.
Dick enjoyed watching sports with his boys, and cheering for his favorite teams the Patriots, Celtics & especially the Boston Red Sox. He also enjoyed arguing loudly and colorfully with the umpires and refs.
He leaves sons Richard (Ellen Marie) of Pomfret Center, Brian and Dale of Dayville; Kim (fiancée April Landry) of Grosvenordale. He was predeceased by siblings: Lillian Tomasik; Dolores Gluck; Doris Hopkins, Ernest Provencher..
Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St. Putnam. Immediately following (doors open at 11 a.m.) please join us at Gaudreau’s Auction Gallery & Function Center (formerly St. Ignatius Church in Rogers) 21 Williamsville Rd., Dayville. There will be lunch as well as a celebration of life for both Dick and Shirley.
A Mass with burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dayville, will be held at a later date.
Donations: Hospice of NE CT, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Paul Bessenaire Sr.,
Korean war vet
DAYVILLE — Paul J. Bessenaire Sr., 79, of Putnam Road Feb. 6, 2013, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam.
He was born Aug. 29, 1933, in Pawtucket, R.I., son of the late Ulysse S. and Evelina (Pinsonneault) Bessenaire.
He was the husband of the late Gloria (Perreault) Bessenaire for 57 years.
They were married Aug. 13, 1955, at Our Lady of LaSalette Church in Brooklyn. Mrs. Bessenaire died Aug. 8, 2011.
Paul served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
He enlisted at age 17 with the permission of his mother. After he returned from the war he worked at Vandale’s Variety in Danielson where he met his future wife Gloria.
He later worked in public service, first as a police officer in Putnam and later as a member of the Danielson Borough Police Department. He was last employed at CL&P.
Paul was also a member of the State Police Auxiliary.
He formerly served on the Killingly Town Council, St. James School Board of Education, various town committees; most recently the Killingly Public Safety Committee.
He was a communicant of St. James Church.
He leaves his children, Deborah Coolidge (Wayne) of S.Killingly, Michelle R. Brady (John) of Sterling, Marianne Bagley of Oxford, Paul J. Bessenaire Jr. (Robin) of Lake Wales, Fla., Peter J. Bessenaire (Debra) of Dayville and Patrick J. Bessenaire (Heather) of Danielson; brother Robert Bessenaire (Jeanne) of S. Killingly; 19 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Robert Perreault (Pauline) of Sterling and Raymond Perreault (Monique) of S. Killingly. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Wayne Bagley; brothers, Gerard and Raymond; sisters, Theresa and Cecile.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with full military honors at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson.
Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home Activities Fund, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.