Albert L. Cormier, Vietnam war veteran
PUTNAM — “On the Wings of Love” Albert Louis Cormier, 80, of Vandale Street, passed away peacefully Nov. 26, 2023, at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, after an unexpected illness. Born on July 24, 1943, in Putnam, Al was the son of the late Louis V. and Eva (Marion) Cormier and lived in Putnam for the majority of his life. He attended St. Mary’s School and Marianapolis Preparatory School, graduating from St. Francis College (University of New England) in Biddeford, Maine, with a bachelor’s degree in French in 1967.
After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1968, Al studied at the 528th Military Intelligence School at Fort Meade, Md., in the Interrogation Prisoners of War School, and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division – 25th Military Intelligence Detachment at Cu Chi, halfway between Saigon, Vietnam, and Cambodia, where he served from August 1968 until November 1969, receiving a Bronze Star Medal for his service. He then served in the Army Reserves until 1974 and enlisted in the Connecticut Army National Guard in 1981, retiring as a Major in January 2001. Al was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal from the U.S. Army, Medal of Merit from the State of Connecticut, and the Meritorious Service Award with Bronze Medal from the Selective Service System. His combined military career spanned 26 years.
In November 1974, Al married his sweetheart, Joyce Jewell, at St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale; together, they had two daughters, Carrie and Mandy, as well as two grandsons, Marcus and Miller. Al worked at local schools as a teacher, counselor, and administrator for 40 years, retiring from The Woodstock Academy in June 2010 after 22 years. As a beloved and highly respected educator, Al provided wisdom, humor, and love as he supported countless students and colleagues in northeastern Connecticut.
He had the ability to truly see the good in everyone as he provided the guidance that so many high school students needed. Because Al believed in them, he inspired them to believe in themselves. Beyond his work as a counselor, he coached soccer and used his GI Bill to earn graduate degrees, including a master’s degree in psychology and counseling from Assumption College. He was involved in numerous student, counseling, professional, and community service-related activities and organizations at the local, state, regional, and national levels and received countless awards and honors over his lifetime, including the Warren E. Shull National Student Council Adviser of the Year Award from the National Association of Student Councils (NASC/NASSP) in 1998 and the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from the Lions Clubs International Foundation in 2014.
A dedicated community member, Al was active with the American Legion Post 13 and was a member of the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse. He conducted a Veterans Coffee House at Matulaitis Nursing Home and was a member of the Military Officers Association, the 25th Infantry Division Association, and AMVETS. In addition, he was a Life Member of VFW Post 1523 in Putnam, the Putnam Knights of Columbus, and the Putnam Lions Club, where he founded the Putnam Leo Club and served as an adviser-team member.
Called “Chief” by those close to him, Al loved spending time with his wife and family, as well as attending Putnam and Thompson senior luncheons and ROMEO breakfasts with his retired teacher friends. He adored his two grandsons and was able to share in the joys of their activities.
He leaves his wife, Joyce (Jewell) Cormier; his daughters Carolyn (Cormier) Riendeau (and her husband Christopher, and their sons, Marcus and Miller) and Amanda (Cormier) Bernat (and her husband, James); his sisters Claire (Cormier) Emond (and her husband, Philip) and Janet (Cormier) LaBelle (and her husband, John) and their families; as well as his sisters-in-law Jane Ellison and Sandra LaBonte (and her husband, Lawrence); cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families; and countless close friends, who were an extension of his family.
Visitation is from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Additional visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4, also in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Dec. 4 at St. Mary’s Church, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial will follow at noon. in West Thompson Cemetery, Riverside Drive, Thompson. Donations: Putnam II Leo Club, P.O. Box 535, Putnam, CT 06260-0535; or the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, c/o Putnam Elks Lodge, 64 Edmond St., Putnam, CT 06260-2221.
Richard W. Lamothe,
National Guard
PUTNAM — Richard W. Lamothe, 70, of Walnut Road, died Nov. 27, 2023, after a short illness surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Christine (Beaupre) Lamothe for 46 years. Born in 1953 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Raymond Lamothe and Blanche (Montpelier) Lamothe.
Richard was the third generation to own and operate the family business, Modern Lumber where he served his friends and neighbors for the last 54 years. He began working for his uncle at age 16 and purchased the business in 2003.
He also served in the Army National Guard. He enjoyed cars, gardening and going to his cottage at Roy Carpenter’s Beach in Matunuck. He also thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and his dog, Libby.
In addition to his wife Christine, he leaves his son Chad Lamothe and his wife Natasha and her children, all of Putnam; his daughter Holly Mayo and her husband Troy and their children Benjamin Mayo and Bethany Mayo, all of Putnam; his brother Robert Lamothe (Simonne) of Brooklyn; his sister Linda Bernier (Gerard) of Scotland; nieces and nephews Melanie Whitcomb, Courtney Lamothe, Dawn Bernier, Devin Bernier, and Emily Waite.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home at 9 a.m. Dec. 2 followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial will be private. Donations: Daily Bread or to TEEG.
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