Lillian Bennett

EASTFORD — Lillian Blanche (Erskin) Bennett, 82, of Eastford, died April 7, 2016. 

She was born Oct. 13, 1933, in Eastford, the daughter of the late George R. Bennett and Blanche Dora (Richard) Bennett. 

Lillian was employed as a Transfer Station attendant in Eastford for many years. 

She leaves two sisters, Shirley M. Douglas of Pascoag, Louise Boutin of N. Providence; one brother Francis Bennett of Chaplin; nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great- nephews. 

She was predeceased by her three brothers Fredderick Bennett, Alvin Bennett and Richard Bennett. 

Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. April 15 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with Memorial Service at 6. 

Burial will be at 11 a.m. April 16 in Munyan Cemetery at East Putnam and Munyan Road. 

 

Susan Nieminen Aucoin

N. GROSVENORDALE — Susan Nieminen Aucoin, 67, of Main St., died April 4, 2016, in Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.  She was the wife of the late Frank H. Nieminen.  Born in 1948 in Palmer, Mass., she was the daughter of Raymond and Florence (Squarcia) Aucoin of Putnam.

Mrs. Aucoin worked as a teacher’s aide at the Mary R. Fisher Elementary School and also worked as a medical transcription secretary for many years. 

Mrs. Aucoin loved her family and was affectionately known as “Grandma Sue” to her Mary R. Fisher Elementary School family.

In addition to her parents, she leaves her son Jacob Nieminen of Cape Coral, Fla.; a brother Peter Aucoin (Betty) of Putnam; nieces and nephews. 

The Funeral was private. Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Gertrude I. Leite

N. GROSVENORDALE — Gertrude I. Leite, 96, formerly of 500 Riverside Drive, died April 8, 2016, at Westview Health Care Center. She was born Sept. 16, 1919, in Westerly, R.I., to the late William and Bernice O’Keefe.

Devout in her faith, Gertrude was a member of Sacred Heart Church, W. Thompson and St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. For many years, she worked for the Bates Shoe Company, was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of West Thompson and North Grosvenordale fire departments, and was Resident Member of the Thompson Housing Commission. She also volunteered at St. Joseph Church Thrift Shop and was a member of Thompson Senior Center where she enjoyed eating lunch and socializing. Other interests included trips to Foxwoods, reading and watching golf.

She leaves a daughter Patricia Leite James (David) of Newark, Del.; son James M. Leite (Cheryl) of N. Grosvenordale; five adult grandchildren: Jarod, Josiah, Scott, Kenneth and Kelly Leite; a brother William O’Keefe (Jeanette) of Grosvenordale. She was predeceased by her husband Manuel Leite, her sister Bernice Rivers and brother John O’Keefe.

The Mass of Christian Burial was April 12 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in West Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Thompson Public Library, PO Box 855, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Susan Duquette

DAYVILLE — Susan P. (Picard) Duquette, 60, died April 7, 2016, at Hartford Hospital.

She was born in Putnam daughter of Ann and the late Leonard R. Picard and lived in Dayville for the past five years prior to that living in Thompson. Susan did work for Belding Heminway in Grosvenordale and Putnam, Crabtree and Evelyn and Gentex in Dudley.  She enjoyed bingo and activities at Valley Springs Sportsmen Club in Thompson.  She had a wonderful smile and loved camping and social events.  

She leaves her husband of 44 years, Ronald A. Duquette; her son Kevin R. Duquette (Misty), all of Dayville; two grandchildren Emmalena and Bentley; brother Michael Picard of Thompson; mother Ann (LaFontaine) Picard Gendron of Dayville. 

There will be a celebration of life at 1 p.m. April 17 at the Valley Springs Sportsmen Club on Valley Rd, Thompson. Donations: Dane Picard Scholarship Fund, c/o Valley Springs Sportsmen Club, 65 Valley Rd., N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255; or American Diabetes Assoc.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Robert H. Johnson

U.S. Army vet

GLASTONBURY — Robert H. Johnson, 84, of Glastonbury, died April 3, 2016, at Hartford Hospital. 

Born Aug. 29, 1931, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Henry G. and Edna (Andrews) Johnson. He had lived in Glastonbury since 1959. Prior to his retirement he was an underwriter for Travelers Insurance Co. for more than 30 years. Bob was a graduate of Woodstock Academy and UConn.  

Bob served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, in Fort Lewis, Wash., as a medical technician. He was an active and longtime member of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, serving as a deacon and on many service committees, and was an active member of the Glastonbury International Club. Among Bob’s many and varied interests, he enjoyed Cajun dancing, gardening, playing tennis and the Rhode Island beaches. 

He leaves his son Paul D. Johnson (Jean) of Mansfield; daughter Teri E. Johnson of Portland; three grandchildren, Taylor, Andrew and Shelby Johnson. He was predeceased by his son Mark R. Johnson and his brother Donald Johnson. 

The Funeral was April 9 at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, Glastonbury. Donations: Memorial Garden Fund, First Church of Christ, 2183 Main St., Glastonbury, CT. 06033; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 Mulryan Funeral Home, Glastonbury.

 

Terence F. Mahoney, 

Army Guard vet

WEBSTER — Terence F. ”Terry” Mahoney, 74, died March 29, 2016, in Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard after being stricken ill at home.

He was born in Brookline and raised in Worcester, son of James and Mary (Martel) Mahoney. He graduated from South High School in 1961. He lived in Thompson for 30 years before moving to Webster.

He served in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam conflict.

Mr. Mahoney first worked as a mechanic at York Trucking Company in Boston. He was a delivery man for Bond Bread in Worcester and then for Bunny Bread in Putnam for several years. He was a stock person for Dugas Vending Company in Webster. He also worked as a die grinder at Russell Harrington Company in Southbridge before retiring in 2000. In his retirement, he worked part-time as a sampler at Price Chopper in Webster.

He was an avid fisherman. He still played tennis on the courts on a regular basis and also enjoyed table tennis. He was extremely proud of his Irish heritage.

He leaves a son, Michael F. Mahoney (Paula) of Ludlow, Mass.; a daughter, Kristine A. Remy of Webster; a granddaughter, Gabrielle Remy of Webster; a nephew, Mark Mahoney (Jennifer) and their daughter Lily, all of Bethel; a niece, Michelle Mahoney (Fred Salkind) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and his companion of several years, Rose Mayotte. He was predeceased by his brother Stephen.

A celebration of his life will be held from noon to 5 p.m. April 24 in the Community Room at Golden Heights, Slater Street, Webster. Donations: Charity of donor’s choice. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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