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- Category: Past Issues
Kurt Ryan,
chef
MYSTIC — Kurt Ryan, 50, of Fair Acres Circle, died April 16, 2010, at home. Born in 1960 in Hartford, he was the son of the late Donald and Marcia (Rackliffe) Ryan.
He grew up in Pomfret and was a graduate of the Rectory School in Pomfret Center and of Proctor Academy in Andover, N.H.
He was also on the Dean’s list at Johnson and Wales in Providence where he graduated with degrees in culinary arts and hotel/motel management.
He was a licensed auctioneer and scuba diving instructor. He spent many years as a personal chef on private yachts on both east and west coasts.
When he finally returned to dry land, he settled in Mystic where he became involved in a number of small independent civic organizations in his area.
He was a generous man who gave of himself, his belongings and his income to help those who were suffering from illness, loss or disenfranchisement... sometimes to his own detriment. Still he continued to hold out his hand to those in need of help, nurturing or a temporary place to live.
Kurt leaves his brother, Craig Ryan of Hampton; sister, Jill Ryan and her partner, Ellen McWard of Wallingford, Vt.
Donations: ASPCA, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, NY. 10128. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Russell A. LaBonte,
assembler
PUTNAM — Russell A. LaBonte, 47, of Green Street, died April 15, 2010, at home. Born in 1962 in Putnam, he was the son of Robert LaBonte Sr. of Putnam and Virginia (Corey) Zaloudek of Coventry, R.I.
Mr. LaBonte worked as an assembler for Symbol Mattress. He enjoyed golfing and playing pool.
In addition to his parents, he leaves his brothers, Robert LaBonte Jr. of Putnam, James LaBonte of Norwich, Michael LaBonte of Putnam, Stephen LaBonte of Putnam, and Richard LaBonte of Pomfret Center; sister, Lisa O’Connor of Canterbury.
The Funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Myrtle Thomas,
artist
WOODSTOCK — Myrtle (Johnson) Thomas of Woodstock, 90, died April 20, 2010, at the Westview Healthcare Center in Dayville. Mrs. Thomas was born Feb. 4, 1920, to Hannah (Hallberg) Johnson and Carl Johnson in New York City, and grew up with her five siblings on Coatney Hill Farm in Woodstock. She graduated from the Woodstock Academy and New York’s Pratt Art Institute before marrying the late Rev. Dr. Norman Edwin Thomas, a graduate of Rutgers University and New Brunswick Theological Seminary and a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church.
Mrs. Thomas followed a career in greeting card design with many years teaching art in school systems near Albany, New York and New Brunswick, New Jersey, while helping her husband with his ministry.
She leaves her children Noela Thomas Hooper, Norman David Thomas, and Holly Thomas; grandchildren Michael, Jennifer, and Sarah; two of her five siblings, Jane Newman and C. Oden Johnson.
Relatives and friends are invited to Myrtle’s Memorial Service at 1 p.m. May 1 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Her service will be followed by a private graveside service. Donations: Woodstock-area charities and service organizations, in appreciation for years of care and support.
Margaret Anderson,
church member
PUTNAM — Margaret Ann “Peggy” Anderson, 63 of Sabin Street, went to be with her Lord April 24, 2010. She was the wife of Bruce D. Anderson. They were married April 5, 1980.
She was born Dec. 14, 1946, in Putnam, the daughter of Rachel (Baril) Boucher of Plainfield and the late Elie Boucher. She made her home in Putnam for several years, and previously had lived in Moosup. Peggy was a member of the Central Assembly of God for over 30 years, a former Sunday school teacher, and a very devoted member of the Praise Team of the Church. She was employed at the Women’s Health Center in Putnam for 24 years. She had previously worked at Delta Rubber as a secretary and as a clerk at the Tax Collector’s office in the Plainfield Town Hall. Peggy enjoyed singing, reading, watching American Idol, caring for her flowers and bird watching.
Peggy leaves her husband Bruce; mother, Rachel; daughter, Stephanie Lynn (Anderson) Bradshaw and her husband Shiloh D. Bradshaw of Springfield, Mass.; brother, Edward Boucher (Connie) of Nashua, N.H.; sister, Connie Surprenant (Mark) of Plainfield; friend Kathy Hayes of Putnam.
The Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. April 29 at Central Assembly of God, 350 Putnam Road, Danielson with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wauregan. Donations: Central Assembly of God “Praise Team” 350 Putnam Road, Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Ralph L. Bernier,
WWII vet
E. KILLINGLY — Ralph L. Bernier, of East Killingly, died April 23, 2010, at home with his family by his side after a long illness. He was born Aug. 3, 1924, in Brooklyn, son of the late Leo and Bertha Bernier.
Ralph was a veteran of WWII and served in the European Theater as a ball turret gunner in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of the Plainfield VFW Post 5446. After the war he ran his own plumbing and heating business for his entire career. Upon retirement Ralph enjoyed traveling with his wife Theresa, as well as flying his own Cessna airplane.
He leaves his wife of 66 years, Theresa (Martin) Bernier; two daughters, Jeanne Geer (James) of Hebron, Michele Bernier-Johnson (Bob) of Phoenix; one sister, Marlene Lambert (Henry) of Woodstock.
Donations: Plainfield VFW Post 5446, 7 Windsor Ave., Plainfield, CT 06374-1037. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Joan C. Bourdia,
mother of 4
DANIELSON — Joan C. Bourdia, 71, of Birchwood Terrace, died April 19, 2010, surrounded by her family at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was the wife of the Lionel Bourdia. They were married Jan. 8, 1955, in St. Joseph Church in Dayville. He died in 2002.
She was born Sept. 29, 1938, in Putnam daughter of the late Alfred and Laura (Neveu) Lafountaine, She was a communicant of St. James Church, she made her home in Danielson all of her life and attended Killingly schools. After her marriage she devoted herself to raising and caring for her family. She enjoyed playing cards and bingo.
She leaves her children: Debra Diaz of Webster, Randy Bourdia of Danielson, Judy Sherman of Moosup; siblings: Richard Lafountaine of Michigan, Joyce Franks of Michigan; four grandchildren and eight grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Allen Bourdia in 2009 and a brother Ronald Lafountaine.
The Mass of Christian Burial was April 24 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Louis Ericson,
reporter
PUTNAM — Louis “Lou” Eric Ericson, 79, of Ballou Street died April 19, 2010, in Worcester. He was the husband of 50 years of Glenna Rose (Whittemore) Ericson. She died October 15, 2001.
He was born March 19, 1931, in Putnam son of the late Eric A. and Blanche (Bonin) Ericson. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s School, Class 1945 and a 1949 graduate of Putnam High School. Louis attended Bryant Collage in Providence, RI, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Louis was a retired newspaper reporter working over 20 years for the Norwich Bulletin.
He leaves his children Louise Mayo of Putnam, Karl D. Ericson of Putnam, Jon Ericson of Brooklyn, Alan Ericson of Putnam, Steven Ericson of Thompson, Doreen Ericson of Brooklyn, Gregory Ericson of Putnam, Ronald Ericson of Putnam; a brother, Karl F. Ericson of Providence; a sister, Linda E. Noon of Pomfret; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, one nephew and four nieces. He was predeceased by a sister Eleanor A. Ericson and an infant son Brian Matthew.
Graveside Service will be at 11 a.m. April 29 in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: American Lung Association; or a charity of one’s choice. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam
Beatrice Green,
church member
BROOKLYN — Beatrice Mae Colwell Green, 92, formerly of Allen Hill Road, died April 23, 2010, at the Westview Nursing Center.
She was born June 13, 1917, in Killingly, daughter of the late Winfield A. and Maude L. (Graves) Colwell. She was the wife of the late Carl E. Green, who died in 1990. She was a member of the Federated Church in Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Women’s Club.
She leaves her children, Robert Hunter (Marlene) of Brooklyn, Kenneth Hunter (Barbara) of Brooklyn, Marlene Wilson (Roger) of Willington, Marjorie Auger (Maurice) of Putnam; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; a stepson Wallace Green of Dayville. She was predeceased by her first husband Arthur L. Hunter, and a grandchild Arlene.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. May 1 at Westfield Cemetery, North Street Danielson. Donations: Mortlake Fire Department, Brooklyn; or Federated Church, Brooklyn. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 142 Grove St., Putnam.
Dennis L. Moore,
supervisor
DANIELSON — Dennis L. Moore, 68, of Taft Street, died April 23, 2010, at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester. He was the husband Constance (Couture) Moore. They were married Aug. 31, 1963, at St. James Church.
He was born Nov. 5, 1941, in Kane, Penn., son of the late Edwin and Hazel Victoria (Gustafson) Moore. He worked at Anchor Glass and Glass Container in Dayville, retiring after 37 1/2 years as production supervisor. After retiring he worked part time for Premiere Chevrolet in Brooklyn. Dennis was an active member for 47 years, of the Danielson Lodge of Elks BPOE 1706, he was a former officer and served on many committees. He was honored by the Lodge in 1977-1978 as “Elk of the Year”. He was an avid UConn women’s basketball fan, and also of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He enjoyed working in his yard, and had a great love for the outdoors.
He leaves his wife Constance; children, Greg Moore (Elizabeth) of Mashpee, Mass., Denise Fleming (Rick) of Preston; sister, Barbara Mortimer (James) Danielson; four grandchildren, Morgan Fleming, Christopher Fleming, Jaron Moore, Justyn Moore. He was predeceased by his brother Gerald Moore.
The Funeral was April 27 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: American Heart Association, or American Diabetes Association.
Bryce O’Connor,
infant
DAYVILLE — Bryce O’Connor, age 20 months, infant son of Melissa O’Connor of Hartford Pike, died unexpectedly April 15, 2010. He was born Aug.7, 2008, in Putnam.
Bryce loved cartoons, playing outside and was full of life. He also enjoyed playing with his toys, his family and friends. He could charm anyone with his big blue eyes.
He was the son of Melissa O’Connor, Daniel Holdredge, Mike Signoretti Jr.; brother of Isabella Signoretti and Patrick Holdredge; he also leaves his grandparents: Lynnette Lerubina, Mike Signoretti Sr., Donald Holdredge; Anne and Tom O’Connor; great grandfather Ralph Lerubina Sr.; aunts Erika Lerubina, Beverly Holdredge; other family members in New Hampshire.
The Funeral was April 25 at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson Donations: Bryce’s family.
David P. Daviau
MANCHESTER — David P. Daviau, 65, of Manchester and formerly of Putnam, died unexpectedly April 16, 2010, at Manchester Memorial Hospital.
David was born Jan. 9, 1945, in Putnam, son of the late Albert & Dora (LaTour) Daviau.
He leaves his brother, John Daviau and his wife Shirley of Putnam and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Albert Daviau.
The Funeral was private. The Holmes Funeral Home, Manchester.
Ronald Borski,
Navy veteran
WEBSTER --- Webster - Ronald W. Borski, 72, of Grand Junction, Colo., formerly of Webster, died April 8, 2010, in Colorado.
He was born in Webster, son of the late Joseph Sr. and Alice (LaPlante) Borski.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Air Force.
He leaves a daughter, Robin Clifton of Colorado; two brothers, Joseph A. Borski Jr. of Webster and William Borski of Charlton; three sisters, Shirley Rekowski of Webster, Jacqueline Arpin of N. Grosvenordale and Kathleen Champagne of Southbridge; two grandsons, Ryan Provost of Arizona and Todd Borski of Colorado. He was predeceased by his brothers, Gary Borski, Kenny Borski, Jim Borski, Ted Borski; and his sisters, Janet Borski and Erna Krysinski.
Graveside services with military honors were April 24 in Mount Zion Cemetery, Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Gregory Carr,
carpenter
WEBSTER — Gregory Bruce Carr, 56, of Humes Street, died April 16, 2010, at Webster Manor.
Greg was born in Worcester, son of the late Francis Bruce and Inez (Clark) Carr and lived in Webster for the past 10 years.
He worked as a carpenter in the construction field. He was a U.S. Marine.
He was an avid New England sports fan, lived for music and had a fondness for harmonica and blues playing.
He leaves his companion, Patricia Russell of Webster; three sons, Gregory Bruce Carr Jr., Travis Carr, and Alexander Carr, all of California; three brothers, Jeffrey Carr of Thompson, Dennis Carr of Dudley and F. Bruce Carr of Thompson; three sisters, Sandra Leboeuf of Thompson, Debra Likes of Dudley and Jeannette Christian of Charlton.
A Celebration of Life for Greg was April 24 at Shaw-Majercik Funeral Webster. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.