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Michael Dawes Sr.,
father of 2
THOMPSON — Michael Voorhees Dawes Sr., died of cancer July 6, 2010, at home in Thompson, Connecticut, on July 6, 2010.
He was born July 20, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 20, 1944, to Edmund Klotz and Eleanor Poland Dawes and grew up on a farm in Chester Springs, Penn. He ran with the bulls in Pamplona, hiked the pyramids in Giza, and travelled extensively.
As a student at The Hill School Pottstown, Mike was also active in sports. On matriculating to Trinity College in 1962 as an economics and religion major, he played varsity football and lacrosse and sang with the a cappella group, The Trinidads. Upon graduation in 1966, he attended Union Theological Seminary in NYC on a Rockefeller Fellowship Award, pursuing the study of Old Testament interpretation. Later in his life, he returned to school and earned his master’s degree in education from Rider University in 1992.
He was devoted to family. In 1967, Mike married Lynn Elizabeth Cameron and settled in the Princeton, N.J., area where they raised their two children.
He loved the outdoors; he was a fly-fishing enthusiast and an outdoorsman who enjoyed upland bird hunting. He travelled to far-off places such as Norway, Iceland, Alaska, and Mexico in pursuit of the ultimate fishing experience. Mike’s passion for “the sport” extended beyond his own enjoyment.
In 1967, he excelled as a member of the PA Army National Guard and the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary. He continued as an active member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary Army Reserve, serving as Executive Officer and later as an honorary member.
In 1967, he joined Discount Corporation in NYC in sales. He rose to senior VP and head of Sales. After 23 years, he decided to continue work in finance with his father at Philadelphia Corporation in Valley Forge, Penn. In 1992, Mike found his true professional calling as he entered the educational field and joined the faculty at Hyde School in Bath, Maine. He served as CFO, director of Admissions, director of Development, associate head of school, teacher, and coach. After seven years working at Hyde School in Maine, he and Lynn moved to Hyde School in Woodstock.
Mike said, “Undoubtedly, working at Hyde School was the best job I could have ever had.”
Mike also enjoyed his work as a committed board member for various organizations.
In addition to his wife Lynn, he leaves a daughter, Margaret Dawes Bernholz of San Anselmo, Calif.; son, Michael Voorhees Dawes Jr. of Victor, Idaho; grandchildren, Cameron Michael and Eleanor Catherine Bernholz; his son-in-law, Dennis Bernholz; a sister, Hutchinson Dawes Cummin; brother, Edmund K. Dawes.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. July 24 at Trinity College Chapel, Hartford. Donations: Hyde School, the Michael V. Dawes Scholarship Fund. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
Mary E. Chase,
former secretary
PUTNAM — Mary E. Chase, 79, of Thayer Street, died July 8, 2010, at Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late George L. Chase Jr. He died Dec. 14, 1994. Born June 7, 1931, in Wauregan, she was the daughter of the late Chester and Eleanor (Egan) Caouette.
She was a secretary at Putnam Hertzel, Crabtree and Evelyn and other local companies. She was a member of the Putnam Housing Board and had served as treasurer. She also was a cook at the Dempsey Regional Center and the Pomfret School. She enjoyed knitting and making things for her family.
She leaves her children, William Chase of Putnam, Steven Chase of Putnam, Brian Chase of Woodstock, James Chase of E. Putnam, Elizabeth Gaudreau of Danielson; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister Margaret Roy.
The Funeral was private. Donations: Day Kimball Homemakers, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Claire R. Beauregard
PLAINFIELD — Claire R. Beauregard, 87, of Windsor Avenue, formerly of N. Grosvenordale, died July 5, 2010 in The Village Manor Nursing Home. Born in 1922 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Zoel and Alma (Houle) Beauregard.
Claire was a member of the Thompson Senior Citizens.
She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, and watching Lawrence Welk.
She leaves her brother, Marcel Beauregard (Gloria) of Putnam; her nieces and nephews, Vivian Cardinal, Susan Klaucke, Pauline DeLuca, Roger Beauregard, Anne Briere, Diane St.Onge, and Robert Beauregard.
The Mass of Christian Burial was in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Constance Senecal,
medical secretary
POMFRET CENTER — Constance (DeFocy) Senecal, 75, of Deerfield Road, died July 3, 2010, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Roland O. Senecal. Born in 1934 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Blanche (Cady) DeFocy.
Mrs. Senecal was a 1952 graduate of Putnam Catholic Academy. She worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Mahendran as well as several other medical offices. She also worked as a sales associate at J.C.Penney in Enfield. She enjoyed cooking and gardening. She loved vacationing in Ogunquit, Maine, and South Yarmouth, Mass. She was a volunteer at Wingate of East Longmeadow Nursing Home.
She leaves her sons, Glenn Senecal (Brenda) of Putnam, and Neil Senecal and his fiancé, Toni Kortabani of Enfield; her brother, Martin DeFocy of Hobesound, Fla.; sisters, Phyllis Trudeau of Putnam and Florida, and Sandra Crough of Enfield; grandchildren, Ryan Senecal, and Andrew Senecal. She was predeceased by her son, the late Captain Karl Senecal.
The Mass of Christian Burial was July 9, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or to St. Mary’s School, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Raymond Hoag Sr.,
WWII vet
KILLINGLY — Raymond L. Hoag Sr., 90, of Tucker District Road, died July 8, 2010, at the North Bay Manor, Smithfield, R.I.
He was born April 5, 1920, in Fort Edward, N.Y., son of the late Edward and Amanda (Poulette) Hoag. He had made his home in Killingly for more than 40 years, formerly of Fort Edward. Ray operated Salvage Yard in Killingly for 40 years. He was a veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1945.
He leaves five children; several grandchildren.
The funeral was private. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, Danielson.
Walter F. Szpyrka,
mechanic
THOMPSON — Walter “Spitz” Szpyrka, 95, of Old Brandy Hill Road, died July 8, 2010, in Matulaitis Nursing Home, Putnam. He was the husband of the late Rita A. (Michon) Szpyrka. Born in 1914 in Dudley, he was the son of the late John and Mary (Markowski) Szpyrka.
Mr. Szpyrka worked as a mechanic for Cargill Chevrolet and was a watchman for Belding-Heminway. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking. He was a “Walt” of all trades.
He leaves his daughter, Jean Auger of Thompson; his sons, Bruce Szpyrka of Palm Bay Fla., Cyril Szpyrka of Thompson, Dennis Szpyrka of Woodstock Valley, and Carl Szpyrka of Woodstock; his sister, Anna Pryzstas of N. Grosvenordale; 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. He was the father of the late Ernest and Keith Szpyrka.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. July 16, in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Charley P. Weiss,
business owner
BOCA RATON, Fla. --- Charley P. Weiss, 87, of Boca Raton, formerly of Norwich and Putnam, died July 8, 2010, at home. He was the husband of Dorothea (Beit) Weiss, for 61 years.
“Charley” was born at home Oct. 25, 1922, in Putnam, son of the late Abraham and Sarah (Eichenthal) Weiss. Before retiring, he owned Morgan & White Appliances, Williams Furniture, and appliance and furniture businesses in Fairfield and Windham counties.
Mr. Weiss grew up in Putnam.
He graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1940, excelling in both academics and sports.
He was All State in both football and baseball in his junior and senior years and was elected to the NFA Sports Hall of Fame in its inaugural year.
Mr. Weiss graduated from Cornell University, where he was honored in 2000 for his athletic achievements.
After college, he was recruited by the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay Packers, and the then Pittsburgh Cardinals football clubs.
He chose to attend Cornell Medical College instead of following a career in professional football.
After three years at Cornell Medical College, Charley opted out and began a career as an entrepreneur and salesman, at one point owning eight retail stores.
Besides his wife, he leaves his sons, Attorney Andrew Weiss of New York and New London, Dr. Mark (Marsha) Weiss of Downers Grove, Ill., Nathan (Shelley) Weiss of Gales Ferry; daughter, Dr. Audrey (Ron) Weiss Wells of San Diego, Calif.; eight grandchildren. Charley was predeceased by his brothers, Isadore, Louis, Harry, and Samuel and sisters, Anne and Faye.
The Funeral was July 11, at the Beth Jacob Synagogue, 400 New London Tpke., Norwich, with burial at Hebrew Benevolent Association Cemetery #3.