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- Category: Past Issues
Lydia E. Blain,
worked at Bugbee
SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Lydia E. Blain, 94, of Pleasant View Avenue, formerly of N. Grosvenordale, died July 17, 2010. She was the wife of the late Rene A. Blain. Born in 1916 in Central Village, she was the daughter of the late Olivier Auger and Antonia (Therrien) Auger.
Mrs. Blain worked as a sales clerk for Bugbee Department Store. She enjoyed gardening and reading .
Lydia leaves her son, Paul Blain (Anne) of North Andover, Mass.; daughters, Gloria Flood (John) of Smithfield, and Anita Blain-Dzialo (Henry) of Medway, Mass; five granddaughters. She was predeceased by her brother, the late Henri Auger.
Visitation is from 9 to 10 a.m. July 21 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale.
Cecelia Dudek,
mother of 2
WEBSTER --- Cecelia R. (Krolik) Dudek, 90, of Pinehusrst Drive, died July 7, 2010, at Webster Manor. She was the wife of the late Edward Dudek.
She was born in Worcester daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Terlecki) Krolik and lived in Webster all her life. She was retired from Ethan Allen where she worked as a stitcher for many years.
She leaves two daughters, Patricia Zabka of Thompson and Cynthia Gaulin of E. Douglas, Mass.; a sister Rita Langevin of N. Grosvenordale; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister Wanda Bellville.
The Funeral Mass was July 15 in St. Joseph Basilica and burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, both in Webster. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster .
Richard Fierro,
former supervisor
N. GROSVENORDALE --- Richard John Fierro, 69, of Reardon Road, and a longtime resident of Webster died July 7, 2010.
He was a graduate of St. Louis High School in Webster, where he was selected as the representative to Boys State, a legislative simulation group consisting of only the top students from each participating district or school. He completed his apprenticeship at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in tool and die manufacturing. He retired from Ivanhoe Tool and Die in 2004 after 37 years of service as a master tool and die maker and department supervisor.
His volunteer civic duties were numerous and varied. He served as the scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop #171, as a Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Webster, as well as a lector and as chairman of the liturgy committee.
He leaves his wife of 48 years, Simone; three sons, Joel James Fierro of N. Grosvenordale, Richard Lucien Fierro of Greenbackville, Va., and Mark Kevin Fierro of Andover, N.Y.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The Funeral was private. Donations: local ASPCA. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster.
Gary P. Gates,
'The Baron'
PUTNAM --- Gary P. “The Baron” Gates, 69, died July 14, 2010. Gary was born June 25, 1941, in Putnam, son of Denton and Helen (Kimball) Gates. Until recently, he was a lifelong resident of Putnam. In his youth, he was associated with 4-H Camp for many years. Gary attended Putnam High School and was a member of the Putnam Clippers football team. He remained a devoted fan, very proud of never missing a Thanksgiving Day game.
After graduating from high school, he joined the Connecticut Army National Guard. After his term in the Guard, he returned to Putnam full of ideas and ambition. Gary’s return began the whirlwind of his very active life. The “car business” was blessed with him at a very early age. His handsome smiling face became well known at Beausoleil Buick, Delaney Ford, Lester’s Garage and many other used car headquarters.
He attended all the livestock auctions, anything that would provide the thrill of wheeling and dealing. He would buy cattle, horses, even goats in the South and ship them back to Connecticut for meat packing and export overseas. His export meat business won him an appearance on the popular Mike Douglas Show. It was at that time “The Baron” was crowned. He sold used cars at Deals On Wheels, RPM Enterprises, Danny’s Auction Barn, Wilson’s Auto, Gates GMC Nissan and more. The Wheeler and Dealer was happiest in the heart of a frenzied auction of any type.
He leaves his mother Helen Gates of Danielson; soul mate and best friend Louise Law of Putnam; children, Craig Gates (Cindy) of Columbia, Brian Gates (Ulrika) of Mystic, Natalie (Gates) Frettoloso (Richie) of Parkland, Fla., Angela (Gates) Hutchens (Thayne) of Hampton, and Nicole Law of Oxford, Mass.; grandchildren: Gina, Denny, Eric, Emma, Tomas, Madeleine, Dente, Vincent and Thayne; brothers: Lance Gates of South Killingly and Douglas Gates of Aurora, Colo.; friends Geoff Wheaton, Jimmy Cross, Bob Marion, Bob Tindall, Tommy Collins and more; dogs Champ and Lex. He was predeceased by his father, Denton Gates; his brother, Dennis Gates; and his sister, Sandra Gates-Galetti.
A Celebration of his life will be held at July 25 at Putnam Chrysler Dodge Jeep Kia, Putnam. A Military Funeral Honors Ceremony as well as special tributes to The Baron will be held promptly at 3 p.m. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Smart Casual Attire. Donations: 4-H Camp & Outdoor Center in Abington, c/o Craig Gates, P.O. Box 130, North Windham, CT 06256.
Claire Pizzotti,
mother of 2
THOMPSON --- Claire ( Bellanceau) Pizzotti, 84, died July 13, 2010, in Harrington Memorial Hospital, Southbridge after an illness . Her husband of 54 years, Arthur C Pizzotti died in 2001
She was born in Putnam, the daughter of the late Fred and the late Bernice (Bellisle) Bellanceau. Claire and Arthur lived many years in Webster and the past 40 years in Thompson. She enjoyed playing cards and a good game of pitch.
She leaves two daughters, Lori Diani and her fiancé Mark McDonald of Dudley, and Sharlene Stefanik (Dave) of Dudley; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Gladys Pizzotti of Quinebaug.
Memorial Services will be held at 10 a.m. July 22 in Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley. Calling hours are from 9 to 10 a.m. and burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, Mass.