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Gerald J. Bibeault,
former engineer
PUTNAM — Gerald J. Bibeault, 95, of Smith Street, died Sept. 21, 2011, in Westview Healthcare Center. He was the husband of the late Loretta (Mathieu) Bibeault. Born in 1916 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Alfred and Rosanna (Cloutier) Bibeault.
Mr. Bibeault was a 1942 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and earned his degree in mechanical engineering. He went on to work as an engineer for Kaman Aerospace Corp. in Bloomfield, and the Chance Vought Corp. retiring in 1972. Gerald was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation.
Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Pauline M. Fisher,
mother of 2
POMFRET — Pauline M. Fisher, 79, died Sept. 29, 2011, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam after a long illness. She was born Sept. 19, 1932, in Abington, daughter of the late John and Hazel (Dickey) Currier.
She was the wife of the late Robert H. Fisher Jr. They were married Aug. 26, 1950. He died July 21, 2004.
She worked at the Rectory School as a seamstress in Pomfret, she was also very active in the Pomfret Fire Department Ladies Auxilary, and was also known for her homemade sock monkeys. One of her great accomplishments was to give her husband Bob his kidney dialysis treatments at home enabling him to continue to work. She was the first woman to learn to give these home treatments in the state.
She leaves her son Robert H. Fisher III of Bradenton, Fla,, her caregiver and very special granddaughter Marissa Greer and a great grandson Wyatt Greer, also grandchildren Rebecca, Mary, Robert IV, and several great grandchildren, a sister, Hazel Sheldon of Woodstock, brothers, Frank Currier of Pomfret, Thomas Currier of Putnam and Robert Currier of Florida. She was predeceased by her daughter Doris M. (Fisher) Greer; brothers Jake Currier, Andrew Currier, Charles Currier, Walter Currier, Earl Currier and sisters Gertrude and Tootie.
Burial at the Abington Cemetery later. Donations: Day Kimball Hospital, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Richard Briere Sr.,
father of 2
PUTNAM — Richard A. Briere Sr., 69, of Church Street,, died Oct. 5, 2011, at home. He was the husband of Carol (Brissette) Briere for 45 years. Born in 1942 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Blanche (LePointe) Briere.
Mr. Briere worked as a machine operator for 33 years in several local manufacturers. He also worked as the head of maintenance for the King’s Inn. He was a member of the Foresters of America. He enjoyed fishing, but loved working in his garden. He took great pride in growing a 70-pound pumpkin and even won first prize at the Woodstock Fair for having grown the largest zucchini.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons, Richard A. Briere Jr. of Thompson, and Joseph A. Briere of Putnam; grandson, Timothy “TJ” Briere.
The Funeral Service was Oct. 8 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery
’Butch’ Castonguay Jr.,
Vietnam vet
PUTNAM — Donald P. “Butch” Castonguay Jr., 63 of River Road, died Oct. 8, 2011, at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Butch was born in Putnam, son of the late Donald P. Castonguay Sr. and lived in Putnam all his life. He was a parts representative for International Trucking and had previously work for R.B. Greene and Barstow Transportation.
Butch was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served aboard the USS Canopus during the Vietnam war. He was a member of the V.F.W. in Putnam and called bingo there. Butch and his brother Michael coached in the WPTP football league several years ago. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed woodworking, working in his garage and being a diesel mechanic.
He leaves his wife, Christine M. (Bernard) Castonguay of Putnam, whom he married on Nov. 20, 1971; a son, Thomas M. Castonguay (Rebecca) of Austin, Texas; a daughter, Michele L. Beaudoin and her fiancee, Mark A. Comtois of Killingly; his mother, Lydia M. (Lanneville) Castonguay of Putnam; a brother, Michael Castonguay (Judy) of Woodstock; five grandchildren.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 22 with a prayer service at 10:30 in the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, 48 School St. Webster. Burial will be in the State of Connecticut Veterans’ Cemetery, Middletown. Donations: UMass Memorial Health Care, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA 01655 for kidney research.
Rachel Morin,
church member
DUDLEY — Rachel M. (Rumrill) Morin, 70, of Joshua Place, lost her battle with cancer Oct. 8, 2011.
She loved to laugh, play her music and make others happy. Many said they never knew how sick she was because of her laughing and joking way, with so many things still on her to do list. Last year, Rachel went to Marathon, Fla., and swam with the dolphins. She worked for many years at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital as a dietary technician. She had previously worked for many years as a weaver in local textile mills.
She leaves two daughters, Arlene A. Vaillancourt of Putnam and Deborah V. Meagher of Milford, Mass.; three brothers, Robert Rumrill of Thompson, Rudolph “Rudy” Rumrill of Iverness, Fla., and Roger Rumrill of Thompson; one sister, Roberta Clapper of Iverness; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by three brothers, Ralph Rumrill, Rayford “Smokey” Rumrill and Richard Rumrill; two sisters, Ruth Rumrill and Rita Furno; and by a grandson, Russell Alexander.
A celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 in Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Thurber Road, Putnam. The service will be followed by refreshments and music at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall, Providence Street, Putnam. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Donald W. Steen,
father of 3
PUTNAM — Donald W. Steen, 74, of Ross Hill Road, died Oct. 8, 2011, at home.
He was born in Putnam, son of the late William and Irene (Massey) Steen and lived in Putnam most of his life. He was employed at Pervel Industries in Plainfield until it closed, and then at Sanitary Dash in N. Grosvenordale. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and played softball for Gus’ Pub in Plainfield. He loved his animals.
He leaves his son, Donald W. Steen II of Danielson; his companion, Linda J. Sadowski of Putnam; a stepson, David Surprise of Putnam; a stepdaughter, Brenda Tremblay of Tennessee; a sister, Joan Derosiers of Danielson; two grandchildren and four step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Steen and Everett Steen.
A memorial service will be held later. Donations: Northeast Regional Animal Control, 125 Putnam Pike, Dayville, CT 06241; or Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Milton W. Davis,
WWII vet
DAYVILLE — Milton W. Davis, 93, of Dayville, and formerly a resident of Brooklyn and Woodstock, died Oct. 2, 2011, at Day Kimball Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born April 15, 1918, in Danielson, son of Frank Clifford and Celinda Viens Davis.
Milton graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served in WWII in the Army Air Corp servicing airplanes in Great Britain. Returning from the war he was employed by Belding Heminway in Putnam for over 30 years until his retirement. While living in Woodstock, Milton established a Christmas tree farm. His home was a traditional gathering place for the annual Christmas Tree Day. Over the years, many enjoyed his fresh cut trees in their homes. In his retirement, he continued working his small farm with his sheep and vegetable garden, supplying many friends, relatives and neighbors with his produce.
He leaves four children: Gwenda Davis Humpherys, Barry W. Davis, Gordon A. Davis and Pamela Davis Cubbage; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; a brother, George R. Davis; sister, Doris Davis Johnson;. His wives Joan Duckers Davis and M. Ruth Deering Davis predeceased him.
A private graveside service will be held Oct. 28 followed by a reception at noon at the Living Faith United Methodist Church for all family and friends who wish to gather to celebrate Milton’s life. Donations: Living Faith United Methodist Church, 53 Grove St., Putnam, CT 06260. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.