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John F. Alex,
loved coaching
PUTNAM — John P. Alex, 72, of Putnam, died Feb. 20, 2012, at UMass Memorial in Worcester. He was the husband of Kathleen (Coolidge) Alex.
John was born April 19, 1939, in Worcester, son of the late John and Margaret (Cyronek) Alex.
John worked 25 years at Marane Oil Corp. Most recently he worked for Mohegan Sun Casino for 14 years as a Limo Driver. John had a passion for coaching his children to play ice hockey. He loved to swim in the cold Atlantic Ocean in Cape Cod and off the coast of Maine.
He leaves his wife Kathleen; children, Stephen Alex of Massachusetts, Christopher Alex (Melisssa) of Hawaii, Lisa Gallagher (Terry) of Massachusetts, Karen Champlin (Thomas) of Massachusetts, Craig Alex and his fiancé Barbara Jean of Massachusetts; stepchildren; Jerri Perreault (Gary) of Connecticut, Elizabeth Zimner and her husband Robert of CT, Corleen Law and June Reardon of RI, David Law of California; grandchildren; Meagan, Morgan, Mikaela, Erica, Robert, Nicholas, Shaun, Keith, Kyle, and Keegan; step grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, Chelsea, Alexander, Zachary and Nicholas; great-grandson Michael.
The Funeral was Feb. 23 with burial in S. Killingly Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., 1-91 Tech Ctr. Rocky Hill, CT 06067; The Day Kimball Emergency Department, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Henry St. Germain,
WWII vet
DANIELSON — Henry A. St. Germain, 98, of Danielson, died Feb. 26, 2012, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam.
He was the son of the late Henry F. and Sylvia (Blanchette) St. Germain, born Aug. 21, 1913, in Wauregan. He was the husband of the late Gabrielle (Richard) St. Germain.
Henry was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. He graduated from St. James School in 1929. He was a loom fixer for over 20 years. He later worked for Pratt and Whitney, Rogers Corp, Jacob’s Rubber and he also assisted his son Andre at the Plainfield Medical Pharmacy. During WWII he served in the Merchant Marines.
He leaves three grandchildren: Stephen St. Germain (Kristin) of Canterbury, Kristin Parkes (Thomas ) of Plainfield, David St. Germain (Jill) of Pomfret Center, great-grandchildren Michael and Alexa St. Germain of Canterbury, John T. Parkes of Plainfield; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Andre L. St. Germain; siblings: Doris E. Savoie, Emile St. Germain, Berthe Brouillard, Ida Landry, Oliver St. Germain and Lorraine Senecal.
Calling hours from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 29 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT.
Cecile H. Bertrand,
church member
PUTNAM — Cecile H. Bertrand, 93, of Putnam, died Feb. 24, 2012, at Day Kimball Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband Richard L. Bertrand, who died in 1980.
She was born Oct. 17, 1918, in Watertown, daughter of Alexander and Theodora LeMay Hamel. Cecile was a lifelong resident of Putnam and a Communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation.
She leaves three children: Dorothy V. Therrien-Kulago (Mark) of Thompson. Sharon A. Berube (Gary) of Danielson and Richard P. Bertrand of Putnam; brother Maurice N. Hamel of Naples, Fla.; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian will be at 10 a.m. March 1 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Westview Recreation Department, PO Box 428, Dayville, CT 06241. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Charles D. Chambers,
WWII vet
DAYVILLE — Charles Douglas Chambers, 91, died Feb. 19, 2012, at Matulaitis Nursing Home, Putnam, after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Margaret “Dooley” (Redmond) Chambers.
“Doug,” as he was known to his family, was born May 18, 1920, in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, and served with the Royal Air Force in Iraq during WWII. He met the love of his life, Dooley Redmond while on a mission to retrieve a downed British war plane in Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland. He proposed to her within a few days of their meeting and they were married shortly after in 1944. They emigrated from Britain to Canada where Doug served in the Canadian Royal Air Force from 1947 to 1951 and then immigrated to the U.S. in 1955. They were married for 63 years at the time of her death in 2007. Doug was an avid golfer and scored a hole in one at the age of 75. He was also a self published author; writing about his experiences as an immigrant, a book of poems dedicated to his wife and a philosophical treatise on God and religion. He also loved to play poker and rarely lost during friendly games with his friends and neighbors. He was a deep thinker and a true philosopher and enjoyed long discussions on a variety of subjects including religion, politics and current events.
He leaves his son Terence P. Chambers (Jan) of Dayville, and their son Terence C. Chambers; daughter Alanna Goldberg (Josiah) and their son Hunter Goldberg of Roseburg, Ore. Doug and Dooley were predeceased by their sons James Douglas Chambers, Shaunn David Chambers, Robert Michael Chambers and daughter Margaret “Red” Chambers.
Burial was private. Donations: Toward the research, prevention and cure of Autism. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Leo Frechette Sr.,
WWII veteran
DANIELSON — Leo P. Frechette Sr., 92, of Westcott Road., died Feb. 25, 2012, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of the late Ida (Gingras) Frechette and Evelyn (Orszulak) Frechette.
Born in 1919 in Manchaug, Mass., he was the son of the late Joseph and Marie (Lamare) Frechette.
Mr. Frechette was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII.
He worked as a weaver for Powdrell & Alexander and a machine operator for Jacobs Rubber.
He was a member of the Danielson Elks, and was a Third Degree Knight of Council 2883 Knights of Columbus. He was and avid Red Sox fan and card player. He enjoyed going to the former Plainfield dog track.
He leaves sons, Leo P. Frechette Jr. of Clearwater, Fla., and Norman “Butch” Frechette of Dayville; stepson Arthur Lime Jr. of Irmo, S.C.; stepdaughters, Carolyn House of Danielson, and Sharon Deno of Meriden; brother, Ernest Frechette of Moosup; sister Rita Spears of Brooklyn; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. He was predeceased by 11brothers and sisters.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. March 2 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: ASCONN, Autism Speaks Connecticut, PO Box 1404, Guilford, CT 06437.
Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Marion Jaffre,
worked at AO
DAYVILLE — Marion C. Jaffre, 91, of Lake Road, died Feb. 17, 2012, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn. She was the wife of Henry Jaffre; he died in 1987.
She was born April 16, 1920, in Lawrence, Mass., daughter of the late Harry and Ida (Heinz) Bryant. She worked for more than 30 years as a lens setter at the former American Optical in Putnam and Southbridge. She made her home most of her life in Dayville, was a member of the S. Killingly Congregational Church, and was an avid Red Sox Fan.
She leaves her daughter Jean Jaffre of Dayville; sister Bernice Downs of Andover, Mass.; a granddaughter Jessica Cook of Burnsville, W.Va. She was predeceased by her son David Jaffre.
A Graveside Service was Feb. 22, in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: S Killingly Congregational Church, Danielson, CT 06239. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Joseph J. Lyon,
Native American
POMFRET — Joseph J. Lyon, 75, of Mashamoquet Road, died Feb. 26, 2012, at UMass Memorial Health Care in Worcester.
He was born in Webster, son of the late Paul and Dorothy (Donovan) Lyon, and lived in Pomfret for the past 20 years. He was a member of the Nipmuck Indian Tribe and was a retired staff sergeant from the U.S. Army National Guard, Company B, 181st Engineering Battalion in Webster.
He leaves his wife, Bernice N. (Brown) Lyon; a son, Michael of Michigan; a daughter, Cheryl; a sister, Jean Maud Lyon of Charlton; two granddaughters.
Services and burial were private. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Helen Marie Marcy,
church members
DAYVILLE — Helen Marie (Ranta) Marcy, 91, formerly of W. Woodstock died Feb. 22, 2012, at Westview Nursing Care & Rehab Center. Her husband Elton John Marcy died in 1996. They lived in the Marcy farmhouse at Black Pond in W. Woodstock for their 33 years of marriage.
Helen was a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd in W. Woodstock. She was the daughter of Mathew and Lydia (Jokioho) Ranta and was born May 4, 1920, in Teaneck, N.J. In time the family moved to Eastford and then to Bradford Corner Road in W. Woodstock.
She graduated from Woodstock Academy in 1937 and soon thereafter, moved to New York City working 12 years for two doctors. Upon her father’s death, she moved back home to W. Woodstock to care for her mother. Helen worked in the office of the Parizek Company until her retirement.
Helen liked to read, do puzzles, hooking wool rugs, meeting with her weekly Bible study group, and sharing birthday luncheons with her friends. She also had a love for the English language and for words, enjoyed crossword puzzles and writing poetry. One of Helen’s favorite poems was “Evangeline” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and she could say it from memory.
She leaves nieces, Fayme Newbold of Elgin, Ill., Ruth (Sally) Gasek of Ellington, Barbara Paige of Woodstock, Geraldine Robinson of S. Royalston, Mass.; nephew, Warren Marcy of S. Royalston; her dear friend Jane White of Eastford. She was predeceased by a brother, Carl Ranta in 1975 and a sister, Ruth Ranta in 2005.
A Memorial Service was Feb. 25 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, W. Woodstock, with burial in Barlow Cemetery, W. Woodstock. Donations: The Church of the Good Shepherd, PO Box 243, S. Woodstock, CT 06267 attn: Wayne Hendrickson. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Delia Poirier,
former inspector
PLAINFIELD — Delia Poirier, 93, formerly of Grosvenordale, died Feb. 26, 2012, in Villa Maria Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late George D. Poirier. Born in 1918 in Pascoag, she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Brule) McNamee. Mrs. Poirier worked for 15 years as an inspector and expeditor for B&W Footwear.
She leaves her friends Joseph and Nancy Oleszewski of N. Grosvenordale. Visitation is at 10 a.m. Feb. 29 for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial is in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Valade Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
Lucille Rydzowski,
owned business
WEBSTER - Lucille J. (Duchesneau) Rydzowski, 88, formerly of Willimantic, went home to the Lord Feb. 15, 2012, in Oakwood Rehab & Nursing Center. Her husband of 56 years, Stanley F. “Sam” Rydzowski, died in 2000.
She was born and raised in Willimantic, one of the 10 children of Joseph and Evelyn Duchesneau, and lived there most of her life. She moved to Webster 5 years ago. Along with her husband, Mrs. Rydzowski owned and operated the Home Video Store in Coventry, or 20 years, retiring in 1999. She also worked part-time as an operator at Willimantic Answering Service.
She was a member of St. Joseph Church and then of St. Mary’s Church, both in Willimantic. She was an avid golfer and a member of the Willimantic Country Club for over 40 years. She enjoyed bowling and traveling with her husband.
She leaves a son, Randy J. Rydzowski and his girlfriend Beth Donovan of Willimantic; a daughter, Lisabeth M. Adamick (David) of Thompson; five grandchildren; two brothers, Gene Duchesneau of Willimantic and Connie Duchesneau of California; two sisters, Marcella Riggles of Windsor and Viola Ferrigno of Florida. She was preceded in death by her sons Glenn and Gary Rydzowski.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 25 in St. Joseph Church, Willimantic. Donations: Oakwood Rehab & Nursing Center Patient Activities Fund, 11 Pontiac Ave., Webster, MA 01570. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home.
Catherine Bonnette,
mother of 7
WOODSTOCK — Catherine S. (Novak) Bonnette, 82 of Woodstock, died Feb. 19, 2012, in Overlook Masonic Home after an extended illness. She was predeceased by her husband, Clarence Bonnette. She was born in Darby, Penn., and raised in Philadelphia, the daughter of Stanley and Sophie (Macanowicz) Novak. She lived in Webster, before moving to Woodstock. She graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic Girls’ High School in 1947.
Mrs. Bonnette was an expert seamstress. She first made custom drapes for Chateau Decorating in Webster and later made alterations for Kouri’s Dept. Store in Webster. She then worked at Cranston Print Works Company for many years, retiring as a supervisor in 1991.
She leaves six sons, Lawrence Bonnette (Nancy), Daniel Bonnette (Patricia), James Bonnette (Barbara), Paul Bonnette (Jean), Joseph Bonnette, and Robert Bonnette (Cheri); four daughters, Clare Casey (Michael), Christine Bonnette, Cecile Spenard (Bryan), and Marie Bonnette; a brother, William Novak; a sister, Ceil Sinclair; 18 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter. She was predeceased by a daughter, Carolyn Paquette in 1970.
Mrs. Bonnette donated her body to Tufts University Medical School for biomedical research. Donations: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 306 Industrial Park Road, Suite 107, Middletown, CT 06457. Scanlon Funeral Service.