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Michael D. Duffy,
former mayor
PUTNAM — Michael Dennis Duffy, 67, former mayor of Putnam, died April 11, 2012, in Florida. He was the husband of Donna (Kolat) Duffy. He was born in 1944.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. April 27 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. April 28 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Donations: P.A.W.S of CT, PO Box 191, Eastford, CT 06242. Full obituary will appear later.
Barbara ‘Granny’ Rich
POMFRET — Barbara “Granny” Rich, 104, of Pomfret died April 11, 2012, at home. Born Sept. 5, 1907, in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of Joseph Schaefer and Maria Schmitt. She was the wife of Samuel Rich; they were married Dec. 29, 1938. He died in 1972.
Barbara graduated from Willimantic Normal School in 1929. She taught 30 children in a one-room schoolhouse in Plainfield for 12 years. She was a 4-H leader and co-founder of the L & G Riding Club. For 12 years she was selectman’s clerk for the Town of Pomfret, secretary of the Abington Cemetery and taught Sunday School at the Abington Congregational Church. An avid gardener, she canned up to 100 years old. She loved horses and could be seen at many fairs and local horse shows watching her son and grandchildren.
She leaves her son Chaplin Rich (Linda) of Pomfret; grandchildren Rebecca Rich of Pomfret, Sam Rich of Pomfret and a great-grandson Wyatt.
The Funeral Service was April 13 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Abington Cemetery. Donations: Windham County 4-H Camp, 326 Taft Pond Road, Pomfret Center, CT 06259.
Katherine Gunderson,
former inspector
PUTNAM — Katherine A. Gunderson, 54, of Thayer Street, died April 14, 2012, at home. Born in 1957 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Anna (Blanchette) Durand.
Katherine worked as an inspector for Henke-Sass and also worked as a hairstylist. She was an avid reader and enjoyed her Sunday crossword puzzles.
She leaves her children, Karl Gunderson of Canyon Lake, Calif., and Tina Gunderson of New Britain; three brothers, Richard Durand of Florida, Robert Durand of Thompson and Ronald Durand of Thompson; five sisters, Georgette Menzone of Quinebaug, Jeanne Gendreau of Little River, S.C., Connie Durand of Thompson, Susan Durand of Putnam and Sandra Krogul of Dudley; two special nieces, Missy Desrochers and Pam Bartomioli. She was the sister of the late Lucienne Kaleszewski, Rene Durand and Dennis Durand.
The Funeral Service was April 17 in the Creation Church, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., E. Hartford, CT 06108. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Thomas J. Weidman,
Army vet
PUTNAM — Thomas James Weidman, 69, of Putnam, died April 8, 2012, at the Regency Heights in Danielson. He was the son of Ellen Jane (Farrell) Weidman of Woodstock and the late Lt. Commander U.S. Navy Retired Donald Joseph Weidman.
He was born Oct. 9, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisc. He served in the U.S. Army for seven years in Texas. He had made his home in Putnam for several years, worked as a clerk at the Woodstock Avenue XtraMart for over 13 years. He was an avid reader. He traveled, extensively with his mother and father, throughout his father’s career with the U.S. Navy.
He leaves in addition to his mother, a daughter: Rebecca Quade of Colorado; sister Catherine Joyal of Norwich; twin granddaughters Katie and Allie; a nephew Geoffrey Joyal.
A Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m. May 3 at the Regency Heights, 111 Westcott Road, Putnam, with burial later in the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St. Putnam.
Doris Desmarais,
owned grill
DAYVILLE — Doris E. Desmarais, 83, of Ballouville Road died April 15, 2012, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.
She was born Aug. 4, 1928, in Attawaugan, daughter of the late Albert and Blanch (Coullard) Herard. Doris was the wife of the late William Donald Desmarais. They were married by Father Lavallee on June 27, 1953, in Ballouville.
Doris attended Attawaugan and Killingly schools. She worked at Danielson Curtain in Attawaugan. She then later owned and operated Johnies Grill in Dayville. Doris retired in 1985 from William Prym Corp. Doris was a communicant of St. Anne Church in Ballouville until its closing. She loved to cook and bake and camping.
She leaves two sons: Dale Desmarais (Debra) of Attawaugan, Dean Desmarais (Virginia) of Attawaugan; grandchildren: Darryll, David, Greg, Kayla, Dylan and Deirdre, a great-grandchild, Adyson.
The Mass of Christian Burial was April 18 in St. Joseph Church, Dayville, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Armand Soucy,
machine operator
BROOKLYN — Armand Soucy, 68, of Robert Street, died April 6, 2012, at Regency Heights in Danielson. Born April 11, 1943, in Danielson, he was the son of the late Eugene and Marie (Chabot) Soucy. He was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson.
He was employed at Jacob’s Rubber as a machine operator for several years. He also worked at Loos and Company, Staples, as a security guard at the Plainfield Dog Track, and part-time school bus driver.
He had a great sense of humor and was a story teller. He was an avid bowler, with the Jacob’s Rubber League, was a fan of the Red Sox, New England Patriot’s and Washington Redskins.
He leaves his sister Doris Soucy of Brooklyn, several cousins including Barbara Bousquet of Brooklyn, Jerry Bousquet of Brooklyn, godchild Shannon Bousquet of Griswold; his cats. He was predeceased by a brother Alfred Soucy and a sister Joan M. Soucy.
A Graveside Service will be at 11 a.m. April 20 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Maple Street, Danielson. Donations: St. James School, 120 Water Street, Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Harold Ames,
church member
BROOKLYN — Harold L. Ames, 82, formerly of Brooklyn and Canterbury, died April 10, 2012. He was the husband of the late Aleda (Langevin) Ames. Harold retired from the Lisbon Textile Print, and he served in the Army Air Force.
His family and his faith in Jesus Christ were of the utmost importance in his life.
He leaves his children Margaret Lariviere of Danielson, Les Ames of Brooklyn, Angela Dzialo of Voluntown, Robert Ames of Brooklyn; a brother Sidney Ames of Canterbury; a sister Evelyn Cheverier of Stafford Springs; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son Ronald Ames and a sister Brenda Charboneau.
A Memorial Service will be at 5 p.m. April 29 at the Gospel Light Church, Jolly Commons, Wauregan Road, Danielson. Donations: Gospel Light Church - Missions Fund,132 Wauregan Road, Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Margery D. Bolduc,
operated business
BROOKLYN — Margery D. Bolduc, 96, of Brooklyn, formerly of Plainfield, died April 9, 2012, at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. She was the wife of the late Alphonse J. Bolduc. They were married Jan. 3, 1935, in St. James Church. He died Oct. 15, 2009.
She was born June 17, 1915, in Barrowford, England, daughter of the late Arthur and Dora (Hambley) Thompson Sr. She was worked for Danco, Putnam Woolen and Powdrell and Alexander. In 1954, she and her husband purchased Crosby Flowers in Danielson. They operated the business until they retired in 1968.
She was a member of the Kingdom Hall in Danielson. She was a talented gardener growing flowers and floral arranging. She enjoyed crocheting afghans, an avid reader of mysteries, and crossword puzzles.
She leaves her children Richard Bolduc of Sebring, Fla., Shirley Davis of Brooklyn, Barbara Poitras of Danielson, Nancy Thornton of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; a sister Mary Menard of Woonsocket, R.I.; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother Arthur Thompson Jr.
A Graveside Service will be at 11 a.m. April 26 at Westfield Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Rita T. Bonin,
church member
WEBSTER — Rita T. Bonin, 83 of Union Point Road, formerly of Thompson, died April 14, 2012, in Worcester. She was the wife of the late Maurice Bonin. Born in 1928 in Southbridge, she was the daughter of the late Pierre and Marie Theresa (Cournoyer) Antaya.
Mrs. Bonin worked as a packer for the former B & W Footwear and also worked in the cafeteria for the Thompson School Department. She was a communicant of St. Louis Church. She enjoyed reading and making puzzles. She also enjoyed playing cards and scrabble with her friends.
She leaves four sons, Paul Bonin of Oakdale, Marc Bonin of Dudley, David Bonin of Webster, and Eric Bonin of South Berwick, Maine; brother, Jean Paul Antaya of Sorel, P.Q. Canada; five grandchildren.
Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 18, in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A gathering will begin at 9 a.m. April 19 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in the parish cemetery. Donations: Charity of your choice.
Jeannette M.
Labossiere
CANTERBURY — Jeannette (Labonte) Labossiere, 95, of Tripp Hollow Road, formerly of Putnam, died April 9, 2012, in Regency Heights of Danielson. She was the wife of the late Ulysses Labossiere. Born in 1916 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Vitaline (Latour) Labonte.
Mrs. Labossiere worked as an aide at the Dempsey Regional Center and the Mansfield Training Center. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, the Friends of St. Mary and was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation.
She leaves her daughters, Jeanne Robidas (Denis) of Plainfield, and Carol Labossiere of Canterbury; granddaughter, Colleen Godino; and her great-grandchildren, Michael Bertrand, and Morgan Krajniak. She was predeceased by her grandson, John Carter Whitney.
The Mass of Christian Burial was April 16 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: St. Jude Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to Smile Train, P.O. Box 96210, Washington, DC 20090-6210.Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Bertha G. Waters,
mother of 4
THOMPSON — Bertha G. Waters, 87 formerly of Juliette Avenue, Thompson, died April 11, 2012, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn. She was the wife of the late Conrad Waters; he died in 1995.
She was born April 16, 1924, in Glocester, R.I., daughter of the late Alden and Bertha (Devaudreil) Ballou. She worked for more than 25 years at the Tupperware Company in N. Smithfield, R.I. She had also worked at Montgomery Ward and Sears in Putnam. She spent many winters in Inverness, Fla. Bertha was always willing to lend a helping hand and was always generous with her time and talents.
She leaves her children: Ronald Ballou of Chepachet, Judy Pedersen of Thompson; Dennis Waters of Glocester, Michael Waters of Ballouville; siblings Gertrude O’Han of Brooklyn, Rose Babbit of Florida, Charles Ballou of Florida; Richard Ballou of Glocester; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson Eric Pedersen, brother Alden Ballou and sister Rita Becarri.
A Memorial Service was April 15 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: Recreational Fund of the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home, PO Box 326, Brooklyn, CT 06234.
James Docker,
former editor
UNITY, N.H. — James (Jim) Joseph Docker, 64, of Unity, died April 4, 2012, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a battle with lymphoma and related complications.
He was born in May 1947 and was a native of New Britain.
He attended Aquinas High School in New Britain and received his bachelor’s degree from Assumption College in Worcester.
Prior to living in New Hampshire, the Dockers made their home in Cape Coral, Fla., Rochester, Vt., and New Hartford.
Most recently, Jim was public information director at Senior Friendship Centers in Ft Myers, Fla.
Previously he worked as press secretary to Senator Lowell P. Weicker, and was the editor of the Norwich Bulletin.
The Dockers also volunteered their time at the Animal Refuge Center in N. Ft. Myers.
He leaves his wife, friend and companion of 25 years, Carol Neumann Howard Docker; children Michael (Trisha), Kathryn and Thomas (Cara) Docker all from Connecticut; stepchildren Mark Howard of New Hampshire and Cristen Howard of South Carolina; brother William Docker (Tom) of Massachusetts and grandchildren Travis Salois, and Van, Sammy, Shealyn and Chase Docker. He was predeceased by his parents John and Ruth (Heisler) Docker and brother John Docker.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of His Life was April 14 in East Hampton.
Donations: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave, Ste 310, White Plains, NY 10605 or online www.LLS.org.