David John Longo
PUTNAM — David John Longo, 61, formerly of Sayles Avenue, died Feb. 15, 2026, at Hope Health Hulier Hospice Center in Providence.
Born in 1964 in Putnam, he was the son of Nicholas Longo, Esq. of Putnam and the late Louise (Paulhus) Longo.
Mr. Longo worked for many years in Corporate Accounting for the Pepsi Cola Company.
He was a very active member of the Sovereign Grace Chapel in Southbridge, Mass.
He enjoyed attending both professional and collegiate sporting events with his two brothers.
He leaves his father, Atty. Nicholas Longo of Putnam; siblings, James N. Longo of Ohio, Kevin J. Longo of Putnam, and Maureen E. Longo of Putnam; two nieces, Christine Longo and Sarah Longo and his nephew, James Longo Jr.
Funeral arrangements are private and have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 School St., Putnam.
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Mary Violet Santerre
N. GROSVENORDALE — Mary Violet (Rogers) Santerre, 94, of North Grosvenordale, died Feb. 12, 2026, after a long and fulfilling life.
She was born July 9, 1931, in Holyoke, Mass., daughter of the late William Bernard Rogers and Susan Theresa (O’Donnell) Rogers. Mary spent much of her childhood in Holyoke before she and her family moved to Putnam, where she graduated from Putnam High School.
During her high school years, she met the love of her life, Rene, whom she later married when he returned home from his deployment in the Korean conflict. They then settled in North Grosvenordale, where they built their life and raised their family together.
Together, Mary and her husband ran his self-employed masonry business and later D&R Masonry & Tire in North Grosvenordale. In addition to raising her family and supporting the family business, Mary worked at American Optical, as a recreation director at Matulaitis Nursing Home, and as an arts and crafts instructor at Thompson Recreation Adventure Camp.
Mary was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in North Grosvenordale and was active in the Daughters of Isabella Circle #636, where she served for many years as Regent.
Mary enjoyed crafting, including cross stitch, sewing, crocheting, and knitting, as well as baking. She also opened her own business, Knots n’ Things, offering macramé supplies and classes, and became known to many as “Macramé Mary.” She was especially proud of her Irish heritage, a spirit that shone through in her strength, determination, and humor. She also enjoyed watching sports, especially the Boston Red Sox and the UConn Women’s Basketball Team. Mary cherished summers at the family camp at Quaddick Lake, where time with family and friends created treasured memories.
For more than 30 years, Mary and Rene spent winters as “snowbirds” on the west coast of Florida, where they built lasting friendships and enjoyed watching Red Sox spring training and college softball spring training. There, Mary played bocce and Rummikub, spent time at the pool and beach, volunteered with park theatrical performances, and rode her bike.
She leaves her sons, Daniel Santerre (Nancy), and Roger Santerre (Denise), all of North Grosvenordale. “Memere” also leaves four beloved grandchildren: Pamela, Tracey, Alyson, and Andrew. “Aunt Vi” is also survived by many nieces, nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Rene Bernard Santerre; her grandson, Matthew Santerre; and her siblings, William Rogers, Susan (Rogers) Duquette, Shirley (Rogers) Lavin, and Rosemary (Rogers) Piotrowski.
Visitation was Feb. 20 at Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., with a Mass of Christian Burial Feb. 20 St. Joseph’s Church, N. Grosvenordale. Burial will be private in the spring. Donations: TEEG, PO Box 664, 15 Thatcher Road, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255.
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