Donald L. Hayes,

WWII vet

PUTNAM — Donald L. Hayes, 92, of Grove St., died peacefully May 27, 2015, at home. He was the husband of 57 years to the late Leontine M. (St. Peter) Hayes who was his high school sweetheart.  Born in 1923 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Charles Olin and Delia (Breault) Hayes.

Mr. Hayes was a graduate of St. Mary’s School, and attended Putnam High School.  He proudly served his country with the Army Air Corp in Guam during WWII.  He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, a proud member for 25 years of the Putnam Lodge of Elks #574 and the Putnam Fire Department for 25 years.  

He worked for John Dean Manufacturing, Putnam Herzl for 32 years, and National Chromium for more than 60 years retiring in 2008.  He was a kind, and gentle man; he would go out of his way to help anyone in need.  He loved a good laugh and a glass of red wine, cooking, and taking care of his family.  He enjoyed golfing, yard work and his garden, repairing things, and mostly being with his family cooking and celebrating life.  He was a fan of UConn women’s basketball, the Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots.  

He leaves his sons, Donald H. Hayes of California, Peter “Bud” Hayes of Putnam, Ricky Hayes of Putnam, and John P. Miller of Putnam who he always considered to be like a fourth son; his sister, Eileen Albergo of Maryland; his grandchildren, Kimberly Marie Emilian, Jessica Hayes, Dylan C. Hayes, Molly C. Hayes, Matthew Hayes, Kyle Hayes, Alexandra Flicher, and Lindsey Stewart; seven great grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brothers, Almaron “Al” Hayes, and Clifford Hayes.

Services were private. Donations: Deary Memorial Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Donna Gaumond

DANIELSON — Donna M. Gaumond, 43, of Franklin St., died May 26, 2015, in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, after a brief illness.  Born in 1972 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Bernard C.E. Gaumond, Sr. and Anna E. (Dubois) Gaumond.

Ms. Gaumond was a medical receptionist for Dr. Roto and Dr. Howe.  She enjoyed yard saleing and flea marketing.  

She leaves her sons, Justin Loiselle, Collin Loiselle; and their father, Dale Loiselle; her brothers, David Gaumond of Ballouville, Bernard Gaumond Jr. of New Haven; her sisters, Patti Gaumond of Woodstock, and Roxanne Dufault of Danielson; her nieces and nephews, Jessica, Steven, Crystal, Venessa, Devin, Christine, Brandon, and Alan Jr.; and her great nieces and nephews, Hope, David, Jaylin, Xavier, Giovanni, and Kaylob.  She was predeceased by her brother, the late Alan Gaumond.  

Burial will be at a later date. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Carolyn A. Bowers

BROOKLYN —  Carolyn (Thornley) Bowers, 80, of Blueberry Lane, died May 20, 2015, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Rev. Theodore Williams Bowers. Born in 1935 in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Albert L. and Edith M. (Mitchell) Thornley.

Mrs. Bowers was a registered pediatric nurse for R.I. Hospital and Framingham Union Hospital.  She also provided in-home daycare for many years.  She was a member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross in Byfield, Mass., a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, a former member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton, Mass., and a longtime seasonal resident of Dennen Episcopal Family Campground in Plymouth, Mass.  She was affectionately known as the “Coupon Lady” at Trinity Church and The Friends of Assisi Food Pantry and has been a patron of many food charities.  She will be most fondly remembered by those with whom she spent countless hours in spiritual conversation and counseling. 

She leaves her sons, Stephen Bowers (Donna) of Fairfield, and Michael Bowers (Christina) of Woodstock; and her grandchildren, Katherine Bowers, Jonathan Bowers, Jennifer Bowers, Margaret Bowers, Emmaline Bowers, nieces and nephews.  

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. June 19 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Brooklyn. After the service, all are invited to visit with Carolyn’s family at J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant in Putnam for luncheon and celebration. In Carolyn’s memory, please bring a nonperishable food item to the restaurant or donate to The Friends of Assisi Food Pantry, 77 Water St., Danielson, CT 06239 www.friendsofassisi.com.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

 

William J. MacKenzie 

N. GROSVENORDALE — William Joseph MacKenzie, 49, of N. Grosvenordale, died May 30, 2015, after a hard battle. He was the husband of Tammie MacKenzie, they were married June 25, 1988, in Thompson. He was the youngest born out of 10 children in Putnam to his predeceased parents, Gloria (Tetreault-Challinor) and James MacKenzie. 

Bill worked construction for the last 33 years of his life and enjoyed every minute of it. He was a stubborn, independent man that would do anything to help the ones he loved.  He will forever be remembered for his great sense of humor, kind heart, and generosity.

In addition to his wife, he leaves behind three daughters, Alicia Racine and husband Jasper, Trisha MacKenzie and boyfriend Joshua Daigle, youngest daughter Emily MacKenzie, his three grandsons, Hayden, Conner, and Jacob; siblings Dennis, Brenda, Robert, Patricia, and Jamey; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers David, Michael and Ricky, sister Kathleen Fague, and soon to be son-in-law Dane Picard. 

Visitation is from 8 to 9:30 p.m. June 3 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. 

 

Paul Arthur Labonte

N. FT. MYERS, Fla. — Paul Arthur Labonte, 75, of N. Ft. Myers, formally of Thompson, died Dec. 5, 2013.  He was the husband of Carol (Lavallee) Labonte for 26 years.  Born in 1938 in Thompson, he was the son of the late Tellesfore and Doris (St. Marie) Labonte.

Mr. Labonte worked as a mechanic for United Parcel Service in Shrewsbury, Mass.

Paul was the past chief of the East Thompson Fire Department from 1965 – 1970. Paul and his wife Carol loved camping especially in Alaska.

He leaves his wife Carol Labonte of Ft. Mill, S.C.; his sons Lawrence Labonte (Rose) of Thompson and Donald Labonte and his partner Lucien Lamoureux of Inverness, Fl.; his daughters Ann Coman (David) of Thompson and Susan Fournier (Thomas) of Dudley; a step-son Michael Lavallee (Kelly) of Ft. Mill; a step-daughter Michelle Lavallee and her partner Cheryl Gendreau of Auburn; a brother Edward Labonte of Corinna, Maine: two sisters Florence Vess of Homosassa, Fla., and Claire Lafleur of Ft. Myers, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife of 25years Rose Marie (Blais) Labonte and a brother Albert Labonte. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. June 5 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Doria Lemieux

WEBSTER — Doria (LaBonte) Lemieux, 89, of Webster died May 29, 2015, at her daughter’s home in  Oxford.

She was born in Putnam the daughter of the late Leon and the late Mabel (King) LaBonte

raised in Putnam and Dayville coming to Webster at age 16. She worked at Empire Laundry and in retail sales at Keys, Mammoth Mart and Kings Department stores .

She was a communicant of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Webster and  a devoted member of the  St. Vincent dePaul society .She opened and managed the St. Vincent depaul  thrift store for many years until her retirement 

She leaves her children  Joseph P. Lemieux Jr. (Cheryl) of Brooklyn, Cheryl A Malesky (Paul) of Oxford, Mass., and Daniel B. Lemieux Sr and his fiance Diane Minarik  of Thompson; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren Hailie, Jordon, Logan ,Dylan ,Addison and Luc . She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years Joseph Lemieux Sr. in  2004.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. June 6  at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Webster with burial in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, Webster . Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. June 5 at Bartel Funeral Home, Schofield Avel, Dudley. Donations: St. Vincent dePaul Society, c/o Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 16 East Main St., Webster, MA 01570.

 

Robert J. Veilleux

DANIELSON — Robert J. Veilleux, 58, of Basley Rd., died May 27, 2015, at home..  He was the husband of the late Susan (Hartley) Veilleux.  Born in 1956 in Putnam, he is the son of Louis and Jeanette (Sarette) Veilleux of Putnam.

Mr. Veilleux worked as a supervisor at U. S. Button for many years.

Robert enjoyed golfing and softball and while in high school he was very active in athletics.

He leaves his parents; a step son Eric Deslauriers of Plainfield; two step daughters Melissa Waite (Steve) of Norwich and Vikki Parrock (Cole) of Plainfield; two sisters Linda Thorstenson and her partner Milton Korch of Wynn, Maine, and Cheryl Walsh Dennis) of Putnam; two step grandchildren Christian and Kaylee; and his pets Abby, Clifford, and Rudy.

The Mass of Christian Burial was June 1 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111.Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes. 

 

..

 

 

 

BROOKLYN — After what seemed to be an endless winter, homeowners may be welcoming the warmer weather as a signal to start a vast array of home improvement projects. Homes that may have suffered damage as a result of snow and ice build-up may be in need of repair, renovation, or a new coat of paint. With that, public health officials from the Northeast

District Department of Health are reminding homeowners of risks associated with renovations that could impact the health of residents living in the home.

“The first thing that comes to mind is the risk of lead poisoning, especially in children,” said NDDH Public Health Nurse Nancy Beaudry. “Lead is especially dangerous to children under the age of six, whose brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its damaging effects. Even small amounts of lead dust can cause lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and behavior problems.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to humans and animals. Lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products found in and around homes, including paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics.

“Lead in dust is the most common way that people are exposed to lead,” explained Beaudry. “Lead dust can form from deteriorating paint that is peeling, chipping, or damaged, or when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded, or heated. Babies and young children are at higher risk for exposure because of their hand-to-mouth behavior. Adults, particularly pregnant women, can be exposed by breathing lead dust in areas where lead-based paint is deteriorating, and during renovation or repair work that disturbs painted surfaces in older homes and buildings.”

Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.

The EPA’s 2008 Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule (amended in 2010 and 2011), requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities and pre-schools built before 1978 have their firm certified by EPA (or an EPA authorized state); use certified renovators who are trained by EPA- approved training providers; and follow lead-safe work practices The rule also applies to property owners who are performing their own renovations in rental properties.

Although the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule does not apply to individual homeowners renovating, repairing, or painting their own homes, do-it-yourself projects can easily create dangerous lead dust, so homeowners need to educate themselves and take all precautions to work safely with lead-based paint if they chose not to hire a certified renovator.

“There are a number of resources available both on-line and from your local health department to assist you in renovating right,” commented NDDH Director of Health Susan Starkey. “Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children. To achieve the goal of eliminating this disease, we must raise awareness and assure that local contractors and homeowners have the tools and information they need to renovate right.”

Starkey also noted that many home improvement projects that include construction such as covered entryways, decks, storage sheds, barns, swimming pools and other additions or conversions often require special permits. She advises homeowners to contact NDDH prior to the start of any building project.

“Homeowners, landlords, and contractors can save time, resources, and unnecessary expense simply by contacting their local health department,” explained Starkey. By working together, we can assure that home improvement projects have happy and healthy outcomes.”

 

 

captions. Top right: Earl Rosebrooks, PBA president, and Jennifer Beckett.

Middle:  Delpha Very

 

 

 

'Beauty Bikes'

The Putnam Business Association's Beautification Subcommittee recently got to work on its bike project.  The fruits of the first surge of labor are now gracing the sidewalks of downtown Putnam.

This is the second year of the program. Last year there were 22 bikes painted up and holding baskets of flowers, sprinkled throughout downtown Putnam.

Of those 22 bicycles, the subcommittee members created 17 of them. Many downtown businesses create their own bicycle art project. This year, thus far 13 bicycles were painted and planted. 

The price for a basic old bicycle is $15. The price for a painted old bicycle is $20 and if you wanted the bicycle painted, and planted and delivered, the price is $75.

If interested, contact either Delpha Very at the Putnam Economic and Community Development office on Main Street or Ann Monteiro at The Flying Carpet in the Montgomery Ward Building downtown.