Donations
JEWETT CITY — Jewett City Savings Bank recently announced its giving a $1,000 to be shared by five local food pantries including The Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Brooklyn and Community Kitchens in Dayville. The Bank and its Foundation have provided nearly $70,000 in funding to local food pantries in recent years.

DANIELSON — The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce’s awards committee report has made its selections.
Civic Achievement Award - An award given to an individual or group for their broad-based involvement with clubs, civic groups, charities etc. over a long period of time.

The Committee’s selection is Carmel Osterlund. Osterlund’s involvement with numerous organizations runs deep and includes an array of organizations including the Tommy Toy Fund, the American Cancer Society, the Burke Memorial Golf Tournament, and the Michael Davis Memorial Golf Tournament. But her involvement with the Danielson Rotary Club has been significant. As a member and past president of the Danielson Rotary Club, Carmel quickly embraced the motto of “service above self”.  In 2007, Carmel volunteered at the Big E fair in Springfield, MA to assist members of the Clinton Rotary Club in registering children in the AMBERAlert Child ID program. AMBER stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response and was created as a legacy to nine-year old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and then brutally murdered.  Carmel made it her mission to learn all she could about the AMBERAlert program, took it to heart, and started a local initiative through Danielson Rotary. Since then, she has managed to secure donated space each year at the Brooklyn Fair and mobilized a force of volunteers to work the four days to register children in the database program. In addition, to spearheading the initiative and working to register more than 4,000 children in the program,  Carmel has worked tirelessly to fundraise and pay for two computer ID systems as well as a permanent structure within the Brooklyn fairgrounds.  The awards committee is honored to recognize Carmel Osterlund for her extraordinary giving spirit with the 2014 Civic Achievement Award.

George J. Racine, Sr. Humanitarian Award-An award given to a person in recognition of their dedicated involvement with a specific cause or activity; that which promotes concern for human welfare.  The committee’s selection is Betty Church of Brooklyn.

Danny Thomas once said, “success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself; it’s what you do for others”.

Betty Church defines that quote with her dedication and commitment to Day Kimball Healthcare and its subsidiaries. In her capacity as a Development Committee member, she worked on the Susan Chilkott Scholarship Committee, as well as numerous campaigns including the “Care in a Heartbeat capital campaign by soliciting pledges for the soon-to-be Townsend Emergency Medical Center.

She worked diligently on the “Twilight in the Country” fundraiser for several years generating thousands of dollars for Homecare, HomeMakers and Hospice of Northeast Connecticut.

She is a member of the DKH Women’s Board and works to raise money for the organization through their various fundraisers.  Over and above her service on these various committees, Betty volunteers by assisting in many of the Day Kimball Hospital offices answering phones, stuffing mailers and filing.

es, Betty volunteers by assisting in many of the Day Kimball Hospital offices answering phones, stuffing mailers and filing. To date, she has generously contributed more than 2,800 hours. It is the committee’s belief that Betty is truly  worthy of this year’s Humanitarian award. 

Business Leader of The Year Award-An award presented to an individual for outstanding business leadership and active participation in community organizations. The Committee’s selection is Robert Fournier.
Fournier is being recognized with the Business Leader of the Year Award because he excels in both his commitment to business and the community.  A third generation funeral director, Bob has owned and operated Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes in Putnam and North Grosvenordale since 2005.  Most recently, Fournier expanded his business to include a crematory.
Professionally, Bob attends numerous conferences or conventions sponsored by the National Funeral Directors and the Connecticut Funeral Directors Associations. He has been invited to become a member of an elite group known as the Selected Independent Funeral Homes, an organiztion dedicted to integrity, ethical business practices and advancing and moving funeral service forward.

Bob freely gives of his time mentoring others interested in pursuing a career in the mortuary business.  Additionally, he works with administrators at Woodstock Academy and Tourtellotte Memorial High School teaching classes on “Death & Dying” and the “Mock Car Crash”. 
Bob is a firm believer in the philosophy that it is his civic responsibility to give back to the community and, therefore, generously donates his time to a myriad of organizations and causes.  He is an active member of the Putnam Rotary Club, the Knights of Columbus, a board member of Matulaitis Nursing Home, the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce and a major organizer of the Circle of Fun fundraiser for St. Mary’s Church.  One little known donation made by Bob, followed the Sandy Hook tragedy last year when Bob assisted another director by offering his professional services to the family of one of the young victims.   The committee is indeed pleased to name Robert Fournier as the 2014 Business Leader of the Year recipient.

Gold Key Award-An award presented to an individual or business for their outstanding service to the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.  The Committee’s selection is David Conrad.
David Conrad has been an active supporter of the organization since joining The Citizens National Bank in 2000.   David joined the Board of Directors of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and quickly found his way into the chairs of the organization. Fairly early on in 2012, he stepped in as President when Mr. Deary resigned to focus on his health. David worked at completing Peter’s goals and had a banner year providing strong leadership for the organization that saw solid programming and outreach to the business community. In 2013, the organization re-elected him to serve a second term, a job only a handful of prior presidents chose to pursue.  This year, has been marked with exceptional programs for the membership that included a focus on economics and workshop programming as well as formulating a Chamber strategic planning session that will serve as the foundation for the future success of the Chamber.
But over and above David’s involvement with the organization as a member of the board is his commitment and generosity to the organization as President and CEO of The Citizens National Bank. For decades, the bank has provided a home for the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, asking nothing in return and for that, the organization is grateful beyond words.  It is as a result of this commitment to leadership and his giving spirit that we recognize David Conrad with the 2014 Gold Key Award.
The award recipients will be formally recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner & Awards Gala scheduled for Jan. 17 at The Raceway Restaurant in Thompson.

Sister M. Frechette
PUTNAM — Sr. Marcelle Frechette, DHS, 90, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died Dec. 6, 2013, at the Holy Spirit Provincial Health Care Center where she had been in residence since June of 2007.
Born on June 5, 1923, in Lawrence, Mass., the daughter of the late Arthur and Marie (Normand) Frechette, Sr. Marcelle entered religious life in 1940 and made her religious profession on Aug. 20, 1945, at the Holy Spirit Provincial House, Putnam. She was then known as Sr. Anne Arthur.
Sr. Marcelle received a bachelor’s degree from the Diocesan Sisters’ College, S. Woodstock.  From 1945 to 1980, she taught in various schools operated by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in CT, MA, VT, Upstate NY and Canada.  After many years of teaching, Sr. Marcelle was assigned to St. Martin de Porres School in Gadsden, Ala., as Cafeteria Manager/Secretary.  In 1987 she took on domestic services at the Provincial House in Putnam and served as part-time receptionist, a position she held until 2006.
She leaves two brothers, Donald Frechette of Danville, N.H., and Robert Frechette of Tempe, Ariz.; nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial was  Dec. 11 the Provincial House chapel with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Putnam.
Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT, 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Jeanne Brelsford
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jeanne Fredericka Brelsford, 54, of Jacksonville, formerly of Vernon and Putnam, died Nov. 23, 2013.
She was born June 27, 1959, in Putnam, daughter of Lois Grace Brelsford of Woodstock, and the late Frederick Brelsford. A 1977 graduate of Putnam High School, she participated in many high school sports. She was a former communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Jeanne worked for Kaman Aerospace Corporation of Bloomfield, Moosup, and Jacksonville, for 34 years, most recently as manager of Quality Programs. She was an outgoing person, a real people person, and made many friends through her life. Her hobbies and leadership positions included Assistant Director of the Jacksonville Harley Owners Group; Lt. Commander of the United States Power Squadron; Member of the National Corvette Restoration Society; Member of the National Corvette Museum.
She leaves her mother, Lois Grace Brelsford of Woodstock; her sister, Cheryl Salvas (Roger) of Woodstock; two nieces Kerry Clark (Kevin) of Pomfret; Lynn Yonush (Jason) of Woodstock; her nephew Jeffrey Salvas (Dory) of Woodstock; great nieces and nephew Kayla, Alyssa, Alise, Samantha and Justin, her longtime partner of 16 years, Kimberly Jensen and her four special dogs.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 7, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Marjorie V. Birch
THOMPSON — Marjorie V. (Ogilvie) Birch, 81, of Windsor Ave., Plainfield, formerly of Thompson, died Dec. 5, 2013, in Colonial Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in 1932 in Littleton, Mass., she was the wife of the late Richard Birch.
Marjorie was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She leaves sons, Joel Birch of Putnam and Richard Birch of Thompson; her daughter, Tammy Eddy of Thompson; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Donations: Colonial Health & Rehabilitation Resident Activity Fund, 16 Windsor Ave., Plainfield, CT 06374. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

Emma Feige
POMFRET — Emma Feige,, 96,  of Pomfret, died Nov. 26, 2013. Miss Feige was born Sept. 21, 1917, in Newport, R.I., daughter of Paul and Mary Feige.
Miss Feige began working for Charles and Louise Abbott in 1941, and was the caregiver, and surrogate aunt and grandmother, to generations of Abbotts.  Her lifelong courage, determination, and will to live life fully were an inspiration to all her friends and family.  She was an accomplished pianist, violinist, and vocalist who sang in several church choirs and madrigal groups.
“Tante”  was also an avid gardener who took special joy in flowers. She loved living creatures as well as plants, especially each of the dogs who were her companions over the years.  She had a passion for card games of all kinds, and was a regular, and skilled, bridge player for decades. She will be greatly missed for her booming, infectious laughter; her constant affection and care; and a  wondrous and almost endless supply of cookies, pies and cakes.
She leaves a sister, Mrs. Helen Hemmer of  Prospect Park, N.J.; nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.
A celebration of her life is planned for the spring of 2014. Her family and friends would welcome photographs and recollections to be shared in an album at that time.  Please send them to her home at 330 Peterson Road, Pomfret Center, CT, 06259, c/o P. H. Abbott.  Donations: Connecticut Humane Society at: Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111; or to the Food Pantry for Pomfret and the surrounding area care of: The Access Agency, 1315 Main Street, #2, Willimantic, CT 06226. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Claire M. Howland
N. GROSVENORDALE — Claire (Langelier) Howland, 95, of Linehouse Rd., died Dec. 4, 2013, in Day Kimball Hospital.  She was the wife of the late Ralph W. Howland.  Born in1918 in Wilsonville,  she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ora (Pratt) Langelier.
Mrs. Howland worked as an inspector for the American Optical Corp.  She previously worked for Durand Candy and The Snowsuit Factory.  She was a member of The Thompson Senior Citizens, and a lifelong communicant of St. Stephen's Church. She leaves her daughter, Linda Demers (Roland Jr.) of N. Grosvenordale; her brother, Raymond Langelier of Wilsonville, her grandchildren, Brian Demers of N. Grosvenordale, and Kevin Demers of Arizona; and her great grandson, Payton Demers.  She was predeceased by seven brothers and sisters. The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 9 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Donations: Community Ambulance, PO Box 874, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

Warren G. Salvas
PUTNAM — Warren G. Salvas, 78, formerly of 5 Mile River Rd., died peacefully Dec. 6, 2013, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of Lorraine J. (Ducharme) Salvas for 58 years. Born in 1935 in Putnam, he was the son of the late William and Alice (Warren) Salvas.
Mr. Salvas served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Japan in the motor pool, running heavy equipment at the bottom of Mount Fujiyama.  He attended school in Putnam.
He was a truck driver for Pepsi Cola Co. for 28 years and also worked in construction. He enjoyed antique cars and classic cars, country music, and keeping his property neat, as he was very proud of his house. He loved the Red Sox, animal shows, Grand Ole Opry shows, and working on his antique cars.
In addition to his wife, he leaves sons, Warren B. Salvas (Lisa) of Putnam and Jay P. Salvas of Bronx, N.Y.; daughters, Lois A. Salvas of Australia, Jocelyn M. O’Rourke (Mark) of Wethersfield, and Wendy B. Jackson of Beverly, Mass.; sister, Madeleine Gastonguay of Florida and Alice Smith of Putnam; grandchildren, Kelly, Kimberly, Rebecca, Stephen, Erika and Spencer; and great-grandchildren Grace Kelly and Layton Quinn. He was predeceased by his infant son, Warren J. Salvas, brother, William A. Salvas, and sister, June Whiteoak.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery with military honors. Donations: Arc of Quinebaug Valley, 387 Cook Hill Rd., Danielson, CT 06239;or Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Rd., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Georgette Joly
DANIELSON — Georgette Rosa (Perreault) Joly, 78, of Danielson, died Dec. 3, 2013, at home. She was born Oct. 5, 1935. Mrs. Joly attended St. James Elementary School and graduated from Killingly High School in 1953. She married George Joly on May 14, 1955.
She was a lifelong communicant of St. James Church and was steadfast in her faith. She worked for 20 years as a teacher’s aide at St. James School.
She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Eva (Landry) Perreault, her husband George, and her brother Raymond Perreault. She leaves her sister Joan Kent; her sons Michael and wife Meryl Lefkovich and his daughters Zoe, Coco, and Eva; Robert and wife Jane Woodhouse and their son Rene; David and his wife Annie and their daughter Nina.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Dec.  14 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations: “The Georgette Joly Scholarship Fund,” c/o St. James Church, 12 Franklin St., Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Doris M. Lefevre
PUTNAM — Doris Mae Lefevre, 85, formerly of Sabin Street, died Dec. 1, 2013, at Greenville Skilled Nursing in Greenville, R.I. She was born Dec. 26, 1927, in Putnam, daughter of the late John A. and Harriet (Whitman) Champeau. Doris worked for many years as a telephone operator in Danielson.
She had made her home in the Danielson and Killingly areas all her life. She attended Quinebaug Valley Community College, receiving an associate’s degree. Doris was affectionately known to her friends as “Edith Bunker”, she could start a conversation with anyone and always had a smile.
She leaves her children: Skip Berube (Theresa) of Lakeworth, Fla.; Timothy Berube (Linda) of Spring Hill, Tenn.; Chuck Berube (Val) of Danielson; Lisa Lefevre of Michigan, nine grandchildren, great-grandchildren; her former husband James O. Lefevre of Willington; siblings: John A. Champeau of Newport, R.I., Philip Champeau of Clinton, Tenn., Lucille Caron of Ballouville, Linda King of Pomfret. She was predeceased by a brother Rocky Champeau.
A celebration of her life will be held later. Donations: ASPCA or another animal charity. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.