POMFRET CENTER — John E. Casey Jr., 85, of Orchard Hill Rd., died Feb. 8, 2021, at Rhode Island Hospital.
He was the husband of Kathryn (O’Brien) Casey.  They were married on May 26, 1990, in Pomfret. John was predeceased by his first wife, Mildred (Williams) Casey in 1989.
Born in 1936 in Stafford Springs, he was the son of the late J. Edward Casey Sr. and Marjorie (Matthews) Casey. Mr. Casey was a 1954 graduate of Windham High School.  He worked for Northeast Utilities for 27 years.  After retirement he went on to work for 25 years for the Gilman and Valade Funeral Home & Crematory as a funeral assistant.
John was a former chairman and member of the Republican Town Committee of Pomfret.  He also served on various boards and committees including the Board of Assessment Appeals and Justice of the Peace for the town.  He served in the Army National Guard.
He was a 50-year (2010) member and past Master of the Wolf Den Grange #61 as well as a member of the Pomfret Seniors.  John was a member of the Putnam Lodge #46 AFAM and many other Masonic groups. He performed many acts of kindness and works of charity over the years, especially as president and sexton of the Abington Cemetery Association.
In addition to his wife Kathryn, he leaves two step-sons, Timothy B. Morrarty (Melissa) of Pomfret, and Thomas Morrarty of Vero Beach, Fla.; siblings, Alan M. Casey of Willimantic, and Hope C. Garrison (Lee) of Chaplin; his grandchildren, Matthew Morrarty (Stephanie), Bradley Belanger (Sasha), and Kayla Belanger (Emily); his great-grandchildren, Allison, Maxson, and Hayes Morrarty, and Alexander Belanger.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. May 22 at Abington Cemetery, 592 Mashamoquet Rd., Abington. Donations: KB Ambulance, P.O. Box 209, Danielson, CT. 06239. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.

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Wed. Feb. 17
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Putnam Elks Club on Edmond Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Fri. Feb. 19
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mary Church on Providence Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sat. Feb. 20
Foodshare
PUTNAM --- The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse, the Town of Putnam, the Putnam VFW Post 1523 and the Putnam American Legion Post 13 will host its first large Foodshare at 10 a.m. at the Putnam Elementary and Putnam Middle schools. Foodshares will run every two weeks on Saturdays at the same location through the end of April. Saturday Foodshares are open to all regardless of where they live and almost 1,500 30-lb. boxes will be distributed. For February the theme of the Putnam Business Association is "Feel the Love" and each vehicle will get two boxes (one to share with those that are less fortunate or are unable to come pick up the box). Drive through. Wear masks.

Sun. Feb. 21
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open House will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Tours, registration. Social distancing and face masks required. Also looking for summer camp staff.  Must be 18 or graduating high school this June and interested in working with kids in an outdoor environment.  860-974-1122 or apply online under “work at camp” tab at www.4hcampct.org.

Tues. Feb. 23
Water Quality
WOODSTOCK --- The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) will be hosting a meeting of the Little River Healthy Watershed Collaborative at 9 a.m. on Zoom. Roseland Lake, Little River, Muddy Brook and Peckham Brook are not meeting recreation standards as determined by the CT DEEP because of stormwater runoff. Participants will look at what was done before and what can be done now. For info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tues. Feb. 23
Outdoor Activity
POMFRET --- Ragged Hill Woods is offering Outdoor Activity Sessions at Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Feb. 23, March 2 and March 16. Sessions last one hour, $12 per child, held outside, masks and social distancing required.  For info and to register, call 860-974-1122.

Fri. Feb. 26
Blood Drive
DAYVILLE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 5:45 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Dayville Fire Company. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Blood Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Bungay Fire Brigade on Rt. 171. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sat. March 14
Fund-raiser Dinner
THOMPSON --- The American Legion Post 67 on Thompson Hill Road will hold a Corned Beef Dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. $10.  Takeout only. Come inside and place order and it will be brought out to you.

Sat.  April 24
Wall of Honor
PUTNAM --- The Putnam High School Wall of Honor ceremony will be held today.

Fri.  June 12
Golf Tournament
KILLINGLY --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary’s 28th annual Nick Haines Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Connecticut National Golf Course. Benefits local charities. For info: 860-230-3530.

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Honored
The American Legion District #4 honored its Commander Ronald P. Coderre, center, Feb. 14 with the presentation of a National Achievement Award from National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford and National Adjutant Daniel S. Wheeler.  The presentation was made by Past Department of Connecticut Commander Everett G. Shepard, right, and National Executive Committeeman D. Joseph Jackson.  Coderre led District #4 to 100% membership in 2019-2020. Courtesy photo.

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