David Ernest Tuttle,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — David Ernest Tuttle, 93, of Putnam died at home May 26, 2020, of congestive heart failure.
He was born in 1927 in Nashua, N.H., son of William and Jennie Wetherill Tuttle. He grew up in Amherst, N.H., during the Depression.
He enlisted in the Navy at 17 during WWII. He served in a Navy tanker in the S. Pacific, then a destroyer force of the Atlantic Fleet. He qualified for submarine duty in 1954 and served on various conventional submarines in the Atlantic Fleet.
The high point of his career was his assignment to the USS George Washington, the world’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. He took part in the historical first firing of a Polaris missile from the submarine in 1960.
He spent much of his naval career stationed out of the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. He was transferred to shore duty for his last few years in service and thus, by luck, avoided being assigned to the ill-fated USS Thresher. A chief quartermaster at that time, he served as the training administrator at the Naval Reserve Center in Jamestown, N.Y.
He retired in 1964 as chief petty officer and he and his wife moved back to New England.
He worked as a drafter for Electric Boat of General Dynamics in Groton then went back out to sea as a third officer in the Merchant Marines. That included going into the port of Saigon during the Vietnam war.
He then worked for Prudential Insurance before taking a job with the U.S. Post Office where he worked until his retirement in 1988.
David and his wife Lois foster parented newborn infants awaiting adoption. They cared for a total of 120 foster babies over a period of about 45 years.
He was known for his outgoing personality. He had an infectious grin and was brimming with mischief and humor. He always had stories to tell, some of them tall tales. He was kind, gentle and had a strong sense of humor and decency.
He leaves his wife of 66 years, Lois (Trow) Tuttle; two daughters: Valerie “Judy” McQueeney of Warren, MA, and Rumney, N.H., and Joyce Borey of Putnam; two sons, James Tuttle of N. Stonington and David Tuttle Jr. of Laguna Hills, CA; 13 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held later. Condolences for the family: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Donations: Bring food to any local food bank.

Mary Anne Seyford
Mary Anne Seyford, 78, died on June 22, 2020, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. She was born July 2, 1941, in Oneco, the daughter of Hazel Sparks Fletcher and William Renald Fletcher.
A graduate of ECSC and a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Mary Anne taught school for 28 years mostly in Killingly, retiring in 1995. She was a Cub Scout Den mother in Brooklyn, 4-H Horse Club leader and CCD instructor.
She leaves her sons, William P. Caron of Dayville, and Pete O. Caron of Florida; daughter Jennifer F. Seyford of Dayville; five grandchildren, William Caron and Christine Pilipaitis and Nicholas, Noah, and Ryan Godino; two nieces, Judy Hendrickson and Kathy Carter. She was predeceased by her husband Ernest Fred Seyford and an infant son Jonathan F. Seyford, twin of Jennifer Seyford. She will be buried with her husband Ernest and son in Riverside Cemetery, Oneco. Donations: Hospice or SIDS. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Margaret Baranowski
POMFRET — Margaret (Niedzielski) Baranowski went home to Our Lord on June 22, 2020.
She was born Feb. 16, 1921, in Erie, PA to the late Frank and Frances (Lewandowski) Niedzielski.
Her greatest love was being a nurse. She earned her R.N. degree through the Army Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII.
She worked at Hamot Hospital in Erie and while working, earned her bachelor’s degree from Villa Maria College.
In 1963, she followed her husband Joseph to Milwaukee, where he accepted a new position.
While there she worked at Wood Veterans Administration Hospital for 20 years.
After Joseph’s retirement, they moved back to Erie where she returned to Hamot Hospital to continue her nursing career.
In 2005 Margaret moved to Pomfret to live with her daughter Cynthia and her son-in-law Robert Laurendeau.
In addition to Cynthia and Robert, she leaves three granddaughters, Sharon LeBlanc of Enon Valley, PA, Katherine (Anthony) Pezzano of Putnam, and Yvette (Troy) Hollenbeck of Pomfret; 9 great-grandchildren, Amanda, Alex, Mark, Erin, Brian, Sarah, Julia, Joey, and Abigail. She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Baranowski, and her seven siblings.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. July 6 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret.
Donations: Hospice of CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; the Pomfret Fire Department, 67 Hampton Rd, Pomfret, CT 06258; or to Most Holy Trinity Church, 568 Pomfret Rd, Pomfret, CT 06259. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

Leo H. Bellanceau
THOMPSON — Leo Bellanceau, 61, Quaddick Farm Town Rd., died June 27, 2020.  He was the husband of Laurie (Cotnoir) Bellanceau.  Born in 1958 in Fort Eustis, Va., he was the son of Lina (Schwolow) Bellanceau and the late Leo C. Bellanceau.
Leo was a master carpenter who enjoyed working with his brother at Greg’s Carpentry. He was an outdoors man and loved to hunt, fish and just spend time working in his yard. He was a “Simple Man” and man that just enjoyed life and his dog Jessy.
He leaves his son Leo H. Bellanceau II, his fiancé Samantha and granddaughter Evelyn Annalee; two brothers, Gregory (Donna) of Woodstock, Andre (Sandra) of RI; two sisters Loraine Rousseau and her partner Scott Kramer of Thompson, Angela “Sue” Welch (Jim) of Putnam.
Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 2 in Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Graveside service follows in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT. 06067.

Richard W. Mayo Sr.
WINDHAM — Richard W. Mayo Sr., 66, of North St., died June 21, 2020.  Born in 1954 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Jesse Sr. and Doris (Reil) Mayo.
Mr. Mayo worked as a self-employed master carpenter and was a member of the local 475.
A “Jack of all Trades and Master of None.”  
He was also an EMT for the Dayville Fire Department and a Boy Scout leader for Troop #42. He was loving, hardworking and always a “crowd pleaser.”  He enjoyed camping and cooking. 
He leaves his son, Richard Mayo Jr. (Kara) of Pomfret; his daughters, Tiffany Bernier of Spencer, Mass., and Crystel Couillard (Craig) of Scituate; brothers, Jesse Mayo Jr., and Dennis Mayo; his sister, Betty Ann Mayo; grandchildren, Caleb, Collin, Cian, Cavan, Conner, Cole, Clover, Damian, Cameron, Kaylee, and Lydia.
Visitation is from 10 a.m. to noon July 10 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam with a service in the funeral home at noon. Burial in S. Cemetery, Pomfret. Donations: P.A.W.S, P.O. Box 31, S. Woodstock, CT. 06267.

Anita G. House
SOUTHBRIDGE — Anita G. (Cyr) House, 58, died June 23, 2020, at home.
Anita was born Nov. 10, 1961, Norwalk, daughter of the late Herman and Dorothy (Gemon) Cyr.
 The family was connected to N. Grosvenordale. Worked as a home health aide.
She leaves her husband of 40 years, Mark House; son Timothy House of Louisiana; three sisters: Doris Talbot of Maui, Hawaii, Theresa Cyr of Shelton, and Nancy Marie Cyr of Norwalk; two grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her son Mark House, and her brothers Armond and Clifford Cyr.
Donations: Second Chance Animal Shelter, 111 Young Road East Brookfield, MA 01515.
Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home.

Deslauriers Service
PLAINFIELD — Eric Deslauriers, 41, of Park Rd, died April 7, 2020. Born in 1978 in Putnam. He worked as a laborer in construction.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 11:30 a.m. July 10 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. A celebration will be held at the Black Dog Restaurant, Putnam, following the committal. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Haynes Service
PUTNAM — Glen C. Haynes Jr., 64, of Woodstock Ave., died April 25, 2020. He was the husband of the late Judith T. (Bonneau) Haynes. He was born in 1955 in Muncy, Penn. He worked for Loos & Co. in Pomfret.
Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. July 8 at Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a graveside service at 11:30 a.m. in Calvary Cemetery, Webster. Donations: Paws Cat Shelter, 240 Rt. 171, Woodstock, CT 06281.

.
 

Walk-Race
PUTNAM — Day Kimball Healthcare is cancelling its Walk & Race that had been scheduled for Aug. 8.


.
 

caption:

Veteran
WWII veteran and member of American Legion Post #13 Raymond Williams, right, with District #4 Commander Ronald P. Coderre at the Flag Day ceremony in Putnam. Courtesy photo.


LEGION Act
opens door to vets
American Legion Posts in northeastern Connecticut are waiting to enroll and assist veterans who have served their country from WWII through the Ear on Terrorism, according to Ronald P. Coderre, Commander of District #4, which covers Windham and Tolland counties.
American Legion Posts in northeastern Connecticut are; Woodstock – Post #111; N. Grosvenordale – Post #67; Putnam – Post #13; Danielson – Post #21; Eastford - #203; and Moosup – Post #91.  All of these Posts are involved in a variety of veteran related activities and patriotic ceremonies in their respective communities. 
“The passage of the LEGION Act opened the way for thousands of local veterans to avail themselves of the opportunities offered by The American Legion.  The organization, through its local Posts, cares for veterans of all ages, as well as their family members especially the young people of the community.  The mission of the Legion can only continue through the willingness of veterans to step forward and become members.  I urge local veterans to seek out the opportunity to join a local Post,” said Coderre.
Anyone interested in more information or wishing to join a local Post is urged to contact any member of local Posts. Coderre is available at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 860-942-7243. 
The signing of the LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) opened the door to more than 6 million veterans to join the world largest veterans’ organization.  The American Legion, which boasts a membership of two million veterans, has been responsible for the initiation of many veteran services, most notably the G.I. Bill of Rights.  The G.I. Bill enacted after World War II and the Post-9/11 Bill opened the door for thousands of veterans to pursue not only a college education but also other post-secondary opportunities leading to careers in a broad range of areas.  The American Legion has also brought into existence dozens of health care benefits for veterans.


..