Randy Eric Downing
Randy Eric Downing died July 7, 2025.
Born May 10, 1963, in Jeannette, Penn., Randy was the beloved son of Ronald and Ethel Downing. He was the middle child and was predeceased by his parents and his older siblings, Karen and Robbie.
Randy was a man of science. After earning his bachelor’s degree in biology, he built an impressive career as a microbiologist with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. He was deeply proud of his work, especially his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. He loved what he did so much that even when illness made it hard to function, he could hardly bring himself to retire.
Randy wasn’t a risk taker by nature — he followed the rules and lived with integrity. But when his illness took too much from him, he made the bravest choice of his life: to undergo a double lung transplant in November 2024. He fought through every complication with patience, strength, and unshakable hope.
He woke up happy and singing every day. His greatest joys were simple and deeply rooted: playing guitar, cooking, gardening, and watching his grandchildren grow. Those were the things that mattered most to him.
He leaves his sisters Dawn (Downing) Coolidge and her husband Steve; Cheryl Downing and her partner Dave; his daughters Chelsie (Downing) Fowler and husband, Kevin; Heather (Suitter) Massie and husband Stephen; and grandchildren: Shane, Abigail, Cole, Chase, KJ, and Keegan.
What needs to be known most about Randy is not just how hard he fought — but how much heart he put into living. He was strong, courageous, endlessly patient, and deeply hopeful. He was, without question, the definition of a great man. As a family, we are heartbroken by his loss, but we are infinitely proud of the life he lived.
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Wed. July 23
Photo Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit of photographs by Carmine Angeloni is now on view until September in the Corridor Gallery in the Putnam Municipal Complex. A reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. July 24 at the Municipal Complex. Refreshments, meet the artist. Reception is free and open to the public. For more info: putnamCtArtsCouncil.com.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present its August art exhibit, “Three Friends: Cathy Shires, Micky Welles & Xiaochong Song. Works by the Quiet Corner Garden Club will be in the display case.
Thur. July 24
Music Man
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Songs for Everyone” by Mr. Altieri under the tent outside the library at 11:45 a.m. Bring a chair or blanket.
Fri. July 25
‘The Prom’
PUTNAM --- The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse will present its summer musical, the joyously funny and sweet blockbuster “The Prom” starting July 25 and running for three weekends. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. July 25, 26 and Aug. 1, 2, 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 9. To accommodate the Putnam Car Cruise on Aug. 10, shows for the final weekend are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 9. Tickets: $30 for adults; $27 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders. 860-928-7887. Sensitive material.
Sun. July 27
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America," from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Check for updates: 860-928-1035.
Helping Paws
KILLINGLY --- Five Below at Killingly Commons will donate 10 percent of all purchases to Paws Cat Shelter from July 27 through Aug. 2. You must present a coupon at time of purchase. Coupons can be obtained at the shelter, 74 School St., Putnam, or any Paws events. 860-315-1228.
Tues. July 29
Al-Anon Meeting
POMFRET --- Al-Anon will meet at noon on Tuesdays at the Christ Church, 527 Pomfret St. All welcome.
Wed. Aug. 6
Author Visits
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library and the Aspinock Historical Society will present Patricia Suprenant from 6 to 7 p.m. The author of “Behind the Scarlett Letter," she will speak and sign books.
Sat. Aug. 9
Concert-River Fire
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present the CT Army National Guard 102d Army Band (Jazz Combo and Brass Band) at 4:30 in Rotary Park, followed by Ed Peabody & the Big Blue Thang from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and then River Fire follows at 8 with music provided by WINY Radio. This event is powered by Centreville Bank, Spicer Propane & Oil, and WIN Waste Innovations. Event partners include, in addition to WINY Radio, Spicer Propane and the Town of Putnam Public Works and Parks & Recreation departments. Free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Sun. Aug. 10
Main Street Car Cruise
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present the annual Main Street Car Cruise around downtown and Rotary Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free registration starts at 8 a.m.
Pluck-a-Duck
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Business Association's Pluck-a-Duck fund-raiser will be featured from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Rotary Park. They will offer their colossal Kids Corner that will include games and a dunk tank and much more. At noon the next day, Aug. 11, ducks will be plucked from the waters at a secret location. www.discoverputnam.com/pbarubberduckrace.
Fri. Aug. 22
Learning Open House
DANIELSON --- Learning in Retirement (LIR -QV) will hold a Fall Open House at 1 p.m. at the Killingly Community Center on Broad Street. The LIR-QV will present Sheryl Faye as Sheryl Faye, as Katherine Hepburn: “From Hartford to Hollywood.” There will be a preview of fall courses, light refreshments. Free. Limited seating – first come, first served. No reservations required.
Sat. Sept. 13
Fall Festival
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host a Fall Festival at the Recreation Park. This is an old fashioned family fun day with a band, old-fashioned games, pie-eating contest, apple pie contest, food and more! This year the department is partnering with PCS PTO for a Harvest Hustle 5K & Kids Fun run. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Sat. Sept. 27
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Jordan Freeman: Black Revolutionary War Soldier” performed by Kevin Johnson of the CT State Library at 3 p.m. at the Old Town House.
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Furry Friends
Hello There!
Ella Dumas, 7, of Woodstock is looking for the sugar glider squirrel while a ferret is looking at her. The Putnam Public Library brought in Furry Scaly Friends last week and the room was mobbed with kids and parents alike checking out all the critters. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page: Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger.
Kat Bailey of Furry Scaly Friends presents a furry friend for petting.
Yes, that's a rat. The company is from Prospect.
Danco bridge work
is in high gear
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — The Danco Drive bridge replacement project is finally moving along after about 60 days of delay waiting for utilities to be moved.
NJR Construction General Contractors of Torrington is now going full throttle once Eversource completed its work. The town had already done some tree work and other work around the bridge site, according to Highway Superintendent Travis Sirrine.
One lane of the bridge pavement is still in place while work is underway.
Elaine Sistare, town administrator, said plans call for two large precast culverts to be installed to allow the water to flow through. Each culvert is 10 feet tall and 14 feet wide Culverts that large — more than 5 or 6 feet — are no longer culverts but “bridges,” she said. The original water and sewer pipes are now exposed. They are large because originally they were to connect across the highway.
She said those pipes will end up between the “culverts” and the pavement. The new bridge will be two lanes again.
Three years ago Sirrine said the bridge has been in a slow deterioration for quite some time. An inspection found that it was “in worse condition than we knew” and weight and speed limits were put on the bridge while the process of getting it replaced started. The bridge was built around 1950.
The town had hired CDM Smith to do the inspection because the bridge was 19 feet, 6 inches long.
The state had changed it rules and any bridge shorter than 20 feet had to be inspected by the town.
The state was no longer inspecting any bridge shorter than 20 feet.
Sistare said the new bridge is longer than 20 feet and will go back on the state’s “rolls.”
The approximate cost for the bridge replacement is $2.6 million.
She said 50 percent of it is handled by the state and the other 50 percent is covered by the town. The grant was approved a couple years ago and the town has been adding to the capital projects budget to cover the town’s half.
As for when it’s finished, Sistare has her fingers crossed.
The town lost 60 days waiting for utility work and it has rained a bit. If the rains stay away from construction days and if the asphalt plants are still open in mid-November “we have a shot” of the bridge being finished, she said.
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captions, page 5:
On the left side, pipes are supported while the bridge is being built
Corralling water on the right side of the bridge. More photos Wed. night on our FB page. Linda Lemmon photos.
Rebar is ready
caption, page 7:
The pipes are supported for now. When the bridge work is further along the pipes will be encased between the pavement and the bridge culverts. Linda Lemmon photo.