Marion ‘Bud’ Hanson,
WWII vet
WOODSTOCK — Marion O. “Bud” Hanson, 90, of County Road, died Dec. 30, 2017, at home. Born in 1927 in Independence, Mo., he was the son of the late Jack and Margaret (Boand) Hanson. He was the husband of the late Doris L. (Green) Hanson whom he married after his enlisted time in the U.S. Navy. They were married for 65 years at the time of her death in 2016.
Eager to serve his country, Bud lied about his age and enlisted early in the U.S. Navy serving as a Yeoman Third Class during WWII. After an initial career working on the railroad in the mid-west, ‘M.O.’ moved to New Jersey becoming a pioneer in the computer programming industry, serving as a systems analyst for General Cable Corporation in New Jersey and Connecticut, and later as a systems consultant internationally for Howmedica and Micrognosis.
They moved to Connecticut in 1974. His favorite pastimes were family camping trips, sing-a-longs with his large extended family, fishing with dear friends, and in his later years, trips to the casino.
He leaves his sons, David Hanson (Theresa) of Yakima, Wash., and Don Hanson (Nancy) of Southbury; his daughters, Carol A. Kasperowitz (Greg) of Long Valley, N.J., Diane Hanson of Pomfret Center, Mary Murray (Jeff) of Brookfield, and Janice Lindsay (Will) of Woodstock; 17 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 6 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery in the spring. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Jacob Oliver Bowen
Jacob Oliver Bowen, born May 3, 1995, died Jan. 3, 2018, in a motor vehicle accident.
He was a hardworking, honest, kind-hearted, humorous young man who always wore a contagious smile. He touched the lives of all who met and knew him. He was a self-employed logger of Red Fern Logging, joined by his Redbone Coonhound, Annie. An over the top work ethic was rare to most but natural to Jacob.
He leaves his parents Richard and Amy Bowen; little brother Caleb; grandmothers Claire Williams ”Ama” and Deb Williams.
A celebration of Jacob’s life will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 14 at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA, in the Meeting House. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Maureen McMerriman
BROOKLYN — Maureen McMerriman, wife of 58 years to Eugene McMerriman and daughter of the late John and Frances (Stelmach) McCormac, died Dec. 30, 2017, at home.
Born in Webster, Maureen grew up in Putnam and raised her family in Norwich before moving to Brooklyn to operate a business with her husband.
Maureen was a gracious individual who always put others before herself. She was quiet, sincere, and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She was the heart and center of her family. Her integrity, love, and intelligence were known to all who knew her. Her selflessness and kindness will forever be an inspiration to her family.
In her youth, she loved to swim and ice skate and enjoyed sharing her passions with her children. She was a talented seamstress and well-known for her hand-made braided wool rugs. Maureen loved to bake and was famous for her Christmas cookies. When her sons were in their teens, they gave her the nickname, “Colombo”, as she always had many questions for them about their whereabouts. She loved a good bargain and could never pass up a yard sale. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, and following the UConn women’s basketball team.
She leaves her five children and their spouses: Pamela (David) Goldstein, James (Kathy), Timothy (Nancy) and Michael McMerriman and Maureen (William) Roche; grandchildren: Hannah, Kay, Brendan, Sean, Matthew, Michael, Ryan, David, Caitlin, Garrett and great-grandson, Bentley; siblings Kathleen Espinosa, John McCormac, Patricia Lohneiss and Jane Lopresti. . She was predeceased by her infant daughter Mary Frances, infant granddaughter Sarah, daughter-in-law Penny and brother Paul.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 5 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations: St. James “Save Our School” Scholarship Fund. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Patricia Fenner
PUTNAM — Patricia “Pat” Fenner, 76, of Putnam, died suddenly Jan. 1, 2018 at home.
She lived in Woodstock most of her life, moving back to Putnam, six years ago. Pat was a longtime member and very involved with the Living Faith United Methodist Church and was always ready to volunteer her time to help anyone who needed it. She loved to knit and always made sure you never left her house without a full belly, hug and an I love you.
She leaves her children Michael Fenner, Debra Bruce and Daniel Hirst, Mark Fenner and Christen Georgio, Earnest “Earnie” Fenner Jr., and Rebecca Fenner and William Abrams; sisters Kathy Ames (Lenny), Pamela Perry (Edwin) and Muriel Stewartson; grandchildren, Amanda Fenner, Holly Bruce and her boyfriend Raymond Champagne, Mark Tetreault, Heather Tetreault, Kayla Sousa (Jonathan), Madison Abrams and Wolfgang Abrams, Jennifer Benoir; her great-grandchildren, Autumn Cummings, Emma Cummings, Alivia Sousa, and Avory Champagne; dogs Benjamin Cody and Summer Lee. She was predeceased by her husband Earnest “Earnie” Fenner, her parents, Doris and Herbert Keach and her son Eric Fenner.
The Funeral was Jan. 6 at the Living Faith United Methodist Church, Putnam, with burial in the spring in Center Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations: Music Fund of the Living Faith United Methodist Church, 51 Grove St., Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Roberta B. LaPointe
PUTNAM — Roberta (Barlow) LaPointe, born in Westerly, R.I., June 8, 1935, died Dec. 29, 2017.
She was the daughter of Amie (Maxson) and Robert Barlow.
A 1954 graduate of Putnam High School, Roberta worked as a secretary for the law office of Barber & Wheaton, Putnam.
She was the secretary to Connecticut Supreme Court Associate Justice William Perry Barber from 1957 until his retirement in 1977.
She also was the bookkeeper in Gerry’s Western Auto Store, Putnam, as well as office manager at Hull Forest Products in Pomfret.
Most recently employed at ADS in Thompson, CT.
Roberta also was a former Justice of the Peace in Putnam.
She enjoyed traveling, gardening, bicycling.
Roberta leaves her former husband and friend Gerald LaPointe; a son Stephen LaPointe (Donna) of Pomfret Center; a son John LaPointe of Putnam; grandson Dustin Curtis of Pomfret and two great-grandsons; her brother James Barlow of Brandon, Fla.; sisters Ruth Barlow and Madelyn Piette of Freeport, Fla.; Veronica Maxson of Diamond Springs, Colo., Nancy Robert of Tamarac, Fla., Helene Kerns of Pawpaw, WV, and Beatrice Nugent of Richmond, Va.; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by son Michael LaPointe in 1994 and sister Judith Beckwith in 2016.
A Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 13 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Gertrude Feldman
N. GROSVENORDALE — Gertrude C. (Olszta) Feldman, 98, died Jan. 3, 2018, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam.
Gertrude was born in Dudley, the daughter of the late Frank and the late Clementine (Hejwosz) Olszta.
Gertrude enjoyed tending to her yard and flower garden at her home on Kapitulik Rd. in N. Grosvenordale.
She worked at the Federal Reserve in Boston and for her husband Abraham at his business Pine St. Manufacturing in Boston, New Bedford, Mass., and Worcester.
She lived many years in Winthrop, Mass., and N. Grosvenordale before moving to Matulaitis in 2006.
She enjoyed daily Mass at the Nursing Home.
She leaves nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Abraham Feldman in 1979; brothers Stanley and Edward Olszta and sisters Theresa Olszta, and Irene LaPan.
The Funeral Mass was Jan. 6 at Holy Trinity Church, Webster.
Donations: Holy Trinity Church, 68 Lake St., Webster, MA 01570.
Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.
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'Almost Maine'
The Bradley Playhouse will present "Almost Maine" starting Jan. 19. In rehearsal are Roy Simmons (Jimmy), Larissa Bailey (Waitress) and Sarah Hart (Sandrine). Photo courtesy of Chris Atwood.
PUTNAM — The new year is under way and the winter doldrums have set in with a vengeance. Looking forward to Valentine’s Day, the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse on Front Street presents John Cariani’s collection of tales about love, “Almost, Maine,” which opens Jan. 19 and runs for three weekends. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19, 20, 26, 27 and Feb. 2, 3 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 21, 28 and Feb. 4. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for seniors and students. All seats are reserved. Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or at 860-928-7887. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office, either before the performance or at the door. Purchasing your tickets ahead of time is recommended.
The TNECT production of “Almost, Maine” is directed by Kathy Parker with assistant director Natasha Darius. The actors are: Zach Scovish, Age Anderson, J. Matthew Bailey, Melissa Dakai, Roy Simmons, Sarah Hart, Larissa Bailey, Laura Jedynasty, Lucas Pereira, Brittany Miskell, Michael Pray, Dave Carter, Kyle Rictor, Jonathan Demers, Wendy Harris, Sharon Starr, Vincent A. Chaisson, Melissa Beausoleil, Corey Groh.
“Almost, Maine,” which premiered in Portland, Maine, in 2004, presents nine sweet, poignant and witty stories about the hazards encountered in the pursuit of love. They all take place on one deeply cold and magical Midwinter Night, propelled by the mystical energy of the aurora borealis. The residents of this mythical town are humorous, plain-spoken and sincere and their stories, like love itself, will surprise you.
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Donation
Karen Osbrey, IHSP Board president, right, presents a donation check to TEEG’s Anne Miller, executive director. Courtesy photo.
N. GROSVENORDALE — After launching a community campaign in late 2017, TEEG is edging even closer to funding a truck to assist with food pickups and deliveries for local communities in northeastern Connecticut. After years of service TEEG’s previous truck, which was equipped with a freezer for safe food transportation, was retired. TEEG launched their community campaign with the goal of raising $15,000 to purchase a new truck. In an attempt to help TEEG purchase the vehicle, bankHometown announced they would match the first $5,000 raised. In the spirit of collaboration, the campaign is now closer than ever to reaching the $5,000 matching goal thanks in large part to a recent donation by Interfaith Human Service of Putnam (IHSP). The local organization, which operates its own food pantry in Putnam, committed $2,000 as part of the community fund-raising program.
TEEG Executive Director Anne Miller said that this donation is symbolic of the partnerships local organizations have formed in northeastern Connecticut and that the truck will be an important tool for not just TEEG, but other groups like IHSP. “We are very grateful to ISHP and to bankHometown for their support,” Miller said. “This new truck will not only benefit TEEG, it will allow us to distribute surplus food and support IHSP when they are in need as well. Hungry people are hungry no matter what town they live in.”
To date, the community campaign has received support from Longmeadow Automotive in Pomfret, which donated $1,000 to TEEG through their metal recycling program and is working with the organization to locate a truck for purchase. Other financial contributions have also come in through private donations totaling more than $1,300.
In order to reach the goal of the community campaign TEEG is still seeking $700 in donations toward the purchase of the truck. The organization’s plan is to exceed the $15,000 goal in order to help pay for maintenance and personalization of the truck including adding a graphic to the vehicle to honor donors for their contributions.
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WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy, in association with Putnam Bank, will present the Marshall Tucker Band in concert March 16 at the Center for the Arts.
The benefit performance will help The Academy continue its upgrades to the Center for the Arts. Some of those improvements will already be noticed as new seats, carpeting and paint will welcome those who attend the Marshall Tucker Band show.
The legendary southern rock band will perform many hits including “Heard it in a Love Song” and “Can’t You See.”
The show will begin at 7 p.m. with Cold Train, New England’s own southern rock tribute band, opening for The Marshall Tucker Band. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
General admission tickets can be purchased for $35. A limited number of premium tickets, which include admission to a pre-show reception, can be purchased for $100. The reception will be held next door at the Head of School’s home and will feature heavy hors d’oeuvre and beverages. Tickets can be purchased at woodstockacademy.org/tickets.
Food and beverages will be available for concert-goers to purchase before and throughout the show.
The Academy plans to host performances by a variety of artists at the Center for the Arts several times each year. Jonathan Sturdevant, associate head of school for advancement, said: “Upcoming performances like this will bring a greater variety of entertainment options to our community, and funds raised will help us continue to improve The Academy’s facility for the use of our students and community partners. We are grateful to Putnam Bank and all those who will attend, for their support, and look forward to kicking off this series with a great show!”
Funds raised at this performance will go directly to physical and technical improvements in the Center for the Arts.