Obituaries pg 8 2-18-10
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Ralph W. Howland,
WWII vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Ralph W. Howland, 90, of Linehouse Road, died Feb. 12, 2010, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Claire (Langelier) Howland for 59 years. Born in 1920 in Webster, he was the son of the late Elizabeth Howland.
Mr. Howland served as a sergeant in the Army during WWII. He worked as a master furniture craftsman for Risom Manufacturing. He was also the founder of Ralph’s Disposal. He was a longtime scoutmaster for Troop # 30 in Quinebaug. He enjoyed camping and especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Linda Demers and her husband Roland of N. Grosvenordale; brother-in-law, Raymond Langelier of Wilsonville; grandchildren, Brian Demers of Putnam and Kevin Demers of Scottsdale, Ariz and great-grandson, Payton Demers.
The Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. Feb. 18 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial with military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Community Ambulance, P.O. Box 874, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Valade Funeral Home, Main Street, N. Grosvenordale.
Ralph J. Ewings,
machinist
WOODSTOCK — Ralph J. Ewings, 74, of Meehan Road, died Feb. 11, 2010, at home.
He was born in Worcester, son of the late Ellsworth and Margaret (Sampson) Ewings and lived in Webster most of his life. He was a retired machinist, having worked for Chain Belt in Auburn, Mass.
He leaves two sons, Mark J. Ewings of Georgia and Jay Collard of Oxford, Mass.; two daughters, Susan Proffit of Georgia and Dawn Marie Kupiec of Woodstock; a brother, Russell Ewings of W. Brookfield, Mass.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
The funeral was private. Donations: Hospice of N.E. CT., PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Muriel G. Brundrett,
office manager
PUTNAM — Muriel G. Brundrett, 92, of West Thompson Road, died Feb. 13, 2010, at home.
She was the wife of Lewis Brundrett who died in 1999. She was born Nov. 16, 1917, in Needham, Mass., daughter of the late Harvey M. and Ethel Mae (Wry) Gebbes. Muriel was a bookkeeper- office manager at WT Grants and Putnam Hertzel. She was a graduate of the Burdett Business School in Boston. She has made her home with her daughter, for several years. She moved to Pomfret in 1946, following a house fire in 1961 she moved to Killingly and made her home for many years in the Dayville-Rogers section of Killingly. She was a member of the Abington Congregational Church, a long time member of the Wolf Den and Highland granges, where she served as Grange Master and had served as a Pomona Officer. She was a Pomfret Girl Scout leader and lead a day camp at Mashamoquet for several summers. Muriel enjoyed knitting and had knitted over 1,000 baby hats for Day Kimball Hospital. She was a great lover of cats and took in many strays, she enjoyed cooking, baking and canning. During Prohibition she would assist her father in bootlegging his whiskey business.
She leaves her daughter Muriel “Bonnie” Achtemeier with whom she made her home, and her grandson David Carter and his wife Allyson of Dayville.
A Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 20, at the Abington Congregational Church. Donations: Whiskers Animal Shelter, 342 Lathrop Road, Plainfield, CT 06374. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Joseph Fortin Sr.,
fire chief
CENTRAL VILLAGE — Joseph N. Fortin Sr., 72, of Central Village, died Feb. 12, 2010, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was the wife of Joan (Guevremont) Fortin. They were married Jan. 4, 1958. He was born March 1, 1937, in Putnam, son of the late Normand and Clara (Racicot) Fortin.
Joseph was an extruder operator working at Triangle PWC in Jewett City. He had made his home Central Village for over 40 years. He was an avid NASCAR Fan, and UConn women’s basketball fan. Joseph was a life member of the Central Village Fire Company, and had served as fire chief. His hobbies included fishing and hunting. He served in the US Navy.
He leaves his wife, Joan; children, Joseph Fortin Jr. of St. Germain, Wisc., Donna Jernstrom of Central Village, Karen Fortin of North Grafton, Mass., Cathy Butts of Glover, Vt., Colette Bowes of Waterbury; sisters, Clair Rock of Maine, Pauline St. Cyr of Putnam; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: James Fortin.
The Memorial Service was Feb. 15, at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Arthur L. Kempf,
worked at InterRoyal
DANIELSON — Arthur Louis Kempf, 90, died Feb. 4, 2010 at Regency Heights Nursing Home in Danielson. Arthur was the husband of the late Jennie (Adamczyk) Kempf; she died in November 2005. They were married Aug. 30, 1952. He was born Dec. 22, 1918, in Pomfret, son of Charles and Annie (Shea) Kempf.
He lived at Maple Courts for several years. Prior to living at Maple Courts he had been a resident of Rogers for many years and had been employed at the InterRoyal Mills in Plainfield in the maintenance department.
Arthur was the last member of his family having been predeceased by his three brothers: Joseph, Charles, William and his four sisters: Agnes Riester, Mildred Kempf, Francis Real and Irene Cotnoir. He leaves several nieces and nephews.
The Funeral was private. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Lucille B. Loos,
mother of 2
POMFRET — Lucille B. Loos, 68, of Wrights Crossing Road died Feb. 10, 2010, at home. She was the wife of David A. Loos Sr. They were married April 2, 1977. She was born Sept. 10, 1941, in Putnam, daughter of Ernest Beausoleil of Killingly and the late Gertrude (Viens) Beausoleil. After graduating from Killingly High School, she was employed as a teller at Connecticut Bank and Trust Co. She later worked as an executive secretary at Loos & Company and CEM Corporation. In 1983 Lucille and her husband purchased the Huntsman Motor Lodge in West Dennis, Mass. They operated the motor lodge until 1998 when they returned to Pomfret. Lucille enjoyed reading, spending time in the sun, wintering in Florida, traveling with her husband and most of all spending time with her family, her dog Jill and especially her grandchildren.
She leaves her husband David; her father Ernest; her children, Leslie Avallone of Mooresville, N.C. and David Loos Jr. of Brimfield, Mass.; brother, Ernest Beausoleil of Edgewater, Fla.; sisters, Jeannine Duby of Edgewater, Yvette Zahansky of Brooklyn; grandchildren, Brandon and Bridget; nieces and nephews; dearest friends: Sandra Hebert and Theresa Ennis.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. Feb. 18 at St. James Church, Danielson with burial in South Cemetery, Pomfret, in the spring. Donations: To any organization that cares for the well being of Animals, an animal shelter or rescue.
Robert P. Steen,
worked for state
ASHFORD — Robert P. Steen of Bebbington Road, died peacefully at home after a battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 4, 1939, the son of the late William and Irene (Massey) Steen and the husband of Patricia (Donlin Plasse) Steen.
Bob retired from the State of CT Department of Corrections and from the Judicial Marshals. He enjoyed NASCAR racing (Tony Stewart), Philadelphia Eagles football, Boston Red Sox and the UConn men’s and women’s basketball.
Besides his wife Pat, he leaves behind his daughter, Jennifer (Thomas) Libby and grandson Christopher John Peck; daughters, Lisa (Manfred) Koehl of Brooklyn, Robyn (Frank) Butash and granddaughter Rachael Morgan Butash of Danielson; sister Joan (Arthur) Derosier and their family; brother Donald Steen and his family; brother-in-law Robert Donlin and his family; special friends the Carter family of Putnam and the crew of the Ashford Dunkin Donuts. He was predeceased by his son Christopher John Plasse.
The funeral was private. Donations: Day Kimball Oncology Department, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
John J. Zurowski,
mason
BROOKLYN — John J. Zurowski, 66, of Brooklyn, died unexpectedly Feb. 9, 2010, in Florida. He was born April 27, 1943, in Putnam, son of the late Peter and Victoria (Piscatelli) Zurowski. John was united in marriage to Nancy S. Nicola on Aug. 31, 1963, at Our Lady of LaSalette and made their home in Brooklyn.
John attended St. James School and Ellis Technical School. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1964. He was a long time resident of Brooklyn and was employed by B.W. Dexter, Danielson, as a union mason before retiring in 2005.
John loved the outdoors, camping with family and friends, fly fishing, ice fishing, salt water fishing at Charlestown Breachway, the ocean, and spending the winters camping in Florida. John will always be remembered by his family, for his devotion, hard work and being an accomplished handyman. John was always the first person to lend a hand in any situation. He always referred to himself as a “Jack of All Trades and a Master of None”.
John had many accomplishments during his lifetime. He was a member of the Mortlake Fire Department and with West Wauregan Fire Department before the merger with Mortlake, where he served as deputy chief for 12 years. John was a member of the Quinebaug Valley Chiefs Association. He was a lifetime member of the Brooklyn Fair. He was involved with the Brooklyn Democratic Town Committee, and served as a constable for the Town of Brooklyn. He was a member of the Seaport Sam’s Camping Club. He was a member of the International Union of Bricklayer’s and Allied Craftworkers Local 1, of Ct. He was an instructor for the Masons Union. He was a part of the Extreme Makeover Team with B. W. Dexter in Voluntown. He was involved with the Killingly/Brooklyn Football Association and coached with the Brooklyn Little League.
In addition to his wife, Nancy, of 47 years, he leaves his daughter, Sherri A. Soucy and her husband Cliff of Brooklyn; son, Michael J. Zurowski and his wife Tress of Brooklyn; four grandchildren, Cole Soucy, Brittni Soucy, Travis Zurowski and Joshua Emerson; sister, Helen Ferland and husband Rene of Putnam; two brothers, Vincent Zurowski of Natick, Mass., Timothy Zurowski and wife Marci of New Hampshire; nieces and nephews. He also leaves his sidekick, Len Albee of Brooklyn and his fishing buddy, Arnie Johnson of New York. John was predeceased by his grandson, Riley Soucy.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 15 at Our Lady of LaSalette, with burial with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: Mortlake Fire Department, Brooklyn; or The Heart Association. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Donald Macdonald,
MD
EUGENE, Ore. --- Donald Macdonald, 86, died Jan. 27, 2010, in Eugene. He was born Aug. 31, 1923, in Putnam, the son of Archibald and Minnie G. Macdonald. He graduated from Putnam High in 1940 and was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston, Texas, in 1949. He was a cardiologist with Kaiser Permenente for 50 years.
Noted for his bass opera voice, he sang with the San Francisco Opera on many occasions and sang the lead in Pablo Cassals' Oratorio in Mexico City as a nonprofessional.
He leaves his wife Galica of Eugene; children, Duncan, Melanie, Charlotte, Mary and Anne; stepdaughter Anastacia; brothers Archibald Macdonald of Murrells Inlet, S.C. and John T. Macdonald of Alexander's Lake in Killingly and Estero, Fla.; 4 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A celebration of his life was held Feb. 14 in Benicia, Calif.
Edwin Morse,
Chief Wise Owl
W. BROOKFIELD, Mass. — Edwin Morse/Chief Wise Owl, 81, of Keys Road, started his journey on the wings of the eagle to the arms of our Creator Feb. 7, 2010. He was the son of Elizabeth Mother of All Henries/Morse. Chief Wise Owl was the chief of the Nipmuck Indians of Chaubunagungamaug.
He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years Ruth Precious One. He leaves his present wife Betty Morning Sun, daughter Lucyann Loving One Swenson, Ruth Little Star, and a son Edwin Chief Red Fox. Who will now reign as chief; three stepdaughters, five sisters 28 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Bartel Funeral Home, Dudley.