Obituaries pg 8 5-5-11
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Philip O. Lajoie,
Korean war vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Philip O. Lajoie, 82, of Main Street, died April 27, 2011, in Lanessa Extended Care. He was the husband of Theresa (Larose) Lajoie. Born in 1929 in Thompson, he was the son of the late Exeas and Alice (Bellerose) Lajoie.
Mr. Lajoie served his country in the Korean Conflict earning himself the Bronze Star. He worked as a postal clerk for the N. Grosvenordale Post Office and as a professional pallbearer for the Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes for 30 years. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale and served as a sacristan for over 60 years. He was a member of the American Legion. He especially enjoyed decorating for Christmas.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Raymond Lajoie of Putnam; brothers, Roland Lajoie of Florida, Eugene Lajoie of Florida, Paul Lajoie of Quinebaug, Norman Lajoie of Putnam; his sisters, Lorraine Breault of Florida, Margaret Piekarczyk of Dudley, Louise Robbins of Thompson, Claire Bosse of California; and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Gerald Lajoie; sisters, Theresa Beauregard, and Rachel Gibson.
The Mass of Christian Burial was April 30 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery with full military honors. Donations: St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Edith Sainte-Claire
Deville Rotival
Edith Rotival, 73, born Sainte-Claire Deville in Indochina, died April 28, 2011.
As a resident of Woodstock, Edith made significant contributions to the community and to philanthropic organizations such as the Audubon Society and New England Opera.
She leaves Alexander Holt Rotival, her husband of 53 years; her children and their spouses Valerie and Jean-Paul, Laurent and Amy, Constance and Philippe; grandchildren Chloe, Celine, Alexandre, Julie, Sophie, Isabelle, Theophile, Matthieu, and Edouard; brothers and sisters-in-law, Claude and Marie-Therese Sainte-Claire Deville, Philippe and Renee Sainte-Claire Deville; sister-in-law, Denise Huffman; nephews, nieces and family members.
A ceremony in celebration of her life was held May 2, at l’Eglise Saint Laurent of Tavernay, France. A memorial service will take place, at a time to be determined, in Woodstock.
Adrian Bouthillier,
Korean war vet
BALLOUVILLE — Adrian B. Bouthillier, 76, of Ballouville Road, died unexpectedly, April 26, 2011, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was the husband of Barbara (Burdick) Bouthillier.
He was born Oct. 7, 1934, in Brooklyn, son of the late Adrian and Mary-Ann (Lafleur) Bouthillier.
He was a veteran of the Korean war, serving with the U.S. Army. His interests in life were gardening, fishing and loved to work outside. He loved the mountains in New Hampshire.
He leaves his wife of 50 years Barbara, two sons: Guy Bouthillier (Cynthia) of Little Rock, Ark., Keith Bouthillier (Heidi) of Kissimmee, Fla.; three daughters: Laura Mosher (Daniel) of Brooklyn, Robin Bouthillier and her significant other Chris Basinet of Ballouville, Kimberly Bouthillier and her fiancé Michael Allen of Danielson; two sisters: Marie-Olive Warinsky of Willimantic, Theresa Leire of Dayville; nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sisters Loraine Lafleur and Rachel Labelle and a daughter Shellie Bouthillier.
A Funeral Service was April 30 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Elizabeth Combs,
mother of 1
BROOKLYN — Elizabeth S. Combs, 78, of Fairgrounds Road, formerly of Groton, NY, died April 27, 2011 at home. She was the wife of the late Leon J. Combs, who died May 22, 2010. They were married for 59 years. She was born Sept. 8, 1932, in Cortland, N.Y., daughter of the late Harry and Ella (O’Rourke) Mott.
She worked for Smith Corona Typewriter in New York for many years. Elizabeth volunteered at Cortland Memorial Hospital. She spent her winters in Florida, where she volunteered at Lakeland Regional Hospital. She enjoyed sewing and crafts.
She leaves her son, James H. Combs (Suzanne) of Brooklyn; a brother, Francis Mott of New York; grandchildren, Mathew and Chelsea Combs of Preston. She was predeceased by her siblings, Ronald, Carl, Charles, Audrey, Esther and Franklin.
A Graveside Service was held in Groton Rural Cemetery, Groton, N.Y. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Sister Fredericia
Griffin
PUTNAM — Sr. Fredericia Griffin, 73, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died April 29, 2011, in Day Kimball Hospital. She had been a resident at the Holy Spirit Provincial House since July of 2010.
Born on Sept. 20, 193,7 in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Mildred (Lee) Griffin. In 1961, Sr. Fredericia entered religious life at Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam and made her religious profession there on May 31, 1965. She was then known as Sr. Fredericia. After obtaining a bachelor’s in 1968 from Diocesan Sisters’ College, she taught at St. Francis School in South Fitchburg, Mass.; and St. Anne School, Swanton, Vt. In 1978, she received a master’s in library science from Villanova University and her assignments from then on as librarian were: Annhurst College, S. Woodstock; Anna Maria College, Paxton, Mass.; Bishop Keogh High School, Providence; Marianhill Jr./Sr. High School, Southbridge; Boston Public Library. Later, in semi retirement, she served as part-time librarian at St. Gertrude School, Stockton, Calif.; St. Mary School, Putnam; St. Joseph School, N. Grosvenordale; St. Rocco School, Johnson, R.I.; and St. James School, Danielson.
She leaves four sisters: Imelda Nippins of Philadelphia, Immaculata Griffin of Upper Darby, PA, Dionisia Solomon of Philadelphia, and Maleeah Franchaka of Philadelphia; three brothers: Fernando Lee of Palm Bay, Fla.; Emmanuel Michael of Philadelphia, and Mario Jose of Port Richmond, Md. as well as several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours at the Provincial House chapel will be from 6 to 8 p.m. May 4 with a Prayer Service at 7:15. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. May 5 in Holy Spirit Provincial House with burial at St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT, 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Joseph Lombardi,
chef
WOODSTOCK — Joseph F. Lombardi, 74, of Woodstock, died April 25, 2011, at home. He was the husband of Jean (Shaughnessy) Lombardi. They were married July 20, 1957. He was born June 4, 1936, in Newton, Mass., son of the late Alberta (McGovern) Lombardi. He worked as a chef for Faulkner Hospital in Boston, and Holiday Inn. He served his country in the USMC Air Sea Rescue. Joseph was an avid collector of Wallace Nuttings. Besides his wife Jean he leaves his children; Corina J. Konowitz (Craig) of Franklin, Mass., Victor J. Lombardi (Melissa) of Bellingham, Mass., Christina M. Bissanti (Andrew) of Franklin, Vincent J. Lombardi (Julie) of Blackstone, Mass.,. and Daniel J. Lombardi of Woodstock; siblings, Lawrence Lombardi of Florida, Joanne Parker of Florida, Norma Lombardi of Florida and Mary Lombardi of Massachusetts; 10 grandchildren; lifetime friend Bill W. The Memorial Service was April 30 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.
Edd W. Eckard,
father of 2
POMFRET CENTER — Edd W. Eckard, 74 of Babbitt Hill Rd died April 24, 2011, at the home of his daughter in Putnam. Born in 1936 in Wittenburg, N.C., he was the son of the late Alvin and Cora (Moretz) Eckard. Mr. Eckard worked for US Button in the perform department. He leaves his daughters, Jessica Eckard of Putnam and Rebecca Canova of Spotsylvania, VA; two sisters, Betty Pruett of Taylorsville, N.C., and Nancy Kerle of North Carolina; six grandchildren and two nephews. Burial was in Abington Cemetery. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Robert A. Dexter,
father of 2
DUNEDIN, Fla. --- Robert Alan Dexter, 48, of Dunedin, formerly of Woodstock, died March 26, 2011. He was born April 18, 1962, in Putnam, son of Robert and Margaret Dexter of Woodstock. His passion was in fiber optics industry and he was well known in the field. He loved golfing, fishing, boating, playing pool, reading, flying kites and loved wearing Hawaiian shirts. He was both a soccer coach and a Little League coach. He leaves two sons, Bradley A. Dexter of Windham and Connor Dexter of Sterling; stepdaughter, Danielle Pechie, of Moosup.; a brother, Mark Dexter; sister, Margaret Dexter-Yonchak, both formerly of Woodstock. A memorial will be held later.
Gloria Ducharme,
teacher
STAFFORD SPRINGS --- Gloria F. Ducharme, 83, of Stafford Springs, wife of the late William R. Ducharme Sr., died April 21, 2011, at Hartford Hospital.
She was born in Stafford Springs, daughter of the late Valentino and Elizabetta (Campo) Fontanella. She was a graduate of Stafford High School, received her bachelor's in music from the New England Conservatory of Music, and later in life earned her bachelor's in elementary education and a master's in reading from Eastern Connecticut State University. Gloria retired as third grade teacher from St. Edward School, and taught private piano lessons at her home. She was awarded the honor of Stafford Citizen of the Year in 2003. She leaves her son, William R. Ducharme Jr. (Patricia) of Stafford Springs; three daughters, Andrea Brunelle (Robert) of Sebastian, Fla., Nancy Glinsky (Michael) of Woodstock, and Krista Hicks (David) of Stafford Springs; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Aldo "Tracy" Fontanella; sister, Elda Bruce. She was predeceased by four brothers and two sisters, Lillian Panciera and Dora Kellner. Her Mass of Christian Burial was April 28 at St. Edward Church, Stafford Springs. Donations: St. Edward School Memorial Fund, 6 Benton St., Stafford Springs,