Obituaries pg 8 8-25-11
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Ronald Wentworth,
Korean war vet
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Ronald B. Wentworth, 82, son of the late Percy A. and Mildred (Holt) Wentworth, died Aug. 14, 2011, in New Port Richey.
He was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Bucksport, Maine. He was a graduate of Putnam High School Class of 1946. He then attended the YMCA Technical School in New York for two years to study refrigeration and air conditioning.
Upon the sudden death of his father he assumed control of Wentworth Refrigeration until his retirement in 1996. An Army Veteran of the Korean War, he proudly served with the 45th Division in Japan and Korea and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal and Army of Occupation Medal.
He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1523, Putnam, and a member of the American Legion Post 170, in Holiday, Fla.
In 2007 he and his wife, Eleanor, moved to Holiday where they became members of the Community Congregational Church, U.C.C. of New Port Richey. Previously they were members of the Congregational Church of Putnam, U.C.C. where he served on the Board of Trustees for many years.
He leaves his wife Eleanor, whom he married in 1969; two daughters Linda Shaw (Kevin), and Bette Clemens (Mark), both of Putnam; grandchildren, Sarah Bentley, Jared Shaw, Adam Shaw, Ryan Clemens, and Leslie Brothers and five great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284; or the Community Congregational Church, U.C.C., 6533 Circle Blvd, New Port Richey, FL 34652.
Jane E. Fitzgerald,
loved her work
PUTNAM — Jane E. (Morgan) Fitzgerald, 52 of Rhode Island Line Road, died Aug. 20, 2011, at home.
She was married to Kevin Fitzgerald on Nov. 11, 1989, in St. Francis Church in Winooski, Vt.
Born in 1959 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the Frederick and Doris (Lavigne) Morgan of Putnam.
Jane worked for the Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation for 27 years retiring in 2004. She loved her work taking care of her clients where they would call her “Mama”. She was a graduate of St Mary School, Putnam High School, and Quinebaug Valley Community College. She also attended Rhode Island College. After she married Kevin, she enjoyed spending time in Vermont at the family farm and looked forward to the fair in Essex Junction. She also enjoyed playing computer games and making crafts, mostly macramé.
In addition to her husband and her parents, she leaves her brother, Roland Morgan of Portsmouth, R.I.; sister Ann McColgan (George) of N. Woodstock; a niece; and two nephews.
Visitation is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 26 in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Hospital for Special Care, ALS Research, 2150 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053.
Phyllis A. Ruoppo,
mother of 4
PUTNAM — Phyllis (Aldrich) Ruoppo, 72, of Fox Road, died Aug. 18, 2011, in Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1938 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Charles Wesley and Eva (Lamoureux) Aldrich.
Phyllis worked in the kitchen at Day Kimball Hospital and Hubbard Regional Hospital. She also worked for Rogers Corporation. She enjoyed knitting, reading, baking and cooking. She was famous for her lady finger cake, potato salad, and apple pie. She enjoyed spending time with her close friends Mary, Clair and Cheri.
She leaves her sons, David Ruoppo (Paula) of Thompson, and Mark Ruoppo (Stacey) of Thompson; daughters, Cindy Darnowski of Windham, and Angela Kowalczyk (Geno) of Danielson; brother, William Aldrich of Torrington; sisters, Irene St. Jean of Palmer, Mass., and Lena Larson of Leicester, Mass.; grandchildren, Wes, Jack, Althea, John, Adam, Sammy, Megan, and Brendan; and her great grandchildren, Sydney, and Gabe.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 23 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation,, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Evelyn E. Frechette,
church member
DANIELSON — Evelyn “Nana” (Orszulak) Lime Frechette, 89, of Maple Street, died Aug. 18, 2011, in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of Leo P. Frechette and the late Arthur Lime Sr. Born in 1922 in Wauregan, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Nellie (Mahaj) Orszulak.
Mrs. Frechette worked as an assembler for Arrow-Hart Manufacturing and also worked as a seamstress. She was an avid UConn woman’s basketball fan and enjoyed visiting Mohegan Sun. She was a communicant of St. James Church, Danielson, where she taught CCD and enjoyed the parish Polkafest. She had also worked as a short order cook and waitress for Youngs Hotel in New Milford, where she served Marilyn Monroe, Durwood Kirby, Ed Sullivan and Totie Fields.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her son, Arthur Lime Jr. of South Carolina; her daughters, Carolyn House of Danielson, and Sharon Deno of Meriden; her sister Irene Ohop of Danielson; her grandchildren, Laurie Harris, Lynn Palmateer, Robert House, Keith House, Dawn House, Glenn House, Jason Soderberg, and Justin Soderberg; and many great grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Aug. 25 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Richard G. Green,
Vietnam vet
PUTNAM — Richard G. Green, 66, of Mechanics Street, died Aug. 21, 2011, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of the late Paula L. Green.
Born in 1944 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Richard and Marjorie (Maloney) Green.
Mr. Green served his country in 1966 during the Vietnam conflict. He was the first soldier from Putnam to be injured in this war. He worked a as a construction superintendent and a self-employed finish carpenter. He built many homes and commercial properties in the area. He enjoyed fishing, Little League, Boy Scouts, football, canoeing, and cabinet making.
Richard leaves sons, Christopher Green (Jennifer) of Pomfret, and Keith Green (Jane) of Woodstock; his sister Judith Raymond of Putnam; grandchildren, Emma, Benjamin, Tyler, and Judd Green.
Services were private. Donations: Vietnam Veterans Home, The TALVHI Project, c/o Jewett City Savings Bank, P.O. Box 335, Jewett City, CT 06351. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Axel T. Johnson,
church member
Axel T. Johnson of Woodstock died Aug. 13, 2011.
He was born Aug. 23, 1914, in Woodstock, son of the late Alfred and Henny (Strandberg) Johnson.
He married Olga (Kallgren) on Sept. 21, 1940, and they spent most of their life in Woodstock. They moved to Covenant Village of Cromwell in 2009.
A graduate of Woodstock Academy, he was employed for many years by the Stillwater Worsted Co. in Woodstock and then in Harrisville, R.I. He later worked in the research division of the American Optical Co. in Southbridge. He served as a Trustee of Woodstock Academy from 1956-1965 and with the Woodstock Housing Authority from 1978-1988.
He was a long time member of the Woodstock Evangelical Covenant Church and held various positions there including deacon, church board member and church treasurer.
In addition to his wife of 70-plus years, he leaves a son, Richard Johnson (Kristen) of Dunbarton, N.H.; a daughter, Barbara Barnes (Jay) of Arden Hills, Minn.; six grandchildren and their spouses and 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by five sisters.
A Memorial Service was Aug. 20 in The Evangelical Covenant Church of Woodstock. Donations: The Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 Child Hill Road, Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Albert A. St.Onge,
Navy cryptologist
NASHUA, N.H. — Albert A. St.Onge, 68, of Nashua, and China, Maine, died Aug. 17, 2011, at the VA Medical Center in Manchester.
He was born Feb. 23, 1943, in Putnam, son of the late Normand A. and Yvette O. (Pepin) St.Onge.
After graduation from Putnam High School in 1961, Mr. St.Onge entered the Navy for what would become a 22-year career as a cryptologist in the Naval Security Group. Mr. St.Onge was very proud to have held every enlisted rank in the U.S. Navy and retired in 1983 as a Chief Warrant Officer-3. Awards received during his career include: Good Conduct Medal (four awards), National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (two awards), Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation (three awards), Nay Expeditionary Medal, RVN AF Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). Of special significance to him were awards of the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
After his retirement from the Navy, Mr. St.Onge and his family settled in Nashua where he worked for 19 years as the foreign weapons systems intelligence analyst for BAE Systems.
Mr. St.Onge was an honorary Life member, longtime adjutant and Past Commander of the James E. Coffey Post #3, The American Legion. He held membership in the Nashua VFW Post 483, Branch 338 of the Navy Fleet Reserve Association, the Club Lafayette and the Association of Old Crows. He also served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Navy Cryptologic Veterans – New England Chapter and hosted several of their semi annual reunions. He loved spending summers at his camp on China Lake in Maine, golf, gardening, fishing.
He leaves his wife of 18 years, Barbara (Corey) St.Onge of Nashua; son Normand A. St.Onge (Sarah) of Columbia, S.C.; a daughter Teresa Downing (George) of Keene, N.H.; two brothers and three sisters, Andre and Suzanne St. Onge of Putnam, Jeannine Boulay of Leesburg, Fla., Anne and David Kelly of Pomfret, Donald and Denise St.Onge of Putnam, and Armand and Denise LaFleur of Putnam; five grandchildren; his former wife Patricia (Darby) St.Onge of Nashua.
The Graveside Service was Aug. 24 at NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, N.H. Donations: Wounded Warrior Project, Attn: Advanced Guard, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256; or American Cancer Society, Centralized Memorial Processing Center, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Davis Funeral Home, Nashua.
William Parmentier,
loved fishing
THOMPSON — William J. Parmentier, 72, of Thompson, died Aug. 13, 2011, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was the husband of Gladys (Bourbeau) Parmentier of 46 years.
He was born on Feb. 5, 1939, in Webster, son of the late Henri and Bernadette Parmentier.
William worked as a lead man for Johnson Corrugated. He loved camping, playing horseshoes and surf fishing. William was co-captain of his high school football team and played semi-pro football. He was a fan of the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team and a Patriots fan. William was a member of the Thompson Rod & Gun Club, where he served as a previous president. William loved the time he spent fishing with his grandchildren.
He leaves his wife of 46 years Gladys; children, Danielle Fafard (Gene) of Thompson, Kenny Burwell (Charlotte) of Danielson; daughter-in-law, Maureen Demarais of Thompson; grandchildren Keith Parmentier Jr., Brittany Berd, Halie Danielson, Logan Danielson, great-grandchildren, Brendan and Natlia. He was predeceased by his son Keith Parmentier Sr., and a brother Richard Parmentier.
Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Rachel F. Power,
nurse’s assistant
PUTNAM — Rachel (Lafontaine) Power, 70, of Woodstock Avenue, died Aug. 22, 2011, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of Joseph R. Power and the late Richard Rodio. Born in 1941 in Thompson, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Anna (Martel) LaFontaine.
Mrs. Power worked as a certified nurse’s assistant for Matulaitis Nursing home and Community Health and Homecare. She retired in 1989 due to illness. She enjoyed her grandchildren and would say, “They were just what the doctor ordered!”
In addition to her husband, she leaves her daughter, Brenda Pontbriand (David) of Woodstock; son, John Rodio of Woodstock; sister, Ann Gendron of Danielson; her grandchildren, Rachel Pontbriand, Sophia Pontbriand, Autumn Rodio, Ke Mathew Sherman, Dustin Rodio, Richard Rodio, Delaney Power and Gracie Power. She also leaves her Himalayan Persian, Brutus, who stayed close to her and gave her comfort. She was predeceased by her brother, Rene LaFontaine, her sister, Jane Caplette
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A gathering will begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 25, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Webster. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St. N. Grosvenordale.
Barbara Spahl,
church member
THOMPSON — Barbara (Noyes) Spahl, 91, of Thompson, died Aug. 15, 2011, at Westview Health Care Center in Dayville. Wife of the late Charles R. Spahl, they were married June 29, 1942.
She was born April 20, 1920, in Templeton, Mass., daughter of the late Gordon and Clara (Bourn) Noyes. Barbara was an active member of the Thompson Congregational Church for 50 years and served as a deacon. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, local chapter and a member of Quinnatisset Country Club. Barbara was an avid golfer and bowler.
She leaves three grandchildren, Wayne Michael LaChance Jr., Charles Spahl and Jessica Spahl; two sisters-in-law, Anna Hoffman and Ada Pizarro. Barbara was predeceased by her son David Spahl; daughter, Susan Noyes LaChance, grandson Armand LaChance, son-in-law, Wayne LaChance Sr. and a brother, Gordon Spahl. A Memorial Service will be held later. donations: National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter 659 Tower Ave., First Floor, Hartford, CT 06112. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Michael P. Croke,
worked at C&M
DANIELSON — Michael P. Croke, 52, of Danielson died Aug. 14, 2011, in Willimantic.
He was born May 3, 1959, in Putnam, son of Charlotte (Diamond) Croke of Danielson and the late Norman Croke.
He worked at C& M Corporation in Wauregan for 10 years. He was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed fishing.
Besides his mother he leaves his children, Tammy Breckterfield, Raymond Croke, Michael Croke Jr., Jami Gagnon Croke and Colten Gagnon Croke; brother, Norman Savory Croke; sisters, Tina Pigeon and Karen Croke; and companion June Gagnon; grandchildren.
The funeral was private. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
Edna Mabel Jordan,
mother of 13
STERLING — Edna Mabel Jordan (Griffiths) daughter of Lena (Sweet) and John Griffiths was born on June 6, 1921 and died Aug. 15, 2011, after a brief illness.
Edna was married to Robert P. Jordan on Oct. 8, 1941 and was the center of the family farm in Sterling. She was a busy farm wife who also found time to serve as a 4-H club leader and as a Sunday school teacher for many years at the Line Baptist Church. Edna loved gardening and her greenhouse. She was a devoted mother to 13 children, 38 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren.
She leaves 12 children, Ronald Jordan of Sterling, Robert B. Jordan of Sterling, Timothy Jordan of Pomfret, Cynthia Marcheterre of Danielson, Kevin Jordan of Sterling, Patricia Hibbard of Bozrah, Joanne Johnson of Pomfret, Debra Grandelski of Brooklyn, Joyce Grayson of Brooklyn, Faith Boudreau of Lake Elmore, Vermont, Dianne Jordan of Sterling, and Steven Jordan of Sterling. She was predeceased by her oldest daughter Nancy Hopkins in 2005.
The Funeral was Aug. 18 at The Line Baptist Church, Foster, R.I., with burial in the Griffiths Family Cemetery in Sterling. Donations: Nancy Hopkins Memorial Christmas Fund, c/o Town of Sterling, Selectman’s Office, P.O. Box 157, Oneco, CT 06373. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
Juanita D. Joseph,
active volunteer
POMFRET --- Juanita D. Joseph, 84, died Aug. 13, 2011, at Sealy Brown Village in Pomfret.
Born on Feb. 28, 1927, in Anderson, Ind.,, she was the daughter of the late Henry Parkinson and Gopha Parkinson.
Juanita married Nebbie Joseph in 1955 in Norwich. He predeceased her.
Juanita was formerly employed as a sales representative for Hajar Associates, Inc., and Rapid Transit Company in Plainfield.
She was an active volunteer with many years of participation in the Danny Thomas/ALSAC Charity for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In addition, she was a member of the Women’s Club of Danielson. Juanita was a kindhearted woman that often cared for others as well as animals .
Juanita leaves behind her dearest friend and sister in-law, Madeline Owen of Needham, Mass.; sisters- in-law, Charlotte Geer of Griswold and Mary Joseph of Killingly; her niece, Kellie Conner James (John) of Carr, Colo.; great-nephews, Connor Lewis James and Rian Patterson James of Carr, and 10 other nieces and nephews.
The Memorial Mass was Aug. 20 at St. Mary's Church of the Visitation in Putnam, with burial in St. John Cemetery.