Obituaries pg 8 11-17-11
- Details
- Category: Past Issues
MaryLou (Eke)
Carlson
WOODSTOCK — MaryLou Carlson, 78, of Woodstock died Nov. 10, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. Wife of the late George B. Carlson Jr., they were married in October 1954.
She was born Feb. 27, 1933, daughter of the late Alfred and Alice (Erickson) Eke. She attended Elmvale School and Woodstock Academy. MaryLou worked at Electromotive in Willimantic until the birth of her son, Martin. She then worked at Matulaitis Nursing Home, for 12 years. During that time she was also co-owner of White Horse Gardens until her husband’s death in 1994. She was a novice flower designer, enjoyed planting her flower beds and in her later years she was a NASCAR fan. Her favorite drivers were Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart. She also enjoyed riding horses.
She leaves her son Martin H. Carlson (Kathleen (Cote)) of Woodstock; a brother-in-law Jack S. Carlson of Pomfret, sister Janice L. Blackburn of Grants Pass, OR. She was predeceased by her father Alfred in 1963, her mother Alice in 1977 and her husband George in 1994.
Services were private. Donations: Woodstock Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St. Putnam.
Wesley C. Smith Jr.,
truck driver
PUTNAM — Wesley C. Smith Jr. 83, of Putnam, died Nov. 12, 2011, at home. He was the husband of Shirley (Christensen) Smith. They were married on Dec. 24, 1948. He was born Jan. 10, 1928, in Framingham, Mass., son of the late Wesley C. Sr. and Selina (Henry) Smith.
Wesley was a truck driver and a member of the Teamsters Local 559. He was a devoted Jehovah Witness.
Besides his wife Shirley he leaves his son Joe L. Smith (Carol) of Putnam; daughter Andrea Smith of Stafford Springs; brother Raymond Smith of Massachusetts; a sister Whitney Tiff of Washington; niece and nephew, Patty and Randy Austin; seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a great-great -granddaughter. He was predeceased by his son Mark Smith and his infant son Ross Smith.
A Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 19 in Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 11 Hill Road, Thompson. Donations: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 11 Hill Road, Thompson, CT, 06277. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Chester T. Chwalek,
company vp
NORTON, Mass. — Chester T. “Chet” Chwalek, 68, of Norton, formerly of Pomfret Center and Thompson, died Nov. 11, 2011, at Newton-Wellesley Hospital after a battle with cancer. He was the husband of Louise (Beaudry) Chwalek for 43 years.
Born in 1943 in Putnam, he was the son of the late John and Bertha (Modliszewski) Chwalek.
Mr. Chwalek was senior vice president and CFO of the ATW Companies in Warwick, R.I., retiring in 2008. He was still serving on the Board of Directors. He served in the Army National Guard from 1968 to 1974.
Chet enjoyed being outdoors, photography and, most importantly, spending time with his family. He also enjoyed following the Red Sox, Patriots, and UConn Huskies.
In addition to his wife Louise, he leaves two children; David Chwalek of Sudbury, Mass., Karen Burg (Scott) of Norwood; sister, Carolyn Molinaro of Bristol; four grandchildren, Landon, Ava, Luke, and Travis. He was predeceased by his brother John in 1998.
Visitation is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at noon in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. A private burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Foxboro, Mass. Donations: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 9 Erie Dr, Suite 101, Natick, MA 01760.
Raymond Guertin Jr.
PUTNAM — Raymond W. Guertin Jr. 41, of Putnam died unexpectedly Nov. 6, 2011, at home.
Born June 18, 1970, he was the son of Laura M. Guertin and the late Raymond W. Guertin Sr.
He leaves his younger brother Jason. S. Guertin.
No formal service. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Donald T. Morowski,
Army veteran
DANIELSON — Donald T. Morowski, 72, of Danielson died Nov. 12, 2011, at home after a short battle with cancer. He was the husband of Barbara Morowski. They were married June 16, 1981, in Danielson.
He was born Nov. 26, 1938, in Albany, N.Y., son of the late William D. and Anne Marie (Lescynaki) Morowski.
Mr. Morowski graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged on July 31, 1965. He had been employed as a professional truck driver holding a class 1 CDL license and was a member of the Teamsters union.
He was a world traveler, a model train collector and a crossword problem solver.
Besides his wife Barbara, he leaves his children, Bill Morowski of Florida, Donna M. Farnese of Brooklyn, James Morowski of Putnam, James Prussia of Virginia, Victoria Reiser of Ashford, John Prussia of Savannah, Sandra Blake of Woodstock; grandchildren, Alex Morowski, Samantha Morowski, Tatiana Powell, Katie Prussia, Jared Prussia, Mariah Prussia, Jacob Prussia, Ben Reiser, Casandra Reiser, Jeremy Reiser, Megan Reiser, David Prussia, Daniel Prussia, Joshua Prussia, Ryan Blake, Nicole Blake and Savannah Dzialo.
Visitation is from 11 to noon Nov. 16 in Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson, with the funeral at noon and burial in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson with full military honors.
Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.
Gerald Bellavance,
Army veteran
MOOSUP — Gerald E. Bellavance, 79, died Nov. 7, 2011.
He was born on Jan. 11, 1932, the son of George and Alice Francis (Dailey) Bellavance.
In 1949, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in England at Brize Norton Air Force Base where he attended heavy equipment operator school.
When he returned from England in 1952, he worked in the construction business.
Over the years, he was employed by Stanley Construction, Ernest Jolley & Son, Geer Construction and Gluck Farm.
In 1982 he went into business with his oldest son John where he worked until his retirement in 2000. Gerald was a life long resident of Moosup living at the old Dairy Cream Ice Cream Restaurant on Moosup Pond which his father started in 1952.
Gerald was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, loved the ocean, caring for his lawn and his son’s dog, Boston.
He leaves his wife Irene (Abram) Bellavance; sons John Bellavance and Christopher Bellavance of Moosup; daughters Michele Ritz of Milford and Lisa Danburg (Randy) of Scotland; sister Mildred Greenham of Northport, Fla.; step sons David Coutu of Plainfield, John Coutu of Central Village, Michael Coutu of Sterling; grandsons Ethan Ritz, William Ritz, Benjamin Coutu, Brian Coutu, Jeffrey Coutu and granddaughter Claire Ritz. He was predeceased by his oldest daughter, Colleen Bellavance.
Donations: St. James School Fund, 120 Water St., Danielson, CT 06239. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.