Obituaries pg 8 5-3-12
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John C. Tsanjoures,
respiratory therapist
WORCESTER — John C. Tsanjoures, 64, died April 26 2012, at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, after a lifelong struggle with multiple health problems.
Born on Aug. 3, 1947, in Putnam, he was the eldest son of the late Chris and Irene (Lekas) Tsanjoures.
John was a 1965 graduate of Putnam High School, attended Central CT State University in New Britain, and became a certified Respiratory Therapist from St. Francis Hospital in Hartford in the mid-1970s. John had various careers over the years, including Insurance Agent; Respiratory Therapist at St. Francis Hospital and Stamford Hospital; Crisis Intervention Counselor-Helpline; Security guard; and different sales manager positions. He enjoyed reading, writing, photography, and was a tireless advocate for peoples’ rights regarding mental health, and disability legislation. He was a founding member of the Putnam Photography Club; and a member of Toastmasters International; and the Genesis Club of Worcester. He served on the Mental Health Consumer Board of the Dept. of Mental Health-Worcester; the MA Coalition of Worldwide Clubhouses (Genesis); and the Advisory Board for Citizens with Disabilities-Worcester Office.
He leaves two brothers: Ted Tsanjoures (Renee) of Pomfret Center, George Tsanjoures (Denise) of Putnam; and his nephew Chris Tsanjoures, of Putnam; his uncle William Tsanjoures and family of Fort Lee, N.J.
Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. May 2, at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Donations: Genesis Club, Inc. 274 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA 01605.
Alice M. Montigny,
mother of 11
PUTNAM — Alice (Bourey) Montigny, 80, of Fremont Street, died April 19, 2012, in Day Kimball Hospital after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was the wife of Richard E. Montigny for 23 years.
Born in 1931 in Plainfield, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Blanche (Blanchette) Bourey.
Mrs. Montigny was a textile worker for Belding Heminway and Hale Manufacturing. She loved yard sales, flea markets, flower gardening and cleaning her house.
In addition to her husband, she leaves daughters: Marlene Clark (Tim) of E. Killingly, Dale Moore (David) of Port Charlotte, Fla., Kim Beauregard of New York, Genie Johnson (Mike) of Woodstock, Amber Lucke (Jeff) of Michigan; sisters, Theresa Bellavance of Plainfield, and Linda Bellavance of Moosup; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Ross, Jay, Todd, Maria, and Robin. She was predeceased by her daughter, Darlene Beauregard; brothers William and Gene Bourey.
The Funeral was April 23 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
Wayne ‘Tata’ Catlin,
Vietnam war vet
BROOKLYN — Wayne “Tata” Catlin, 61 of Woodward Road, died unexpectedly April 16, 2012, at UMass Medical Center, Worcester. He was the husband of Charlene (Malone) Catlin.
He was born Sept. 24, 1950, in Putnam, son of the late Clifford and Mildred (French) Catlin. He was a payloader operator for Jolley Concrete in Danielson for 25 years. He enjoyed fishing and ice fishing, clamming and working on cars.
He was a veteran of the Vietnam war serving with the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged July 1971.
He leaves his wife Charlene; daughters, Melissa Delaney (William) of Moosup; Amanda Catlin of Moosup; brother Clifford Catlin of Danielson; grandchildren Kayla, Marcus, Evan, Conner, Madison, Emma; special nephew Jay Greene of Dayville; and his dog Shelby. He was predeceased by his sister Helen Greene.
A Memorial Service was April 21 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Lowrance A. Swayze,
WWII vet
POMFRET — Lowrance “Larry” Swayze, son of Francis and Hazel (Blacklock) Swayze, died April 19, 2012, at Day Kimball Hospital.
Lowrance was born Dec. 10, 1926, in New Haven and grew up in the Stamford area until he moved to Pomfret in 1946, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Army Air Corps in the Philippines, and he later joined the Merchant Marine.
He worked at Risom Manufacturing in N. Grosvenordale and later worked for the state Department of Labor’s Apprentice Training Division, retiring in 1992. Outside of his career, he also greatly enjoyed writing children’s stories for his sons, cultivating rhododendrons and azaleas, woodworking, growing and listening to his extensive record collection, attending book sales, reading, and doing crossword puzzles. He volunteered constantly, primarily at Pomfret Community School as an RSVP library volunteer and at Our Lady of La Salette in Brooklyn. Lowrance was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan until 1957 when the team moved to California, whereupon he became an ardent fan of the Red Sox. He was also a stalwart Celtics and Patriots fan. In his younger days he was an avid golfer, bowler, and dart ball player.
He leaves his wife Judith of Pomfret; sons John (Melissa) of Dudley, Dana (Rachel) of Woodstock and their son Jacob; nephew Galliehue Blevins and fiancée Jennifer Warner of Danielson. He was predeceased by his brother William Henry.
A Memorial Service was April 28 at Our Lady of La Salette. Donations: Connecticut chapter of the Nature Conservancy or the Connecticut Audubon Society in Pomfret. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Thomas Weidman
PUTNAM — Thomas James Weidman, 69, of Putnam, died April 8, 2012, at the Regency Heights in Danielson. He was the son of Ellen Jane (Farrell) Weidman of Woodstock and the late Lt. Commander US Navy Retired Donald Joseph Weidman.
He was born Oct. 9, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wis. He served in the U.S. Army for seven years in Texas. He had made his home in Putnam for several years, worked as a clerk at the Woodstock Avenue XtraMart.
He leaves in addition to his mother, a daughter: Rebecca Quade of Colorado; sister Catherine Joyal of Norwich; twin granddaughters Katie and Allie; a nephew Geoffrey Joyal.
A Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m. May 3 at the Regency Heights, 111 Westcott Road, Danielson, with burial later in the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Judith Roberta
Tefft Eskelson
BRICK, N.J. — Judith Roberta Tefft Eskelson died Jan. 4, 2012, at home.
Judy, born and raised in Putnam, was a passionate mother who worked hard to give herself a post high school education upon the dissolution of her marriage. She was proud to become an analytical chemist and worked in that field for many years while raising her three children. She later returned to her earlier vocation as a waitress at The Ocean Queen Diner where she made many friends.
Always a free spirit and afraid of nothing, Judy took up the sport of skydiving at a young age. She was the first woman to jump from a plane in Rhode Island. She loved dancing and music, both of which remained a cornerstone in her life. The outdoors were a natural part of her soul, and she spent many hours walking in the woods, bird-watching and gardening. She once cooked her children an entire meal made of plants that could only be found in a swamp. They went to bed hungry. She loved spending her evenings watching bats and looking at the stars.
She leaves her partner of 20 years, Ken Bergmann Jr. of Brick; children Dino and Dana; brothers Billy and Bruce; sisters Nancy, Pat, Jill, Susan, Robyn and Gemma; nieces and nephews; and three grandchildren: Kasady and Ryley, and Cade. She was predeceased by her parents Robert Tefft and Dorothy Latici, her son Herbert John Eskelson III and her little sister Debbie.
There will be a Memorial Service May 26 at the Thompson Rod and Gun Club in Thompson. Those wishing to share their stories, photos and love are welcome to attend. If unable, please simply do a kind deed for someone, make someone laugh, spread love and enjoy other people.
Sr. Irene Bisaillon, DHS
PUTNAM — Sr. Irene Bisaillon, DHS, 94, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died April 28, 2012, at the Holy Spirit Health Care Center where she has been in residence since 2008.
Born Nov. 6, 1917, in Ste. Christine, P.Q. Canada, the daughter of the late Henri and Laura (Duchesneau) Bisaillon, she entered religious life in 1934 and made her religious profession at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France on Aug. 23, 1938. She was then known as Sr. Henri de Jésus. After her profession, Sr. Irene served as sacristan in Rostrenen, France for one year.
Returning to the U.S. in 1939, she was assigned to Fall River, Mass., at St. John’s Nursery as well as Pawtucket, R.I., where she served as dietician. From 1954-1970 she taught schools operated by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit: St. Mary’s, Jewett City, St. Cecilia’s, Leominster, Mass., Immaculate Conception, Fitchburg, Mass., and St. Anne, Swanton, Vt. In 1972 she was appointed administrator of St. Joseph Guest House, New Haven, until 1983. She served in the same capacity at Holy Spirit Provincial House, Putnam, from 1983 until 1998. She later retired at the Provincial House in 2000 and was admitted to Holy Spirit Health Care Center in 2008.
She leaves one sister, Mrs. Julienne Ranger of Repentigny, P.Q. Canada; two brothers, Isidore Bisaillon of Wolcott, and Adrien Bisaillon of Barton, Vt.; nieces and nephews, including Sr. Michèle Bisaillon, DHS, and grandnieces and grandnephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. May 2 at the Provincial House chapel, with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT, 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam
Erlene M. Grendell,
mother of 4
WOODSTOCK — Erlene (Powers) Grendell, 70, of Rocky Hill Road, died April 23, 2012, in UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. She was the wife of Leslie Grendell. Born in 1941 in Bangor, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Birdie (Caco) Powers. Mrs. Grendell was a homemaker who enjoyed taking care of her family and her home. She loved caring for her dogs and enjoyed crocheting.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her sons: Stephen W. Grendell (Brenda) of Maine, Richard W. Grendell of Woodstock, Brent W. Grendell (Cheryl) of Leicester, Mass., and Dale W. Grendell (Melissa) of Charlton; sisters, Tamara Smith of Maine, and Laurie Severance of Maine; nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, John Powers; and her sister, Jackie Anne Powers. The burial was private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Ruth B. Newth,
church member
BROOKLYN — Ruth B. Newth of Brooklyn, formerly of Eastford and E. Hartford, died April 23, 2012, at the UMass Medical Center in Worcester. She was the widow of Arthur B. Newth. Ruth was born July 28, 1915, in Hartford, daughter of Raymond and Minnie (Gibbs) Brewer. She grew up in E. Hartford, a member of the E. Hartford First Congregational Church, attending local schools and Mount Holyoke College.
Her 1939 marriage to Clement M. Simmons ended in divorce in 1947. She made her home in E. Hartford for many years before moving to Eastford in 1948. She married Arthur B. Newth Dec. 14, 1952. He died March 18, 2001.
Ruth worked at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford and at Eastern Connecticut State University Library in Willimantic before retiring in 1979. She was a 50-year member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brooklyn. She worked with the Brownie Scout Troop in Eastford, and was a member of the Eastford Library Board. In later years she was active with Arc of Quinebaug Valley, a member of the Eastford Historical Society, and after retirement worked with the Society’s archives.
She leaves her daughter Martha Simmons Graham of Peterborough, N.H.;son David Arthur Newth of Coventry; granddaughter Sarah Chambers (husband Andrew J. Perko) of Pompano Beach, Fla.; great-grandson Griffin Perko and great-granddaughter Colby Perko of Florida; brother-in-law Franklin Newth (Lillian) of Putnam; a nephew Peter Newth (Kelly) of Putnam; a niece Karen Chvirko of Pomfret; nephews Christopher Chvirko of Mansfield Center and Paul Harrington (Janet) of Danielson; her helpful pal Ann Barry of Brooklyn.
The Funeral was May 1 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Grove Cemetery, Eastford. Donations: Unitarian Universalist Society, PO Box 38, Brooklyn, CT 06234; Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, P.O. Box 11, Pomfret Center, CT 06259; Eastford Historical Society, P.O. Box 98, Eastford, CT 06242.
Alexander Holt
Rotival
WOODSTOCK — “Sandy” Rotival, 80, died April 22, 2012.
He was born July 30, 1931, in Paris, France. As a resident of Woodstock Sandy had a deep personal love for the community and its history.
Throughout his international career, he was a key actor in the emergence of post-colonial West Africa and the social and economic development of the region. He served as Resident Representative of the United Nations in a number of West African countries.
Upon his return home, he made significant contributions to the community and to philanthropic organizations such as Celebrating Agriculture, Planning & Zoning and Performing Arts New England.
He leaves his 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; sister, Denise Huffman; nephew and niece; cousins, Hamilton Holt, John Holt, Miranda Smith, Coleman Holt, Tappan Holt and Joseph Chadborne, and their spouses and family members.
A ceremony in celebration of his life was April 28 at the Woodstock Hill Congregational Church. Donations: The Connecticut Farmland Trust, 77 Buckingham Street, Hartford, CT 06106.
If you would like to contact the family, they can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Christopher Teehan,
tax attorney
POMFRET CENTER — Christopher E. Teehan, 67, of Cooney Road died April 16, 2012, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Jeannie (Niejadlik) Teehan. Born in 1945 in Springfield, Mass., he was the son of the late Maurice and Rita (Doherty) Teehan.
Mr. Teehan was an tax attorney and co-owned the Bottom Line LLC in Putnam. He also worked for the US Civil Service Commission in the Office of Personnel Management as an investigator for 28 years.
Chris attended Boston College before serving in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969 He then enrolled at UMass in 1971. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Western New England College in 1975 and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar Association in 1976. He enjoyed playing bridge and was a Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. He was an avid golfer achieving a “hole on one” twice.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his brother, Rodney Teehan (Susan) of Westfield, Mass.; sister, Kathryn Olejarz of Chicopee; nieces and nephew, Kathleen Rahner, Karen Roos, Alexis Lemelin, Kyle Olejarz and Camryn Olejarz.
Visitation was April 19 at Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06267.