Fred F. Bonvino
July 30, 2010
Fred F. Bonvino
1917 – 2010
Quinebaug, CT – Fred F. Bonvino, 93, of Breezy Ln., died Thursday, July 29, 2010 in Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the loving husband of Lucrezia “Grace” (Zuccaro) Bonvino.
Born in Ridgewood, WI, he was the son of the late Francisco and Paulina (Sigismondi) Bonvino. At the age of six, he and his family moved to Italy, where they lived until 1934. Upon returning to the United States, he spent many years living in New York where he married his wife in 1940. In September, they would have been married for 70 years. In 1962, he moved to Southbridge where he worked for American Optical as a lens sprayer until his retirement in 1981. In 1972, he made his home in North Woodstock, CT and finally Quinebaug in 2001. He was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Church.
In addition to his wife, Fred is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Ralph Bonvino, Lena DePalma, Sabina Turturro, Nicoletta Rucci, and Jennie Bonserio.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Fred’s family from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Sunday August 1, 2010 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale CT. A gathering will begin at 9:00 am on Monday August 2, 2010 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at10:30 am in Saint Stephen Church, 130 Old Turnpike Road, Quinebaug, CT. Entombment will follow in Notre Dame Chapel Mausoleum in Worcester, MA.
Memorial donations may be made to the Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department, 155 Old Turnpike Rd., Quinebaug, CT 06260 or to American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108
Dorothy T. Peltier
July 27, 2010
Dorothy T. Peltier
1930 – 2010
North Grosvenordale – Dorothy T. Peltier, 80 of First Street died Tuesday, July 27, 2010 in Worcester. She was the wife of the late Theodore L. Peltier.
Born in North Grosvenordale, CT, She was the daughter of the late Phillip Duhamel and the late Lucy (Miskiavitch) Duhamel.
Mrs. Peltier worked as a homemaker and took great pride in raising her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also loved her cats.
She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Heeps and her husband Joseph, and Diane Peltier, all of North Grosvenordale; five grandchildren, Jennifer, Billy, Pamela, Angela and Joey and five great grandchildren, Ambria, Katelyn, Jordan, Isabella and Anthony. She was predeceased by her son Richard Peltier.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Dorothy’s family from 9:00 to 10:00 am, Friday, July 30 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale CT, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Francis B. LaFramboise
July 24, 2010
Francis B. LaFramboise
1919 – 2010
Thompson – Francis B. LaFramboise, 91, of Thompson Hill Road, died Saturday, July 24, 2010 in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the loving husband of Pauline (LaVigne) LaFramboise. He was the son of the late Adelard and Angelina (Penelle) LaFramboise.
Born and raised on a family farm in Canterbury Connecticut, he was one of twelve children. He graduated from the first graduating class of Griswold High School and worked in an office for a short time before beginning a career in construction trades. He served for four years in World War II, and was stationed in England in the Army Air Corps as a bombardier. Upon his return, he worked in the construction trades for several years and in 1955, he founded LaFramboise Well Drilling. In 1969, he was named to the first statewide board that regulated well drilling and he served as its chairman. After his retirement in 1984, he served as an advisor to the company. Frank, as he was known to friends and family, was an avid gardener and enjoyed working in his garden and sharing his vegetables with friends and family. He read extensively and with his wife, Pauline, he traveled internationally and visited almost all 50 states. He was a great storyteller and especially enjoyed his role as Péperè, hosting family gatherings at his home in North Grosvenordale as recently as the Fourth of July.
In addition to his wife, Francis is survived by his son, Paul LaFramboise and his wife Nancy; his daughters, Elizabeth (Libby) Allison and her husband Robert, Suzanne Kline and her husband Gregory, Jean Degan and her husband William, and Claire LaFramboise and her companion, Larry Piers; his brother, Edward LaFramboise; his sisters, Helene Busher, and Alice Raymond; his grandchildren, James Allison, Francis Allison, Anne Kline, John Kline, Thomas Degan, Theresa Degan, Andrew Degan, Jeffrey LaFramboise, Eric LaFramboise, and Troy LaFramboise; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his infant son, Bernard LaFramboise.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Francis’s family from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday, July 27, 2010 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale CT. A gathering will begin at 10:00 am on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at11:00 am in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeast Connecticut, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260, or a charity of your choice.
Frances (Puris) Eccleston
July 20, 2010
Frances H. Eccleston
1932 – 2010
Webster, MA – Frances (Puris) Eccleston, 78, formerly of Wilsonville, CT, died from complications of diabetes on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Lanessa Extended Care on School Street in Webster. Her husband of 53 years, Carl Eccleston, passed away in 2003.
Frances is survived by her daughters, Karen, wife of Richard Renaud of North Grosvenordale, Gail, wife of Robert Poirier of Thompson, and Tammy, wife of Glenn Gerhard of South Windsor, CT; she also leaves 5 grandchildren; and 2 great grandsons; as well as her best friend and roommate, Shirley Berry. The family would like to thank all of the nurses and staff of Lanessa Extended Care who provided excellent care and friendship for the last several years.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Frances’s family from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Thursday, July 22, 2010 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale CT. A gathering will begin at 9:30 am in the funeral home on Friday, July 23, 2010, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lanessa Extended Care Activities Fund, 751 School Street, Webster, MA 01570, or the Eccleston Family Scholarship Fund, c/o the American Legion Post # 67, Route 200, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255.
Lydia E. Blain
July 18, 2010
Lydia E. Blain
1916 – 2010
Smithfield, RI – Lydia E. Blain, 94, of Pleasant View Avenue, formerly of North Grosvenordale, died Saturday July 17, 2010. She was the loving wife of the late Rene A. Blain. Born in Central Village, CT, she was the daughter of the late Olivier Auger and Antonia (Therrien) Auger.
Mrs. Blain worked as a sales clerk for Bugbee Department Store. She enjoyed gardening and reading and most especially, spending time with her grandchildren.
Lydia is survived by her son, Paul Blain and his wife Anne of North Andover, MA; her daughters, Gloria Flood and her husband John of Smithfield, RI, and Anita Blain-Dzialo and her husband Henry of Medway, MA; and five granddaughters. She was predeceased by her brother, the late Henri Auger.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Lydia’s family from 9:00 to 10:00 am, Wednesday July 21, 2010 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale CT. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Walter F. Szpyrka
July 10, 2010
Walter F. Szpyrka
1914 – 2010
Thompson – Walter “Spitz” Szpyrka, 95, of Old Brandy Hill Road, died Thursday, July 8, 2010 in Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the loving husband of the late Rita A. (Michon) Szpyrka. Born in Dudley, MA, he was the son of the late John and Mary (Markowski) Szpyrka.
Mr. Szpyrka worked as a mechanic for Cargill Chevrolet and was a watchman for Belding-Heminway.
He enjoyed gardening and woodworking. He was a “Walt” of all trades.
Walter is survived by his daughter, Jean Auger of Thompson; his sons, Bruce Szpyrka of Palm Bay FL, Cyril Szpyrka of Thompson, Dennis Szpyrka of Woodstock Valley, and Carl Szpyrka of Woodstock; his sister, Anna Pryzstas of North Grosvenordale; 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. He was the father of the late Ernest and Keith Szpyrka.
Relatives and friends are invited to Walter’s Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am, Friday, July 16, 2010 in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260. Valade Funeral Home has been entrusted with his arrangements.
Michael V. Dawes, Sr.
July 8, 2010
Michael V. Dawes, Sr.
1944-2010
Thompson, CT – Michael Voorhees Dawes, Sr., considered by his family and friends as a person who helped guide, shape, and touch many lives in a positive way, died of cancer at his home in Thompson, Connecticut, on July 6, 2010. His rich life was marked by a strong love of family, friends, learning, and renewal. The imprint he leaves in the lives of those he knew is a testament to his character and will be felt and honored for decades to come.
Michael Dawes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 20, 1944, to Edmund Klotz and Eleanor Poland Dawes and grew up on a farm in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. As a youngster, he attended Camp Tecumseh in New Hampshire, where he spent eight years learning the love of sport and the value of camaraderie. He also spent an adventurous summer at Keywadin Camp in Ontario, canoeing from Ontario to Montreal; this spirit stayed with him during his life — he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, hiked the pyramids in Giza, and travelled extensively.
As a student at The Hill School Pottstown, Mike was also active in sports. On matriculating to Trinity College in 1962 as an economics and religion major, he played varsity football and lacrosse and sang with the a cappella group, The Trinidads. Upon graduation in 1966, he attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City on a Rockefeller Fellowship Award, pursuing the study of Old Testament interpretation. Later in his life, he returned to school and earned his Masters in Education from Rider University in 1992.
Mike worked diligently for more than four decades during which time he was deeply devoted to two things: The first was his family. In 1967, Mike married Lynn Elizabeth Cameron and settled in the Princeton, New Jersey area where they raised their two children, Margaret Dawes Bernholz of San Anselmo, California, and Michael Voorhees Dawes, Jr. of Victor Idaho.
The second was Mike’s love of the outdoors; he was a fly-fishing enthusiast who learned his love of the sport from his father and an outdoorsman who enjoyed upland bird hunting. He travelled to far-off places such as Norway, Iceland, Alaska, and Mexico in pursuit of the ultimate fishing experience. Mike’s passion for “the sport” extended beyond his own enjoyment. He took great pleasure in always being a learner — enthusiastically ready to share his angling knowledge and teach others how to love to fish.
Mike’s aspirations also led him to the military where, in 1967, he excelled as a member of the PA Army National Guard and the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary. At the conclusion of his basic training, he was honored as the brigade recipient of the American Spirit Award for outstanding leadership and character. In 1969, Mike attended Officer Candidate School and was awarded honors as a Distinguished Graduate. He continued as an active member of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary Army Reserve, serving as Executive Officer and later as an honorary member.
Mike’s professional career spanned from business to education and was clearly marked for success and leadership. In 1967, he joined Discount Corporation, a government securities dealer in New York City, where his focus was sales. He was an integral force in strengthening and expanding Discount’s customer base and rose to Senior Vice President and Head of Sales. After twenty-three years, he decided to continue work in finance with his father at Philadelphia Corporation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. In 1992, Mike found his true professional calling as he entered the educational field and joined the faculty at Hyde School in Bath, Maine, the college preparatory, character-focused school from which his son, Michael, graduated in 1992. As a member of the Hyde family, Mike served as Chief Financial Officer, Director of Admissions, Director of Development, Associate Head of School, teacher, and coach. After seven years working at Hyde School in Maine, he and Lynn moved to Hyde School in Woodstock, Connecticut to continue their work and dedication to the school. Mike cared deeply about every individual and function at Hyde Schools. He cared about others’ successes, mentored tirelessly to help students and faculty alike, always committed to guiding his students, peers, and colleagues toward their best potential. He was revered as a mentor and inspiration to students and parents. Recently, while addressing an audience of Hyde families, Mike said, “Undoubtedly, working at Hyde School was the best job I could have ever had.”
Mike also enjoyed his work as a committed board member for various organizations. He served for twelve years as a trustee at The Ethel Walker School, where his daughter was Class of ‘89, for twenty years as a trustee at the Whitehall Foundation, and in various capacities on the Board of Directors of the Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Club, where he was both a member for twenty-six years and a resident. His longtime tenure as Chair of Blooming Grove’s all-important Fishing Committee resulted in significant changes to its fishing practices.
Mike will be remembered for the rich life he had, the gentleman he was, the wealth of friends he had, and for the way he enriched the lives of others. He lived his life with purpose, gusto, and laughter — perhaps his most memorable hallmark. When he entered a room, he lit it up with his passion, his cheer, and his brimming optimism. There were very few obstacles in his life — and any he encountered along the way were quickly transformed into opportunities.
Mike Dawes is survived by his wife, Lynn, his daughter, Margaret Bernholz, a son Michael, Jr., his grandchildren, Cameron Michael and Eleanor Catherine Bernholz, his son-in-law, Dennis Bernholz, a sister, Hutchinson Dawes Cummin and a brother, Edmund K. Dawes.
There will be a memorial service at the Trinity College Chapel in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, July 24 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the Dawes family graciously welcomes contributions to be directed to Hyde School, the Michael V. Dawes Scholarship Fund. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes have been entrusted with the arrangements.
Constance A. Senecal
July 6, 2010
Constance A. Senecal
1934 – 2010
Pomfret Center – Constance (DeFocy) Senecal, 75, of Deerfield Rd., died Saturday, July 3, 2010 in Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the loving wife of the late Roland O. Senecal. Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Blanche (Cady) DeFocy.
Mrs. Senecal was a 1952 graduate of Putnam Catholic Academy. She worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Mahendran as well as several other medical offices in the area. She also worked as a sales associate at J.C.Penney in Enfield. She enjoyed cooking and gardening. She loved vacationing in Ogunquit, ME, and South Yarmouth, MA. She was a volunteer at Wingate of East Longmeadow Nursing Home.
Constance is survived by her sons, Glenn Senecal and his wife Brenda of Putnam, and Neil Senecal and his fiancé, Toni Kortabani of Enfield; her brother, Martin DeFocy of Hobesound, FL; her sisters, Phyllis Trudeau of Putnam and FL, and Sandra Crough of Enfield; and her grandchildren, Ryan Senecal, and Andrew Senecal. She was predeceased by her son, the late Captain Karl Senecal.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Constance’s family on Friday, July 9, 2010 from 9:00 to 9:30 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale, CT.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260, or to Saint Mary’s School, 218 Providence Street, Putnam, CT 06260.
Claire R. Beauregard
July 6, 2010
Claire R. Beauregard
1922 – 2010
Plainfield – Claire R. Beauregard, 87, of Windsor Ave., formerly of N. Grosvenordale, died Monday, July 5, 2010 in The Village Manor Nursing Home. Born in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Zoel and Alma (Houle) Beauregard.
Claire was a member of the Thompson Senior Citizens. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, knitting, jigsaw puzzles, and watching Lawrence Welk. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Claire is survived by her brother, Marcel Beauregard and his wife Gloria of Putnam; her nieces and nephews, Vivian Cardinal, Susan Klaucke, Pauline DeLuca, Roger Beauregard, Anne Briere, Diane St.Onge, and Robert Beauregard.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Claire’s family from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, Saturday, July 10, 2010 in the Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale CT with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of ones choice in Claire’s memory.
Charlotte M. Wisneski
July 2, 2010
Charlotte Wisneski, 78, Educator
Woodstock, CT – Charlotte “Kit” Wisneski, an educator and private school owner in CT for 43 years, died on June 30 at the Village at Waterman’s Lake in Greenville, RI, a private care facility. She was 78 and had been a resident of the Village for 18 months. Her husband of 45 years, Richard Wisneski, was at her side.
Mrs. Wisneski spent many years in the Woodstock and Putnam School systems, taking early retirement from Putnam after 26 years to start her own private early-childhood school in Woodstock in 1989. Mrs.Wisneski was Directress and teacher at Seton Montessori School until her ultimate retirement from teaching in 2003.
As an educator, Mrs. Wisneski stressed the basic foundations of education and the belief that an environment conducive to learning was more important than any specific curriculum. She embraced the Montessori Method late in her career, which stressed the need for “young children (to be) given freedom in an environment prepared with materials designed for their self-directed learning activity.”
Charlotte M. Ryan began her teaching career in Wallingford, CT in 1955 after briefly joining a Catholic religious order but leaving before final vows. From 1961 to 1963, Mrs. Wisneski was one of the first teachers in the newly-formed US Air Force Department Schools Program and served in the 7135 School Group in England and France. It was during her time in France that Mrs. Wisneski met her future husband, Richard, of Middletown, CT. They married in 1965.
After 2 years in the Woodstock school system and a five-year sabbatical to raise her children, Mrs. Wisneski joined the Putnam school system in 1972 as a kindergarten teacher and stayed for 26 years.
In 1989, Mrs. Wisneski opened Seton Montessori School to local fanfare and packed classes. The last students graduated upon her retirement in 2003.
Before falling ill, Mrs. Wisneski was an avid runner and bicyclist. She was a communicant, lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Stephen’s Parish in Quinebaug, where she was also married, confirmed and received first communion as a child. Her ties to the parish began with her grandfather, who helped lay the foundation for the church’s altar.
Mrs. Wisneski was a 1949 graduate and National Honor Society member of Bartlett High School in Webster, MA where she lettered in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She held a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the Diocesan Teacher’s College in Hartford, and Masters degrees in Education and Early Childhood Education, both from Worcester State College.
Charlotte Wisneski leaves her husband, Richard, her daughter Trina Flaherty, grandson Sean Flaherty, her son Danny Wisneski, daughter-in-law Jill Clark and granddaughter Catherine Wisneski.
In her memory, the Wisneski family has created the Charlotte M. Wisneski Memorial Scholarship Fund in conjunction with the KIN foundation, a non-profit entity. The fund will award full or partial scholarships to qualified CT high school seniors from the community who would otherwise not be able to afford a college education, provided they elect to choose an education major with the intention of becoming a teacher. For more information or to donate to the fund, go to cmwscholar.com or e-mail danny.wisneski@ge.com.
Calling Hours at the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, Putnam, CT are Tuesday, July 6th and Wednesday, July 7th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, July 8th from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass will begin on July 8th at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Stephen Church, 130 Old Turnpike Road, Quinebaug, CT. Burial will follow in North Woodstock Cemetery, Rte 197, Woodstock, CT.