Leo Camille (“Cam”) Tetreault, 92, the grandson of a Canadian immigrant who went onto a long career in public service including Mayor and Treasurer of the City of Putnam, CT, died August 28, 2009 at his home in Putnam. He was the loving husband of the late Elizabeth (Hayes) Tetreault for 66 years. Born in Putnam, he was the son of the late Israel and Rose Alma (LaFlamme) Tetreault.
Putnam, hard-hit by the floods of 1955, found a tireless champion in its native son, Cam. As Mayor of the City of Putnam in 1961 and from 1973 to 1977, he spearheaded the development of the park along the river, revitalizing the center of the town. After retirement from John Hancock Insurance Agency, he joined the Connecticut Department of Economic Development and under the Governor O’Neill program for the Comprehensive Reorganization of the Northeast Economic Region, a development plan for Windham County and particularly areas such as Putnam, he began steering industries to the northeast corner of the state and the Putnam Industrial Park.
He served as Alderman-At-Large in 1949 and 1953 under Mayor of the City of Putnam, John N. Dempsey. He was a member and Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee of Putnam; Deputy Judge of City Courts/Clerk of Courts, and served as a member of the Judicial Grievance Committee. He was Campaign Manager for John Dempsey for Governor (Governor of CT from 1961 to 1971) and William St.Onge for US Congress (US Representative from 1963 to 1970), both natives of Putnam, CT.
He attended St. Mary School, Putnam High School, and Annhurst College. He was a Veteran of the Second World War; a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Holy Name Society and Chairman of the Diocesan School Board. He served on the Board of Trustees of Mount St. John, Inc., a school for at-risk boys and young men from Connecticut.
He leaves two daughters, Patricia Wester, and her husband Robert, of Putnam, and Michelle Tetreault of North Andover, MA; and three grandsons; Matthew, Christopher, and Benjamin. He was predeceased by his brother Leonid and his sisters, Germaine Robitaille, Antoinette Marion, Rachel Tetreault, and Marie Labelle.
Leo’s family is most grateful to Carol Briere, Linda Beaulac, Leona Fontaine, Erika Johnson, Veronica DiRienzo, and Suzanne Horne, the kind and loving caregivers who assisted with his care. A special note of thanks to Elaine Turner, our Hospice Northeast nurse whose services and support were invaluable during this difficult time.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Leo’s family from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday, September 4, 2009 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 pm in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at LeoTetreault.net.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be sent to St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence Street, Putnam, CT 06260, or Hospice of NECT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT or to Mount St. John, Inc., 135 Kirtland Street, Deep River, CT 06417.
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