Category: Current Issue
 
 
Charles Holbrook,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Charles H. “Charlie” Holbrook, 100, of Putnam died Aug. 12, 2014, at Westview Nursing Center in Dayville. Born on April 22, 1914, in Abington, son of Henry and Abbie (Marten) Holbrook. 
Charlie grew up in Abington and worked for Colts Firearms, American Optical and most recently Connecticut Tool. For many years he was a self employed builder contractor, He served on the Zoning Board of Appeals in Putnam for several years. Charlie was a lifetime member of the National Grange and the Putnam Lodge of Elks BPOE #574. 
Charlie was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the LST-357. Charlie loved woodworking, snowmobiling, traveling and volunteering at the St. Mary Circle of Fun. 
Charlie was predeceased by his wife Rita (Tetreault) Holbrook, son Richard Holbrook, brother, George Holbrook, sisters Mary and Catherine. He leaves a grandson Kevin Holbrook; nieces, Edna Kent of Rhode Island, Ruth Brewster of Florida, Marjorie and William Cashman of New Hampshire; a nephew John Holbrook of Florida; cousins, Roger and Cheryl Salvas of Woodstock. 
The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 16 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery with military honors. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St. Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
 
G. ‘Jerry’ Lavigne
N. GROSVENORDALE —  Gerard “Jerry” Lavigne, 78, of Buckley Hill Rd., died Aug. 10, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He is the husband of Ruth (Klebart) Lavigne.  Born in 1936 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Helika and Clara (Madaga) Lavigne.
Mr. Lavigne worked as a plant engineer for Stanadyne in Windsor. 
In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons; Alan Lavigne of California, Douglas Lavigne (Bobbi) of Bristol, and Andrew Lavigne (Debra) of Chester; daughter, Susan Foster (Walter) of Waynesville, Mo.; grandchildren, Jason Foster, Deanna Pearson, Brooke and Lillian Lavigne; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Edgar Lavigne (Louise) of Myrtle Beach, S.C. 
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 26, in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: DKH Oncology Dept. P.O. Box 632 Putnam, CT 06260 or a charity of your choice. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
 
John ‘Jack’ Mona,
Army vet
WOODSTOCK — John E. “Jack” Mona, 85, died Aug. 10, 2014, in Matulaitis Nursing Home as a result of Parkinson’s disease. 
He leaves John Winstanley, his partner of 60 years. 
Jack was born Oct. 22, 1928, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, to the late Francis J. and Mary (Lenihan) Mona.
After graduating from Bishop Laughlin H.S. in Brooklyn, he held several jobs before serving in the Army. He was discharged as a sergeant in 1952. For 15 years he worked for Allied Chemical Corp in management and marketing.  
When Allied Chemical was dissolved, he was employed by Kittinger Furniture Company and Bernholz Architectural Associates.  
Formerly a resident of Brooklyn, NY, he retired to Woodstock in 1985 where he did volunteer work for Day Kimball Homemaker’s and the New Roxbury Land Trust. 
 An avid gardener and world traveler, he enjoyed life to its fullest.  Jack will be remembered by many for the annual “Thanksgiving in the Woods” celebration, a long standing Thanksgiving Day tradition among many families, at which he presided as host.  
He leaves nephews and nieces, Stephen, Gregory, Francis J. III Mona and Angela (Mona) Provisor. Also surviving are Robert F. William Mona and Regina (Mona) Casbon. He was predeceased by his brothers, Francis J. and Robert Mona. 
A Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 15 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: New Roxbury Land Trust, P.O. Box 98 Woodstock, CT 06281. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
 
Michael Pimental Sr.
THOMPSON —  Michael J. Pimental Sr., 50, of New Road, died Aug. 12, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  
He is the husband of Sandra (Lefevre) Pimental.  
Born in 1964 in Woonsocket, R.I., he is the son of the James B. Pimental and Alma Marie Hebert. 
Mr. Pimental worked as a facility foreman for Norton/Saint-Gobain. 
He also worked as a millwright mechanic and mechanical foreman for R.H. White Company.  
Michael coached WPTP football and was active in the Thompson community.  He was an avid Red Sox fan. He was always the life of the party. 
In addition to his wife, he leaves his twins, Michael J. Pimental Jr. and Stephanie E. Pimental of Thompson; siblings, James Pimental (Lisa) of Marlborough, Mass., Sheila Morin (George) of Charlton, Donald Pimental (Melissa) of Thompson, and Paul Pimental (Jennifer) of Thompson; father-in-law Leo Lefevre Sr. of Thompson, brother-in-laws, Leo Lefevre Jr. of Woodstock, Donald Lefevre of Sterling; sister-in-law, Karen Gervais of Plainfield.  
The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 18 in St. Mary Church. 
Donations: the Pimental Family, c/o Citizen’s National Bank, P.O. Box 6002 Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
 
Florence Wheeler
N. BROOKFIELD, Mass. — Florence E (Bartlett) Wheeler, 91, of North Brookfield, died Aug. 13, 2014, at Overlook in Charlton. 
She was the wife of the late James Wheeler.  
She was born in Thompson, daughter of the late Edward A. and Flora (Peck) Bartlett and lived in North Brookfield prior to that living in West Brookfield.  
She worked for many years at Robinson Thread. 
She leaves three sisters, Theresa Moser of Shrewsbury, Viola of Amhurst and Doris Nelson of Charlton. 
Donations: MSPCA.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
 
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