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Peter G. Trama Sr., WWII and Korean war veteran
THOMPSON — Peter G. Trama Sr., 97, of Totem Pole Drive, died May 11, 2023, at the home of his daughter Dolores. He was the husband of the late Dorothy (Lemoine) Trama. Born in 1925 in Thompson, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Vincenza (Credendino) Trama.
At 17, with WWII in full swing, Peter embarked on his first career serving in the U.S. Merchant Marine aboard vessels owned by Standard Oil of New York.
While serving as a merchant mariner, he transported oil across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. His numerous voyages included journeys through the English Channel, Mediterranean and Aegean Seas, four trips through the Suez Canal and 16 through the Panama Canal. He enjoyed telling family and friends about his time visiting ports in distant countries, including Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Curacao, Kuwait, New Guinea, Trinidad, and Venezuela to name a few. While describing his adventures, he would always exclaim “Believe me, the ocean is BIG!”
After WWII, he continued to serve as a merchant mariner until he was drafted by the U.S. Army for service during the Korean war. While serving in the Army, he was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany.
In 2020, Peter received the Merchant Mariners of WWII Congressional Gold Medal for dedication, heroism, and service from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. Also in 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce presented Peter with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coin, recognizing him for aiding the war effort by delivering critical supplies.
In 1953, Peter met Dorothy, “the most beautiful girl in the room,” at a dance at the Italian Club in Putnam. They were engaged a few months later and married in 1954.
They were married for 67 years and raised their four children in Putnam. He credited his happy relationship to having lots of love with a little bit of luck, sharing in chores around the house, and trying to remember dates. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he was an entrepreneur at heart and had a relentless work ethic, a trait he was proud to pass on to his children and grandchildren.
After running a gas station for a few years, he bought Tony’s Package Store, proudly running it for 30 years. Upon his retirement, he spent several years working for Putnam Ford delivering cars throughout the Northeast.
After years of winning over new friends on his travels with his genuinely warm personality and sense of humor, he retired again to care for Dorothy.
He was an active member of the Putnam community and enjoyed socializing with the local citizens, business owners and politicians, many of whom he considered good friends.
He was a proud member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #574 in Putnam for 75 years. As a regular fixture in the Lodge’s weekly pitch league, he was a crowd favorite, routinely beating younger (but not sharper) opponents and was named the Lodge’s Elk of the Year in 2001.
He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Putnam Lions, Putnam Little League, the VFW, and volunteered at the Circle of Fun at St. Mary’s Church. Throughout his life, he enjoyed working in his large garden every day during growing season, and was known for sharing his vegetables with friends, neighbors, and the local food pantry.
His hobbies included reading the New York Post, watching Red Sox and Yankees baseball, investing, volunteering, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and making new friends anywhere he went.
He leaves his children, Dolores (Michael) Walsh, Peter G. (Susan) Trama Jr., Paul (Susan) Trama, and Steven (Janet) Trama; his grandchildren, Stephanie (Dillon) Serdechny, Karyn (Timothy) Barentine, Timothy (Erin) Trama, Jennifer (Greg) Sanborn, Brandon (Allison) Trama, Ashley Trama (Tonya Van Deinse), Logan Trama, and Aaron Trama; and his great grandchildren, Charlotte, Delaney, Taylor, and Patrick Trama and Sawyer and Declan Sanborn. He was predeceased by his sister Carmella Landry and his brother Constantino Trama.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 19 in the Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St. A gathering will begin in the funeral home at 11a.m. May 20, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30p.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. Burial follows in Putnam Heights Cemetery.
Donations: Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT. 06260
Nancy L. Shaffer
NORWICH — Nancy L. Shaffer, 61, of McClellan Avenue, died May 7, 2023. She was the loving lifelong partner of Gary Mahoney. Born in 1961 in Bourne, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Omar Sponcey and Betty Soule.
Nancy worked for and was also a member of the Norwich VFW as the bar manager for many years. She had a soft spot for all animals in her life and even enjoyed feeding the wild animals whenever she could. Nancy loved spending time outdoors, gardening, and always appreciated and loved pool days, and loved Elvis. Nancy loved spending time at events and outings with her grandchildren and entire family.
She leaves daughters, Jenilee Galarza of Dayville, and Julia Feser of Phoenix; significant other, Gary Mahoney; three sisters, Mary Ann Gilbert of Woodstock, Patricia Williams of Branson, Mo., and Penny Soule Hicks of Tennessee; brother, Richard Soule of Kentucky; and nine grandchildren: Jacob and Trevor Galarza, Johnathan, Joseph, Jededia, and Jackie-Mae Feser, Chevy, Lily, and Brook McKay. She was predeceased by daughter, Jessica Lyn Shaffer. Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory.
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