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John W. Barnes, WWII veteran
CHEPACHET — John W. Barnes, 96, a lifelong Chepachet resident, died Feb. 2, 2024. He was the husband of the late Irene M. (Winsor) Barnes. Born in Chepachet, he was a son of the late Fred A. and Clara U. (Peckham) Barnes.
Mr. Barnes was the founder in 1966 of J.B. Concrete Products, now a third-generation company. He served his country in the US Navy during WWII. He was a longtime member of the Thornton Beagle Club, Foster, and past member of the Blackstone Valley Beagle Club, Victory Sportsman Club and the Eastern CT Beagle Club. He was a lifetime member of the Narragansett Saltwater Fishing Club and a longtime avid snowmobiler.
He was the father of John W. Barnes (Heather) of Putnam, Sandra J. Barnes of Chepachet, Patricia I. Barnes of Brooklyn, Polly S. Barnes of Chepachet and the late Peter C. C. Barnes, Christopher S. Barnes and Tracey J. Barnes. He was the brother of the late David Barnes, Edgar Barnes, Raymond Barnes, Robert Barnes, Nancy Vaughn, Helen Galichant, Donald Barnes and James Barnes. Mr. Barnes is also survived by eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his three Beagles (Buddy, Samantha and Dillon).
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 9 in the Tucker-Quinn Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Pike, Greenville, R.I. Burial with military honors will be at Acotes Hill Cemetery, Chepachet. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 8. Donations: Friends of Animals in Need (animalsinneedri.com) and The National MS Society.
Susan L Beausoleil
PUTNAM — Susan (Crabtree) Beausoleil, 74, of Maynard St, Putnam, died Jan. 30, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Gerard ‘Jerry’ Beausoleil for 52 years. Born Feb. 12, 1949, in Putnam, she was the daughter of Irene A. (Niles) Crabtree and the late Walter R. Crabtree Sr.
Susan worked as a third-grade schoolteacher for many years. She also held the position of Sterile Supply Technician at Day Kimball Hospital and was a Connecticut certified driver Ed. instructor.
She leaves her son, Gregory Beausoleil (Lauren) of Putnam; two daughters, Andrea Devlin (Sean) of Putnam, Melissa Beausoleil of Ellington; two brothers, Walter R. Crabtree Jr. (Denise) of Dayville, Peter Crabtree (Sue) of Liberty, Va; three sisters, Gail Daigle (Gil) of Oak Harbor, Wash., Betty Delhaie (Richard) of Darien, Ga., Joan Carter (Vance) of Danielson; four grandchildren, Brady Devlin, Nicholas Devlin, Greyden Beausoleil and Kailer Beausoleil; .
A Memorial Mass was Feb. 3 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: The charity of your choice. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam.
Whitby K. Ellsworth
PUTNAM — Whitby K. (Kimbell) Ellsworth, 90, of Fox Road, former owner and operator of National Chromium Co., in Putnam, passed away on Jan. 24, 2024, at the solar home that he designed more than 40 years ago. He was the loving husband of Joanna Rodensky.
Born in 1933 in New York City, N.Y., he was the son of the late Francis “Pete” Ellsworth and Jim (Kimbell) Loeser.
A graduate of Collegiate School in New York City, he attended Cornell University. He was an inveterate adventurer, who motorcycled, sailed, and then drove (with a succession of trailers, lovingly known as ‘the Donkey’) around the country. He was particularly partial to the Southwestern U.S., where he often traveled with Joanna and, for too short a time, their beloved Golden Retriever Humphry. During those trips, he further developed his expertise as a photographer, a passion that he pursued throughout the years, always seeking to learn about ever-changing techniques. So too he was a passionate silversmith and woodworker. Even in his last days, he could be found in his overstocked workshop, finishing up projects and welcoming many people (his implicit motto was “Come one, come all!”) into his space. Ever curious, he was committed to remaining current and maintaining an open-mindedness that created meaningful and diverse social connections.
He was an indefatigable mentor, in particular to his close friend and later neighbor Arthur Fairthorne, who worked for Whitby for a short time before purchasing National Auto Dealers Service, Inc. from Whitby.
He took great care of his family and extended family, ready to drop everything to work on any problem. Known far and wide as a big tipper, enthusiastic wine-buyer, and over-explainer, Whitby manifested a sensitivity to the world around him and those in it. His large circle of friends and loving family attest to the difference he made in the world.
Whitby leaves his wife, Joanna Rodensky; his son Campbell Ellsworth (Natalia Bard) of Cambridge, Mass.; Joanna’s children, Michael Rodensky of San Jose, Calif., and Lisa Rodensky of Newton, Mass.; brother Charles MacDonald; his grandchildren, Paris Ellsworth, Jonah Ellsworth, Ida Ellsworth, Whitby Ellsworth, Adam Ross, Alyson Ross, Emma Rodensky, Sam Timbers, Ben Timbers and his cherished caretaker Lucy MacWilliams. He was predeceased by his son, Alan Ross, and his brothers, George MacDonald, and Albert MacDonald.
A celebration of life in Whitby’s honor will be held at a later date. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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