John Navarro,
WWII vet
DAYVILLE — John Navarro, 93, died Jan. 19, 2021, at Westview Health Care Center. John was born Oct. 29, 1927, in Thompson, to Giovanna and Sabado Navarro. He attended Thompson Public Schools and continued his education in the carpentry trade at Harvard H. Ellis Technical School when it was in Putnam.
Immediately after receiving his completion certificate John enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Pacific Ocean aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa. He was honorably discharged in July of 1946. Upon his return to Thompson, John went to work for a local construction company based in Killingly. There an amazing friendship and partnership was born.
John and his friend and fellow carpenter, John Keenan, joined together and formed the contracting business of Keenan and Navarro Builders, a successful business lasting more than 50 years. Countless homes, businesses, and larger projects were built by these popular contractors. John was active in town affairs, serving on several boards, authorities and committees. He last served on the Permanent Building Commission while in his late 80s.
John married Annette Varieur Nov. 27, 1947. In November 2020, they marked their 73rd wedding anniversary. They lived in the Attawaugan section of Killingly until 1970, moving to Danielson and finally to Alexander’s Lake in Dayville. John never really retired. After dissolving the business, he continued to be involved in construction as a consultant, helping friends and family with design, ideas and advice.
John was a member of the Elks in Danielson. He was huge New England Patriots fan. He liked dining out. A Friday night at The Place Restaurant in Brooklyn would often find him singing and/or playing the spoons. He will be remembered for his July 4th fireworks displays at Alexander’s Lake. He enjoyed socializing with friends, hosting family gatherings and travelling. His values and work ethic set a wonderful and inspirational example.
John was recently predeceased by his wife Annette, and in 2016, by his son Michael. He was also predeceased by his brothers Rocco, Joseph, Anthony, David, Salvatore, Angelo, Raymond, and Edward Navarro and his sister Lena Deotte.
He leaves his daughter Suzanne Chartier, his son-in-law Louis and his daughter-in-law Gloria Navarro of Marietta, Ga.; grandchildren Matthew Navarro (Carolyn) of Park City, Utah, Nicholas Navarro (Stephanie) of Marietta, Marybeth Hart (Amber) of Belmar, N.J., and Andrew Chartier (Joshua Leveque) of New Haven; five great-grandsons Carson, Ryan, Brooks and Noah Navarro and Callen Hart; brother Daniel and sister-in-law Beatrice of Pompano Beach, Fla., a sister-in-law Anne Nelson Navarro of Pomfret. The family will hold a private celebration of John’s life at a later date. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

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Honored
NEWTON, Mass. — Three local students were named to the dean’s list at Lasell University for the spring 2020 semester: Matthew Walker of Thompson, Alexandra Chitwood of Dayville and Spencer Fulone of Thompson.


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Sat. Feb. 13
Fund-raiser Dinner
THOMPSON --- The American Legion Post 67 on Thompson Hill Road will hold a Roast Beef Dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. $12.  Takeout only. Come inside and place order and it will be brought out to you.

Food Drive
PUTNAM--- The Congregational Church of Putnam is hosting a “Share Your Love” food drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to benefit Daily Bread. Free cup of cocoa with your donation of non-perishable food and toiletries. Snow date is Feb. 20.

Tues. Feb. 16
Outdoor Activity
POMFRET --- Ragged Hill Woods is offering Outdoor Activity Sessions at Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Feb. 16, Feb. 23, March 2 and March 16. Sessions last one hour, $12 per child (all 4 sessions $40), held outside, masks and social distancing required.  For info and to register, call 860-974-1122 or  e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Wed. Feb. 17
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Putnam Elks Club on Edmond Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Fri. Feb. 19
Blood Drive
PUTNAM --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Mary Church on Providence Street. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Fri. Feb. 21
Open House
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp Open House will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Tours, registration. Social distancing and face masks required. Also looking for summer camp staff.  Must be 18 or graduating high school this June and interested in working with kids in an outdoor environment.  860-974-1122 or apply online under “work at camp” tab at www.4hcampct.org.

Mon. Feb. 23
Water Quality
WOODSTOCK --- The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) will be hosting a meeting of the Little River Healthy Watershed Collaborative at 9 a.m. on Zoom. Roseland Lake, Little River, Muddy Brook and Peckham Brook are not meeting recreation standards as determined by the CT DEEP because of stormwater runoff. Participants will look at what was done before and what can be done now. For info: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Fri. Feb. 26
Blood Drive
DAYVILLE --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 5:45 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Dayville Fire Company. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Blood Drive
WOODSTOCK --- The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Bungay Fire Brigade on Rt. 171. 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sat. March 14
Fund-raiser Dinner
THOMPSON --- The American Legion Post 67 on Thompson Hill Road will hold a Corned Beef Dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. $10.  Takeout only. Come inside and place order and it will be brought out to you.

Sat.  April 24
Wall of Honor
PUTNAM --- The Putnam High School Wall of Honor ceremony will be held today.

Fri.  June 12
Golf Tournament
KILLINGLY --- The Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary’s 28th annual Nick Haines Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at Connecticut National Golf Course. Benefits local charities. For info: 860-230-3530.

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POMFRET — Students named to the high honors list at Pomfret School for the fall 2020 term include:

Rose-Michaela Nsubuga of Danielson
Isaac DiIorio of Pomfret
Jack Heroux of Pomfret Center
Daphne Li of Pomfret
Ian Wolanin of Pomfret Center
Clayton Lehmann of Putnam
Adam Tillinghast of Danielson
Kellen Horst of Pomfret
Bridget Horst of Pomfret
Cameran Steiger of Pomfret Center
Brooke Zahansky of Pomfret Center.

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