Hartford Courant

Lucy Gianni Kmietek, age 90, of The Villages, Florida went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. She was born July 10, 1932 in Middletown, Connecticut to the late Paul and Sebastiana Gianni. Meeting her in Heaven is her husband and the love of her life, Louis Kmietek; brothers, Salvatore Gianni, Louis Gianni and her parents. Lucy grew up in Middletown and raised her family in Cromwell, CT until moving to Lady Lake, FL in 1994. She was a New England Champion Baton Twirler in high school and retired from a successful career with the Department of Administrative Services with the State of Connecticut. She was a devoted member of The Apostolate of Divine Mercy & Healing...

Sherwood "Woody" F. Boulanger, 97, of the Plantsville section of Southington, passed away peacefully on Tuesday August 9, 2022, at Apple Valley Rehab in Plainville. He had been the loving husband of the late Denise M. (Delaney) Boulanger for 60 years. Sherwood was born in Wolcott on June 27, 1925 to the late Elby and Catherine (Currie) Boulanger and graduated from Leavenworth High School in Waterbury. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Philippines under General Douglas MacArthur. Sherwood worked as a toolmaker at Northeast Utilities, retiring after 37 years of service. He was a founding member of St. Aloysius Church in Plantsville. He enjoyed gardening and...

Christine Mary Wellins, 74, passed away Monday, August 8, 2022 at Mid-State Medical Center in Meriden surrounded by her loving husband, son and daughter. She was the wife of Neal B. Wellins. Chris was born April 24, 1948, in New Britain, CT, daughter of the late John ("Jack") E. and Eileen (Flynn) O'Keefe. Chris graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1966 and Duquesne University in 1970 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in teaching, and from Southern Connecticut State University in 1977 with a Master's Degree in education. Chris was a teacher for 30 years in New Haven, primarily at East Rock Magnet School, where she met her husband, Neal. Chris lived in Cheshire for 39 years with her...

Barbara Ann (Cannon) Merritt of Old Saybrook, CT, beloved by generations of former first graders and virtually anyone fortunate enough to meet her, died peacefully Monday, surrounded by devoted family members. At 92, she succumbed to a second bout of cancer. The oldest of three children born to Hubert and Marie Cannon in New Haven, CT, Barbara inherited the proverbial Irish gift of gab. As a result, people gravitated to Barbara, knowing that she would remember their name and some nugget of personal information with which they could bond. For years, when she drove her golf cart to watch the sunset at Cornfield Point, children as young as 3, as well as their parents and grandparents, drifted...

Helen J. "Pinky" (Staniszewski) Formica, aged 83, of South Glastonbury passed away suddenly but peacefully, on Tuesday, August 2. She was born in Meriden and spent her grade school years living on Olive Street, where she made lifelong friends. While in high school, she helped by swinging a hammer as her father, Walter Staniszewski and mother, Helen Staniszewski, built a home on Paddock Avenue in Meriden, where her parents lived and held countless family gatherings until their respective passings in 1989 and 2005. Helen attended St. Stanislaus School for grade school, graduating from Meriden High School in 1957. She then attended Becker Junior College (later Becker College) in Worcester,...

Robert J. Thielman Sr, 76, of Southington, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 29, 2022 from complications related to Agent Orange exposure. He had been the loving husband of Mary Jean (Politowski) Thielman for nearly 45 years. Robert was born on March 4, 1946 to the late Henry and Emma (Cummack) Thielman. He was a graduate of Wilcox Technical High School and a lifelong Southington resident. Robert proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and as a member of the Connecticut National Guard. He was assigned as a Combat Engineer with the 26th Engineer Battalion, Americal Division in Chu Lai Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Following the war, he continued his military...

Diana Lee Temple, 75, of Plainville, CT passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2022 at home after a short illness surrounded by her family. Diana was born on February 16, 1947 in New Britain. She was the daughter of the late Herbert and Elizabeth (Holcomb) Carlson. Diana was a graduate of Plainville High School. Diana married William Lee Temple Sr. on June 26, 1965. They were happily married for 57 years. Diana was a lifelong resident of Plainville, where she worked at Appell Drug Store for more than 30 years. In addition to her husband, William, she is survived by her sons William L Temple Jr. of Plainville; Robert J Temple of Bristol; her daughter Shirley E Welch of New Britain; her...

Lee Coleman, 82, of Southington, beloved husband of Barbara D. Coleman, passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 with his loving wife by his side. Lee was born in New Britain, son of the late Herbert and WillaFaye (Wall) Coleman, and graduated from New Britain High School, Class of 1957. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Airforce. Lee's favorite place was he and Barbara's beach house in Charleston, RI. His combined love of the beach, flea markets, antiques, and craft shows meant he and Barbara spent many weekends hunting for beach house furnishings. Together, they enjoyed hosting family and friends for many Summer weekends and fourth of July celebrations, a tradition they...

Dr. Richard Michael Kotler, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 26th. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Helen Ann Kotler, his children and their spouses - Amy Hunter and her husband, Paul; Joseph Kotler; Jeffrey Gartzman; Debra Gottlieb and her husband, Robert - his 6 grandchildren - Cameron Hunter; Nolan, Tyler & Olivia Gartzman; Jon & Alex Gottlieb - as well as his beloved dog, Lucy. He was born in Trenton, NJ on October 31, 1933, to Dr. Samuel Kotler, also a career dentist who taught orthodontics at NYU, and Ruth (Zaitz) Kotler. He loved growing up and working on his family's large dairy farm in Hightstown, NJ which...

Walter Hood of 358 Park Street, West Springfield, MA passed away Sunday July 24th at the age of 80. He was born August 22, 1941 in Windsor, VT., the son of his foster parents Frank Hood and Annie Goodwin. He was married to his loving wife Elaine for 48 years. Walter started his working career at Beneficial until he found the 360 Credit Union where he has been for 46 years. He loved his job and forged wonderful relationships with all his coworkers considering them family. He was an avid sports fan, loved golf, his New York Teams the Rangers, Giants and Knicks but most of all his favorite sport baseball where you would find him watching his New York Yankees. He is survived by his son Glenn...

Janice (Jan) passed away July 24, 2022 with her loving husband, Bernie and son, Robert by her side. In addition to her husband Bernie Sidman, she leaves her son Robert Brookman, his wife Jeannine and grandsons Robbie and Thomas, her son Matthew Brookman, his wife Lisa and granddaughter Savannah. She is also survived by her sister Nellie Melaika and godson Chuck Zilinski and nephews John Zilinski, Stephen Zilinski and Paul Zilinski. She was preceded in death by her parents Polly and Charles Melaika, her sister Anne Zilinski and brother Frank Melaika. Jan graduated from Athol High School class of 1949. She moved to Hartford, CT and worked for many years at Pratt & Whitney. She also worked...

Robert P. Taylor Robert P. Taylor, formerly of Madison Heights, VA, died in Sterling, VA on July 18, 2022, at age 84 after a long illness. He was born in Bedford County, VA and grew up in Big Island and Coleman Falls, VA. He went to college at the University of Richmond which was interrupted by being drafted into the Army for two years. After basic training, he was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, or "Wonderful Walter Reed" as he liked to call it. He returned to college after that and earned his degree in Chemistry. Later, he moved the family to Vernon, CT where he lived and worked as a chemist for 30 years. After retirement, he did a considerable amount of international...

Beverly Ann "Tuttle" McCartney, 83, of Leesburg, FL, formerly of South Windsor, CT, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022. She was born March 31, 1939, in Manchester, CT to Burton John and Roberta Mary (nee Porterfield) Tuttle. She enjoyed playing golf, traveling in her RV and seeing new places, reading books, sewing and spending quality time with her family. She was a Certified Medical Assistant and a member of the American Association of Medical Assistants. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Robert Tuttle. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, John Anderson McCartney, daughter, Lori (Richard) Ivanicki; son, Scott (Sandra) McCartney; brother, Burton (Joye)...

Kathleen M. Parsons (Jewett); age 70 of Berlin, CT; loving wife of Daniel G. Parsons; entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at The Hospital of Central Connecticut- New Britain Campus; surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. Kathleen was born May 12, 1952 in New Britain, CT; the beloved daughter of the late Theresa Galasyn (Hughes). Kathleen was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, sister, and friend to many. She proudly attended to her community as a registered nurse. Kathleen was employed for over 38 years at The Hospital of Central CT; previously known as New Britain General. She started her career in healthcare as a nurse's aide, and later received her...

Dr. Richard John Freiheit died unexpectedly on July 13, 2022 of natural causes at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife Adrienne (Codella), sister Mary Elizabeth Kirk of Manchester CT, his brother William of Vero Beach and son Richard William of Bracketville , Tx and a niece and nephews. He was born in Manchester, CT in 1937 and graduated from Mt. Herman School in Massachusetts. He then completed his Undergraduate studies at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts, and received his D.D.S at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry. After dental school he enlisted in The Air Force and was stationed in Japan. After completing his enlistment he returned to Manchester, CT...

James D. Keating, 80 years old, of Old Saybrook, Connecticut passed away on July 11, 2022. Jim was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Adrian F. Keating and Margaret (Maroney) Keating on August 01, 1941. He graduated from Saint Augustine Elementary School (1955) and Morgan G. Bulkeley High School (1959) in Hartford, Connecticut. Jim married Salvatrice (Farinella) Keating on June 15, 1963, in Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. In 1965, he graduated from the University of Connecticut in Storrs with a Master of Business Administration degree. In 1963, Jim was hired as an engineer by the...

Gary W. Griffin, Sr, 73, of Southington, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2022, after a courageous battle with leukemia. He was born July 21, 1948, in Southington to the late Robert and Shirley (Johnson) Griffin. Gary was a 1966 graduate of Southington High School and a proud Vietnam Veteran, serving with the US Army, achieving the rank of Specialist Five. He was employed in the construction trade for many years, working for White Oak, O&G and Suzio before retiring to a life of travel, time with family, hiking, genealogy studies, pinot noir and fun. In addition to his parents, Gary was predeceased by his brother Bruce D. Griffin and sister Ann Egan. He is survived by his son Gary Griffin...

Liam J. Kelley, 83 of Bonita Springs, Florida died on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at his daughter Margaret's home in Wallingford. Liam was born on April 13, 1939, in New Haven. He was the son of the late George F. and Estelle (Feeley) Kelley. Liam joined the Air Force on his 17th birthday, while in the Air Force he met and married his wife of 63 years, Sheila (Owens) Kelley. After his service in the Air force Liam and Sheila moved to New Haven where their three older sons were born, James T. Kelley (Mara), Daniel P. Kelley and Sean M. Kelley. During the summer of 1963 they bought their home in Wallingford where their three younger children were born, Michael R. Kelley (Jenn), Katherine...

Karen Puzzo was many things, she was a Vermonter, a singer, a gardener, a seamstress, a baker, a crafter, a volunteer, a caretaker, a consummate organizer, a poet, a devoted daughter, a loving sister, caring mother, a kind friend and above all else a selfless giver. Karen was born in Barre, VT to Cornelia and Dante BaiRossi. Karen immediately became the apple of her dad's eye much to the chagrin of her eight-year-old brother Danny. Karen's brother Steve was born six years later, and the family moved to Blakeslee Street in Brattleboro. Karen attended St. Michael's School and was involved in many clubs including the school band. She eventually graduated at the top of her class and headed...

Alexander (Alex) Bayne passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Born in 1936, Alex grew up in and around London, England, with his parents, William and Dorothy, and older brother Bill. His childhood was marked by the bombings of London in World War II, evacuations to the countryside, and a decade of rationed food post-War. These events sparked several of Alex's passions?a love for train and plane spotting, snacks, a good meal, and time with family. At age 16, Alex stopped attending school so he could work to help support his family?"I only had one pair of trousers, so I thought that meant we needed money." He later served 2 years in the Royal Air Force, based in England. He then...

Eleanor Mary (McAuliffe) Dutton, 88, of Plainville, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Mary (Rose) McAuliffe and William Leo McAuliffe. She was the beloved wife of the late James William Dutton. Eleanor is survived by her children, James Dutton and his fianc?, Sara Sawtelle; Susan (Dutton)Girardin and Buddy; and Jeffrey Dutton and his girlfriend Georgi Andrews; her brother George McAuliffe and his wife Florence and her sister Mary (Mitzi) Tassone and her sister-in-law Joanne McAuliffe. She is predeceased by her brothers William and Richard . There will be no calling hours. The family will be holding a private ceremony for the immediate family. In lieu of...