Republican-American

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...

Hamilton Russell Bristol Jr., age 88, of Cheshire passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at VITAS at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury. He was the devoted and loving husband of Charlotte (Hanning) Bristol for over 62 years. Russ was born on March 22, 1934, son of the late Hamilton R. Bristol Sr. and Emily (Hiley) Bristol. Russell and his family lived in Bethany for many years before coming to Cheshire 23 years ago. He was a graduate of The Taft School and furthered his education at Ohio State University, where he earned his Bachelor's in mechanical engineering, and then began his career at Bristol Babcock, retiring in the early 1990's. Following his retirement, he became a full-time...

Pamela S. (Normandin) Roberts, 65, of Stratford, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2022 at Valerie Manor Health Care Center of Torrington after a courageous battle with cancer. Pamela was born on December 29, 1956 in Waterbury and was the daughter of the late Andre O. and Peggy D. (Wiggins) Normandin. She was a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury and worked in quality control at Wheeler Electronics before dedicating her life to raising her children. Pam was a very classy lady who also loved a good clich?. She held a firm belief that all people should strive to be content in life. Pamela took great pride in her home which was her sanctuary. It was always kept very...

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,...

Waterbury, Connecticut: Louis Anthony Amici, 61 of Waterbury, passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Louis was born March 10, 1961 in Waterbury, CT, son of the late Dick and Mary (Duffy) Amici. He was a graduate of Holy Cross High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Manhattanville College and his Master's Degree in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Louis was Research Chemist, having worked at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine as well as Yale New Haven. He loved music and sang for several seasons with the Waterbury Chorale. Louis also had a DJ business where he was known as DJ Brother Lou. He loved spending time in...

William W. Macchia, 99, of Waterbury, Naugatuck, and Southington, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2022. He had been married to his true love and best friend Louise (Bienvenu) Macchia for 72 years. He was born in Waterbury to the late John and Pauline Macchia, and grew up in a large but tight-knit family with his beloved sister, cousins, and many aunts and uncles. He served bravely in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and graduated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1947 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, applying those credentials to a career of over 40 years at NASA and Waterbury Timex. His first love as a young boy was music, and he was blessed with a gift for...

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...

James Richard Carpenter, 46, of Thomaston, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2022 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital with his father by his side. James was born on August 19, 1975, in Norwalk, CT, son of David Carpenter and Carol Mathison. James will be remembered for his gentle and happy spirit, and the ability to live his life with a constant laugh and smile. He is survived by his father, David Carpenter, step-mother Deborah Carpenter, mother Carol Mathison, step siblings Michael O'Connell and his wife Antonia of Wolcott, and Jill Burnes and her husband Brian of Bristol. Donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 5601 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105...

Jennifer Gracy received her angel wings on Sunday, July 24, 2022. Jennifer was born on December 2, 1967 in Waterbury, Ct. to the late Fred and Virginia (Bassett) Gracy. Jen grew up in Southbury, CT, one of the six Gracy girls. She graduated from Southbury High School and moved forward to live an independent life. Her family and friendships meant the world to her. Jen loved art; she made and sold pieces at East St. Arts in New Haven. Jen's love, laughter, patience, kindness and inclusion emanated from her spirit and heart. Jen is survived by her twin Jessica DiGiavocarlo, Melissa (Brendon) Egan, Jan (Bob) Giroux, Cynde (Ken) Butler and Debby (Larry) Rodriguez. She is also survived by nieces,...

James J. Senich, 83, of Southington and formerly of Waterbury, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at Southington Care Center. He had been the loving husband of Ellen (Lucas) Senich for 35 years. James was born in Waterbury on March 31, 1939 to the late Dmitri "Mitzy" and Mary Kay (Linnane) Senich. He attended Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury and excelled in athletics before proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves. He attended Leland Powers School of Radio in Boston and soon after began a career in newspaper and radio that would last for over four decades beginning in 1960 at WLAD in Danbury. The first record he ever spun was "Only You" from The Platters. He...

SOUTHBURY - Robert Joseph Hatch of Southbury died suddenly Thursday, July 21 of natural causes. Robert was the beloved husband of Norma and father of Patricia Hatch (Stephen) of VT, Timothy and Christopher Hatch both of CT, Nancy Robinson (Glenn) of CT and Cathleen Maccio of CT along with his five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren ... all of whom were his passion in life. Bob was born in Cheshire, CT to the late George M. and Mary Sheehan Hatch. He served honorably in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Bob is also survived by his sister Alice Hatch of Cheshire along with several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his siblings Mary Fede, George and Phyllis Hatch. Robert had...

Mary (Byrne) Goggin, 77, of Southington, passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at HOCC New Britain General. She had been the loving wife of Edmond Goggin for 54 years. Mary was born in Derby, CT on December 23, 1944 to the late Charles and Margaret Byrne. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University and earned her bachelor's degree. Mary worked as a social worker for the State of CT and retired from Connecticut Community Care, where she took great pride in serving the elderly. Mary was a devoted Catholic woman. She was a longtime parishioner at St. Thomas Church and then Mary Our Queen Church in Southington, where she took part in the Eucharistic Adoration and Prayer and led the...

Timothy G. Slater, 72, passed away on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at his home. He was the husband of Diane (Hoshor) Slater. Tim was born November 8, 1949, in Winsted, the son of the late George and Stephanie (Alusitz) Slater. A longtime Bethany resident, Tim was the former owner of the Slater Funeral Home in Cheshire, a business he started in 1974. After retiring from the funeral profession in 1987, Tim opened Excavation Technologies Inc. also known as "ETI", an environmental remediation company. Besides his wife of 51 years, Tim is survived by his daughters Kimberly Slater and Tracy Wilson and her husband Chad; his grandchildren Riley, Ava, and, Leah Wilson. Arrangements - Funeral...

Margaret Murphy Pettit (Peggy, Maggie, Mom, Nanny) of Naples, FL, Westport, CT and Scituate, MA, age 90 passed away peacefully with loving family by her side. Peggy was married to her high school sweetheart, best friend, and love of her life, Ray (Moose) Pettit for 64 years. She was born in Waterbury, CT to Margaret (Moore) and Eugene Murphy. She attended school in Waterbury, was President of her class at Waterbury Catholic High School, and attended Post College. She was the loving and proud mother of five: Stephen (who predeceased her in 2004) (Beverly) Pettit, Chesterfield, MO, Linda (John) Barbosa, Brookfield CT, Susan (Joe) Colasurdo, Westport CT, Eileen (AnneMarie) Pettit,...

Mario Venditti, 62, of Harwinton, passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2022. He was born in Waterbury, a son of the late Maria (Biello) and Angelo Venditti. Mario was a happy soul who loved to watch football and baseball, especially the New York Yankees. He was a foodie and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He also enjoyed listening and singing along to all types of music. Mario will be dearly missed by his sisters. He is predeceased by his parents. His family would like to thank his caregivers for the many years of love and support and wonderful care given to him. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mario's memory may be made to: Community Systems, Inc., 295 Alvord Park Rd,...

Carolyn R. (Danowski) Schmollinger, of Parklawn Circle, died Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at home after a brief illness with her family by her side. She was the loving wife of the late William F. Schmollinger for nearly 55 years, and a devoted mother and grandmother. Carolyn was born January 13, 1929 in Waterbury, the only child of Edith (Littman) and Julius Danowksi. She and seven other children were the last students enrolled at the Oronoke School, a two-room elementary school on Wooster Avenue in Waterbury, when it closed on December 23, 1938. She went on to graduate from Russell Grammar School, Crosby High School and Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. Carolyn loved to garden, and lovingly...

Todd Michael Leblanc, 56, the loving husband of Sasha Fowler-Leblanc, passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2022, after almost 10 years of marriage. Born on December 30, 1965 in Attleboro, MA to the late David and Mary (McMahon) Leblanc, Todd graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1983. Following his passion for cars, he continued his studies at Porter and Chester, later becoming a Master Mechanic and Technician. Todd (Crash) started his career as a Mechanic and went on to work for Sikorsky Aircraft as an Aircraft Assembler, Inline Plastics as an Electro-Mechanical Technician A and Avalence as Chief R&D Technician. During his time at Sikorsky, he was invited onto the Presidential VH-60...

Lauren L. (Nightingale) Bigge, 71, of Englewood, FL, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Hartford Hospital. Lauren was born in Bristol on June, 9, 1951 to the late Edmond and Dorothy (Matthews) Nightingale. She graduated from Goodwin Technical School in 1970 and earned her degree in hair dressing. Lauren raised her family in Southington and worked at AirPax in Cheshire, retiring after 25 years of service. Lauren lived a very active lifestyle in FL. She was a member of the Lemon Bay Woman's Club in Englewood and the Moose Club in Venice. She loved motorcycle rides with Mike and looked forward to her time up north with family. Lauren cherished spending time with her...

Judith May (Burke) Modine, 84, of Wallingford, formerly of Cheshire, passed away on Tuesday June 21, 2022 at Mid-State Medical Center in Meriden surrounded by her loving family. She was the longtime loving and devoted companion of Donald McPartland. Judy was born September 5, 1937 in Lynn, MA, a daughter of the late Gordon Cleveland and Sophia (Chemelski) Burke and was a longtime Cheshire resident. She was a graduate of Salem High School and received her Bachelors of Education Degree from Salem State College and earned her Master's Degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Judy was a first-grade teacher in the town of Cheshire at Chapman School and later Highland...

Vidas Melninkaitis, 72, of Wolcott, beloved husband of Jolanta Melninkaitis, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2022. Vidas was born on December 15, 1949, in Waterbury, CT to the late Bronius and Eugenija Melninkaitis. Vidas proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1973. While on duty, Vidas received three purple hearts. He was a longtime employee of the Borough of Naugatuck, working in the maintenance division of the Police Department. He became a dispatcher for Naugatuck Fire Department, and retired in 2013. Vidas was an active member of the Naugatuck Fire Fighters Local 1219. In addition to his loving wife, Jolanta, Vidas leaves behind his sister Jeanne...

Theresa (Gelinas) Bessette, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 12, 2022. She was the beloved wife to the late Robert Bessette for 74 years. Theresa was born in Quebec, Canada on August 31, 1927 to the late Lucien and Diana (Langlois) Gelinas. Theresa held a variety of factory positions at The Princeton Knitting Mills (Waterbury) , Uniroyal (Naugatuck), and Scovils in (Watertown) Theresa will be missed by her daughter: Diana (Bessette) Kenney and her husband Timothy Kenney; her two sons David Bessette and his wife Lisa (Sciortino) Bessette and Dennis Bessette. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Lori (Kenney) Kooger and her husband Albert Kooger,...