Journal Inquirer

Elizabeth (Dulac) Lackey, 96, of Plainville, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family and caretaker, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. She was the wife of the late Donald Lackey, who predeceased her in 2002. Born in Bristol on May 27, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Edmond and Corinne "Blanche" (Pelletier) Dulac. She attended Plainville Schools and was a graduate of the former Teacher's College of Connecticut, now CCSU, with a Bachelor of Science in Education, followed by graduate courses in Educating the Learning Disabled. A well-loved and dedicated teacher, Elizabeth taught both regular and special education for more than 24 years at Linden, Broad Street, Trask...

William J. "Bill" Janiak, 93, of Port Charlotte, FL, formerly of Stafford Springs, CT, passed away peacefully on Monday December 5, 2022. Bill was born in Stafford Springs, CT, to the late Joseph & Frances Janiak. He grew up and attended local schools in Stafford, where he married Pauline (Poirier), and raised his family. He spent most of his work life at Hamilton Standard. Bill had a hale & hearty laugh and loved a good joke. He was happiest with his maps and plans for the next road trip, which he and Polly took in their RV as often as possible. He also enjoyed RV adventures with his grandchildren, swimming and playing games together. They finally settled in Florida, and he...

Arlene Zatyrka Baronas, 93, died peacefully in the presence of family on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at her home at Stonebrook Village in Windsor Locks, CT. She was born in Greenfield, MA, on July 14, 1929, the daughter of Simon "Sam" Zatyrka and Anna (Bishko) Zatyrka; as a young adult and after her mother's early death, she became the step-daughter of Nellie (Zilka) Zatyrka. She graduated from Greenfield High School (1947) as salutatorian and from the University of Massachusetts (1951) as a member of the Chi Omega sorority and with a BA in English. She married William "Duke" Baronas in November 1952. Arlene worked as a teacher at the Greenfield public schools, at St. Bernard's in...

Raymond D. Kaminski, 100, 0f Hartford, husband of the late Lucy (Schettino) Kaminski 54 years, passed away October 25, 2022 at Avery Heights Skilled Nursing Center in Hartford. Ray was born in Thompsonville on January 6, 1922, a son of the late Edward and Nellie Tuminowska Kaminsky. He graduated from Enfield High School class of 1939. He served in the United States Army for four years during World War II. He then graduated from Morse College in Hartford. He retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 1980 after completing 29 years of service. He was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the Professional Internal Revenue Retirees Association of Connecticut....

Mr. Stuart Kupferschmid, 85, passed away Tuesday October 11, 2022 at his residence. Stuart was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara in 2017. He leaves behind his dear daughter Robin Kupferschmid-Putira and her husband Michael Putira, his dear granddaughter Lauren Putira and her friend Gary Tomcik, and his three surviving brothers Wayne and his wife Marcia, Dan and his wife Teri, Dean and his wife Joanne, as well as many nieces and nephews, and his two caregivers Jan Morgan and Louise Pope. He also leaves a faithful canine companion of many years, Major. He was also predeceased by his older brother Eugene and his wife Ellen, and his older sister June. Stu was a lifelong sports fan, and...

Susan Peak passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 25, 2022. She was a proud mother, mother in-law, grandmother, career nurse, and frequent volunteer for community organizations. She was outgoing, funny, persistent, and full of life. She enjoyed engaging neighbors and strangers in conversation wherever she went. She died too soon and will be missed by many people. Susan was born and raised in Middletown, Connecticut. She was the oldest of 5 children. She was a strong and smart, hardworking student, graduating from Mercy High School and Georgetown University. She also earned Masters Degrees from Southern Connecticut University and Saint Joseph's College, earning the title of...

Patricia Bryfonski-Piela, 79, of Exeter, NH passed away peacefully on September 19, 2022, in Boston, MA surrounded by her family. Patricia "Pat" was born on February 14, 1943, in Hudson, NY to John and Edith Bryfonski of Stuyvesant Falls, NY where she spent her childhood. Pat graduated from Ichabod Crane Central School and went on to become a registered nurse (RN) after graduation from the Albany Medical School of Nursing, Albany, NY. While working as an RN/ICU nurse at Albany Medical Center, Pat met John "Jack" Piela of Springfield, MA who was attending the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, NY. They were married on April 24, 1965, in Stuyvesant Falls, NY. Pat's...

Russell J. Sapia, 81, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2022. Russ was born in Hartford, CT on March 11, 1941 to Joseph and Nellie Sapia, and spent most of his life in East Hartford, CT, before retiring to Saint Petersburg in 2008. He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph Sapia and Nellie Vallano Sapia, and survived by his wife of 61 years, Lorraine Sapia, their son, Jeffrey Sapia and his wife, Trisha Sapia, of Bonifay, FL, and their son, Christopher Sapia and his husband, Gregory Haroian, of Manchester, CT, and two grandchildren, Jessica Abbott and Justin Sapia, and four great grandchildren all living in FL. Russell graduated from East Hartford High in 1960, marrying his high school...

Jennie Ann Lonewski Koza, passed on July 2, 2022, at Littleton Regional Hospital. She was born on February 2, 1930, in Windsor, CT, the daughter of Fred Anthony Lonewski and Anna Huschko. She was 92 and one of 12 children/stepchildren. Both her parents were Polish immigrants who passed through Ellis Island to enter America. Jennie was the wife of Edward J. Koza, married on June 2, 1951, in Windsor, CT. They met on a blind date that was arranged by her stepsister Stella. She is predeceased by her husband of 66 years and survived by her daughter Alana Lessard and her partner Rob Viola, granddaughter Chelsea Lessard Rowan, her wife Kelly Rowan, and grandson Emile Lessard III. She is also...

Steven Douglas Heisler, 64, of Clover, South Carolina, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2022, surrounded by his family. Steven was born March 21, 1958, in Manchester, CT, to Audrey Gilmore Heisler and the late Douglas Dunn Heisler. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Erin Heisler, and his brother, James W. Heisler. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Tisa Cloukey Heisler; his daughters, Aleana Howard (Kevin), Clover, SC, and Heather Kenney, New Britain, CT; his son, Eric Kenney (Jessica), Savannah, GA, and his sisters, Laura Heisler and Jennifer Valente. He was also the proudest Papa to his thirteen grandkids. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022,...

Janet G. Smith, 87, of Wallingford, loving wife of Robert Smith, passed away June 10, 2022. Janet was born in Troy, New York on March 22, 1935, a daughter of the late J. Frederick and Dorothy (Bass) Osterhout. Bob and Jan both attended Hudson High School and married when Bob graduated college. They lived in California for a few years but raised their family in South Windsor. They lived in Vernon in their retirement and then Wallingford. Jan and Bob were faithful members of Wapping Community Church and Trinity Covenant Church. Jan served in several capacities including as church secretary and contributions secretary. She enjoyed many years of singing in church and community choirs,...

Cynthia Louise (Gallup) Phelps passed at her home on June 6th, 2022 with her husband of 52 years by her side. Born in Holyoke on May 18th, 1943 she was the daughter of William W. and Jean (Valentine) Gallup. A native of Granby, Cynthia was a teacher of Library Science (and Dinosaurs) to all ages. She was an equestrian, conservationist and avid reader with love and respect for children of all ages. She was educated in Granby Schools, South Hadley High School, Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in English and The University of California at Berkeley with a M.A. in Library Science and education. She taught and worked in Otis, MA, Marin County CA, Bristol, CT, East Hartford, CT, the Mount Holyoke...

Gerald "Jerry" Robert Faulkner, age 83, of Pittsfield, MA and formerly of East Hartford, CT, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Mount Greylock Extended Care. Jerry was born in Houlton, Maine on February 28, 1939, the youngest of four sons of the late Donald E. Faulkner and Lillian Harris Faulkner. He was a 1958 graduate of Ellsworth High School and then went on to proudly serve in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1962 with the rank of SP4. He married the former Isabelle A. "Kit" Dufresne at the First Congregational Church in S. Windsor, CT on May 25, 1973. In addition to his beloved wife Kit, Jerry is survived by his daughters, Ren?e Opelt and her husband...

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Douglas Arthur Stevens; Doug passed in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Doug was born on January 16, 1941, in Watertown, New York, to Arthur and Marguerite (Hutchins) Stevens. Shortly thereafter, the family relocated to Manchester, Connecticut, where he remained through his graduation from Manchester High School in 1959. It was during his high school years that he joined the swim team, winning several medals in competition. After graduation he went on to Miami University of Ohio in Cincinnati where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics. From there, he began a long professional IT career, working for several...

Ernest William Parent, Sr., 78, of New Bern, North Carolina passed away at his home on, Sunday, February 27, 2022. Ernest was born on June 10, 1943 in Manchester, CT to the late Edmound Parent, Sr. and Elmira LaMontagne Parent. Ernest is survived by his loving wife, Yvette Parent, 3 sons; Ernest William Parent, Jr., David Mathew Parent, and Mathew Robert Parent and wife, Emily, 6 grandchildren; Justin and wife, Amber, Connor, Ashley, Jacob, Sarah, and Olivia, sister, Elaina Letende and husband, Paul, 3 brothers; Earland and wife, Dana, Edward and wife, Sandy, and Eugene and wife, Mary Anne, and special fury family members, Morgan and Marley. A Memorial Mass will be held, Friday, March 4,...

John A DuBois 77 of Middletown CT, loving husband of Karen Peters DuBois passed away after battling Covid and pneumonia on January 21,2022 at Middlesex hospital. John was born in Hartford CT on October 7, 1944, son of the late Louis and Maria DuBois. John retired from the State of Connecticut. In addition to his wife Karen, he is survived by his daughter Julie Watson and her husband Showan Watson, and his three sons Christopher DuBois, John Dubois and Michael DuBois. John is survived by his sister Yevette DuBois and many grandchildren. John enjoyed the outdoors, he loved to fish, hike, take daily walks, dancing, trips to the beach and apple and strawberry picking, what he enjoyed most was...

Loretta Kathryn Anderson Wasiele (Clarence and Cecilia Aylward Anderson) November 19, 1926 to December 16, 2021 Business woman, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother. Loretta was a child of the Great Depression in Brainerd and Minneapolis, Minnesota which shaped her determination and stoked her drive in life. What it didn't do was hold her back. Minnesota winters gave her an appreciation of the sound of newly fallen snow crunching under foot, something that stayed with her all of her 95 years. Loretta put herself through school, then with a team of 4 women opened a new office for her company in Chicago where she met the love of her life, Harry Wasiele, Jr. She was definitely the...

Nancy Lynn Peterson, 80, of South Windsor and South Lyme, CT passed away peacefully October 30th after a long and courageous battle with Ovarian cancer. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Mark Peterson, who passed away in April. Nancy was born March 29, 1941 to Norman and Dorothea (Steese)Travis and was raised in Manchester, CT, graduating from Manchester High School and attending Manchester Community College. Nancy was a steadfast supporter of the community and her family. She volunteered for many local organizations including the MMH Gift Shop, SW Republican Town Committee, Nearly New Shop, Christ the King Church and St. Margaret Mary Church. She could always be found at...

Richard L. Meunier, 82, of Leesburg, FL passed away on October 11, 2021. He was born on September 20, 1939 in Waterville, Maine, the son of Jeannette Dupree and Alfred Meunier. He graduated from Westfield State College. He served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1966. He was a member of the Enfield, CT Police Department for 33 years and retired as a Lieutenant in the Detective Division in July, 2000. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara (Wilson) of Leesburg, a son Paul (Sharon) of Enfield, a son Justin (Emily) of Springfield, MA, a son Anthony of New Hampshire, a daughter Amy Sweet (Jeff) of Brookfield, MA, and step-sons Jamie Slack of Enfield, Corey...

Thomas Greer, 74, died at the home of his son Galen Greer in Booneville, MS, on August 31, 2021, after a long heroic battle with cancer. Tom was born on October 31, 1946, in Hartford, CT, and was the son of Thomas and Mary M. Greer. He graduated from Manchester High School and was a proud member of the class of 1964. He resided in Manchester, CT, until 2014, when he and his wife, Sally, moved to Ormond Beach, FL. Prior to retirement, Tom was employed as an Area Sales Manager for the Northeast Division of McLane Food Service of NY. He will also be remembered as the owner of what was called "the Cracker Barrel Store" 7 Eleven Store in Mansfield, CT, in the 80's, where he was known for his...

Thomas D. Driscoll Sr., 76, passed away at Baystate Medical Center on August 28, 2021, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born on August 6, 1945, in Northampton to Jeremiah and Frances (Moriarty) Driscoll. He was a lifelong city resident and graduated from Northampton High School. Tom proudly served as a City of Northampton firefighter for many years. He suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty in January of 1982. Afterwards, he pursued his interest in cars, working for Bak Tire and Napa Automotive. Throughout the years, Tom coached Farm League baseball and youth basketball. He loved playing Santa for PTO functions at various city schools. He enjoyed model...