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Norman G. Bedard
Norman G. Bedard, 75, of Salmon Drive, Brooklyn, died September 4, 2009 at Clinton Hospital in Clinton, MA. Beloved husband of Theresa (Padian) Bedard. Born August 9, 1934 in Killingly, son of the late Gerard and Florence (Paquette) Bedard.
He attended Killingly Public Schools, and was a lifelong communicant of ST James Church in Danielson. He served as a paratrooper in the US Army for two years. He worked many years supporting his family as a truck driver, a member of Union Local 493. After retirement, Norman enjoyed working for the NE Transit Buses where he made several new friends. Norman was always personable and friendly to everyone. He enjoyed gatherings with his family and friends, Alexander Lake and always had many stories to tell about his life experiences. Norman was an avid runner and participated in two marathons including the Boston Marathon.
He leaves his wife Theresa, his son Michael James Bedard of Stonington, his daughters: Tami (Joseph) Lupien of Brooklyn, Cindi Bedard Kasek of Danielson, siblings Victor Bedard; Pauline Bedard Dupont; grandchildren: Joseph Lupien, Jr., Nicole Lupien, Christopher Kasek, Hilary Kasek, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Celeste Bedard Joyal.
Calling Hours will be Friday, September 11, 2009 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson, followed by a Memorial Mass at ST James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson. Burial with Military Honors in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Alzheimer's Association, 4 Broadway, 3rd Floor, Norwich, CT 06360.
James E. "Jim" O'Connell
James E. "Jim" O'Connell, 64, of Dyer St., Danielson, died Wednesday at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. Born September 20, 1944 in Putnam, son of the late Edward and Mary (Brennan) O'Connell.
He was employed by Northeast Utilities for 29 years as an Electrical Engineer, working in Danielson and Willimantic. He was active with their union serving as a steward. He was a graduate of Killingly High School and post grad of Ellis Tech. He was a communicant of ST James Church in Danielson. He had coached for many years, Little League, Basketball and Football in Killingly and Brooklyn. He was a former member of the Quinnatisset Country Club and he was very instrumental in having the Christmas lights in Davis Park in Danielson.
He leaves his sons, Kevin O'Connell of Woodstock; Jeffrey O'Connell of Danielson; his former wife Krystyna O'Connell, two grandchildren, Drew and Natalie.
Calling Hours will be Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to ST James School Association, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson, 06239.
Armand "Putter" Poitras
Armand "Putter" Poitras, 86, of Prospect Avenue, Danielson, died Thursday, July 16, 2009 with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Simone (Rounds) Poitras, they were married October 18, 1947 in ST James Church, Danielson. He was born February 12, 1923 in Danielson, son of Luc and Clara (Boulais) Poitras.
He was a graduate of ST James School and Killingly High School, and received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Rhode Island and his Masters Degree from the University of Maryland. He was a Registered Pharmacist for many years in the Moosup and Danielson area and for the Day Kimball Hospital for over 36 years, and was Director of Pharmacy for 25 years. He also had worked for Allards/Daniel's Pharmacy for many years. He was a Veteran of WWII serving as a surgical technician with the US Army from January 23, 1943 to January 19, 1946.
In addition to his wife Simone of 61 years, he leaves his three children Sherry Bernier of Danielson, Joyce Lowell and her husband Daniel of Hebron, Gregg Poitras and his wife Aida of Cibolo, TX, three grandchildren, Tammy Bernier Julian and her husband Jason of Monroe, Brian Lowell of Middletown, Kara Lowell of Lebanon, ME, two great grandchildren Madison and Logan Julian.
A Memorial Mass will be 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at ST James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson. Burial following in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Alzheimer's Association, CT Chapter, 279 New Britain Rd., Suite 5, Kensington, CT 06037 www.alzct.org or Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Arrangements by Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson.
Dawn C. (Cross) Ferland
WOODSTOCK VALLEY - Dawn C. (Cross) Ferland, 57, of Woodstock Valley, died July 14, 2009 at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester after a sudden illness. She was the beloved wife of John W. Ferland. Born in December 17, 1951 in Putnam, daughter of the late Ruth V. (Shippee) Provost.
She was a graduate of Southern Connecticut State College, who dedicated her life to teaching and her family. She was the Special Education Department Head at Ellis Tech. In her spare time, she volunteered at the Mystic Aquarium, she was a Master Gardener and a Master Wildlife Conservationist. She spent her life advocating for people with disabilities. She left a major footprint on society. She also enjoyed the outdoors, boating, marathon shopping trips and spending her vacations in New Hampshire.
In addition to her husband, John, she leaves her daughter, Rebecca McKinnon and her husband Benjamin of Carthage, NY; her son, Patrick Ferland and his wife Julie of North Conway, NH; grandchildren, Gunnar Dean, Kayper Page and Brodie Neil McKinnon; her sister Barbara Graff and family of Killingly, her brother Charles Cross, Jr. and family of Plainfield; service dog Moses; and many dear friends.
A Graveside Service will be 11:00 AM on Monday July 20, 2009 at Westfield Cemetery, North Street, Danielson. Calling hours will be Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dawn's memory to NEADS, 305 Redemption Rock Trail South, Princeton, MA 01541or the Arthritis Foundation., PO Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077.
Einar Andersen, seaman, carpenter
Einar Andersen of Essex Junction, Vt., a longtime Ridgefielder who was a well-known cabinetmaker, died Monday, June 26, after a long illness. He was 76 years old.
A native of Sandar, Norway, Mr. Andersen was born on Jan. 16, 1924, a son of Dorthea Oliva and Harald Kristian Andersen. He grew at the edge of the sea in Norway and when he was only 15 years old, he left home to work aboard merchant ships. During his career at sea, Mr. Andersen sailed around the world at least twice.
During World War II, he served aboard oil tankers plying the Atlantic Ocean and received two medals for his actions in defending his ship against enemy attacks.
After the war, Mr. Andersen came to New York. In 1945, he met Veronica Arabell Browse in South Salem, N.Y., and they were married. After living in South Salem for a short while, they moved moved to Ridgefield around 1947, living on Perry Lane. Veronica Andersen died in 1959.
His second wife was Marion Venus Andersen, who died in 1996 after 37 years of marriage.
Mr. Anderson was a carpenter and cabinetmaker. "He did a lot of work around town and in the area," said his son, John Andersen of Essex Junction. "He was well-known for his carpentry skills." Among his more unusual projects was a custom cover that was long used to protect the Cass Gilbert Fountain at Main Street and West Lane during the winter.
Later in his career, he worked for Perkin-Elmer in Norwalk, retiring in the early 1980s.
During his years in Ridgefield, Mr. Andersen kept touch with the sea by going on fishing trips on Long Island Sound. "He also used to take us down to Sherwood Island and Compo Beach," John Andersen said. "He loved the ocean."
The Andersens moved in 1979 to High Ridge. After the death of Marion he moved to Essex Junction to live with John, his daughter-in-law Lynn, and their children.
Besides John, he is survived by three other sons, Robert Andersen of Channahon, Ill., Ralph Andersen of New Milford, and James Andersen of Danbury; two daughters, Deborah Andersen of Plymouth, N.H., and Elizabeth McManus of Ridgefield; 16 grandchildren, including Mary, Michael and Colleen McManus of Ridgefield; and three great-grandchildren. A son, James Thomas Andersen, died before him.
Services are taking place today, Thursday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at the Essex Alliance Church. Burial will be in Mountainview Cemetery.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Vermont Affiliate, 77 Hegeman Avenue, Colchester, VT 05445.
The Ready Funeral Home in Essex Junction is in charge of arrangements.
Edwina F. Bard, 93, active in league
Edwina F. Bard of Bloomfield, a former Ridgefielder whose family had long ties with the community, died Thursday, June 22, at Duncaster in Bloomfield. She was 93 years old.
Mrs. Bard was the widow of the late Erwin W. Bard, a professor at Brooklyn College whose father, Dr. Harry Erwin Bard, was Ridgefield's superintendent of schools between 1924 and 1928.
A native of Seattle, Wash., Mrs. Bard was born on Sept. 5, 1906, daughter of the late Edward and Jessie Gair Sweeney. She attended Smith College.
She and her husband built a cottage on Florida Hill Road in 1939 and summered in Ridgefield for many years. In 1966 when her husband retired from teaching, they began living here full-time. In 1985, they moved to Duncaster, a retirement community in Bloomfield. Her husband died in 1994.
In her years here, Mrs. Bard had been active in the League of Women Voters.
Her survivors include three daughters, Sarah Moore of Mansfield, Mass., Patricia Bard of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Margaret Gair of West Hartford, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, July 22, at 4 p.m. in St. Stephen's Church on Main Street.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, Development Office, 129 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06510.
Elizabeth Bjorlin, 41, Pepsi executive, mother of two
Elizabeth S. Bjorlin of Ives Court died at her home on Friday, July 28, after a three and one-half year battle with breast cancer. She was 41 years old and the wife of Scott W. Bjorlin. The Bjorlin family has been Ridgefield residents for the past five and one-half years.
Mrs. Bjorlin was born in Roanoke, Va., on Sept. 23, 1958 and moved to New York City as a young child. After a few years in New York, her family moved to Bedford, N.Y., where she attended Fox Lane High School. She graduated with honors from Smith College in 1980 with a degree in mathematics and spent a semester at Oxford University in England. While at Smith College, she organized and founded the debating society there.
After college, Mrs. Bjorlin started her career in the finance department at Reader’s Digest in Pleasantville, N.Y. Then, after a brief stint at Nestle, she joined the Pepsi-Cola Company of Purchase, N.Y. in 1986, in the Management Information Services Department. Her career blossomed as she quickly moved through various assignments in the Operations, Marketing Services and Marketing departments where she recently headed up the successful “Pepsi Stuff” programs.
In 1990 she met her husband, Scott, and the couple was married on April 27, 1991 after a whirlwind romance that included an engagement proposal in a hot-air balloon. The Bjorlins have two girls, Kari (seven) and Kristen (four). Six months after Kristen’s birth, Mrs. Bjorlin developed the cancer that eventually led to her death.
In addition to her husband and two daughters, she is survived by a brother, William Gill Jr. of Bridgeport; two sisters, Katherine Knapp of Sherman, and Christina Falise of Tampa, Fla.; three half-sisters, Jennifer Lizzet of Medina, Ohio, Samantha Jones of Orlando, Fla., and Maureen Gill of Cleveland, Ohio; and her loving parents, Robert A. and Katherine S. Falise of Bedford, N.Y.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Bedford, N.Y.
Contributions may be made in her memory to the Norma F. Phriem Breast Care Center, 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, CT 06610. Lee Ann Riley, who became a close friend of Beth’s, founded the center after surviving a bout with breast cancer herself.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Richard Carroll, taught at high school
Richard Tyrrell Carroll, a former teacher at Ridgefield High School, died Sunday, July 30, at Ashlar of Newtown. He was 67 years old and the husband of Barbara (Smith) Carroll.
Mr. Carroll taught industrial arts, arriving at the high school in 1973 and retiring in 1985.
A native of Greenwich and a graduate of the University of Maryland, Mr. Carroll had lived at and operated Elmwood Farm in South Salem, N.Y., for 14 years before moving to Brookfield 23 years ago.
A veteran of the Korean Conflict, he retired from the U.S. Air Force having served the last 16 years in the New York National Guard.
Mr. Carroll was a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Brookfield, and was a former Church Council member, as well as participating in its many committees and activities. He was also a member of the Jerusalem Lodge AF & AM in Ridgefield, and Pyramid Temple Shriners, Oregon Military Lodge AF & AM and Candlewood Shriners Club.
A ham radio operator, licensed as K2USG and W1ICF, he was a longtime member of the Candlewood Amateur Radio Society. He also served as an assistant scoutmaster of Troop 135 in Brookfield.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons, a sister, two grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Rev. Mark A. Nordskog, pastor, will conduct services at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Route 133, Brookfield, on Friday morning at 11. A reception will follow at the church social hall.
Burial will follow at Prince of Peace Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, Thursday (today) from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9. Masonic services will be held Thursday evening.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Masonic Charity Foundation, Wallingford, Prince of Peace Lutheran Nursery School Scholarship or Prince of Peace Youth Group, Route 133, Brookfield, CT 06804.
Helen Commons, active in St. Stephen's Church
Helen Commons, who was active in St. Stephen's Church for many years, died June 15 at her family home in Center Tuftonboro, N.H. She was 96 years old and the widow of Vivian Commons.
Mrs. Commons was born in New York City, daughter of Mary and Richard Timmermann and married Vivian K. Commons in 1929 after graduating from Columbia University, College of Pharmacy and receiving her Ph.D. in pharmacognosy from the University of London in 1927.
"It was unusual for a woman to attain such a high degree in a male-dominated field at that time," said her daughter Mary Haeger. She felt education was important to improve one's quality of life and sought throughout her life to espouse those values to the younger generations that followed."
She lived for many years in New York City where her husband had a family wholesale pharmaceutical business. After her husband's retirement they moved to their family home in Redding. She was an active member of the Ridgefield Child and Family Services and a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. She was an accomplished amateur artist working in both oils and watercolors, and many of her works are displayed in her home. The inspiration for her paintings came from both her travels to Europe and family events at their summer cottage on Peaks Island, Maine.
In Center Tuftonboro, she was active in community affairs including The Hikers Club, and was a volunteer tutor at the Tuftonboro Elementary School for several years.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and David Haeger of Center Tuftonboro, and three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Wolfeboro on June 23. Her ashes were buried alongside her husband at Fair Lawn Cemetery in Ridgefield, on July 8.
Donations in her memory may be made to All Saints Church, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 or to the Town of Tuftonboro Scholarship Fund, Town of Tuftonboro, Tuftonboro, NH 03816.
