Search Archived Marriage Records
James Patrick Serra
Born in Portland on Apr. 5, 1922
Departed on Dec. 13, 2007 and resided in Portland, CT.
Service: Monday, Dec. 17, 2007
Cemetery: Rose Hill Memorial Park
James Patrick Serra, 85, lifelong resident of Portland, died Thursday , December 13th, 2007 at home surrounded by his daughter and granddaughters, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Portland on April 5, 1922, he was the son of the late Joseph and Josephine (DiMauro) Serra. Jim was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Ida “Skip” (Dentino) Serra.
Jim, a WWII veteran, served in the U.S. Navy in the Southwest Pacific as an aviation mechanic. He worked at Northeast Utilities for about 30 years as a mechanical maintenance supervisor. He was very proud and honored to receive his high school diploma from Portland High School in 2000 and recently was the recipient of the Connecticut Wartime Veterans Service Medal with a proclamation from the State in recognition of his service during WWII.
Jim was an avid sports fan and especially loved watching his granddaughters play basketball, the UCONN women’s basketball team, and the Red Sox, he never missed a game. Family meant everything to him and he meant the world to those who knew and loved him. His smile, quick wit, kindness, friendliness toward and love of family, friends, and strangers alike will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his daughter, Lucyne Peterson and her husband Mark of Moodus; two granddaughters, Melissa Couch and her husband Lee of Portland, Marcy Herlihy and her husband Rory of Ivoryton; two brothers, Angelo Serra of Dudley, MA, Paul Serra of Amston; two sisters, Palma Wilk and Joanna Formica both of Portland; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by five brothers and two sisters, Connie Serra, Sebastian “Mike” Serra, Joseph Serra, Salvatore “Tootie” Serra, C. John Serra, Mary Salustro, and Anna Serra.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of St. Mary, 51 Freestone Ave., Portland on Monday, December 17th at 10:00 am. Interment will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park in Rocky Hill, where full military honors will be accorded.
There will be no calling hours. Friends who wish may make gifts in Jim’s memory to Middlesex Hospice and Palliative Care, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457.
The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St., Middletown is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Jane Gronholm
Born in Middletown, CT on Feb. 17, 1928
Departed on Dec. 16, 2007 and resided in Middletown, CT.
Visitation: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007
Service: Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007
Cemetery: State Veterans Cemetery
Betty Jane Gronholm, 79, of Middletown, wife of Albert S. Gronholm, passed away peacefully at Middlesex Hospital, Sunday, December 16, 2007. She was born in Middletown, daughter of the late William A. and Grace (Corell) Murray.
Mrs. Gronholm lived in Durham, moving to Middletown in 1974. She was a member of the Church of Epiphany and worked for Parsons Manufacturing for twenty-five years, retiring in 1994.
In addition to her husband she leaves one son, Richard W. Linsley and his wife Charlene, one step-daughter, Kathy Caso and her husband Nicholas and two granddaughters, Robin Borent and her husband Greg and Bonita Caso and her significant other, Rick Wacht.
She was predeceased by three brothers, William Murray, Robert Murray and Donald Murray.
Funeral services will be held at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St., Middletown, Wednesday, December 19, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Betty Jane to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 1004, Meriden, CT 06450 or to the American Lung Assn. of Connecticut, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108.
Nancy Carrington Shooshan
Born in Lowell, MA on Dec. 31, 1928
Departed on Dec. 18, 2007 and resided in Middletown, CT.
Visitation: Friday, Dec. 21, 2007
Service: Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007
Cemetery: Pending
Nancy Carrington Shooshan, 78, of Middletown, wife of Robert Dikran Shooshan, died on Tuesday, December 18th at Highview Health Care Center. Born on December 31st 1928 in Lowell, MA, she was the daughter of the late Mayo and Lois (Cutter) Carrington.
Nancy married
Robert on May 26th 1951 at Pawtucket Congregational Church in Lowell, MA then moved to Connecticut to raise their family. Nancy enjoyed square dancing, hiking, and making crafts as she could frequently be found knitting, crocheting or making decorations for various organization sales. She was a member of many fraternal and historical organizations including Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Mayflower Descedants, and the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Nancy was a life member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, a member of The United Churches of Durham, researched family genealogy and volunteered at the Godfrey Memorial Library.
Besides her husband she is survived by two daughter; Mary Gasiorowski of Grafton, NH and Sarah Kalra of Sparta, NJ, one granddaughter; Natasha, and a brother; Mayo Carrington of Viera, FL.
Funeral services will be held at The United Churches of Durham, 228 Main Street, Durham, on Saturday, December 22nd at 10:00am and interment will be at the convenience of the family.
Friends may call on Friday, December 21st from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St, Middletown.
Lonnie M. Williams
Born in Hemingway, SC on Jul. 21, 1944
Departed on Dec. 18, 2007 and resided in Middletown, CT.
Visitation: Friday, Dec. 21, 2007
Service: Friday, Dec. 21, 2007
Cemetery: Pine Grove Cemetery
Lonnie M. Williams, 63, of Military Road, Middletown, died December 18th at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown. Born in Hemingway, SC, she was the daughter of the late Daniel Davis and Anna Weston and had lived in Middletown for 45 years. She was raised by Jack and Ellen Williams.
Lonnie worked for CAGM in Middletown for 20 years and the YMCA for 3 years. She was member of Zion Baptist Church in Middletown, where she was a member of Gospel Voice and an usher.
She is survived by her son, Jermaine S. Williams and his fiancé Trang Pham of Middletown, granddaughter, Alexis Williams of Middletown; beloved significant other, John Dawkins of Middletown; four brothers, Robert Frazier of SC, L.B. Nesmith of DE, Jimmy Nesmith of DE, TC Nesmith of NY; nine sisters, Linda Williams of Middletown, Lila Snipes of Middletown, Julia Mae Dawson of NY, Thomasena Robinson of NY, Gwen Green of SC, Dell Richardson of DE, Frances Merrell of DE, Ella Green of DE, Edna Williams of NY; several nieces and nephews; and a special great niece, Shana Cintron of Middletown.
She was predeceased by a sister, Edith Brown.
Funeral services will be held at Zion Baptist Church, 16 James A. Moses Avenue, Middletown, on Friday, December 21st at 11:00 am. The Rev. Carlton Giles, pastor, will officiate and interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown.
Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Julia Stone
Born in Middletown, CT on Oct. 12, 1920
Departed on Dec. 18, 2007 and resided in Durham, CT.
Julia C. Stone, 87, of Durham, wife of Howard Stone, soul mate and life partner for the past 58 years, died on Tuesday, December 18th at Middlesex Hospital. Born in Middletown, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Elizabeth (Cariglianno) Cambria.
Julia lived all her life in Middlesex County, was active in local politics during the fifties and sixties, and traveled worldwide with a fondness for the Caribbean Island beaches, sunny Italy, and New York City. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who lived life to the fullest, savored the good times with refinement and relish, faced the down times with grace and stoic realism. Julia was an avid reader, enjoyed music favoring jazz, and enjoyed many childhood and adult summers at the family cottage in Westbrook. She took a lively interest in the lives of her children, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a font of wisdom and advice, a bit intolerant of nonsense, apt to size up a situation in the light of many years life experience. A life that taught the art of living, from beginning to end. She will be sorely missed and remembered fondly.
Besides her husband she is survived by a son; Gary Fox and his wife Deborah of Stonington, a daughter Deborah Stengel and her husband John of Durham, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by six brothers, three sisters and her first husband Everret Fox.
Funeral services will be private and interment will be at the convenience of the family.
There will be no calling hours and friends may make donations in her memory to the charity of the donor’s choice.
The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St, Middletown are in charge of the arrangements.
Gertrude H. "Trudy" Binke
Born in Middletown, CT on Aug. 14, 1929
Departed on Dec. 21, 2007 and resided in Middletown, CT.
Visitation: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007
Service: Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007
Cemetery: Private
Gertrude (Hintz) “Trudy” Binke, 78 of Fowler Avenue, Middletown, wife of the late Edward W. Binke, died Friday, December 21st at High View Health Center, Middletown. Born in Middletown on August 14, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Amelia (Schmidt) Hintz and had lived in Middletown all of her life.
She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, class of 1947 and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
She is survived by one son, Ronald E. Binke and his wife Michele of Portland; one daughter, Janet R. Mancarella of Middletown; one granddaughter, Sarah Ann Binke; one grandson, Justin R. Binke; one brother, Leonard Hintz of Middletown; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by one son, David W. Binke; three brothers, Harold, Ernest, and Raymond Hintz; and one sister, Ruth Neville.
Funeral services will be held at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church St., Middletown on Thursday, December 27th at 1:00 pm. The Rev. R. Maureen Hawksley will officiate and interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown at the convenience of the family.
Friends may call at the Doolittle Funeral Home on Thursday afternoon prior to the service from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to St. Paul Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 76 High Street, Middletown, CT 06457.
Crystal Lavinia Byrd
Born in Middletown, CT on Oct. 21, 1959
Departed on Dec. 19, 2007 and resided in Middletown, CT.
Memorial Service: Friday, Dec. 28, 2007
Crystal Lavinia Byrd, 48, of Middletown, died on Wednesday, December 19th at New Britain General Hospital as a result of pneumonia.
She is survived by her husband; Jose Santiago, Jr., one daughter; Khara Aberle and her husband Dave, two sons; Joshua Pasquaretta and Jonathan Pasquaretta and his fiancé Antoinette Torres, two grandchildren; Dylan Aberle and Noah Pasquaretta, four sisters; Nadine Smith of Middletown, Diane Byrd of South Carolina, Pamela (Byrd) Callaghan and Kim Byrd of North Adams, MA, a brother; Wayne Brackett of Portland and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at the Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown on Friday, December 28th at 3:00pm.
Robert W. Kovach
Born in Middletown, CT on May 25, 1964
Departed on Dec. 12, 2007 and resided in Middletown, CT.
Robert W. Kovach, 43, of Liberty Commons, Middletown, died December 12th at his home. Born in Middletown, he was the son of John J. Kovach of Florida and Irene Clark of Middletown and had lived in Middletown all of his life.
Besides his parents, he is survived by one daughter, one son, and three brothers and one sister.
A memorial service will be held at a date and time to be announced.
There will be no calling hours.
Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown is in charge of arrangements.
