Joseph J. Andersen, of Destin, FL, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the age of 87. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Dad grew up in Unionville, CT, attending Farmington High School and Cornell University. He studied Electrical Engineering and played football until he was called up to serve his country during WWII as a member of the 303rd Infantry Regiment, 97th Infantry Division, Company D in Europe and then Japan. Upon his return, he went back to Cornell and completed his degree. Dad shared his love of science, math and sports along with his ethic for hard work and the willingness to always lend a hand with his entire family. We will miss you terribly. Predeceased by his wife, Norene (Foley) Andersen. Joe is survived by his beloved in-laws, Timothy and Deborah Foley and his eight children, Kathy (Peter) Hoppner, John (Gail) Andersen, Joseph (Nancy) Andersen, Robert Andersen, Carol (Kieran) Fahy, Mark Andersen, Timothy Andersen, and Mary Irene (Peter) Millar; 11 grandchildren, Christopher (Rachel), Jessica and Erika Hoppner, Erin and Caitlin Andersen, Kristin and Kayla Fahy, Kelly and Kevin Andersen and Kathryn and John Millar; and 1 great grandchild, Benjamin Hoppner. Family and friends are invited to gather at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Tuesday, April 3rd from 9:00-10:30am. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be at 10:30am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, 145 Main St., Unionville at 11:00am with burial immediately following at St Mary Cemetery, Avon with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06450 in his memory.
Gertrude Gadd Beck, 84, of Greenland, NH, formerly of Unionville, CT, passed away early Wednesday, March 28, 2012 after a long illness. Trudy was born in Wallingford, CT on April 27, 1927, and she graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1944. She received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southern Connecticut State Teachers College in 1948. She was a teacher at West District School from 1966-1986 and counted her years as an elementary school teacher as the most enjoyable and meaningful years of her life. She was an avid outdoorswoman, enjoying hiking, canoeing and gardening. She was a genealogist and a calligrapher. She volunteered at the First Church of Christ Congregational in Unionville, CT and sang in the choir. Later in life after she moved to Greenland, NH, she continued to volunteer at Greenland Community Congregational Church, the Wentworth Gardner House and the Weeks Public Library. Her son Wesley D. Gadd, daughter-in-law Mary Gadd and grandson Mason Gadd of Farmington, CT, and her twin brother Edgar E. Gardner, his wife Joyce P. Gardener of Saco, ME, and their children Tish, Ned and Ellen survive her. Her husband, Franklin Beck of Greenland, NH, and his family also survive her. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Friday (Mar. 30) from 6:00-8:00pm. Funeral Services will be held Saturday (Mar. 31) at 11:00am in the First Church of Christ Congregational, 61 Main St., Unionville followed by burial in In Memoriam Cemetery, Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wentworth Gardner House, P.O Box 563, Portsmouth, NH 03802 and the Weeks Public Library, P.O. Box 430, 36 Post Road, Greenland, NH 03840.
Patricia Long, daughter of Kathryn Lynch Long and James Daniel Long, both deceased, passed away suddenly March 25, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital. She is survived by her loving sisters Eileen Long Lovett and Kathleen Long Browne and her six nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews, all of California or Vermont. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.
Robert J. Poggio, 77, of Farmington, beloved husband of Beverly (Mottram) Poggio, passed away peacefully on March 23rd at John Dempsey Hospital with his family by his side. Born in Meriden on June 7th, 1934, son of the late Secondo and Mary (Bernardoni) Poggio, he was raised in Wallingford and has resided in Farmington for over 50 years. He was a graduate of Lyman Hall High School, Class of 1952 and received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bryant College in Rhode Island, Class of 1959. An Air Force veteran, he was stationed in France where he was a member of the Air Force Band. Prior to retiring, Robert was employed by Gros-ite Industries (EDAC) in Farmington for over 30 years. A lifelong musician, he taught trumpet and played for the Plainville Wind Ensemble and professionally for the Meriden Symphony Orchestra and the Meriden City Band. He was also a private pilot for many years and enjoyed trips with his children flying out of Robertson Airport in Plainville. Robert also enjoyed vacationing on Cape Cod, where his favorite pastime for 25 years was whale watching off the coast of Provincetown, or just sitting in peaceful reflection on the beach at Race Point.
Besides his wife, Robert is survived by his four children, Leslie Raymond of New Britain, Robert Poggio Jr., of Simsbury, Lisa Solomon of Farmington and Donna Poggio and her fiancée Brian Cannone of Bridgeport, his seven grandchildren, Jennifer Raymond Wanzer and her husband Don, Jonathan Raymond, Rebecca Raymond Doll, James Poggio, Brian Poggio, Elizabeth Poggio and Jonah Solomon, his great granddaughter, Artemis Doll and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his beloved sister, Florence Wasilewski and her son Robert Wasilewski. A Memorial Service will be held Friday (Mar. 30) at 11:00am in St. James Episcopal Church, 3 Mountain Road, Farmington. There will be no calling hours and burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Music Fund at St. James Parish, 3 Mountain Road, Farmington, CT 06032 or to the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, 115 Bradford St., Provincetown, MA 02657
Shirley A. Phelps, 77, of Farmington, beloved widow of Raymond Phelps, passed away peacefully Friday, March 23rd. Born in New Britain, August 5th, 1934, daughter of the late Joseph and Florine (Albrecht) Fischel. Shirley leaves behind her family who will miss her dearly, her children, Lori Caperino and her husband David of Lebanon, Gary Phelps of New Britain, Michael Phelps and Lisa Hudson of Farmington, Jeffrey Phelps and his wife Susan of Glastonbury and Patricia Shaulis and her husband Richard of Canton, her grandchildren, Kayla, Connor and Lindsey Phelps, Casey Hudson and Hannah Phelps, Kyle and Meghan Phelps and Sarah and Melissa Shaulis, her two sisters, Barbara Huck of New Britain and Linda Hill of Plainville and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son John Phelps and her sister Jean Ellison. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Monday (Mar. 26) from 5:00-7:00pm. Funeral services will be held Tuesday (Mar. 27) at 11:00am in The Ahern Funeral Home followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Catherine “Kitty” Gregerick, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 23, 2012. She was born in Unionville, where she lived her entire life. She worked for many years at and retired from the Traveler’s in Hartford.
Catherine enjoyed spending time with her family, and in her younger days enjoyed cooking and preparing meals. In recent years, she especially enjoyed visits from her nephew Tim, and looked forward to Sunday mornings when Tim would always bring her favorite breakfast and coffee. Catherine was a caring soul and always thought of others. When her niece Annmarie would head home after a visit, she would always tell her “Call and let the phone ring once so I know you’re home safely.” Catherine is the daughter of Joseph F. and Mary (Dursten) Gregerick. She is predeceased by two brothers, Michael and Joseph Gregerick, and five sisters, Ann, Helen, Mary, Sophie, and Margaret Gregerick. She is survived by two sisters, Theresa Gregerick of Unionville, and Frances (Gregerick) Davis and brother-in-law, Melvin Davis of Unionville, as well as many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, who lovingly called her “Auntie Kat”. One of Catherine’s favorite things to say when family members would head home after visiting with her was “Go with God.” Today, we are saying that to her. May you rest in peace sweet Catherine, you will be truly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing you and loving you. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Tuesday (Mar. 27) at 10:00am in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville where Catherine was a parishioner for all of her life. There will be no calling hours
George B. Flynn, 91, a lifelong resident of Hartford, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2012 at Middlewoods of Farmington, where he lived in recent years. He was born in Hartford on March 11, 1921, son of the late Benedict D. and Genevieve (Brady) Flynn. He was a graduate of Kingswood School and Brown University, Class of 1943, with a degree in engineering. An Army veteran of World War II, he served in the Supply Corps at Fort Lewis, WA. He was employed by Pratt and Whitney Machine Tool Company in West Hartford. He later founded PAMCO, a machine tool company in West Simsbury. A lifelong boating enthusiast, George served as president and on the Board of Trustees of Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, ME and was a generous supporter for 40 years. In 1992, he donated his Sands Cove waterfront property and building in Vinalhaven, ME for the Skoog Memorial Park and Land Trust which he has continued to loyally support. He enjoyed cruising the Connecticut River in his wooden lobster boat that was built in the 1950s in Vinalhaven by Gus Skoog. George also collected models of large sailing vessels and made documentary films on varied subjects, which he used for lectures at schools and retirement homes all over the Northeast.
He is survived by his sister, Jean Flynn Kellogg (Vincent Kellogg, deceased) of Gladwyne, PA, his brother, Edmund W. Flynn (Sally) of Bloomfield Hills, MI, his sister in law, Priscilla Flynn, of West Hartford and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Benedict D. Flynn, Jr., of West Hartford and Norbert B. Flynn of Hartford. The Flynn family will receive friends on Wednesday (Mar. 28) at 9:15am in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Wednesday in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 10:00am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Penobscot Marine Museum, Box 498, Searsport, ME 04974 or Vinalhaven Land Trust, PO Box 268, Vinalhaven, ME 04863. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.
Dale Winsor Blake, 74, died in the comfort of his home in Hartford, CT on Tuesday, March 13. Born on August 22, 1937, in Williamstown, MA, Dale was the son of Preston Hinds and Gertrude Loud Blake. He grew up in Andover, MA, graduated from Phillips Academy in 1955 and Tufts University in 1959 where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa. After graduation he joined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, where he later became involved in fuel cell work for the Apollo Program. Through the rest of his career, he was a design engineer for commercial fuel cells, becoming Senior Design Engineer for the 200Kw PC-18 powerplant. He retired from United Technologies in 1999 after 40 years of service. He leaves his wife of 45 years, Eleanor (Wehrly) Blake; a daughter, Rebecca Blake Couret and her husband William Couret IV, a grandson, Cameron Blake Casso, and his grand dog Barley, all of New Orleans, LA and granddaughter Jesse Couret of Jackson, MI. Other surviving relations include Dale’s brother-in-law, James Wehrly of Sunset Beach, CA, a niece, Megan Wehrly Crawford and her husband, Jack Crawford, of Seattle, WA. Dale was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Joseph Blake.
Dale was strongly committed to equal educational opportunities for everyone and while living in Glastonbury was Treasurer of the local chapter of A Better Chance and Equity in Education. After moving to Hartford in 1998, he became involved in the activities of the West End Civic Association (WECA). He enjoyed gardening, was an avid reader, and lover of good food and single malt scotch. He was a quiet man, and will be missed by all who knew him and remembered for his dry New England wit, his kindness, and his devotion to his family. Appreciation is given to all of the healthcare givers who gave him their best, especially his nurse, Eliza Rivera. A memorial service honoring Dale’s life will take place at 11:30 am on Friday, March 23 at The Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, 949 Main Street, South Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WECA, c/o David Klein, Treasurer, 75 Girard Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105 or The Hospital for Special Care, 2150 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053.
Harold L. Hein, 85, of Farmington, beloved husband of Peggy (Wood) Hein, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 20th. Born in Farmington, February 9th, 1927, son of the late Adolf and Augusta (Weber) Hein, he resided in town all his life. Harold was employed at Roots Orchard in Farmington for many years, and he was a Service Manager at Frank A. Cadwell Corp. in Farmington for 29 years, retiring in 1989. He was a United States Navy veteran of World War II. Harold was a longtime member of the Farmington Fire Department serving as Assistant Chief during his career. He is survived by his two sons, Robert H. Hein and his wife Patricia of East Hampton and Alan R. Hein and his wife Audrey of New Bern, NC; Peggy’s children, Elaine Weedall and her husband Kenneth of Farmington, Joyce Orvis and her husband Tim of Farmington, Susan Smizer and her husband Ray of Plainville, Janice Shimeld and her husband Mike of Unionville, Mark Peterson and his wife Cindy of Canton and David Peterson and his wife Sue of Bristol. He leaves two sisters, Edna Wacker of Burlington and Alice Strong and her husband Roscoe of Farmington, his brother-in-law David Anderson and his wife Billie of Plainville, his sister-in-law Barbara Prange of Newington, his son-in-law Bill Orvis of Farmington, his four grandchildren, Jennifer, Michael, Matthew and Allissa, 15 grandchildren in the Peterson family, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret Anderson Hein, his brothers, Theodore, Emil, Leo and Ernie Hein, his sister Martha Hein Brenner and Peggy’s daughter Sandra Peterson Orvis. The family would like to acknowledge with special thanks Dr. Henry Maresh and his staff for the wonderful care given to Harold. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Sunday (Mar. 25) from 5:00-8:00pm. Funeral services will be held Monday (Mar. 26) at 11:00am in The Ahern Funeral Home with Rev. Wendell Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Center, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or to the Farmington Fire Department, 76 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032.
John F. Lamantini, 78, of Farmington, beloved husband of the late Gail (Robinson) Lamantini, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 20th. Born in Farmington, February 20th, 1934, son of the late Julio and Benilis (Pagani) Lamantini. Prior to retiring in 1985, John was a Sales Manager at Hartford Special Machine Company in Simsbury for 30 years. He was a United States Army veteran. John loved UCONN Women’s Basketball and country music. He is survived by his son Steven J. Lamantini and his wife Jennifer M. of Glastonbury, his daughter Deborah L. Taro and her husband Justin of Greensboro, NC, his three brothers, Roy Lamantini, Julio Lamantini and Paul Lamantini all of Farmington, his two sisters, Rita M. Pazdziora of Wethersfield and Barbara Frink of Florida, his adored granddaughter Liliana Taro, his two step grandchildren Ashley and Peter Turner and his dear friend, Beverly Luke. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Friday (Mar. 23) from 5:00-8:00pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Saturday (Mar. 24) at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Patrick, Main St., Farmington at 10:00am. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Plainville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 321 Research Parkway, Suite 212, Meriden, CT 06450.