All Obituaries

Walter Frederick Gutzmer, 99, of Manchester, husband of the late Elena “Helen” (Accornero) Gutzmer passed away peacefully on Monday, April 8, 2019. He was born in Willimantic and spent his early years in Coventry, but resided most of his life in Manchester. He was the son of the late Richard and Aldea (Pimpare) Gutzmer and was predeceased by siblings Lawrence Gutzmer and Dorothy Fedus. Walt was an employee at Cheney Brothers while a member of the CT Army National Guard. When WWII...

Rev. Valdeko Kangro (102) of Andover CT, passed away in his home on Saturday, March 23, 2019.  He will be greatly missed by the Estonian Ev. Lutheran Church Community, that was his family. His productive 102 years have taken him to many countries and churches for services. His biographical notes include some of the following. Born on August 8, 1916, in Tartu, Estonia, he graduated from the Hugo Treffner High School in 1934 and from the Advanced School of Music three years...

Albert R. Patch, 89, of Andover, beloved husband of 54 years of the late Barbara Ann (Turkington) Patch passed away at home on Monday, March 25, 2019. He was born on September 16, 1929 in Hartsboro, VT son of the late Albert J. and Alice (Jackson) Patch. Al was a veteran of the US. Army proudly serving his country during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement in 1992, he was employed for over 40 years at Carter Chevrolet as the service & body shop manager. Al is survived b y his two...

Bernice “Ruby” (Rubacha) Pastula, 98, of Waterford, formerly of Manchester, loving wife of the late Anthony Pastula passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2019. She was born on May 17, 1920 in Manchester, daughter of the late Matthew and Helen (Vincek) Rubacha. Ruby was employed with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 30 years until her retirement. She was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church in Manchester. Ruby is survived by her two...

Edith Jeanette (Anderson) Laws, 89, of Coventry, beloved wife to the late Wallace West Laws Sr., passed away Saturday, February 9, 2019. Edith was born in Hartford on January 31, 1930 to the late Eric and Alice (Johnson) Anderson. Edith was a very kind, sweet, warm-hearted individual. She accepted everyone with open arms. Family was very important to Edith. She loved her children and grandchildren very much. Time spent with her family was such a joy and pleasure to her and family gatherings...

William J. Lucas Sr., 68, of Manchester, husband to Michele (Bidwell), passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2019. He was born in Hartford on July 2, 1950, to David and Filomena (Altamura) Lucas. Bill grew up in Hartford, attended local schools and was a graduate of Bulkeley High School, Class of 1970. In 1989, he moved to Manchester where he resided for the remainder of his life. Bill was a truck driver for many years with Ris Paper. He was quite the family man, whenever he had the chance to...

Grace "Gay" Elizabeth (Putnam) Farmer of Hebron, CT passed away January 31, 2019 at 85 years of age.  She was born August 1, 1933 to Oliver and Mae Severance Putnam and was raised in White Plains, New York. Gay was a graduate of White Plains High School, Berkeley Secretarial School and the University of Connecticut where she received both BS and MFA degrees.  She also earned a 6th year equivalency in Humanistic Education.  Gay spent much of her career as an...

Hubert McChesney Duley, Jr., 82 of Manchester, CT died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 after a brief illness at Manchester Memorial Hospital. Born in Washington, DC in 1936, he was the son of Hubert McChesney Sr. and Audrey (Speake) Duley. He worked for many years in Air Craft Maintenance for US Airways. Hubert served in the Military Police with the United States Army. He is survived by his sons Hubert Duley III and his wife Mary Jane Lara Duley and William Allen...

Dorothea M. “Dottie” Ritzen, 92, of Vernon, beloved wife of the late Curt D. Ritzen died peacefully on Saturday, February 2, 2019 with her family at her side. She was born on January 31, 1927 in Providence, RI., daughter of the late Norman and Dorothy Gervais. Prior to retiring, Dottie was employed as a secretary for over ten years with Aetna Life & Casualty. She was a longtime member of Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester. Dottie was a member of Pioneer Lodge #506 V.O.A....