Andy Shinoski Celebration of Life April 13

Andy Shinoski of Ashford, CT passed away on Monday April 8 at the age of 77.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Shinoski, two sons Bill and Phillip, daughter Marianna, and five grandchildren – Shannon, Kayley, Keegan, Andi and Lauren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Knowlton Memorial Hall, 25 Pompey Hollow Road in Ashford on Saturday, April 13 from 2:30 – 4 p.m., with a brief service at 3 p.m. A private gathering will follow.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations in Memory of Andy Shinoski may be made to the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department Inc., P.O Box 1, Ashford CT 06278.

Posted April 12, 2013

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Mark E. Hoskins Aug. 25 1958 – Feb. 18 2013

Mark Edwards Hoskins, 54, of Hebron, passed away Monday evening, (Feb. 18, 2013) at Middlesex Hospital.

Born on Aug. 25, 1958, he was the son of the late Jonathan and Nancy Hoskins.

Mark had been employed at AT&T as a U-Verse installer.

Mark enjoyed his home and family. He was a loving husband and father to his wife Deborah (Wilson) Hoskins and daughter Chelsea.

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Xenophon ‘Zenny’ Zorba Oct 29 1940 – Sept 17 2012

Xenophon “Zenny” Zorba. Zenny was well known in Mansfield and surrounding towns as owner and operator of the former Zenny’s Restaurant in Storrs-Mansfield, CT, where his friends in the community visited him daily for nearly 30 years until 2010, be it for dinner, a wedding, any one of a number of celebrations, a classical chamber music concert, or simply to watch the Red Sox, UCONN, or Jeopardy together over a drink.

Xenophon “Zenny” Zorba, 71, of Willington, CT, loving husband of Alisonn (Ensell) Zorba, passed away peacefully Sept. 17, 2012 at home.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Storrs Congregational Church, 2 North Eagleville Road, on the Storrs-UConn campus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Storrs Congregational Church.

Zenny was born on Oct. 29, 1940 in Katerini, Greece to Alexander and Rebecca (Sideropoulos) Zorba.

Zenny was well known in Mansfield and surrounding towns as owner and operator of the former Zenny’s Restaurant in Storrs-Mansfield, CT, where his friends in the community visited him daily for nearly 30 years until 2010, be it for dinner, a wedding, any one of a number of celebrations, a classical chamber music concert, or simply to watch the Red Sox, UCONN, or Jeopardy together over a drink.

The hundreds of employees over the years were like family to Zenny and would stay in touch with him many years after they worked there.

Zenny came to the United States in 1947 and lived in and around Boston up to 1967. As a young man, Zenny worked hard at many different vocations, from driving a taxi, to going up 5 stories to paint buildings, to working at a Coca Cola bottling plant.

In 1967 Zenny moved to Connecticut, where he learned the building trade and ultimately owned and operated his own building and foundation business through the 1970s. During this time, Zenny helped many people become first-time homeowners.

In 1980, Zenny opened Zenny’s Restaurant at Four Corners – the intersection of Routes 44 and 195, and then expanded the business twice throughout the decade.

While it took him 54 years to finally get around to it, one of Zenny’s proudest days was becoming a citizen of the United States in 2001.

Zenny is survived by his wife Alisonn, his four children Laurie Zorba of North Billerica, MA, Christine Ann DeCarolis and her husband James of Nashua, NH, Alexander Zorba and his wife Joanne of Madison, CT and Bethany Zorba of Tolland, CT, his two grandchildren Connor Occhialini and Nicholas Zorba, and his sister Athena Kantartjis and her husband Michael of Athens, Greece.

Zenny’s family would like to thank his many friends – though there is not enough space here to individually thank the countless number of people who were a friend to him.

The family also wishes to thank Storrs Congregational Church for being a welcoming spiritual home for him during his later years and to the caring people of Vitas Hospice Care for helping him stay at home in his final peaceful days.

Potter Funeral Home www.potterfuneralhome.com is handling arrangements.

Posted October 5, 2012

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Aline Ponton Chamberlain Feb. 27 1930 – May 14 2012

Aline Ponton Chamberlin was photographed at the age of 13 by the artist Norman Rockwell and appeared on the Thanksgiving Day cover of The Post in 1943. Image source: www.vanishedamericana.com

Aline Ponton Chamberlain, 82, of Willimantic, CT and St. Petersburg, FL died Monday, May 14, 2012 after a long hard battle with cancer. The cancer limited her physical activities but certainly not her spirit.

She was born in Bedford Quebec, Canada on Feb. 27, 1930, daughter of Raymond and Marion Soulia Ponton. She attended St. Peter’s School and Mount St. Joseph’s High School, Rutland, VT.

Aline, at the age of 13, was photographed by Norman Rockwell and appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post’s Thanksgiving edition of November 27, 1943.

She married Franklin F. Chamberlain on July 10, 1948 at St. Patrick’s Church in Wallingford, VT.

They moved to Willington, CT. and lived there for many years. She was a member of St. Jude’s Church in Willington, CT., and St. Philip’s Church in Ashford, CT where she worked in the rectory and sang in the choir.

Retiring to St. Petersburg, FL in 1989, they became avid bowlers on Mondays and Thursdays with very special friends. They were married 62 years; her husband died April 7, 2011.

She enjoyed being a homemaker, playing the organ, loved needlepoint, and was a very talented and creative seamstress.

She is survived by her sons, Daryll S. Chamberlain of Willimantic, CT and Kevin C. Chamberlain of East Hartford, CT; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren; six brothers and six sisters – Maurice Ponton, and his wife Marguerite of Shrewsbury, VT; Theresa Elsesser of Ocala, FL; Harold Ponto and his wife Gail of Williston, VT; Richard Ponton of Selbyville, DE; Mildred Buffum and her husband, Thomas of San Antonio, TX; Arnold Ponto and his wife, Mary Ann, of Orange City, FL; Margaret Singleton of Hemet, CA; Marie Mylott of San Antonia, TX; Robert Ponto and his wife Diane of Rutland, VT; Barbara Lamke and her husband, Richard of New Bern, NC; David Ponto of San Antonio, TX and Mary McDevitt and her husband, Jack of Milton, VT.

She is also survived by a sister-in-law Christina A. Ponton of Rutland, VT and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son Franklin F. “Skipper” Chamberlain, Jr.; her parents, and brothers Raymond Ponto, Jr. and Arthur Ponton.

Her family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, May 18 from 3 to 4 p.m. with funeral services at 4 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Eastern CT, 34 Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield Center, CT 06250.

Posted May 17, 2012

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George L. Schofield, Jr. – May 14 2012

George L. Schofield, Jr. of Willington, CT served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 – 1946, where he became a 1st LT Aerial Navigator flying B-24s in the Pacific.

George Lester Schofield, Jr., 89, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2012 at Evergreen Health Care Center with his beloved wife of 68 years, Rose (Sedlak) Schofield, at his side.

He was the first son of George and Olga (Pobuda) Schofield, born in the town of Stafford Springs, CT. He thoroughly enjoyed his childhood years in Stafford with the Boy Scouts, camping, and outdoor activities.

He served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 – 1946, where he became a 1st LT Aerial Navigator flying B-24s in the Pacific.

He graduated from the UConn School of Agriculture with a major in dairy farming. With this love for farming, he ran the Schofield Family Farm since 1950.

Over the years he held positions in the trucking and transportation industry.

He was a member of the Strazza, Tonoli-Emhoff Post No. 26 American Legion of Stafford and the Willington Senior Center.

He leaves his precious high school sweetheart, Rose, whom he married in 1944. He enjoyed raising their four children, Patricia and Scott who predeceased him, and Sheila and Roger and his wife Carol, all of Willington, CT.

He leaves his grandchildren, Francis Malinosky and his wife Robin of Beaverton, OR and Valerie Dodge and her husband Adam of Vancouver, WA. He leaves two great-grandchildren, Christopher Malinosky-Rummell and Andrew Dodge.

Other loved family members are his sister Carol Bronson of Tolland, CT and sisters-in-law Doris Schofield of Monson, MA, Elizabeth Schofield of South Hadley, MA, Evelyn Schofield of Calloway, NE, Catherine Sedlak of Willimantic, CT, and Joyce Sedlak of Union, CT. He also leaves numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 4-5:30 p.m. with a funeral service to be held at 5:30 p.m. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will be held privately in Union Center Cemetery, Union, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Willington Fire Department No. 1, P.O. Box 161, Willington, CT 06279, the Union Elementary School, 18 Kinney Hollow Road, Union, CT 06076, or to Strazza, Tonoli-Emhoff Post No. 26 American Legion, 10 Monson Road, Stafford Springs, CT 06076. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com

Posted May 16, 2012

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Betty (Rada) Marks – Jan 1 2012

Photo copyright 2010 by Brenda Sullivan.

Betty (Rada) Marks, 63, of Willington, CT, loving wife of Austin (Rick) Marks, Sr., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.

Betty was born in Stafford Springs, grew up in Merrow (Mansfield), CT and lived most of her life in Willington.

She is the daughter of the late Charles and Shirley (Cushman) Rada.

She was a floral designer, had a passion for gardening, and enjoyed the beach.

She was a wonderful, caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her son, Austin (Rick) Marks, Jr., his wife, Laurie, and their two children, Christopher and Kelsi; her daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law, Peter Richard; as well as her daughter, Nicole Mercado, and her two children, Nickolas and Leah.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at 6 p.m. at The Federated Church of Willington (Hall Memorial School location) on Route 32.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to: The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation; 1317 King Street; Alexandria, VA 22314. For online condolences, please visit www.abbeycremation.com

Posted Jan. 5, 2012

Edith (Dee Dee) M. Provencher Sept. 5, 1932 – Dec. 28, 2011

Edith (Dee Dee) M. Provencher, 79, passed away at Windham Memorial Hospital on Wednesday Dec. 28, 2011 with family at her bedside.

A lifetime resident of Connecticut, she was born Sept. 5, 1932 in Willington, CT to the late Archie Leigh and Edith (Bidwell) Leigh.

She was the first in her family to graduate from high school when she graduated Windham High School in 1952. While still in school, Edith met Joseph Provencher and they were married May 23, 1953 at St. Mary’s Church in Willimantic, CT.

Edith was a homemaker for many years before deciding to work for the State of Connecticut as a clerk. Edith and her husband Joseph both retired from state service in 1989 to begin a new adventure traveling across the United States in their RV.

Edith loved these trips, during which she would be able to see her brother in Wyoming and other loved ones who lived far away, and got to see the many wonderful sites across the country.

Though she enjoyed these travels west, the place closest to her heart was the ocean. Edith took many trips to Maine just to enjoy sitting on the shore and eating some of the best seafood anywhere. She would walk the shores and collect shells and stones to bring a small part of the ocean home with her.

Edith is survived by her husband, Joseph; two daughters, Doreen Peloquin and Moreen Provencher; a grandaughter, Deirdre Peloquin; brother, Daniel Leigh (WY); two sisters, June Curtis and Victoria McIntire (KY); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Noreen Provencher; three brothers-in-law, Robert Curtis, Edward Schlehoffer, and Daniel Guay; and two sisters-in-law, Julie Leigh and Mary Provencher.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 2, 2012 at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street (Rte. 195) Willimantic. Father Red from St. Mary’s Church in Willimantic will officiate.

Relatives and friends are welcome at the Potter Funeral Home on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for viewing. Final interment will take place in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Windham at a later date after cremation in a private service. www.potterfuneralhome.com

Posted Dec. 29, 2011

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Lee F. Goodell, Dec. 20, 2011

Lee F. Goodell of Willington, CT

Lee Forrest Goodell, 81, of Willington, CT, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at Windham Hospital, in Windham-Willimantic CT.

He was born in Stafford Springs, CT, son of the late DeForrest and Rosalyn (Golding) Goodell.

Lee proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict as a Machinist’s Mate Second Class on the USS Hollis, and enjoyed his annual reunions with his shipmates.

He retired from the former State DMR Mansfield Training School in Storrs-Mansfield, CT as a patient care specialist, and enjoyed HAM Radio as a hobby.

Lee is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Nancy (Stross) Goodell; four daughters, Cindy Holland and her husband Dane, Kim Hannum and her husband John, Robin Salisbury and her husband Alan, and Tracy Goodell-Pelletier and her husband Paul; five grandchildren, Julie and Thomas Hannum, Troy Holland, and Evan and Emily Salisbury; a sister, Lila Waite; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at to Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial followed in Willington Hill Cemetery, Willington, CT.

Memorial donations may be made to the Federated Church of Willington, 132 River Road, Willington, CT 06279. Or VNA East, 34 Ledgebrook Dr., Mansfield Center, CT 06250.

Posted Dec. 26, 2011

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