All Obituaries

Ronald L. Girard, 82, of Southwick, MA, passed away peacefully on September 25, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Ron was born April 6, 1938, son of the late Gertrude (Tiechert) and Timothy Girard. He grew up with his brothers Blaine and Albert in the Elmwood section of West Hartford, CT. Following his graduation from Hall High School in 1956, he joined the United States Army and subsequently served six years in the Reserves. He attended the University of Hartford and earned a...

Ethel Lucille Orfitelli was born on January 3, 1926 to Walter and Eva Platt Perrett, Sr., in New London, Connecticut. She joined three older brothers, Walter, William, G. Alton and shortly after her birth the family moved back to Manchester where she would be raised in the house on Woodbridge Street. Ethel graduated from MHS in 1943, participating in the band, choir and Round Table Singers. During high school she worked at the luncheonette counter at Arthur Drugs and was often visited by her...

Nancy Louise Ballard a life-long resident of Manchester, CT passed away on September 24, 2020 after a long illness. She was born on April 4, 1950 and was predeceased by her parents, Delmont and Frances Ballard as well as her brother Bob and the love of her life Hans Lurch. Nancy graduated from UCONN in 1972 with an elementary teaching degree and earned her Master’s in 1976 from St Joseph College in West Hartford. She retired from the Coventry School System where she taught grades...

Janet S. Adams, 97, of Manchester, CT, beloved wife of the late James F. Adams, passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Manchester Memorial Hospital. Born in Hartford, CT on April 5, 1923, she was the daughter of the late John W. and Ethel E. Hubbard. She attended public school in Hartford, Windsor, and Manchester, and graduated from South Manchester High School in 1942.   Janet enjoyed her extensive family, being a housewife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother,...

Alfred P. Knie, Jr., 87, husband of Lorraine A. (Toce) Knie for 60 years, passed away on September 19, 2020. He is the son of the late Alfred Paul Knie and Gertrude (Rother) Knie. Al was a lifelong resident of East Hartford. He held degrees from Central Connecticut State University and the University of Hartford. He retired from the West Hartford School System where he served as a teacher, coordinator, and principal over his 35 year career. He was a life member of a number of educational and...

Joel “Red” Grout, Sr., 87, of Manchester, CT died peacefully on September 12, 2020 surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his children, Kathleen Johnson and husband Marc, Kelly Shaw and husband Daniel, Joel Grout Jr. and wife Theresa, and James Grout and wife Tina.  Joel also leaves behind eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Cecile; one brother; and two sisters. As a construction superintendent, Joel worked for Orlando...

Peter Keeney Preuss, 38 aka PTK aka “Bill” of Manchester, CT passed away unexpectedly at home of natural causes on September 6th, 2020 with his beloved four-legged companion Stella by his side. Peter lived life to the fullest in every aspect. He enjoyed traveling whenever possible, but always found peace when he would visit the family cottage on Columbia Lake. He loved talking to friends and acquaintances to learn of roads others have traveled. Peter was a member of the...

Ernest M. Starsiak, 92, of Manchester, passed away on September 5, 2020 with family by his side.  A longtime resident of Manchester, Ernest was born in East Hartford on August 23, 1928 to the late Joseph and Catherine (Kogut) Starsiak.  An Army Veteran, Ernest proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict.  He is the beloved husband of Florence B. (Bogli) Starsiak and this year marks their 50th anniversary. Ernest owned and operated several successful trucking...

Richard Andrew Burr, 74, of East Hartford, husband of Sandra (Reid) Burr, passed away peacefully September 4, 2020. He was born August 31, 1946 in Concord, MA, the son of the late Kenneth and Jean (Mitchell) Burr.   Richard served in the Vietnam War between 1964-1968 as a proud U.S Marine. After returning home to Providence, RI, he graduated from Bryant University and worked as a bank manager. He moved to Connecticut where he was an avid softball player and longtime New York...

“I lived a wonderful life. I was born of my predeceased loving parents, Dorothea (Tack) Koelsch and her life long loving husband, Jeffrey Koelsch. I resided in Rockville, Connecticut, and found residence early on in Manchester. In 1954 I met a kind and generous man from Vernon who would take me as his loving bride. I married my predeceased fiancé Jack Clement LaChapelle on October 8, 1955. We were married at the former building of Concordia Lutheran Church in Manchester by...