Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • Page B11

THE HARTFORD COURANT FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012 OBITUARIES WELNA, Andrew J. PERRY, James Lawrence SIMARD, Adele Marie MACCALLUM, Lee "Toby" Gordon Hjh I James Lawrence Perry, 84, of Centre Pike, Eastford, CT, Lee "Toby" Gordon MacCallum, 76, a longtime resident WHEELER, Susan A. Sharon A. Wheeler, 68, of Middletown, passed away Sunday (January 29, 2012). Born in New Britain, daughter of the late Frederick and Helen (Simeone) Wheeler, Sharon is a graduate of New Britain High School, Class of 1962 and was a former Southington resident until moving to Middletown in 2001.

Sharon was employed at the Northeast Utilities Headquarters in Berlin for 38 years, retiring in 2000. Surviving are two brothers, Frederick Wheeler and his wife Sharon Kesten of Ledyard; and Kenneth Wheeler and his wife Lynn of Meriden; four nieces, a nephew, several grand-nieces and grandnephews. The funeral and burial are private. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 306 Industrial Park Road, Suite 105, Middle-town, CT 06457.

Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain is assisting with arrangements, VALENTE, Peter Peter Valente, passed away peacefully at his home on February 1, 2012 with his loving wife, Susan, family and friends at his side. Peter was born on March 3, 1943 in New Haven. He is the son of the late Christopher and Filomena (Cia-burri) Valente. Peter was a constant source of strength, courage and inspiration. He enriched the lives of his family and friends with his kind, generous and adventurous spirit.

He was an eternal optimist, who loved to laugh, loved life and was devoted to his family and friends and was always quick to help others. Peter's passing will forever leave an emptiness in the lives of his family. He is our hero and will forever be in our hearts. Peter is survived by his wife Susan, and his sons, Paul and Chris; and his sister, Ida. Those who knew, loved and cared for Peter are invited to join the family at the Valente residence on Sunday, February 5 from 1-5 p.m.

For a celebration of Peter's life. Montano-Shea Funeral Home, 5 Steele Road, New Hartford has care of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Foothills Visiting Nurse Association in Peter's memory. Visit an online guest-book at Andrew J. Welna, 54, of Unionville, beloved husband of Deborah (Hanelius) Welna, passed away peacefully Thursday, (February 2) at his home.

Born in Przy-wilcz, Poland, May 24, 1957, son of the late Jan Welna and Irene (Orlowska) Welna-Cote. Andrew was employed by UPS for 35 years. Besides his wife, he is survived by his two children, Victoria A. Welna and Andrew J. Welna II both of Unionville; his sister, Theresa Gawel and her husband Walter of Clarksville, TN; his two brothers, Walter J.

Welna of New Britain and Michael B. Majka and his wife Nadia of Bradenton, FL; four nieces, Dorothy Santos and her husband Eric, Bernadette Welna, Diana Riger and her husband Constantine and Mikayla Majka and his mother-in-law Lucille Hanelius of Unionville. Family and friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Rt. 4, Unionville on Sunday (Feb. 5) from p.m.

Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Monday (February 6) at 9:15 a.m. followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Avon.

To send online condolences to the family, please visit FRANK P. PRATTSON Adele Marie Simard, 62, of Sunset Beach, NC died unexpectedly Thursday, (January 19, 2012) in the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. Mrs. Simard was born on April 7, 1949 in Hartford, daughter of Dorothy Ferro Johnson, who died on Christmas Eve 2011, and the late Anthony Johnson. She will be remembered for numerous community activities including, water aerobics at Ocean Isle Beach, volunteering for CIS store, her Bunco game groups, and spending time with her "snowbird" friends on Saturday afternoons.

She leaves behind many memories and friends from ME, PA, TX, NC, and CT. One of her fondest celebrations was being surprised on her 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii from her husband. Her favorite times were spent with her family. She enjoyed RV'ing, the beach, cooking, and playing games with her grandchildren. Surviving are her husband, of 33 years, Paul Simard; daughter, Kristen Caramanica, and husband, Paul, of Westbrook; two grandchildren, Anthony and Kelsey Caramanica; two brothers, Joseph Johnson, and wife, Deborah, of Rocky Hill, and James Johnson, and wife, Linda, of Rocky Hill; three sisters-in-law, Lucille, Delores, and Louise; two life long friends, Susan O'Connell and Barbara Ma-lina; and her beloved Shih Tzu, "Buttons." A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

on Saturday, February 11th in St. Mark's Church, West-brook, CT. Family request in lieu of flowers memorials be directed to The Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 061 1 1 online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brunswickfu-neralservice.com. Brunswick Funeral Service Crematory, Shallotte, NC. 0 92533 -2382 Always in our hearts.

Love you forever. Madeleine, of East Canaan, died at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, MA on February 1, 2012 surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Bristol, CT on May 27, 1935, the son of the late Gordon and Katherine (Strausburgh) MacCallum. Toby was self-employed as Proprietor of Toby's Antiques in East Canaan, CT. Toby was a veteran of the Korean War serving his country proudly in the United States Navy.

He was raised to a Master Mason in the St. Andrew's Lodge 64 in Winsted, CT in 1958 and was a Worshipful Master of St. Andrew's Lodge in 1968. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Magnolia Chapter in Winsted, CT. Toby is survived by his wife of 35 years, Shirley M.

(Daig-neault) MacCallum; his children, Lynn Carter and her husband, John of Cambria, CA, Kathleen Shepard and her husband, John of Enfield, CT, and Ralph McEwan of Feeding Hills, MA. He will also be missed by his grandchildren, Be-thann Pajak of Southwick, MA, Krystal Ouellette of Torrington, CT, Bryan McEwan of Feeding Hills, MA, Kylene Perras of Manchester, CT, Wendy Bannish of Suffield, CT and Jonathan Shepard of Enfield, CT; great grandchildren, Ka-trina, Kaelyn, Madison, Chase, Jasmine, Nathan and Austin; sisters, Joan Bunch of Winsted, CT, Nancy Hudon and her husband Fred of Canton, CT and Katherine Jaeger of Leslie, AK; several nieces and nephews, along with his extended family members and friends. Friends may call on Monday, (February 6, 2012) at Montano-Shea Funeral Home, 922 Main Street, Winsted from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service for Toby will be held on Tuesday, (February 7, 2012) at North Canaan Congregational Church, North Canaan at 10 a.m. Burial will be held on Wednesday, (February 8, 2012) at Feeding Hills Cemetery, Feeding Hills, MA at 11 a.m.

with full Military Honors. Memorial donations may be made to: Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA or Sand Road Animal Hospital, Sand Road, Falls Village, CT. Visit an online guestbook at Frank, Kathy, Ray, Jackie Grandchildren 444444444444444 IN LOVING MEMORY OF ABRAHAM "JAKE" JACOBS veryone leaves a legacy. Celebrate an extraordinary life by creating an enduring Life Story on JLegacy.com with biography, photos, eulogies, letters and cherished Steven Freitas 2375 61407 mementoes. .7 Happy 37th Birthday in Heaven.

Forever in our hearts. Dad, its been one year and not a day goes by where I don't think of you. You turned out to be my best friend ever. for I will always be thankful. We all miss you Love, Michael, Jillian, Aly, 'Tor more information, visit the obituary section on courant.com to share memories of loved ones.

We miss you and love you very much. Your Loving Family WEINSTEIN, Beth Beth Weinstein, 61, of West Hartford, died at Arden Courts of Hare memories of loved ones in the obituary section on and Candy courant.com Farmington, on January 29, passed away Tuesday, (January 31, 2012) surrounded by his loving family. Monday night, he had to go. He wrestled with it for four hours. He so wanted to stay and continue to care for us, but he knew he had to go.

We assured him the love he gave would last for eternity and we would be alright. His body couldn't go, but he could. He closed his eyes Tuesday morning, never again to speak. Jim Blash placed him gently in his bed and his granddaughters held his hands. We were all able to say goodbye and finally at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday evening his body recognized his soul had left. God Bless you and bring you into eternal peace. We'll see you soon. He was the beloved husband of Betty (French) Perry, they were married October 30, 1948. He was born February 2, 1927 in Deland, FL, son of Edwin and Addy (Daniels) Perry.

He was a veteran of World War II serving with the US Army. He had made his home in the Eastford-Woodstock area most of his life. James owned and operated the ARCO Mobil Service Station in Sturbridge, MA for over 40 years. He was a talented musician, a skilled wood crafter, had a great love for the out of doors and enjoyed his walks in the woods. James and his wife vacationed in Winter Haven, Florida for several years and in 1989 made it their winter home.

He leaves in addition to his wife of 62 years, his children, James L. Perry, Jr. of Hudson, MA, Edwin Clifford Perry, Sr. and his wife Pamela of Woodstock, Audrey Blash and her husband Peter, III of Southbridge, MA; siblings Gerald Racine of Woodstock, Marilyn Williams of Danielson, Natalie Freeman of Woodstock; grandchildren, Edwin C. Perry, Jr, Peter Blash, IV, James Perry Blash, Sarah Betty Blash, Julia Marie Blash; great grandchildren, Edwin Joseph Perry, Saman-tha Perry, many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Helen Joan Blash; his siblings, Fred Racine, Charles Racine, Robert Racine and Jacqueline Plante. The Funeral will be Monday, (February 6, 2012) at 1 p.m. at the Eastford Baptist Church, 133 Union Road, Eastford, CT. Calling hours Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT.

Burial in North Ashford Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. To share a memory with his family, Light a Candle" at www.smithand-walkerfh.com RICHARDSON, Helen (Gillette) Helen Gillette Richardson, 94, of Southington, wife of the late Raymond W. Richardson, died Feburary 2. She was born in Colchester, daughter of Isaac and Adeline Maynard Gillette.

She was a 1939 graduate of Wheaton College and a resident of Southington since 1949. She was a parapro-fessional in the Southington School System prior to retirement. A devoted member of the First Congregational Church, she was a deacon and held office in women's groups. She was a member of Calendar House and Orchard Valley Garden Club. She is survived by a son, Paul Richardson and wife Joan of New Hartford; two daughters, Jean Konon of East Hampton and Joyce Dion and her husband Robert of Sharon, VT; six grandchildren, Christopher Richardson of Niskayuna, NY, Emily Redman of Canton, Eric Konon of Brooklyn, NY; Ashley Konon of West Columbia, SC; Noah and Ra-jana Dion of Sharon, VT; three great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her brother, Claude Gillette and sister, Mary Minella. Memorial services will be held at First Congregational Church of Southington in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the church memorial fund, First Congregational Church, 37 Main Southington, CT 06489. Burial will in at Lin-wood Cemetery, Colchester, at the convenience of the family. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.

For online condolences and directions please visit Express your condolences and share fond memories. In Loving Memory of n. A nil Shannon M. Ireland September 16, 1970-February 3, 2010 Gone but not forgotten I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave behind when day is done. Love and miss you, your husband George and your son Tyler. 2012 of Alzheimer's Disease. Born in Philadelphia, PA, the eldest of four daughters of Ralph and Dorothy Weinstein, she and her family moved to Las Vegas after the death of her father in 1960.

She graduated from Las Vegas High School, received a B.S. from Barnard College in 1971, and an MPH from Yale University in 1973. She began her career as an environmental analyst for the Connecticut DEP, then as Director of Health Projects at CCRG, then consultant to the OPM. From 1981 to 2002 she worked for the Connecticut Dept. of Public Health, first as Block Grant coordinator for Preventive Health and Maternal and Child Health.

She was Assistant Director and then Director of the Preventable Disease Division, and from 1987 to 2002 Director of the AIDS Division. In 1992 she helped usher in the law that led to the first needle exchange program in the country. She was honored in 1990 for her work by the Connecticut AIDS Action Council. She lectured in Public Health at the Yale School of Medicine. Beth was a frequent visitor to the state capitol and LOB, where she lobbied and testified tirelessly for numerous public health issues.

She helped found Kehilat Chaverim and sang with the West Hartford Women's Chorale. She loved Israeli folk dancing and singing Broadway musicals and Hebrew hymns. She traveled to all parts of the globe, but loved Paris best. Beth is survived by her husband, Dr. Richard Epstein of West Hartford; daughter, Rachel Weinstein Podolsky of New York City; step-son Noah Epstein of New York City; mother and step-father Dorothy and Paul Eisenberg of Las Vegas; sisters Joan Weinstein of Los Angeles, Ruth Weinstein of Israel, and Amy Weinstein of Pasadena; and an uncle and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She will be remembered for her commitment, integrity and, finally, courage in the face of her disease. She will be missed by family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives she touched. A public memorial service will be held at a future date. Donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation andor the Alzheimer's Association. emory Obituary Tributes Visit www.courant.comobituaries to: View and sign Guest Books in the new, easier to use design Upload and share memorable photographs Allow friends and family to share wonderful memories and express their sympathy Send flowers, gifts and charitable contributions Sign an online Guest Book at www, courant com obituaries 2Kartfor6lourant In partnership with Legacy.com8 FOXO Monday-Friday starting at 5:25 a.m.

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