Potter Funeral Home

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Potter Funeral Home

Potter Funeral Home has been serving the people of Windham and the surrounding towns for generations. Please call the office with any questions you may have.

01/30/2026

George Bogdanovich

Obituary to follow upon completion.

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01/30/2026

Michael S. Hassett

Obituary to follow upon completion.

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01/29/2026

Grace Nowak

Grace Nowak

December 2, 1930 – January 24, 2026

Leila Grace (Wood) Nowak, 95, of Mansfield, CT, passed away peacefully on January 24th, 2026, after a stroke. Known her entire life as “Grace,” she was previously a resident of Windham Center, CT for over 40 years. Grace was born on December 2nd, 1930, in Rockholds, KY. She was born the daughter of a to***co sharecropper and was the eighth of nine children.

After graduating from high school, Grace left Kentucky for Washington, DC to attend the FBI’s Fingerprint Identification School. She worked as a fingerprint expert for eight years. During that time, her claim to fame was visually identifying the fingerprint of an FBI Most Wanted criminal, for which she received a commendation from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover himself.

It was in DC that Grace met and married Edward, her beloved husband of 63 years. And it was in Virginia that Ed and Grace began raising their three children. As a stay-at-home mother, Grace was a part-time Avon Cosmetics Representative in Arlington, VA. As was the custom of the early 1960s, she often shared “tea” with her customers in their homes, including the wives of John Glenn (first American astronaut to orbit the earth), Hubert Humphrey (vice president under President Lyndon B. Johnson), and several US Senators and Representatives.

In 1966, the family moved to Windham Center, CT. While there, she was employed for 25 years at Mansfield Training School, working with people with disabilities.

Grace was a passionate Christian and a longtime active member of the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield. She served the church in many capacities through the years, right up until her death. Grace was also a breast cancer and malignant melanoma survivor and captain of her church Relay for Life team. For a few of those years, she received the Top Fundraising Individual Award for the whole event. One year she gave the “survivor” speech during the opening ceremony of the Windham Area Relay for Life.

Grace and her husband loved traveling around the US and the world. Her favorite destinations were China, Poland, and Hawaii. Her real passion, however, was gardening. She was known for her ability to create beautiful gardens to delight all. She also enjoyed sharing her plants and knowledge with others so they could have a garden of their own to love.

Grace loved to walk and even two weeks ago someone may have noticed her “wheeling” her walker around her neighborhood. And anytime the UConn women played basketball, everyone knew not to call her; she would be “glued” to the TV enjoying all the wins. Grace was also a “lifelong learner,” getting her first smart phone at 92 (during covid) and learning to FaceTime and text with family and friends. She read two newspapers daily and her TV during the day was always tuned to the news.

Grace was a friend to every person she met. That woman loved to talk! She had a great sense of humor and was always kind and loving. She was beloved by all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as their friends and families. On top of always bringing joy to any get-together, she would never turn down a toast of Fireball Whiskey at family events because she said she was “immune” to it. Mom, what would we give to have one more toast with you! You will be missed forever!

She is survived by her daughter Carol Ploch and husband Peter of Apex, NC; her daughter Anita Kalenauskas of Waterbury, CT; and her son Steve Nowak and wife Susanne of Windham Center, CT. She was so proud of her seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They brought her great joy: Amanda (Ploch) Brumfield and husband Ryan; Eric Ploch and wife Mary Beth; Emily Kalenauskas and partner Dustin Goodwin; John Kalenauskas; Michael Nowak; Andrew Nowak and wife Dannielle; and Ryan Nowak. Her sweet great-grandchildren are Nora and Ava Brumfield, Vivienne and Declan Ploch, and Nathalie and Ellaria Nowak.

The family is so grateful for the friendship, support, comfort, and love shown to our mother, especially the last two years, by her neighbors Eva, Paul, Irene, Emily, Katie, Carla, Kay, and Qian. A special thank you goes to Pat Kearns who was Grace’s hairdresser, friend, and honorary daughter for over 50 years. The family is appreciative to the staff of Windham Hospital, Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and the Hartford Healthcare Hospice team for the excellent care and comfort they gave our mother over the last six days of her life.

Graces’s family will receive relative and friends on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 10;00am at the United Methodist Church, 29 Puddin Lane, Mansfield Center. burial to follow at Windham Center Cemetery, Windham Center. In lieu of flowers, it is Grace’s special request that any memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

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01/28/2026

Harriet E. Gamache

Obituary to follow upon completion.

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01/23/2026

Dr. Robert Karl Bohn

Dr. Robert “Bob” Karl Bohn passed away peacefully at his home in Storrs, Connecticut on Thursday January 22nd, 2026. Bob was a long-time Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut, having first joined the faculty in 1965 as a 26-year-old Assistant Professor. He served as an educator and researcher there for 44 years – his entire professional career. He formally “retired” in 2009 and continued his contributions to Chemistry as a Professor Emeritus for more than a decade beyond, regularly reviewing papers, attending microwave spectroscopy seminars, and working in his on-campus office until his final days. Bob wished to send his deepest gratitude to his colleagues, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers at UConn and institutions beyond for their extraordinary inspiration, collaboration, and creativity.

Bob was born January 24th, 1939 in the Bronx borough of New York City, to Julius Theodore Bohn and Maria Christina Lorenzen Bohn, immigrants from the island of Föhr near the German coast of the North Sea. At five years old, his family moved across the country to settle on a chicken farm in Sebastopol, CA in a community of Frisians. He attended Eucalyptus Grammar School until 8th grade, graduating with a class of six (five girls and Bob) and Analy High School, where he was active in track and field, basketball, football, and student government, and graduated at the top of his class at age 16. He was drawn to Chemistry by his older brother Henry “Hank” and went on to enroll in Santa Rosa Junior College, eventually transferring to UC Berkeley where he was selected to Phi Beta Kappa and completed his B.S. degree in 1959. He was also a member of the Cal Glee Club, where he developed a life-long love of vocal harmony. He would go on to earn his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Cornell University in 1964, followed by a NATO postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Oslo before eventually settling in Storrs, CT. At the time, Bob was admittedly unaware of the exact location of Storrs, and resorted to consulting the U.S. Embassy in Oslo for a sufficiently detailed map of Connecticut, only to find that they too, were unsure of its location.

Bob’s career brought him countless wonderful and memorable experiences that he would recall frequently; sabbaticals at the University of Tokyo, Columbia University, the University of Michigan, the University of British Columbia, and NIST; long-time collaborations at Wesleyan, Harvard, and others; the Austin Symposium on Molecular Structure; experiments on a prototype electron diffraction apparatus in the lobby of the Hewlett-Packard corporate headquarters in Palo Alto; department softball games; decades of singing with the Renaissance Revival chorus; and so many more.

At home, Bob was an active and engaged father and grandfather. Among his favorite activities was a recurring yearly trip with family and friends to Block Island, where he would transform from academics to bodysurfing, running, hunting for fiddler crabs, making thin pancakes, and building dribble castles on the beach. He also produced and proudly cheered on generations of hockey players.

He is survived by his wife Terri, brother Hank, children Robin and her husband Corey, Mark, Jeremy and his wife Nicole, Bryan and his wife Eli, grandchildren Sean, Conor, and Caridan (arriving April 2026), and dogs Captain and Hazel.

In lieu of a formal memorial service, the family happily welcomes personal memories and anecdotes from Bob’s many friends and professional collaborators around the world. Please send your thoughts to bob.bohn.memories@gmail.com. The family requests that any donations be sent to The Nature Conservancy, Block Island Program ( nature.org/blockisland ).

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01/23/2026

Rose E. Drabek

Surrounded by love, Rose E. Drabek, age 97 of Columbia CT passed away peacefully in her home January 22, 2026. Born December 23, 1928, in Union City, New Jersey where she grew up. Daughter of late George and Mary Deublein. She graduated from Holy Family in 1944. Rose married in 1956 the love of her life, Walter D. Drabek with whom she shared more than 40 years together and 7 wonderful children. She was always referred to as “mom”. Above all, Rose cherished time with her children, 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren (GG), 3 great-great-grandchildren, and extended family.

Rose was very involved with the Catholic Church, teaching Catechism from her home to neighborhood children and her own. Rose retired from Bank of America, formerly CBT (Connecticut Bank & Trust). She was well known for her kind demeanor and the gentle, comforting spirit that touched everyone who knew her.

Rose is survived by her seven children: Walter and his spouse Hilda of Wyncote, PA; Thomas of Columbia, CT; Elizabeth Coderre and her spouse Kevin of Plainfield, CT; David of Columbia, CT; Charles and his spouse Sophie of Tolland, MA; Rosanne Lemire of North Windham, CT; and Bernard and his spouse Lucy of Columbia, CT. She was adored and admired by all who knew her.

Calling hours will be held at Potter Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 28, from 4–6 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Columba, 328 Route 66, Columbia, CT, on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 11 AM.

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01/20/2026

James A. Reed, Sr.

James A. Reed, Sr., 87, of Marlborough, CT, passed away Monday, January 12, 2026.

He was son of late Harold J. Reed and Louise Marie Reed. Jim was born February 3, 1938, in Norton, Kansas.

Jim was Assistant Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at University of Hartford.

He graduated with B.A., University of Connecticut; M.Ed., University of Hartford: M.S., University of Notre Dame.

He enjoyed University of Hartford & UConn women’s basketball. Traveling, photography, calligraphy, camping and long woodland walks with his dog, Dusty.

Jim leaves, son, James Reed, Jr, of Marlborough, CT; daughter, Karen Reed of Arlington, VA; sister-in-law, Kathleen Csaszar Hockla of Ashford, CT; a brother-in-law, Charles Csaszar, Venice, FL, and many nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by wife, Barbara (Csaszar) Reed and sisters, Joanne Brown, Mary Szepanski and Mildred Lucas.

Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Roy B. Pettengill Ambulance Association, PO Box 308, Marlborough, CT 06447

For online condolences, please visit www.pottersfuneralhome.com

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01/14/2026

Jeffrey Ward

Jeffrey "Jeff" Alan Ward, 66, of Mansfield passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 12, 2026 following the progression of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

The youngest of four children, Jeff was born in Willimantic, CT on October 27, 1959, to Clifford O. Ward, Jr. and the late Althea Stearns Ward. A 1977 graduate from Windham Regional Technical High School, Jeff could fix just about anything mechanical and worked in the automotive field for over 20 years before changing careers and working at the University of Connecticut for 23 years, retiring in 2022. Jeff turned his love for fi****ms into a very successful small business in Mansfield for the past 5 years. Jeff was an active member, usher and Trustee of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield and a member of the Eastern Connecticut Sportsman's Club in Ashford. He was also a founding member of the OFC.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lisa (Newsome) Ward, his two daughters Brittany Kelton (Carl) of South Royalton, VT and Kendra Ward (Tyler) of Mansfield, his precious granddaughter, Charlotte Kelton, his father and stepmother, Clif and Vera Ward, and his sister, Linda LaClair (Doug). Jeff leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins, and countless friends - old and new. In addition to his mother, Jeff was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenny and Tom, and sister-in-law, Martha.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00am at the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Road, Storrs. A reception in the Fellowship Hall at the church will immediately follow the memorial service. A private burial will take place in the spring at the Mansfield Center Cemetery where Jeff will be laid to rest next to his mother and brother, Kenny. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Mansfield, 945 Storrs Rd., Storrs, CT 06268.

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01/13/2026

Philip Shinoski

Obituary to follow upon completion.

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01/12/2026

Sophie Szczurek

Sophie Szczurek, 101, of Windham, and formerly of Lebanon, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, January 9, 2026. She was born at home on Cook Hill Road, Lebanon, CT on November 23, 1924. Daughter of the late Waclaw and Mary (Baran) Szczurek.

Prior to her retirement in 1987, she was employed at Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford for 29 years.

She enjoyed gardening, birdwatching and needlework.

She is survived by her sister, Rose Briggs of Lebanon, niece Cynthia Shirshac of East Hampton, nephews, Edward Sczurek, Keith Sczurek, Robert Briggs and Thomas Briggs of Lebanon, several grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Albert Szczurek and Edward Sczurek.

Private funeral services have been entrusted to Potter Funeral Home of Willimantic.

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01/12/2026

Ramona Garcia O' Farrill

Ramona Garcia O’Farrill, 87, of Willimantic, passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, January 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Ramona was born on February 6, 1938, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, a daughter of the late Evaristo Garcia and Altagracia (O’Farrill) Garcia. In the 1950s, she moved with her family to New York, first settling in Brooklyn before making the Bronx her home.

During the 1970s, Ramona began her career with United Abrasives. In the 1980s, she relocated to Connecticut to work at the United Abrasives plant in North Windham, where she remained until her retirement in the early 2000s.

In retirement, Ramona dedicated herself to serving others. She volunteered for 22 years as a foster grandparent with the Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters program, spending countless hours supporting and nurturing children in the community, notably at the Windham Willimantic Child Care daycare facility.

Ramona will be forever remembered as a hardworking, devoted, and family-oriented woman who loved caring for those around her. Many benefited from her warm, maternal spirit, generosity, and unwavering love.

She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Lopez Morales, Josephine Lopez, and Maria Diaz; her grandchildren, Krystyn Hernández, Sharlisa Hernández, Cori Jesus Hernández, Joshua Lopez, Jasmine Cruz, Oscar Cruz, Benjamin Cruz, and Natasha Diaz; as well as numerous great-grandchildren and extended family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Ramona was predeceased by her beloved son, Jose Luis Lopez, and her grandson, Carlos Jose Hernández.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT 06226. A funeral Mass will be celebrated the following morning on Wednesday January 21st at 10:00 am, at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT 06226, followed by burial in New Willimantic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

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01/10/2026

Ana L. Cubi

In Loving Memory of Ana L. Cubi August 15, 1937- January 6, 2026 Ana L. Cubi, a longtime Willimantic resident, was born Aug.15,1937, in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico,the eldest of thirteen siblings, peacefully passed away in her home. Small in stature yet, mighty and classy at the same time, carried herself with grace and strength throughout her life.

Lovingly known as” Luisa/Guisa”, Ana was a devoted family matriarch, remembered for her distinct laugh, a smile that lit up a room, her love of cooking, and strong faith. She lived with integrity and leaves a lasting legacy of love, values and devotion to family. She leaves behind her children : Iris Figueroa, Elvira Williams, Harry Figueroa, Melvin Figueroa, Efren Figueroa, Jerry Figueroa, Lemuel Figueroa, Edda Salza, and Keila Cubi, three sons-in- in law (Pete, Angel, Wally), four daughters -in -law (Nellie, Joan, Becky, Ivonne), 23 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, two sisters ( Nilsa, Virgen), four brothers (Aristides, Samuel, Sammy, Juan) and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Ana was preceded in death by her husband Pablo Cubi, son Edgardo Figueroa, parents Yolanda Santiago, and Pedro Mateo, siblings Jose, Israel, Luis, Ventura Mateo, and sister Maria Mateo. Ana’s life was a gift, her love a blessing and her memory a treasure that will live in our hearts forever. She will be dearly missed. Our family invites you all who want to pay respect, to join us on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Sargrado Corazon, 61 Club Rd. Windham with her Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00am. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham.

View Ana L. Cubi's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

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Potter Funeral Home has been a cornerstone of Willimantic for over one hundred years. During that time the public has seen several different faces carry out its long-standing tradition of exceptional family service. Our staff is led by Glenn and Tiffany Blumenstein and Brian Romanowski, who have continued the time-honored traditions of caring. The staff members at Potter Funeral Home are committed to providing your family with the finest services and products available. Our team is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

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