Faculty/Staff
Obituaries
The obituaries posted here are the ones the web site has found or been notified of. If you have an obituary of a classmateor faculty please send a copy to **This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.** so it may be published.
“Coach” N. Thomas Gaudette
“Coach” N. Thomas Gaudette, age 84, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., (formerly of New Britain, Conn.) passed away on Saturday, March 29. He fought and won his courageous battle with mesothelioma cancer for over eight years and passed peacefully in his sleep after a series of short illnesses. Tom was born on Dec. 25, 1929 and was raised on Ellis Street in New Britain, attending St. Joseph School and New Britain High School where he played basketball and baseball and discovered his love of sports. After four years of active duty as an M.P. in the U.S. Air Force, he received his Educational Degree at C.C.S.U. Tom taught at Roosevelt Jr. High School, High School Industrial Arts and coached Basketball and Baseball for 34 years at St. Thomas Aquinas, EC Goodwin Tech and New Britain High Schools. He was also inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame and was an active member of the Elks Lodge and was a previous Commander and Man of the Year at the VFW Post 511. He then retired to Ponte Vedra Beach, where he enjoyed many years of golf, fishing, cruises and memorable visits with his family. Tom will be forever known as “Coach” to most who knew him, as he was a true role model in extending his knowledge, compassion and generosity, leaving a lasting impression with his players and in the New Britain community. Many will also remember the infamous throwing of the clipboard, packing the car for after-game trips to Capitol Lunch hotdogs and his love for playing golf at Stanley Quarter.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Lillian Gaudette; his two sisters, Frances Polston, and Marion and John Tierney; his two brothers, George and Doris Gaudette of West Hartford and Arthur and Barbara Gaudette of Kensington. He is survived by his wife, Ursula Gaudette of Ponte Vedra Beach; his three children, Cheryl Gaudette of Manchester, Richard Gaudette of New Britain and Maribeth and Don DeForge of Bristol; his four grandchildren, Nicole and Tommy Gaudette of Lake Mary, Fla., his beloved grandsons, Taylor and Kyle DeForge of Bristol, several nieces and nephews and close friends.
Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his memory to the New Britain High School Athletic Program, 110 Mill St., New Britain, CT 06051 Attn: Len Corto, Athletic Director.
Sr. Michael Joanne, SND
Sr. Michael Joanne Shea, SND, (Mary Agnes Shea), 81, died February 22, 2011 at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester, MA. Born on June 20, 1929 in Chicopee Falls, MA, she was the daughter of John Francis Shea and Ellen Rose (Hederman) Shea. She graduated from Holy Name High School and Our Lady of the Elms College, both in Chicopee and went on to earn an MA from Fairfield University. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame after teaching for a year in a Chicopee public school. After making her vows, she taught at Holy Name High School and then taught and served as an administrator at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, CT. Her passion for education was evident during the time she spent at both schools. She also served on the Leadership Team of the CT Province of the Sisters of Notre Dame. After serving the sisters of her province for nine years, she studied gerontology at UMass, Boston. Subsequently, she served the elderly at St. Mary Home, West Hartford, St. Christopher, East Hartford and West Mass Elder Care, Holyoke, MA. After retiring, she continued to work for her sisters in the province finance office. Wherever she served, she was known and loved as a woman of great faith, of fine educational competence, of determination and hard work, and of unfailing kindness to all. At the time of her death, she had been a member of the Notre Dame community for 58 years. She was pre-deceased by her parents and her brother James L. Shea. She leaves her sister-in-law Barbara Shea and her nephews John and Mary Ann Shea, Colin and Kathy Shea, her grandnieces and grandnephew Maura, Caitlin, Stephen, Theresa and Agnes and her Sisters in Notre Dame as well as her many friends, colleagues and former students. We are grateful to the community and staff at both Julie House in Windsor and Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester for their loving care for Sr. Michael Joanne. Her wake and funeral will be held at St. Isaac Jogues Church in East Hartford on Friday, February 25, 2011 with calling hours from 2-5 p.m. Her funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 6 p.m. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday (February 26, 2011) at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Sisters of Notre Dame, 468 Poquonock Avenue, Windsor, CT 06095. Carmon Windsor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
Rev. Thomas Patrick Quinn
Rev. Thomas Patrick Quinn, 84, of Bloomfield, retired Pastor of St. Patrick Church, Farmington, died Thursday, (December 13, 2007) peacefully in Bloomfield. Born in Hartford, November 7, 1923, he was the son of the late Thomas J. and Agnes (Cannon) Quinn. Father Quinn attended St. Joseph School, Hartford Public High School and graduated from St. Thomas Seminary. He received his degrees in Philosophy and Theology at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, MD. Father also did graduate studies at Fairfield University, Fairfield. He was Ordained May 6, 1946, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford by the Most Rev. Henry J. O'Brien, D.D. Among Father Quinn's many appointments included Chaplain at Canterbury School, New Milford, Assistant Pastor at St. Mary Church, New Britain and served as Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain from 1961-1971. He was appointed Pastor of St. Bernadette Church, New Haven in 1971, Co-Pastor and Administrator of St. Paul Church, Kensington in 1979 and Pastor of St. Paul Church, Glastonbury in 1985. He retired in 1998 after serving as Pastor of St. Patrick Church, Farmington for seven years. Under then Archbishop John F. Whalen, Father Quinn was coordinator of support for Parish Councils and assisted in organizing the Emmaus Program for of the Diocese. Father Quinn leaves a sister Mary Condron of Westfield, MA; two nephews, Thomas and his wife Kendra Condron of Charleston, IL, Michael Condron of Westfield, MA; a niece Kathleen Doton of Greenfield, MA; several grandnieces and nephews; and close friends, Helen and John Szandrocha of Bloomfield. He was predeceased by a brother Joseph Quinn. Relatives and friends may call on Monday, Dec. 17, from 4-7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Avenue, Bloomfield. A Parish Mass will be held at 7 p.m., Celebrated by Rev. Aidan Donahue, Pastor. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, December 18, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Bloomfield with The Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell D.D., Archbishop of Hartford, as Principal Celebrant. Burial will be in Mount. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Contributions in Father Quinn's name may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. The Carmon Windsor Funeral Home is caring for the arrangements. For condolences please visit www.carmonfuneral home.com.
Sister Mary Winifred
Sister Eileen Sullivan, age 84, with the Sisters of Notre Dame, a longtime educator, died Monday, (May 19, 2003) in the Notre Dame Care Center, Worcester, MA. She was born in Boston, daughter of John F. and Winifred G. (Ryan) Sullivan. She was known in religious life for many years as Sister Mary Winifred Sullivan. She graduated in 1940 from Emmanuel College with a degree in Biology and Chemistry. She received her masters degree in Zoology in 1950 from Catholic University. She did graduate work at Fairfield University, Boston College and St. Bonaventure University. Under grants from the National Science Foundation, she also studied at the Univ. of Conn. and Yale. Sister Eileen was a high school science teacher at several Notre Dame schools in Massachusetts and Connecticut including St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain. In 1968, she was named Supervisor of Secondary School Education for the Archdiocese of Hartford. From 1974 through 1979, she was the administrator of the Conn. Province of the Sisters of Notre Dame. From 1979 through 1982, she served her religious community in Rome, Italy. From 1982 through 1989, she was the Assistant Director of Continuing Education at Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Mass. From 1991 through 1994, she was co-director of Helping Our Mothers through Education in Hartford. She leaves three nieces, Winifred Glennon of Pembroke, Helen Corbett of Peabody and Mary McCusker of Brighton; a nephew, Hugh McCusker of Milton; five grandnephews and grandnieces; and her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Her two sisters, Mary Sullivan and Helen McCusker, and a niece, Noreen McCusker, died before her. The funeral Mass will be Thursday, May 22, at 6 p.m. in the Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St., Worcester. Calling hours at the chapel are Thursday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Burial will be in Notre Dame du Lac Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Notre Dame Retirement Fund, 340 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01604.
Published in the Hartford Courant on 5/21/2003.
Mrs. Ring
Mary K. (Keena) Ring, 95, formerly of New Britain, died Friday, (May 16, 2003) at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. Born in Hartford, the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (White) Keena, she lived most of her life in New Britain moving to Marlborough five years ago. She was the wife of the late William J. Ring, Sr. Mary was the first secretary of the former St. Thomas of Aquinas High School in New Britain. A charter member of St. Maurice Church, she was active with their Women's Guild and the Catholic Council of Women, Mrs. Ring is survived by three sons, William J. Ring, Jr. and his wife Priscilla of Beverly, MA, Jerome Ring and his wife Mary of Woodbridge, VA, and James K. Ring of Glastonbury; two daughters, Marjorie and her husband Bill Leuschner of Southport, NC, Rosemary and her husband Elliott Woolwich of Bridgewater; her special sister-in-law, Vivian Keena of West Hartford; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Robert P. Ring. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 23, 9 a.m. from the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Sq., New Britain with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Maurice Church, Wightman Road, New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the Recreation Dept. of the Marlborough Health Care Center, 85 Stage Harbor Rd., Marlborough, CT 06447, or to a charity of the donor's choice. The family would like to send special thanks to the staff of the Marlborough Health Care Center and the doctors and staff of Middlesex Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion to Mary.
Published in the Hartford Courant on 5/18/2003.
Sister Alice Louise
Sister Kathleen Connolly, S.N.D, 81, of the Sisters of Notre Dame, formerly of New Britain and Uncasville, died Wednesday, (January 31, 2001) in the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center, Worcester, MA. She was born in Lowell, MA, daughter of the late Peter and Anne (Carney) Connolly. She leaves a niece, Kathleen Linehan of Needham, MA; and a nephew, Peter Linehan of Chelmsford, MA. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1934 and was also known as Sister Alice Louise. She was a teacher in several Notre Dame schools in the Greater Boston area and later in Connecticut, including many years at St. Thomas Aquinas School, New Britain and St. Bernard's High School, Uncasville. She moved to Worcester in 1994. The funeral Mass will be Saturday, 11 a.m., in Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St., Worcester, MA. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester, MA. Calling hours at the chapel are Saturday, 9-11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund, 71 Elm St, Worcester, MA 01609.
Sister St. Julie
Sister St. Julie (Mary) Faherty died Saturday (June 12, 1999) at the Sisters of Notre Dame, Julie House, 425 Poquonock Ave., Windsor. She was formerly at St. Thomas Aquinas Convent, New Britain. Born in Dorcester, MA, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Julia Faherty. Sister St. Julie entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in Waltham, MA in 1943. She was a teacher at St. John, Worcester, MA, St. Mary, Lawrence, MA, Notre Dame High School, Bridgeport, East Catholic High School, Manchester, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, New Britain. She is survived by a sister, Ann, a Maryknoll Sister; and a brother, John, both of Milton, MA; and two nephews, John and Eric Holma. Besides her parents, she was predeceaseded by a sister, Catherine Holma. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., in Saint Patrick Saint Anthony Church, 285 Church St., Hartford. Burial will be Wednesday, 10 a.m., in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. The Sisters of Notre Dame will receive friends Tuesday, 1-5 p.m., at the Julie House, 425 Poquonock Ave., Windsor. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund, 425 Poquonock Ave., Windsor, 06095. Arrangements by The Carmon Windsor Funeral Home. Copyright 1999 The Hartford Courant
David P. McCreesh
David P. McCreesh, 56, of Newfield Ave., New Britain passed away at New Britain General Hospital on Thursday, (November 30, 2000). He was born in Bristol on August 10, 1944, the son of Margaret (LaCourse) McCreesh and the late Bernard P. McCreesh, Sr. He lived in New Britain for the past 33 years. He graduated from St. Anthony High School, class of 1961, graduated from Boston College in 1965, and received his masters at Trinity College. He worked at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain for 34 years as a teacher and a principal. He owned and operated Mr. M Catering business for 24 years in New Britain and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club, and St. Anthony Church. Besides his mother of Bristol, he is survived by three brothers, Bernard P. McCreesh, Jr. of Texas, John E. McCreesh of South Carolina, and William M. McCreesh of Bristol; three nieces, Shannon, Erin, and Megan McCreesh; and two nephews, Robert B. and William M. McCreesh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home, Sunday, 3-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sisters of Notre Dame or to St. Paul High School, 1001 Stafford Ave., Bristol, CT, 06010.
Father Charles E. Shaw
Father Charles E. Shaw passed away on Friday, November 18th, in Phoenix, AZ. His life’s journey was a remarkable one and he left a lasting impression on all whose lives he touched. He died, as he lived, at peace with God and himself. Fr. Shaw was born in Bridgeport, CT on July 16, 1926, to the late Ernest and Helen Grogan Shaw. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Kay Shaw Naylor and Sallye Shaw Devitt. He is survived by his dear nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and his many friends who will miss him very much. Fr. Shaw attended Fairfield College Preparatory School in Fairfield, CT where he developed his interest in the priesthood. He entered St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT in 1944 and continued his theological studies at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He was ordained on May 3, 1951 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, CT by Bishop Henry J. O’Brien. His first assignment was St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Naugatuck, CT and he was quickly tapped to serve as the principal of the parish elementary school. His passion for learning and his ability to bring out the best in the young students in his charge revealed him to be a born educator. His assignments included service as principal of the Immaculate Conception Parish Elementary School in Hartford and as assistant to the superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Hartford. In 1961, he was chosen to serve as the founding principal of East Catholic High School, and served there until 1970 when he left for health reasons. Dedicated to making each student feel special, he spent summers committing the pictures and names of each incoming class to memory so that he could warmly greet each student by name when they arrived. His journey also led him to serve as a counselor at St. Joseph College in West Hartford, CT; within months of arriving he was selected to be the college’s academic dean. In 1977, following recovery from a health challenge, Fr. Shaw was appointed director of guidance counseling at the former St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Britain, CT. He served there until 1988 when he retired. Not only a passionate educator, Fr. Shaw led by example through his own personal commitment to learning. In the fall of 1959, he entered Fairfield University to study for a master’s degree in administration. He achieved a second master’s degree in Counseling in 1970 from Central Connecticut State University and then, in 1975, earned his doctoral degree in administration and political science with high honors from the University of Connecticut. His dedication to his students and the communities he served was acknowledged in awards too numerous to name. Among his many achievements was his appointment to the Connecticut State Board of Higher Education. At the suggestion of his doctors, he relocated to Arizona in 1994. He was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church since moving to Phoenix. Father Shaw’s Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, November 30 at 10:30 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church at 2312 E. Campbell Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ryan House, Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ.
Sister Teresa St. James
Sister Margaret V. Donovan, 91, of the Sisters on Notre Dame, and formerly of Connecticut, died Sunday, (September 16, 2007) at the Notre Dame Long Term Care Center. Sister Margaret, also known in religious life as Sister Teresa St. James, was born in Cambridge, MA, daughter of James J. and Bridget Teresa (Toomey) Donovan. She graduated in 1933 from St. Gregory's High School, Dorchester, and entered the Sisters of Notre Dame that year. She later graduated from Emmanuel College majoring in English and History. She earned a master degree at Boston College in the study of the Classics with a concentration in Latin. She was a teacher in Notre Dame affiliated parish schools in the greater Boston area and Connecticut schools for many years. She taught at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, New Britain and the Roosevelt School in Bridgeport. She was the principal of Notre Dame High School, Bridgeport, from 1962 through 1968. From 1968 to 1972, she was the Superior at the Provincial Convent in Fairfield. She taught English at the Cheshire Correctional Institute for 14 years until 1986. She retired to New Haven in 1990. She leaves nieces and nephews, and her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Notre Dame. Calling hours at the Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St., Worcester, are Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. The funeral Mass will follow at 6 p.m. in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Notre Dame Retirement Fund, 30 Jeffrey's Neck Road, Ipswich, MA 01938.