June 2023

Clinton Hale Canning, 73, of Portland, CT, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 30th. Clint was a graduate of Portland High School, attended college at West Virginia Wesleyan, and was a retiree of NorthEast Utilities.

Clint was a member of the Glastonbury Elks Club 2202 for thirty-seven years, and spent many years singing in the Portland Methodist Church Choir. A passionate sports fan, Clint cheered on many teams, and shared a deep love for the Red Sox with his beloved grandson, Khristopher. Rooted in his expansive knowledge of and interest in history, Clint was also an avid collector. He enjoyed sharing the coins, stamps, hummel figurines, and jewelry he accumulated throughout the years, along with the history behind each treasure.

Even more importantly, however, is that Clint was also a collector of life's most precious gifts: family and friends that loved him and that he loved fiercely in return. His love, support, and devotion will live on in the hearts of his children and grandchildren: Joshua Canning, his wife Sandy, along with children JC Canning and Gabriella Canning; Jessica Lizaire, her husband Brahams, along with their children, Khristopher, Dakota, Jaiden, and Bryson; Paula Motta and her husband Kevin along with their children Ava, Charlotte and Jameson. Not only a grandfather, he was, in the words of his beloved granddaughter Dakota, "like a best friend."

Clint also leaves behind his cherished "partner in crime," his Olde English Bulldog, Harley Marie, who he spoiled and loved endlessly.

Clint will be remembered for many things-his sincere love and dedication to his family, his warmth, his life-of-the-party energy and of course his perfectly timed jokes. But what will also never be forgotten is his tremendous singing voice and the joy it brought to so many people throughout the years. His family and friends will certainly always remember him singing his pitch perfect rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love," by his lifetime favorite singing icon, Elvis Presley. Clint captured his passion for singing perfectly with the quote by the Scottish poet Alexander Smith that he chose to include above his senior portrait in his high school yearbook: "It is in his nature to blossom into song, as it is the tree's to leaf itself into April."

Graveside services will be held on Thursday (July 6) at 10:00 a.m. in the Center Cemetery, Portland. Friends may call at the Portland Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland on Wednesday (July 5) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 

Daniel Clement Richer, 54, of Portland, CT, died unexpectedly at Hartford Hospital on June 6th, 2023 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Daniel was born on May 10th, 1969 in Burlington, Vermont, the son of the late Elizabeth (Lavalette) Richer and the late Clement Daniel Richer of North Ferrisburgh.Growing up in a small town, he spent the majority of his time outside with his friends and cousins riding bikes, playing baseball, climbing in the hay loft, riding go carts and snow mobiles, and playing guitar. At a young age, he developed a passion for cars and his proudest moment was the purchase of a Pontiac Firebird.
He served in the United States Navy as a Navigation Technician for 5 years on the USS Flying Fish, beginning in December of 1988 and ending in June of 1994. Daniel has worked with lasers the majority of his life, most recently employed as a Laser Field Service Engineer at Alcon.

He married Kathy Ann (Stackpole) Richer of Connecticut in 1993 and fathered two sons, Casey Adam Richer and Collin Christopher Richer, both of Middletown, CT. Daniel loved camping and the family enjoyed trips up and down the East Coast, most frequently to Vermont to visit family and friends there. Daniel loved to play poker, enjoyed playing and watching baseball, especially the New Britain Rockcats and Hartford Wolfpack games, as well as listening to music, and watching movies. He had a talent for cooking, sharing many lovely meals with family and friends.

Later in his life, he developed a passion for motorcycles, becoming a member of the US Riders Motorcycle Group and taking part in many charity events and rides, the group becoming a second family.

Daniel was a generous man, a gentle giant, who always had time to help a friend in need. He was naturally charismatic, easily sharing laughs, conversations, and memories and always offered the best bear hugs. His loss leaves a gaping hole in the fabric of his family, friends and great community. Left to grieve his loss are his sons Casey and Collin, his sister Louella Morgan-Richer and her partner Reyna Morgan-Richer of Vergennes, Vermont, his ex-wife Kathy and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

There will be a military graveside service at the State Veterans Cemetery, 317 Bow Lane, Middletown, CT on Thursday, July 6th at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation at 2961-A Hunter Mill Rd., Suite 644 Oakton, VA 22124.
The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, CT is in charge of arrangements.

Katherine Dolores (Maher) Jarzabek of Portland passed away in Middletown on Sunday (June 11). Dolores as she was best known, was born in Portland on August 1, 1930 daughter of the late William J. and Estelle (Guzewicz) Maher Sr. Dolores lived in Portland the majority of her life and was a parishioner of the Church of St. Mary. She was a graduate of St. Mary School, Portland High School and the Teachers College of Connecticut in New Britian. She became an elementary school teacher, taught in Cromwell and also substituted in Portland. After teaching she was employed by Bob's Store and later retired from Liberty Bank. While retired she volunteered at St. Mary's Church and the Portland Food Bank. Besides many friends others left to mourn her passing include children John Jarzabek (Sally), Patricia Hasselman (Kevin), grandchildren Joseph Jarzabek III (Shawna), Holli Jarzabek (Josh) and the apple of her eye Brian Hasselman. She also leaves sisters Alice Cram, Evelyn Maher, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dolores was predeceased by ex-husband Joseph Jarzabek Sr., sons Joseph Jarzabek Jr., Charles Jarzabek, grandson John Jarzabek Jr., siblings Anna Bajorek, Estelle Arsenault, and William Maher Jr. The Jarzabek family would like to thank Barbara and Sally for their care and compassion to Dolores. A memorial mass will be held on Monday (June 19) at 10 am in St. Mary Church Portland. Burial will be in the family plot in Swedish Cemetery Portland. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers contributions in Dolores memory may be made to the Church of St. Mary 45 Freestone Ave. Portland, Ct. 06480 or the Portland Food Bank 7 Waverly Ave. Portland, Ct. 06480. 

Richard A. “Rich” Dickinson Jr. of Niantic, formerly of Portland, departed this life May 25. 2023. He is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years Theresa (Reedy) Dickinson; and his cherished daughter Mikayla Dickinson; as well as his sister Cindy Bennett; brother Ronald Dickinson (Carrie); brother-in-law Matt Cordner; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Rich was predeceased by his mother Joan (DeGraff) Dickinson; father Richard Dickinson Sr.; sisters, Denise Cordner and Cheryl Ranno; his brother Michael Dickinson; and brother-in-law Ted Bennett.
Rich graduated in 1979, from Vinyl Technical High School, Middletown, where he specialized in auto body. He went on to work at Airborne Express, which later became DHL. He had an amazing relationship with his regular customers, so much so, that they were more like friends. Rich would talk with anyone and had a personality that drew people in. He could relate to a story and loved to share his adventures with everyone. He retired from DHL in 2018, after a successful 30-year career.
Rich was a man of many talents and skills. He was very resourceful and could fix anything. He was an avid hunter of ducks, pheasant and deer and also enjoyed fishing both fresh and saltwater. He spent many years exploring the White Mountains of Maine, an area he truly loved, on his snowmobile with friends and family. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle visiting many different places with family and friends. Richard was also passionate about flying and had hoped to one day get his pilot’s license and a plane of his own.
Rich loved many genres of music and often surprised his family with his unique song choices. He was a phenomenal cook who always loved to try new recipes and share them with his family and friends. Rich loved the thrill of gambling and would make a bet on most anything, as long as he knew he could win. He was a bargain hunter and no matter what always got a deal!
Rich was full of life and had a unique sense of humor that could make everyone laugh. His warm caring, carefree, larger-than-life personality touched everyone he met. He had a smile that could light up a room. He always looked out for others and was always willing to help anyone and did it so often. His family was everything to him. Rich was definitely one-of-a-kind; his stories and laughter will be missed; and he will always share a special place in the hearts of all those who knew and loved him.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 17, in St. Mary’s Church, Portland. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland.  Calling hours will be on Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass in St. Mary's Church.  The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland, is in charge of arrangements. ln lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.