June 2024

Bianca Maillet, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on June 16th. She was 87 years old. 

Bianca was born to Angelo and Angela Posocco, immigrants from northern Italy who arrived through Ellis Island in the 1930s and settled in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Bianca grew up on a farm in Stafford Springs, CT with her sister Lucille, where they learned the values of hard work and family unity. Bianca had a fulfilling career as a librarian at Manchester Community College, where she worked until her retirement in 1986.

Bianca married Dennis C. Maillet, in 1954. They raised four children: Debbie, (John), Dennis (predeceased wife Elizabeth), Diane Higa, Denise, (former husband John Steele). Through her deep devotion to God Bianca overcame many adversities while struggling to raise her family as a single mother. 

In her later years, Bianca moved to Portland, Connecticut, where she lived very happily with some of her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed walking, worshipping, cooking, and teaching her grandchildren how to knit, crochet, and recite the Hail Mary. Bianca was known for her unwavering faith, often waking her children with the Lord’s Prayer and doting on them with homemade breakfasts.

Bianca leaves behind her nine grandchildren: Jessica (Joe Navarre), Joel (Brittany), Jonny (Jordan), Cody and Larson Higa, Alexis, Nathan, Victoria, and Angelina Steele. She was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren, who all brought immense joy to her life. 

Bianca’s vibrant community of church friends was a significant part of her life, and her faith was a cornerstone of her existence. She will be remembered for her generosity, kindness, and the love she shared with everyone she met. 

Services to honor Bianca’s life will be held at Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland on Thursday, June 20th, from 9am – 10am, with a burial to follow at Saint Edwards Cemetery in Stafford Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary's Church, 51 Freestone Ave, Portland, CT 06480 in Bianca’s memory. 

May she rest in eternal peace.

Thomas Anthony Kunak, 81, of East Hampton, CT, passed away peacefully at the Hartford Health Care Hospice on Thursday, June 13th.  He was born in Middletown on October 19th, 1942 and was the son of the late Thomas and Mary Sallak Kunak.  He was a 1960 graduate of Middletown High School.  He is survived by his wife Janet Lizotte Kunak as well as their two sons Justin Kunak with his long-time companion Lesley Mitchell, and Christian Kunak.  He is also survived by his brother Lawrence Kunak.  Tom started work at the Middletown Rubber Company, later on at Pratt & Whitney (the CANEL Project to develop a nuclear engine in the early 1960’s), and finally retiring from Tube Bends in New Britain.  He was the “go to guy” for difficult projects at Tube Bends.  Tom enjoyed boating, being near the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound, and giving love and getting companionship with his dogs Snoppy, Pedro, and Peanut.  Tom and Janet also enjoyed travelling together to Europe, seeing the USA, and other destinations.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, June 18th at 11am at St. Mary’s Church, Portland.  Burial will be in the family plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland.  Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland on Tuesday morning, June 18th from 9:30-10:30am.