March 2026

The family of Chris Scheu shares with a heavy heart his passing. Chris is survived by his beloved Daughter, his parents, Robert and Marcia, his brothers Bob and Eric, and his sisters-in-law Karen and Carey-Beth as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Connecticut, New York, Florida, Georgia, Idaho and Massachusetts.

Affectionately know as “Bear” by his nephews, Chris was the gentlest of giants, with a heart full of love for his daughter and his family.

Chris graduated from Glastonbury High School, class of 1994, attended Boston College, and went on to graduate with honors in Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. A mechanical engineer like his grandfather, Chris, had a natural curiosity, could fix anything, and loved building things. In his senior year he built a racing car and later constructed a skateboarding ramp from scratch for his nephews.

Chirs loved the outdoors and had a passion for travel. He explored Asia, Thailand, crisscrossed Europe, and enjoyed hiking the most difficult trails of the Adirondacks.

The brightest light of Chris’s life was his daughter. He was happiest when he was with her, and he beamed with pride whenever he spoke about her.

Chris will live forever in our hearts, and his spirit continues in his beautiful daughter. We take comfort in believing that Chris has found peace and we keep in our prayers all those who carry unseen burdens.

A member of St. Mary’s Church, Chris’s faith was an important part of his life. 

Eileen Donnelly Muirhead, 89, of Portland, CT died on March 23rd after a blessed life. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Donald W. Muirhead; parents Ann and John Donnelly and a brother, John Donnelly. She leaves three children, Donald Muirhead and his wife, Anne; Andrew Muirhead and his wife, T’Ann Wolfe; and Christina Muirhead; three grandchildren, Caroline and husband Yahel Nachum; Elizabeth Muirhead, and John Muirhead; and a great granddaughter, Esther Nachum.

Eileen grew up surrounded by family in Clifton, NJ and ventured forth to UConn to start her life as a college student. She and Don were introduced by a mutual friend and Eileen was immediately swept off her feet by Don's exuberance and energy, his keen mind, and above all, his kindness. He was equally smitten with her and they began their life together. By age 26, they had settled in Portland, CT where their young family grew to include three active children who were the highlight of her life. Summers involved family camping, trips to the lake house her father had built on Lake Grinnell in Sparta, NJ, and visits with her brother John’s and his brother Rick’s families. 

Eileen began her career as a school teacher, teaching at several of Portland’s schools for 15 years. She eventually obtained an advanced degree in math and brought her expertise to the Connecticut Department of Labor, where she worked as a systems analyst, enjoying the new challenge and retiring in 2003 after many fulfilling years.

As their children became adults, their time, once again, became their own. Eileen and Don started buying and selling glassware, spending their weekends traveling to glass shows, tag sales and flea markets throughout New England. They also took many trips to Europe, including traveling to Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and France to explore family ties and practice the French she had worked so hard to learn. They also fulfilled a lifelong dream to explore the many wonderful sights of the US by taking a meandering drive home after visiting family in California. After their grandchildren were born, they enjoyed many trips with their son Don and his family to Florida and to Mont Tremblant in Quebec. Summers were spent gardening, reading, studying French and enjoying their home in Portland.

During the final years of Eileen’s life, she was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Christina. They shared many lunches and outings as Christina worked to make sure that her mother enjoyed her days. Afternoons with her son, Don, and visits with her infant great-granddaughter, Esther, also brought her joy in her final years. Calls and visits from Andy and T’Ann were cherished and valued. 

Eileen was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She valued her family more than anything else and will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, April 6that 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Portland. Burial will follow at the State Veteran’s Cemetery, Middletown. Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland on Monday, April 6th from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. 

Dolores Noonan (née Duval), 91, of Portland, Connecticut, died on March 12th - a woman of sharp wit and deep determination who never met a crossword she couldn't solve.

Born in Bristol, Connecticut in 1934 to Joseph and Juliette (Laurendeau) Duval, Dolores grew up in a Franco-American household where French was the first language spoken. She attended a French school taught by nuns before making the transition to an English-language high school - a shock at first, she would say, but one she quickly came to appreciate.

She married William Noonan and together they settled in Wethersfield, where they raised their two daughters, Evelyn and Mary. Dolores began her career as a secretary in the legal department at Connecticut General Life Insurance, stepped away to raise her family, and later joined Trinity College in Hartford - first as secretary to the English department, and eventually as Executive Assistant to the Vice President. In retirement, she and Bill enjoyed extended road trip vacations throughout the United States and Canada, including an obligatory stop in Noonan, North Dakota. They later settled in Portland, Connecticut. Bill passed away in 2013.

Dolores had a lifelong love of words that showed up early. At 27, she wrote a wonderful essay about a white right-hand-drive Jaguar she had briefly owned - describing herself as a formerly shy girl who "blended nicely with the woodwork" until the car changed all that, including, she noted, accepting drag race challenges at red lights.

That love of language never left her. She completed the daily crossword in the Hartford Courant without fail and when that grew too easy, she took up diagramless crosswords, solving them without the grid. Every day when her daughters came home from school, there would be a note waiting - sometimes just a message, sometimes a cryptogram tucked inside. She quit smoking at 90 after nearly eight decades, never looked back, and always made sure dessert (carrot cake if possible!) came first.

She spent her final years first at Greystone Retirement Home and then at Portland Care and Rehab, where her dry humor and easy demeanor were much appreciated by staff and residents alike, and where she remained an avid Words with Friends player until the end. The staff at Portland Care looked after her with great kindness and skill, and the family is deeply grateful.

She was predeceased by her husband William, her parents, and her three brothers, Al, Bob, and Buck. She is survived by her daughters Evelyn and Mary.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Read to Grow ( https://readtogrow.org ), a Connecticut nonprofit dedicated to bringing books and literacy to children from birth. For a woman who loved words as deeply as Dolores did, helping a child discover that same love feels like a fitting tribute.

To express your condolences online please visit:

Dolores Noonan Obituary (2026) - Portland, CT - The Bristol Press 

Theodore Andrew Townsend, lovingly known as “Teddy,” passed away on January 26th, at the age of 87.

Teddy leaves behind a daughter, sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and sisters. 

Born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, Teddy proudly served in the United States Navy with helicopter squadron 9 and lived a life defined by dedication, hard work, and love for his family. He built a career overseeing massive industrial machines.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at the State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, on Monday, March 30th at 10 a.m. 

Teddy will be deeply missed, may he rest in peace, knowing he was deeply loved.

The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth M. Poulin, 69, originally of Portland, Connecticut, and later a resident of East Hampton, passed away on March 10th, after a long chronic illness. He was born July 2, 1956, in Warwick, Rhode Island, to Roland Poulin Sr. and Dorothy Poulin (Bisson).

Kenny worked for many years at Daniel’s Oil in Portland, Connecticut, where he was known as a dedicated and hardworking employee.

He loved spending time outdoors, especially pheasant hunting with his dogs, first Roscoe and later Jasper. Whenever he had the chance, Kenny could also be found fishing. He enjoyed watching NASCAR with his family and was a lifelong and loyal Dallas Cowboys fan. In his younger years, Kenny loved playing sports and spent many hours playing basketball with his brothers and friends. He also spent many years playing softball with the Wizards and later with the Garbage Builders.

Kenny was known for his strong personality and stubborn streak, but those who knew him best also knew his loyalty, humor, and deep love for his family and friends.

Kenny was one of seven children and valued the time spent with his large family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Roland Poulin Sr. and Dorothy Bisson Poulin; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Lillian Berry; his brother Steven “Stevie” Poulin; his sister-in-law Christine Poulin; and his nephew Richard “Richie” Holmgren Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Poulin (Berry). He also leaves behind his siblings: Roland Poulin Jr.; Sandra Tuttle (Poulin) and her husband Daniel Tuttle; Robert Poulin and Jana Fisher; Gerald “Jerry” Poulin and Jessica Poulin; and Michael Poulin and his wife Heather Poulin. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Cindy Berry Morgan and her husband David Morgan, and his brother-in-law Glenn Berry and his wife Vivian Berry. Kenny also leaves many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews who will cherish his memory.

Kenny will be remembered for his love of family, the outdoors, sports, and the many memories shared with those who knew him.

There will be no services. The family asks that Kenny be remembered in your own special way.

Alfred “Al” Noetzel, 81, of Middletown, Connecticut, passed away on March 11, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on June 29, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, Al moved to Middletown at a young age. In November 1965, he was drafted into the United States Army and served his country in the Vietnam War. After returning home, Al pursued his passion for aviation and earned his commercial helicopter rating in 1977. From 1982 to 1987, he flew helicopters for Channel 8.

In 1987, he married Sheila McGinn, and together they built a life and raised their three cherished daughters. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first grandson, Cameron Alfred, this April. Al will be remembered for his love of family, his adventurous spirit, his humor, and the pride he carried in his service.

Al is survived by his daughters, Kersti and her husband Travonte, Shannon, and Kerry; his brother, David; and his brothers-in-law, Daniel and Thomas McGinn. He was predeceased by his wife, Sheila McGinn. He leaves behind a legacy of dedication, strength, and love that will live on through his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, March 18th at 10 a.m. in the State Veteran’s Cemetery, Middletown with full military honors. Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland on Tuesday, March 17thfrom 4 to 6 p.m.