November 2022

Phyllis Ann Greene of Portland, CT passed away on Sunday morning, November 20, 2022, at the age of 86 years old. She loved her family, her home, and her town. She taught in the Portland Public Schools for 50 years, primarily 7th grade Social Studies in the same classroom on the first floor, by the front door, of the Junior High School. If you grew up in Portland, chances are you are really good at organizing your ideas into an outline, thanks to her.

Phyllis loved gardening and built, encouraged, and weeded a legendary Colonial herb garden in her backyard. She was a member of the Portland River Valley Garden Club for 30 years, serving as President from 2008-2010. “No matter what our club needed, Phyllis was always willing to put herself forward to assist.” She worked with the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), serving in many capacities for the organization. She was a regular volunteer at CPTV’s fundraising auctions and a huge fan and advocate of Public Television. She was an avid reader, especially if the setting was England in the 16th century. She moved on from the Dodgers when they left Brooklyn and remained a Red Sox fan for the rest of her life. She rooted for the UCONN women, as well. She loved to travel and saw much of the world.

Phyllis was born on September 22, 1936, in Ellenville, NY. Her parents, Bella Steinberg (née Barmak) and Israel (Irving) Steinberg, separately emigrated from Eastern Europe following World War 1, meeting in New York City. They married and moved to Ellenville, in the Catskills, where the air was better, and started a chicken farm, and later a summer camp. Phyllis attended the Ellenville Public Schools, received her bachelor’s from Barnard College, and her master’s from Radcliffe College. She taught in Quincy, MA and Meriden, CT before coming to Portland.

Phyllis is predeceased by her younger brother Edward and survived by her older brother Clarence. She leaves, and is endlessly loved, by her oldest son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Melissa and grandchildren Celeste and Isaac of Washington, D.C.; son Jeffery, daughter-in-law Terry Fang, and grandchildren Bella and Ila of Newton, MA; daughter and youngest child, Elizabeth, son-in-law Nicholas Hart, and grandchildren Timothy, Katherine, and Alexandra of Pelham, NY; and countless nieces, nephews, and other relatives. They will all miss her, and especially her incredible, sprawling Thanksgiving dinners. She leaves behind her beloved Cocker Spaniel, Jasper. She also leaves behind many great friends, including the garden club, her breakfast group of retired teachers, and especially Edith Kelley and Janice Wendry.

A memorial to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, December 9th, from 5-7pm, at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your local foodbank, public library (including the Friends of the Portland Library), the Humane Society, and/or Public Television. 

Ernest Lowrie, 87, of Portland, Connecticut, died at home on Thursday, November 17, 2022, after a long struggle with lung disease. Born to Elizabeth Buckner Lowrie and Carl Henry Lowrie in Mars Hill, NC, he spent his formative years in El Paso, Texas, together with his siblings: Mildred Louise Lowrie Cornelison Meder of Pennsylvania, Raymond Lee Lowrie of Arizona, and Carlene Elizabeth Lowrie Kennedy of Florida. His sisters are now also deceased. 

He saved enough from his paper route to buy his own trumpet and played in the band at Stephen F. Austin High School, from which he graduated in 1951. Further degrees include a BA from Baylor, an MA in History from Brown, and a PhD in Religious Studies from Yale. After winning the best dissertation prize, The Shape of the Puritan Mind: The Thought of Samuel Willard was published without revision by Yale University Press (1974). 

A devoted student of religion and politics, he attended Immanuel Baptist Church, El Paso, as a child, and was an active member of First Church, Middletown, where his occasional sermons won acclaim. He supported democratic causes throughout his life and campaigned for Hubert Humphrey in 1968. 

Ernest combined dedication to research with a firm belief in general education. After his first teaching job at Campbell College, NC, he became a tenured professor at Penn State University, where he chaired the Department of Religious Studies. He won a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1977. In retirement (since 1988), he continued his work as an independent scholar through close ties to Wesleyan University, where his wife, Joyce Lowrie, taught French literature. Committed to building history from careful readings of primary sources and a compelling stylist, he published the fruits of decades of research in Lord Chief Justice Mansfield: Chief Author of the American Revolution (2022). 

His passions included carpentry, house renovation, and travel. He designed and built many bookshelves for friends and family, as well as beds, desks, and tables. Restoring a cottage in Twilight Park, Haines Falls, NY, brought him much joy. Some of his closest friends come from the summer community there. He took pleasure in hiking and camping in his Volkswagen camper. Paris was a second home. He spent 1979-80 with his family touring museums and ancient sites throughout Europe, and also visited Brazil, Istanbul, Prague, Egypt, and Morocco. 

Known for the twinkle in his eye, a love of adventure, a playful sense of humor and deep loyalty, he entertained dinner guests with his insight and stunning breadth of knowledge. 

Ernest is survived by his wife, his daughter and her partner, Michele Lowrie and Paul Keyser, former son-in-law, Seth Fagen, grandson, Lucas Fagen, and best friends, Jon and Karin Gunnemann of Atlanta.

Memorial services will be held in Middletown and at Twilight Park in the coming year. The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, is in charge of arrangements.

Ronald “Slim” S. Day, Sr. 95, of Middletown, husband of late Caroline Veronica (not harmonica) Day passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at UConn Medical Center.

Ronald was born on March 10, 1927 to Robert and Lillian Day in Middletown. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, thereafter serving the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was a heavy machinery mechanic and operator for over 50 years, followed by small engine repair after retirement.

Ronald was predeceased by his daughter Susan C. LaPlant, his brothers Robert, George and James Day, and sisters Shirley Day, Nellie Cooper, Janet Ketchen, and Mildred Pilch. He is survived by his son Ronald S. Day, Jr. and his wife, Michelle of Portland, and son-in-law Richard Laplant of East Hampton. He was the grandfather of Kyle Day and his wife Courtney, Lukas Day, Jordan and Austin Davignon, and Melissa and Nicole LaPlant. He was the great grandfather of James, Derrick, Theresa Grace, Charlie, Aliyah and Kameron.

His family will receive relatives and friends in the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, Monday, November 28th from 9 am to 10 am. Graveside services with full military honors will be held immediately after at Center Cemetery, Portland.

Catherine R. Osiecki, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2022. Her legacy of love includes her husband Robert Osiecki of Portland, her son and daughter and their families: Michael & Eleni Ozga (Middletown, CT) and Stefanie Ozga-Fenton & Patrick Fenton (Middletown, CT). She adored her two granddaughters Jillian and Eleanor more than anything and cherished being their grandmother. She was predeceased by her Carroll brothers Jack, Jim, Tom, and Bill and in addition her loving brother-in-law, Michael Osiecki.  She is survived by her remaining siblings MaryFrances Alonzo (Plantsville, CT), Patricia (Kon) Petrochuk (Columbus, OH), Susan (Dennis) Grasso (Las Vegas, NV) and her remaining brothers Robert and Peter. Cathie’s memory of love and kindness will also be forever remembered by her sister-in-law Janet and her husband John Milardo (Bluffton, SC), and brother-in-law Theodore and his wife Terri Osiecki (Chatham, MA).

Catherine Rose Carroll was born and raised in Waterbury, CT, one of 10 children of John F. and Patricia (Scionti) Carroll.  Cathie attended Crosby High School and went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Education, SCSU with an M.S. in Education as well as serving as a PIMMS Fellow of Wesleyan University.

She thoroughly enjoyed her work as a beloved teacher impacting countless lives of students and their families as well as her colleagues. She later became the K-6 Math Coordinator for the Middletown Board of Education and finished her career as a consultant for the BEST Program for the Connecticut State Department of Education.

Cathie was a generous and caring person who selflessly gave of her time and her wisdom to anyone who needed help. Her sense of humor was impeccable.  She will be missed and dearly loved all the days of our lives. One of her favorite quotes that she taught her children was a mantra that Cathie lived her life by: “And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make”.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 26that 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Portland. Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, on Friday, November 25th from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be private.

Robert C. Benashski, 84, of Portland CT, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 6, 2022, with his family by his side. Robert was born on July 14,1938, on the 2nd floor of Max Growers grocery store(Anderson Feed) in Portland, CT to the late John J. Benashski and Carol(Lepak). He was a longtime resident of Portland. 

Robert attended Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. Robert began his career as an Industrial Hygienist Engineer with the State of New York Health Department and later moved back to Connecticut to take a job with Travelers Insurance Company where he spent over 30 years before his retirement. He was a member the Board of Education, founding member of the Portland High Sideliners, and member of the American Academy of Industrial Hygiene to name a few accomplishments. He was an avid NY Giants and UConn Huskies women’s basketball fan.

Robert is survived by his wife, his best friend and the love of his life of 61 years Barbara(Sullivan). Besides his wife, Robert is survived by his four children, Karen Huntley of Stafford Springs, Lynn B. Coleman of Portland, Curtis Benashski and wife Karen of South Windsor, and Sharon DiMauro and husband John of Haddam. 

Robert was blessed with eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, whom he adored. Jena, Patrick, Kelly, Jake, Luke, Jordan, Grace, Kyle and Mason. Robert was extremely proud of all his grandchildren and couldn’t wait to cheer them on whether it was basketball, baseball, softball, track, cross country, soccer or their academic achievements. Every time the grandchildren would see him, they wanted him to wiggle his ears. They will miss him dearly. 

Robert also leaves his brother Richard Benashski and wife Kathryn. He also leaves behind several nieces and a nephew. Robert was predeceased by his brother John. 

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 12th at 10:00 am at the Swedish Cemetery, 184 Williams Street, Portland, CT.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to St Jude Hospital at stjude.org or Protectors of Animals at poainc.org.