October 2022

 Louis “Gil” Roy of Frenchville Maine passed away in Connecticut at the age of 92 on October 22, 2022.  He was born on November 17th 1930, the son of Alfred and Antoinette. He served his country in the Army as a tank operator in Korea, taking home the Korean Service Medal, Two Bronze Services Stars, and the Purple Heart. After serving his country, he returned to Northern Maine and took over his family's potato farm until his retirement in 1984.  He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Georgette, his 5 children; Sandra Stewart (Bill), Cheryl Danielewicz (Bob), Darren (Kristen), Dennis (Kim) and Melisa Gaudet(Justin), his 10 grandchildren;  Alyssa, Megan, Justin, Ben, Patrick, Joshua, Dylan, Avery, Charlotte and James, and 2 great grandchildren; Mylo and Frank. Gil was predeceased by his siblings Gilford, Lawrence, Aurore, Dorothy, Reynold, and Carroll. He is

survived by Joan, Gladys, Florence, Harold, Jackie, Fred, and Bert.  Gil was a man who enjoyed simple things; picking berries, walking his land, snowmobiling, flying kites, making trails in the woods with his snowshoes and he especially enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and teasing them. He also loved to dance and sing when surrounded by his family. A hardworking, humble man, who didn’t hesitate to lend a hand, going out of his way to help people around him. He is

loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial mass will be held on Thursday, November 10th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church, Portland. Burial with full military honors will be in the State Veteran’s Cemetery, Middletown. Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, is in charge of arrangements. 

Please consider a donation to these causes which Gil supported:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org

Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Ruth S. Freeburg of Portland CT passed away peacefully on Oct. 11, 2022. She was born in New Britain CT on June 28, 1928, to Ethel and Rev. Samuel Sutcliffe. She received her nursing degree in Philadelphia, and worked as an RN at New Britain General Hospital, and later at Middlesex Hospital, for many years. She married John (Jack) Freeburg in 1953, and raised their six children in the Portland, CT home that Jack built. Ruth, Jack, and their children, spent many years sailing their catboat, the “Kiddie Kat”, including an 8-month adventure to Southern Florida in 1960/61. Ruth was a long-time member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland, fulfilling many duties, her favorite being a member of the choir. A beloved member of many organizations through the years, Ruth was honored with the Spirit of Portland Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Catboat Association. She enjoyed beach trips with her family, never said no to a lobster, and was thrilled to see the Red Sox win four World Series in her lifetime. Besides her husband, Ruth was pre-deceased by her parents; her siblings: Peggy Winger, David Sutcliffe, Betty Knudsen and Sam Sutcliffe; niece Nancy Knudsen and nephews Mark Sutcliffe, Eric Knudsen, and Alan Winger. She is survived by her six children and their spouses: Charles Freeburg (Madeleine), Margie Kania (Scott), Alice Csere (Bill), Peter Freeburg (Patti), Andy Freeburg (Carol) and Martha Mencseli (Miklos); thirteen grandchildren: Andrew (Rachael), Megan (Luke), Kristen (Katy), Alexandra, Mike, Peter, Charlie, Zack, Haleigh, Aidan, Luke, Justin, and Rebecca; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at noon, at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 Main Street, Portland, CT. Donations to honor Ruth’s memory should be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church. The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, is in charge of arrangements.