Potter Funeral Home

01/10/2026

Ana L. Cubi

In Loving Memory of Ana L. Cubi August 15, 1937- January 6, 2026 Ana L. Cubi, a longtime Willimantic resident, was born Aug.15,1937, in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico,the eldest of thirteen siblings, peacefully passed away in her home. Small in stature yet, mighty and classy at the same time, carried herself with grace and strength throughout her life.

Lovingly known as” Luisa/Guisa”, Ana was a devoted family matriarch, remembered for her distinct laugh, a smile that lit up a room, her love of cooking, and strong faith. She lived with integrity and leaves a lasting legacy of love, values and devotion to family. She leaves behind her children : Iris Figueroa, Elvira Williams, Harry Figueroa, Melvin Figueroa, Efren Figueroa, Jerry Figueroa, Lemuel Figueroa, Edda Salza, and Keila Cubi, three sons-in- in law (Pete, Angel, Wally), four daughters -in -law (Nellie, Joan, Becky, Ivonne), 23 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, two sisters ( Nilsa, Virgen), four brothers (Aristides, Samuel, Sammy, Juan) and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Ana was preceded in death by her husband Pablo Cubi, son Edgardo Figueroa, parents Yolanda Santiago, and Pedro Mateo, siblings Jose, Israel, Luis, Ventura Mateo, and sister Maria Mateo. Ana’s life was a gift, her love a blessing and her memory a treasure that will live in our hearts forever. She will be dearly missed. Our family invites you all who want to pay respect, to join us on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Sargrado Corazon, 61 Club Rd. Windham with her Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00am. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham.

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01/09/2026

Dr. Joyce Soulen Wong

Dr. Joyce Soulen Wong, 81 from Mansfield, Connecticut passed away peacefully on January 8th, 2026 at Manchester Hospital.

Joyce graduated from Bridgewater State University and went on to get her Master’s Degree at Indiana University. She taught at Brooklyn College for 7 years and went back to Indiana University to complete her PHD in Kinesiology. Upon completing her PHD, she continued her career in athletics as the Assistant Athletic Director and women’s basketball coach at the University of Rochester. In 1999, she accepted the Athletic Director position at Eastern Connecticut University until her retirement in 2010.

Joyce is survived by her wife, Angela Sanseviro, her siblings Nancy Dow (Roger), Michael Wong, Anne Walgreen (Robert), Richard Wong (Marcia), Elaine Wong (Philip Lung) and many nieces and nephews.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Yow Goon Wong and Mee Tow Ng, her sister Jenette Vertuccio (Richard) and her sister Louise LaLiberte.

Joyce will be cremated and will be buried at a later date in Boston, MA with her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association https://alzfdn.org/donate/

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01/09/2026

Potter Funeral Home is proud to stand alongside those who protect and serve. Thank you to the dedicated members of the Willimantic Police Department for your commitment to our community!

01/08/2026

Bernice Delia Smith - Hewes

Bernice Smith-Hewes December 15,1924 – January 4, 2026

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Bernice Smith-Hewes, 101, announces her passing on January 4, 2026, at her home in Storrs, CT, the place she loved the most. Born in Willimantic to parents Wilfred & Rhea Lyon. She was known for her warm smile and unwavering kindness.

After raising her family, Bernice returned to school and proudly graduated from Eastern Connecticut State College in 1970, fulfilling a lifelong love of learning. She devoted 10 years to teaching first and second grade at Tolland Elementary School, where her kindness and gentle guidance left a lasting impression on her students. Beyond the classroom, Bernice cherished collecting antiques, traveling and embracing life’s simple pleasures, always happiest when spending time with family and loved ones.

Bernice is survived by her loving spouse, Michael Hewes; her children, Todd (Diane), Garth, and Drake; and her grandchildren, Nicole Letourneux (James), Cory Smith (Lesley), Carly Smith, Elliot Smith, Styles Colburn, Jill LeMasurier (Douglas), Tyler Colburn, Lindsey Ouimette (John), and Shannon Colburn. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Royden Smith; her daughter, Andrea Moran; and her siblings, Joyce Smith, Janice Walencewicz, Alan Lyon, Bruce Lyon, and David Lyon. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express our gratitude to home health care aides Nadine Mayes, Cassandra Stone, Ruth Farilien and Cindy Dalterio and Connecticut Senior Homecare, LLC for their loving care of Bernice.

A mass of Christian burial will be at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT at 11:00 AM on January 15, 2026, with burial to follow at Pink Cemetery, Mansfield.

Donations in her honor can be made to the St. Thomas Chapel.

Above all else, Bernice was a devoted wife, mother, and Mémé. Her warmth, generosity, and quiet strength made everyone feel welcome and deeply loved. Family was the center of her world, and the love she gave so freely will continue to live on through generations. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

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01/07/2026

James Walter McConnell, Jr.

It is with deepest regret that James Walter McConnell, Jr., a.k.a “Mac” of Ashford, CT, has died on January 7, 2026, in his home, after a long battle with Cancer. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lorraine Schlegel McConnell; Sister Judith Gadbois of Kentucky; Nephews David McConnell, Jeffrey McConnell, Eric Paul Breuning and Niece Kimberlea Curran; and Cousins Joel DeNigris, Albert DeNigris, Robert DeNigris, Jay DeNigris, Julii Gibson and Catherine Cosgrove. There will be no calling hours; instead, a special service will be held in Ashford in the Spring.

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01/06/2026

Charles Kevin Synnott

Charles Kevin Synnott, 80, of Hampton, beloved husband of Regis Delaney Synnott, passed away on January 1, 2026, at Windham Hospital after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. He was born in Waterbury to the late Charles Martin Synnott and Margaret Carolan Synnott. Kevin, as he was known to everyone, was raised in Cheshire and graduated from Cheshire High School. He attended Post College. He received a Master’s Degree from University of Hartford and a Master’s Degree and Doctorate from the University of Connecticut. Over the years he taught at several colleges including Albertus Magnus, Springfield College, Rhode Island College and Eastern Connecticut State University. His great loves were teaching, writing and making people laugh. Kevin was also a proud veteran having served in the army during the Vietnam era. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Hampton.

In addition to his wife of 40 years, Kevin is survived by his sister Carol Buckley and her husband Dennis, his sister Monica Synnott, his brother-in-law Thomas Delaney and his wife Leslie, his sister-in-law Kathleen Richards and her husband Stan, numerous nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends who were there for him to the very end. He was predeceased by his brother James Neil Synnott.

The family would like to thank Dr. Dinesh Kapur and the staff at ECHO, Dr. Susan Kim and her staff at Radiation Oncology, and Dr. Nazer Qureshi, HHC neurosurgeon for all their care and support for Kevin in his cancer journey.

Calling hours will be from 4-6 pm on Monday, January 12 at Potters Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St, Willimantic, funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, January 13 at 11 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 41 Cedar Swamp Rd., Hampton. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be sent to his dearest charity Haitian Health Foundation, 97 Sherman St., Norwich, CT 06360.

01/06/2026

Audrey Havican Barberet

Audrey H. Barberet, First Woman Mayor of Mansfield, Connecticut

Mansfield, CT

October 27, 1929-December 28, 2025

Audrey Barberet (née Havican) of Storrs, Connecticut, died peacefully at home in Storrs on December 28, 2025, after a long illness. She was 96 years old.

An instructor of French and English, Audrey was active in local politics for much of her life. She served on the Mansfield, Connecticut, Town Council from 1972 to 1977, and as mayor from 1975 to 1977 – the first woman to hold that office.

She was a longtime member of the League of Women Voters and was the Mansfield Chapter President from 1968 to 1969. She was known for her hard work on many league studies. A loyal Democrat, she was a member of the Mansfield Democratic Town Committee. Her service to the community earned her the Citizen of the Year Award from the Mansfield Business Association in 1977. She received the League of Women Voters of Connecticut Susan B. Anthony Award in 2003 for her service to the League and to the Town of Mansfield. She was a supreme planner and organizer and enjoyed lively debates about ideas. Audrey was a strong believer in the democratic process, education, and women’s rights.

In 1983, she became a member of the Mansfield Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands Commissions and chaired the Mansfield Planning and Zoning Committee from 1993 to 2004. She served as a member of the Correctional Facility Liaison & Public Safety Committee from 1988-2011, the Town-University Relations Committee from 1996 to 2004, and the Mansfield Discovery Depot, Inc. (fka Mansfield Day Care Center, Inc.) Committee.

Audrey was born on October 27, 1929, in Stamford, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Raymond and Emma (Herbst) Havican, “two days before the stock market crash”, as she used to say. Audrey grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, and graduated from Crosby High School. She completed her undergraduate degree in French at Wellesley College in 1951. From 1952 to 1956, she taught French and English at Cheshire High School in Cheshire, Connecticut. Audrey completed her Master of Arts degree in French at the University of Connecticut in 1956.

She married the love of her life, Gene J. Barberet, a professor of French at the University of Connecticut, in 1956 and enjoyed 64 years of happy marriage with him. He cared for her in her illness until he could no longer do so.

A Francophile, she assisted her husband on three year-long study abroad trips to Rouen, France, with students from the University of Connecticut. She worked as a foreign study advisor at the University of Connecticut and taught French as a part-time lecturer at Eastern Connecticut State College (now Eastern Connecticut State University).

In retirement, she would delight in taking summer road trips around France – although each trip had to include Paris so she could rapture at the view from the Pont Alexandre III. At home, she participated in the Causeries (French conversation table) at the Mansfield Senior Center. She was a faithful parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel in Storrs. Audrey adored chocolate, ballroom dancing, tap dancing, and her bridge group. She delighted in the natural beauty of Mansfield, and she loved family summer vacations at the shore in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

She is predeceased by her husband, Gene J. Barberet; her brother, Raymond V. Havican; and her sister, Janice H. Triano, and survived by a daughter, Rosemary Barberet (Fernando Rodríguez Marín) of Darien, Connecticut, and a son, John Barberet (Leigh) of Winter Haven, Florida. She has four grandchildren: Fernando, Tomás, Dylan, and Jack, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, 46 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 24th, followed by burial at Storrs Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be sent to the League of Women Voters https://www.lwv.org and the Alumnae Memorial Book Fund at Wellesley College www.wellesley.edu/give.

01/06/2026

James Joseph Taylor

James J. Taylor, 72, of Mansfield Center, CT, passed peacefully away on December 30, 2025 into the loving arms of his Savior. Jim was always kind and known to be a gentleman. He spent 20 years in the Navy from 1972. Returning home, he received his college CPA degree. After he retired, he enjoyed singing with his guitar at local venues. Always a lover of music, he expressed it through playing the guitar, drums and keyboard. As a trail runner and hiker, he admired and spoke of nature’s beauty. He provided care for family members.

In the past few years he began studying the Bible, saying he wished people would read the Scriptures. Listening to an audio bible in the hospital brought him comfort. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Jim is survived by his sisters Marilyn A. Taylor and Linda E. Grenon and her husband William; niece Cynthia Grenon with her children Kylyn and Tyler. He also leaves behind cousins, lifetime friends, and special friend Kathryn (Kat) Krueger.

Jim’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, (Rte. 195) Willimantic. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. In lieu of flowers, the family ask to Please do a kind deed in Jim’s name.

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12/31/2025

Joaquin Quinones - Cancela

Joaquin Quinones Cancela, affectionately known to many as Jacko, a devoted husband, loving father, and proud family man, passed away peacefully on 12/30/25 at the age of 86. Joaquin was born in Aguada PR to the late Crispin Quinones and Carmen Cancela. He shared an extraordinary 60 years together with his spouse, Edith Garcia, building a life rooted in loyalty, laughter, and deep commitment to family.

Known to many as a true original, Jacko was an avid fisherman who found joy and peace on the water, rod in hand, stories ready to be told. Long before ride-sharing apps existed, he was affectionately known as Willimantic’s original “Uber” — always on the move, always helping someone get where they needed to go. A natural hustler in the best sense of the word, he had an unmatched work ethic, a sharp sense of humor, and a gift for connecting with people from all walks of life.

Family was the center of his world. He was a steady presence, a provider, a protector, and a storyteller whose lessons were taught as much by example as by words. His love, guidance, and unwavering support will live on through his children, grandchildren, and all who were fortunate enough to call him family.

Jacko is survived by his beloved spouse of 60 years, Edith; his children, Nereida Braasch, Agustin Quinones and Martin Quinones; grandchildren, Alicia Sloan, Michael Angelo, Nathaniel Braasch, Alyssa Quinones, Caitlyn Jaya, Shianne Padilla, Antonio Quinones, great-grandchildren Quinn Padilla, Harrison Padilla, and Nila Jaya, his sisters, Luz Quinones, Aurelia Quinones, Carmen Quinones and Lily Lorenzo, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by other siblings and son Joaquin Quinones, JR.

He will be remembered for his generosity, his grit, his deep love of fishing, and the countless rides, favors, and laughs he gave so freely. His legacy is one of hard work, devotion, and a life fully lived.

A celebration of his life will be held on January 8th at Iglesia Sagrado Corazon, 61 Club Rd, Windham at 10 am followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be January 7th from 5-7pm.

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12/31/2025

Donald W. Ulkus

Donald William Ulkus, 97 left this earth peacefully on December 31, 2025. He was born in New Britain, CT on August 20, 1928, the first-born son of Fred and Agnes (Nelson) Ulkus. He spent his childhood in rural Kensington, CT surrounded by his large loving extended Nelson family and three siblings: Norma Dolan Crandall, John ‘Jack’ Ulkus and James ‘Jimmy’ Ulkus. He attended area schools and graduated from EC Goodwin Technical High School. After graduation, he entered the US Air Force. He proudly served his country during the Korean War Conflict as a Master Sergeant at March AF base in Riverside, CA trained as a boom operator refueling fighter jets midair. He recalled his time in the military visiting faraway places like Hawaii, Japan, Russia, England, Germany and France. In 1953, he married Bernice Gagnon and they returned to Kensington where they raised their two sons: Robert and David. Donald was employed at Southern New England Telephone as a linesman and later a plant engineer after earning his associate in applied science at Hartford State Technical College (1970). After Bernice’s passing in 1979, Donald later married Ethelyn Hoyt and they retired to Venice, FL. Together they traveled to all the continents in the world. After Ethelyn’s passing in 2022, he returned to CT to live with his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Barbara. Donald was a quiet, organized, and polite gentleman who asked nothing of others. He enjoyed playing setback and rummy until his last week of life. He leaves his sons, Robert (Barbara) Ulkus of Columbia, CT and David (Maria) Ulkus of Bethlehem, PA and his grandchildren, Dr. Lindsey Rodrigues (David), Gregory Ulkus. (Julie), and Alexandra Harder (Andrew). He was “Big Papa” to his great grandchildren Kayla, Jack, Zachary, Joshua and Connor. He also leaves his sister, Norma of Berlin, CT and his brother, Jack of Middletown, CT and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his FL family including his stepchildren Michael (Kim) and Karen (John) and grandchildren Sarah, Beki, John, Jeff, Roy and Allyson and several great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Fred and Agnes, brother James, wives Bernice and Ethelyn, and stepdaughter Debra. A private interment with full military honors will take place later at the Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL. Don’s family thanks the staff at St. Joseph’s Living Center in Windham, CT for their compassion care of Dad in his final months of life. Rest in peace, Dad.

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12/30/2025

Vincent A. Nepomuceno

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Vincent Anthony Nepomuceno on December 29, 2025, at the age of 69. A longtime resident of Willimantic, CT, Vincent who is known to his friends and family as Ron or Ronnie, was born in the Philippines on April 3, 1956, to the late Francisco Nepomuceno, Jr and the late Josefita Nepomuceno. He came to the United States in his young teens and spent his earlier years with his beloved aunt, Dr. Nelly Nepomuceno, in Willimantic, Connecticut.

He graduated from Windham High School and attended the University of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University. He attended graduate school and received his PhD in neuroanatomy from the University of Toledo College of Medicine.

Ron is pre-deceased by his older brother Jose Nepomuceno (Susan) of Beaverdam, Virginia. He is survived by his sisters Sandra “Gaye” Carey (Peter) of Sugar Hill, Georgia, and Kathleen Dumapit (Gerry) of Watchung, New Jersey. He is also survived by his brothers Paul Nepomuceno of Willimantic, Ray Nepomuceno (Sharon) of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania, Sid Nepomuceno of Edison, New Jersey, and Kevin Nepomuceno (Rowena) of Highland Mills, New York. In addition, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.

Ron enjoyed vegetable gardening and cultivation of flowering plants and was an avid reader and collector of books specially of the mystery thriller genre. He was a longtime and ardent fan of The Beatles and could be heard in his younger years, strumming his guitar with many favorite tunes of this perennial group. He will be remembered for his quiet ways and kindness and his love of conversing and discussion of scientific topics.

A general Mass and Memorial Service will be celebrated in the spring, which is tentatively set for Friday, April 10 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Willimantic, Connecticut. Updated information will follow.

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12/30/2025

As the New Year begins, we renew our gratitude to the communities we serve. Your trust and connection make our work truly meaningful.

Wishing you peace and comfort in the year ahead. Happy New Year from all of us.