Bernie Galek
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William Paul Corcoran
Dec 17, 2025
LAKEVILLE — Paul passed away on Dec. 7, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Paul was born on Aug. 24, 1940, to the late Gray and Gladys Vandyke.Paul spent most of his life in Lakeville.At an early age, he worked at Community Service in Lakeville along with his father. He then became the lumber yard manager.After leaving the Community Service, he worked as a custodian at Salisbury Central School.
He was predeceased by his four brothers, Tom, Jim, Jerry, and Peter.
Survivors are the love of his life, his wife Norma of 34 years, his two stepsons, Glen and Michael Surdam, his grandchildren, Ben, Franchesca, Glynn, Sierra, and Sidney.
Paul’s wishes were to be cremated and have no service.
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Jai Nathan Thomas Marshall
Dec 17, 2025
SHARON — Jai Nathan Thomas Marshall, 31, originally from Sharon, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 4, 2025.
Born in Torrington, on April 4, 1994, he leaves behind his adoptive parents, Tom and Linda Marshall, a daughter, Mylieonah Jai Lynae Marshall, four sisters, Chauntine Donovan, Quinlin Marshall, Salirae “Ping” Marshall and Celie Besmer; two nieces, Zendaya Marshall and Inara Donovan and many cousins.
Jai also leaves behind his mom, Kathleen V. Ambery, his uncle, Noel F. Ambery ll and was predeceased by his grandparents, Noel “Frank” Ambery Sr. and Marie (nee) Barrow of Falls Village.
As a boy, Jai traveled across the world with his family and touched many lives. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a kind and gentle spirit. He gave us many years of joy until mental illness struck him in his prime. Jai loved his family and will be forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, our beautiful soul. To honor his memory, please say a prayer for all those who suffer endlessly and are misunderstood in our society. A private gathering will be held to celebrate Jai.
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Bonnie Lynn Hunter Sheldon
Dec 17, 2025
CANAAN — Bonnie Lynn Hunter Sheldon, 75, of East Canaan, passed away Nov. 28, 2025, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, where she was born on Dec. 17, 1949.
Bonnie was the daughter of Lester William (Bill) Hunter, Jr., and Huldah (Bet) O’Donnell Hunter.She grew up in Canaan and spent her entire life in the Northwest Corner. She was a graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School and received her BA degree from George Washington University. She later did advanced studies in Gerontology at the University of Hartford.
Bonnie was the wife of Robert Sheldon prior to her move to East Canaan where she lived for the past 23 years with her partner, Robert Mather.
Bonnie’s early career was as an assistant doing research and editing for the syndicated columnist, Robert Yoakum, in Lakeville. Her interest in and passion for politics and current events continued throughout her life.In her later life she made a career change and became a recreational therapist at Noble Horizons in Lakeville. She loved and cared deeply for the residents she worked with.Her kind, compassionate nature made her a natural in the field of geriatrics.Bonnie loved animals and to the delight of the residents she brought her dog to work with her.
An avid runner, Bonnie competed in numerous local 5K and 10K road races for many years. Her other interests, talents and loves were reading, puzzling, gardening and cooking. She loved reading as a young child and went through most of the available books at the Douglas Library. This love of reading and writing continued through her study of literature and journalism at George Washington University. Additionally, she was a wonderful grandmother. She always enjoyed and supported her grandkids’ curiosity, loved watching them swim, and kept a nurturing eagle eye on them and their safety while in her care.
Survivors include her brother, Barry James Hunter and wife Christine, ofLempster, New Hampshire, her two aunts, Lynn Hunter Cline, of Sharon, and Cynthia Hunter Fenton and husband Terence, of Lincoln, Massachusetts, Robert Mather, of East Canaan, his son Justin Mather and wife Caryn Wright of Boulder City, Nevada, two daughters, Sarah Pollock and husband Brendan Pollock of Southfield, Massachusetts, and Bethany Mielke and partner Jamie Foster of Sandisfield, Massachusetts, grandchildren Isabella Pollock, Fiona Pollock, and Evan Mielke as well as numerous nieces and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother, Robert (Duffer) Hunter.
Calling hours and a church service will be held in January.Date and time will be announced. The Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home of Canaan, CT, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corp. PO Box 178, 15 Main Street, North Canaan, CT 06018, www.northcanaanems.org.
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Clayton Squire Smith
Dec 17, 2025
LAKEVILLE — Lifelong Lakeville resident, Clayton Squire Smith, 90, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2025, at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, enveloped in the love of his attentive, tight-knit family.
Born on Dec. 16, 1936, in Sharon Hospital, Clayton was the son of Harold M. and Evelyn K. (Meiklejohn) Smith, both educators, of Lakeville,
Clayton was known for his sharp mind, gentle temperament, and lifelong curiosity. He had a deep interest in nature, history, meteorology, and data analysis; passions that reflected his inquisitive spirit and keen observations of the world around him.
After graduating from Salisbury School in 1954, Clayton went on to receive a BA in History from the University of Connecticut in 1958. With a strong acumen for analyzing data and attention to detail, Clayton furthered his education to become a nationally certified laboratory technologist, enabling him to secure a job as a lab technologist at Sharon Hospital, a position he held for 30+ years.
As a young boy, Clayton enjoyed annual summer vacations with his family to their lakeside cottage in Winthrop, Maine. With a desire to pass on the tradition of cherished, nature-filled experiences, Clayton took his family on yearly oceanside camping trips to Rhode Island (among other places) and devoted an entire summer to travelling across the country, visiting as many national parks and historical landmarks as the season allowed.
Throughout his life Clayton thrived on peaceful, restorative activities: tending to his garden and property, observing nature (especially birds), and listening to classical music from his carefully curated collection.
More recently, Clayton enjoyed a satisfying social life at Noble Horizons. His favorite outings included excursions to restaurants, ice cream parlors, and local historical sites. Back on campus, Clayton looked forward to attending musical and cultural events, participating in still-life painting classes, winning at Bingo, and sharing laughs and daily meals with his dear friends, Martha Eustis, Peter Reyelt, Joe Soper, and Sally Pohlemus.
Clayton is predeceased by his wife Cynthia “Cindy” of 53 years with whom he built a forever home on an idyllic, family-oriented street. He is survived by his son Darren Smith of Salisbury, his incredibly devoted sister Marion Romeo and her husband Fred of Lakeville,niece Susan Romeo of West Cornwall, niece Deanne (Romeo) and husband Jim Lyle of Sharon, niece Lori Romeo and husband Norman Leighty of Goshen, nephew David Romeo and his wife Suzanne of Quincy, Massachusetts, as well as two cousins, four grand nephews, and two grand nieces.
Clayton was admired for his kindness, gentle strength, and unwavering loyalty to those he loved. He was a steady presence to friends, neighbors, and all who knew him. His warm smile and thoughtful conversations will be remembered with great affection.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the staff and administration at Noble Horizons for their compassionate and tender care, especially during his final days.
In lieu of flowers, Clayton’s family invites you to honor his memory by stepping out of your comfort zone to help someone in need.
A celebration of Clayton’s life will be held in the new year at the Noble Horizon chapel. Ryan Funeral Home in Lakeville is in care of the arrangements. To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com
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