Lucy Josephine L. Soper


LAKEVILLE — With sorrow and love, we share the passing of our dear mother and my wife, Lucy Josephine L. (Locantore) Soper of Lakeville. Lucy was born on May 11, 1933, the daughter of Joseph and Katie Locantore.
She was born in Bronx, New York, at that time referred to as “Little Italy.” During WW2 so many Italians moved from Italy to the United States and seemed to settle in this area. Lucy enjoyed her childhood in the Bronx and later in New London, Connecticut, with her sisters Hyacinth and Linda. She was predeceased by both sisters; may they be reunited in heaven.
She leaves behind her loving husband Joe, two devoted sons, Glenn and David, four Grandchildren, Katie, Ben, Chris and William as well as two nieces: Paula and Lisa and a nephew Steven.
Lucy worked for the Phone Company in New London, as secretary to the president for several years. She was a stenographer and loved her occupation.
Joe first met Lucy at a place called “Roseland Ballroom” in New York City. Within a few months they were making wedding plans. On Oct. 22, 2023, Joe and Lucy celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.
Lucy and Joe lived in Lakeville for 58 years where they raised their two boys and enjoyed the pleasures of a small, close-knit town. Lucy was a wonderful cook and baker. She enjoyed preparing wonderful Italian meals for her extended family. She was also known in town for her delicious baked goods. Her baked goods were always in big demand at the annual church fundraiser.
Once Joe and Lucy became empty nesters they began vacationing often on the East Coast and taking cruises with her sister Hyacinth and brother-in-law Paul.
In later years they moved to Noble Horizons where they enjoyed their remaining years together.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers who helped support her through her last few years, including Hasmik, and staff from Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County and Noble Horizons. The love and kinship she engendered around her was truly remarkable. Every one of the caregivers enjoyed her beautiful smile. We all are humbled and grateful for the time spent by her side.
Calling Hours are Friday, Jan 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in N. Canaan CT. Funeral will be on Saturday Jan. 27 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Lakeville CT
At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, 32 Union Street Winsted, CT 06098
CORNWALL — At the recommendation of the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, on Jan. 20 the Board of Selectmen voted to move forward with the purchase of two new trucks.
Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, located in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, was chosen as the manufacturer. Of the three bids received, Greenwood was the lowest bidder on the desired mini pumper and a rescue pumper.
CVFD’s Ian Ridgway sat on the truck committee and said Greenwood was not just chosen for the price, but also for the design of each vehicle. He said their models had a shorter wheelbase and more ground clearance, as well as extra storage space on board, compared to the next best bid.
After $100,000 in discounts offered by Greenwood, the combined purchase price for both vehicles was shown to be $1,200,408. The delivery time was estimated at 15 months.
CVFD raised $600,000 during its recent fundraising campaign, of which $500,000 will be given to the town to buy the trucks. That figure will be paired with $720,000 in town truck fund reserves. The additional donated funds will be used to outfit the trucks with equipment and tools.
“I want to praise the town of Cornwall,” said CVFD President Dick Sears. “We’re able to buy these beautiful new pieces of equipment courtesy of the tremendous citizenry of this town.”
FALLS VILLAGE — Robin Lee Roy, 62, of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away Jan. 14, 2026.
She was a longtime CNA, serving others with compassion for more than 20 years before retiring from Heartland in Florida.
Robin loved the beach, sunshine, and gardening, and was known for her strength, humor, and unwavering support of those she loved.
She is survived by her daughter, Sierra R. Zinke, and brothers, Darren Roy and Todd Roy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sharon Thomkins Roy and Robert Roy, and her brother Nevin Roy.
No services will be held at this time.
SALISBURY — Marjorie A. Vreeland, 98, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizons, on Jan. 10, 2026.She was surrounded by her two loving children, Richard and Nancy.She was born in Bronxville, New York,on Aug. 9, 1927, to Alice (Meyer) and Joseph Casey, both of whom were deceased by the time she was 14. She attended public schools in the area and graduated from Eastchester High School in Tuckahoe and, in 1946 she graduated from The Wood School of Business in New York City.
At 19 years old, she married Everett W. Vreeland of White Plains, New York and for a few years they lived in Ithaca, New York, where Everett was studying to become a veterinarian at Cornell. After a short stint in Coos Bay, Oregon (Mike couldn’t stand the cloudy, rainy weather!) they moved back east to Middletown, Connecticut for three years where Dr. Vreeland worked for Dr. Pieper’s veterinary practice.In Aug. of 1955, Dr. and Mrs. Vreeland moved to North Kent, Connecticut with their children and started Dr. Vreeland’s Veterinary practice. In Sept. of 1968 Marjorie, or “Mike” as she wished to be called, took a “part-time job” at the South Kent School.She retired from South Kent 23 years later on Sept. 1, 1991.Aside from office help and bookkeeping she was secretary to the Headmaster and also taught Public Speaking and Typing.In other times she worked as an assistant to the Town Clerk in Kent, an office worker and receptionist at Ewald Instruments Corp. and as a volunteer at the Kent Library.
“Mike” loved the sun, sand and water and spent many summers at Westport Point, Massachusetts with the kids and their best friends, the Bauers.She was the consummate hostess, and a wonderful cook.She also appeared in several plays with The Sherman Players and also a show or two on special occasions at The Kent Community House.She took enjoyment from working outdoors doing chores around her home in North Kent.She lived in that house until she sold it and bought a condominium on North Main Street in Kent in May of 2003.She lived in the condo until 2018 after which her light began to fade and her last 8 years were spent comfortably at Noble Horizons.
“Mike” leaves behind her children, Richard (Susan) of Lakeville, her daughter Nancy Rutledge (Jim) of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Chandra Gerrard (Sean) of Litchfield, Matthew (Larissa) of Lakeville; three great grandchildren, Addison, Emilia and Everett, all of Lakeville.
She was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter Caroline in 2020.
All services are private.The Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in charge of arrangements.
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com
SALISBURY -— Rafael A. Porro, 88, of 4 Undermountain Road, passed away Jan. 6, 2026, at Sharon Hospital. Rafael was born on April 19, 1937 in Camaguey, Cuba the son of Jose Rafael Porro and Clemencia Molina de Porro. He graduated from the Englewood School for Boys in Englewood, New Jersey and attended Columbia University School of General Studies. Rafael retired as a law library clerk from the law firm of Curtis, Mallet Prevost in 2002 and came to live in Salisbury to be nearer to his sister, Chany Wells.
Rafael is survived by his sister, Chany Wells, his nephew Conrad Wells (Gillian), and by numerous cousins in North Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona, Cuba and Canada. He was the eldest of the cousins and acknowledged family historian. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in June. Memorial contributions may be made to Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury and Scoville Memorial Library.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.