Obituary of Alphonse "Chela" H. Kolat

Alphonse H. “Chela” Kolat, 89, of Putnam, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Hartford Hospital in Hartford. Alphonse was affectionately known as Chela. He was born August 3, 1925 in Putnam, CT son of the late Joseph and Carolina (Dzioba) Kolat. On November 22, 1947 at St. James Church in Danielson, he married the love of his life Evelyn A. Szmist, they made their home in Putnam, CT. Chela was a communicant of St. Mary Church in Putnam and lived his life in Putnam. He attended Israel Putnam School and Putnam High School. He joined the United States Navy on September 30, 1942 after High School. As a WWII Navy Combat Veteran, he served aboard the ships; the USS Anticline and the destroyer the USS Saterlee, as a third class petty officer gunner’s mate. He participated in four major actions in the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater, the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France earning the American-European Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars. Chela worked for 38 years with American Optical in Putnam and Southbridge. He was the superintendent of the shipping department. He ended his working career at Belding-Cortecelli Mfg. in Putnam after 10 years. He belonged to many organizations, as life member of the; Putnam Elks, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans and Eagles of Southbridge. He was a Charter Member of the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. He was a loving husband and a good friend to many. His passion was his garden, in which he loved growing vegetables and mostly gave away to family and friends that wanted fresh vegetables. He loved and fed all the birds and cats who came to get breakfast at the Kolat’s house every morning. He made sure that bird seed and cat food was on the shopping list every week. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Evelyn Kolat of Putnam, a sister-in-law, Edna Szmist Lavallee of Danielson, his uncle Daniel Dzioba of Ledyard and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Emeryk Kolat of Putnam, Frederick Kolat of Putnam, his sisters, Helen Lulli of Southbridge, MA, Julie Kowalski of Southbridge, MA and Flora Kempain-O’Neil of Worcester, MA. Calling hours will be Sunday, March 15, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and Monday, from 9:15 to 10:15 AM at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence Street, Putnam, CT burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to NECCOG, P.O. Box 759, Dayville, CT. 06241. Share a memory with his family at www.smithandwalkerfh.com