Obituary of Simon A. Lapalme

Simon A. LaPalme, age 87, of Farrows Street, Putnam, died Wednesday at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. He was the husband of Eva (Houle) LaPalme, she died in 1978. He was born May 8, 1919 in Farnham, Quebec, Canada, son of the late Henry and Anna (Malloy) LaPalme. He was employed for many years at the American Screw Company in Willimantic, Hale Manufacturing in Putnam and retired in 1985 from Pallflex in Putnam. He had made his home in Putnam most of his life, a communicant of ST Mary Church of the Visitation and a long time member of the ST Jean Baptiste Society. He served in WWII with the US Army. He was with the 7th Regiment, company F 3rd Division, combat infantryman badge, serving in the Naples-Foggia Campaign, Southern France campaign, Rome- Arno campaign, Rhineland campaign. He was awarded European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 4 Bronze Service Stars, American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, a Purple Heart, Combat & Expert Infantryman Badges Good Conduct Medal and Fourragere in Colors of Croix de Guerre. He was a member of the Putnam VFW #1523. He was active for over 30 years with ST Mary Cub Scout Pack #24. He was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New York Giants. He leaves his children: Claire Rice of Putnam; Lucien LaPalme and his wife Karen of Thompson; Loretta Joly of Putnam; Cecile Favreau and her husband Steven of Oxford, MA; siblings: Simone Gauthier; Rene LaPalme both of North Grosvenordale, grandchildren: Keith; Scott; Patricia; Dean; Heidi: Deryk; Darin, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Richard LaPalme in 1968; five brothers and a sister. The funeral will be Saturday at 11:30 AM from the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon at ST Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence Street, Putnam. Calling Hours will be Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors in ST Mary Cemetery. To Share a Memory with his family, "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com