Arthur O. Chenette

1930-2023
Putnam - Arthur O. Chenette, 92 of Matulaitis Nursing Home, Thurber Road, Putnam, previously of Pineville Rd. in Ballouville, died peacefully Sunday morning. He was the husband of Harriet (Fifield) Chenette. They were married 61 years prior to her passing in 2011.
Born September 18, 1930, in North Grosvenor Dale to Napoleon and Viola (Beaulac) Chenette. Mr. Chenette attended St Mary's Catholic School and graduate in 1945. There, he tutored many of his fellow classmates. He was a Supervisor at the Hales Manufacturing Mill in Putnam, CT for 27 years. He was then a security guard at National Patent Medical in Killingly, retiring in 1984.
He was a self-taught musician, reading, transposing, and playing music especially on his keyboard piano for family and friends. In the 1950's and 60's he was a member and director of a Bugle Corp Marching Band called the 'Nipmuck Tribe No. 131' of Southbridge, MA. He marched in many parades throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. Later in life, he was an active member of the East Killingly Grange and the 'Happy Singers,' performing frequently at The Westview Manor. He will be remembered not only for his music, but also his ability to memorize anything and everything. He mastered the rubrics cube in less than 5 minutes and his favorite strategic card game to play with family members and friends was double pinochle. First and foremost, he was a hard worker and a family provider. Raising a large family in a full house that was often bursting at the seams.
Arthur is survived by two siblings; Rudy Chenette of Mililani, HI and Ronnie Chenette of Jacksonville, FL; seven children: Elaine Trudo of Wake Forest, NC, Gary Chenette of Crestview, FL, Bernard Chenette of Plainfield, CT, Larry Chenette of Eastford, CT, Karen Chenette of Swanzey, NH, Diana Haggerty of Killingly, CT, and Kevin Chenette of Sterling, CT; 21 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren, and many, many nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by two beloved sons: Alan, and an infant Benjamin.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Arthur's family on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, from 9:00AM to 11:00AM at the Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main Street, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30AM in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, CT. Burial immediately following at East Thompson Cemetery, 120 Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT 06277. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, CT Chapter, 2075 Silas Deane Hwy., Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. For memorial guestbook, visit.