Ballard, Drude, Gould, Tullock: Recent Death Notices From Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — Here are some recent death notices from Enfield.

William Ballard, 89, beloved husband of Elizabeth (Cerilli) Ballard, died April 11, 2025. After serving proudly in the U.S. Navy Reserves, Bill graduated from Providence College in 1961, setting the foundation for a career marked by determination and service. He started his professional life at the Providence Journal before finding a long-term home at the Hartford Courant, working as a senior account executive until his retirement in 1995. Never one to stay idle, he later spent over a decade working at the Loomis Chaffee School, forming friendships and offering mentorships everywhere he went. He served on the Republican Town Committee, Enfield Town Council, the Enfield Housing Authority for over 35 years, the Enfield Jaycees and Friendship House.

James Drude, 72, died peacefully in his sleep on May 23, 2025. He graduated from Granby Memorial High School, and received an associate’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. Jim entered the food service business after college, beginning with Lykes Dispensing Systems, where he was honored as Salesman of the Year four times, earning him the title of Branch Manager. He then moved to Moccomat, a division of Sara Lee, where he was hired as the Branch Manager, starting a new office serving Metro Boston and surrounding areas. He next ran the family business, Tagco/Tri Star Gauge; manufacturing thread measuring gauges. His final position was with MSC Industrial, selling cutting tools and industrial supplies.

Eileen (Ovitt) Gould, 90, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, surrounded by her children. After graduating from Bellows Free Academy in Chester, Vermont in 1952, Eileen moved to Connecticut, where she worked for Travelers Casualty. In October 1956, she married the love of her life, Robert L. Gould, with whom she shared 52 wonderful years until his passing. After earning an associate’s degree in business at Asnuntuck Community College, Eileen dedicated herself for 15 years to retail work at G. Fox Company (later Macy’s, then Filene’s) at the Enfield Mall, then at the Ingleside Mall in Holyoke. She had a remarkable green thumb and joyfully maintained extensive flower gardens for many years, passing this love of gardening on to her daughter.

Daniel "Chip" Tullock, 77, passed away on May 22, 2025 after a long, courageous battle with two types of bone marrow cancer: MDS and myeloma. After graduation from Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford in 1965, Dan continued his education at Northeastern University in Boston. In 1969, he married the love of his life, his soulmate JoAnn (Bodwell) Tullock. Ready to begin his career as an electrical engineer in 1970, his life was interrupted by a “Greetings” letter from President Nixon, and Dan went on to serve in the U.S. Army toward the end of the Vietnam War. After 23 years of engineering, Dan followed his heart and his dream; he and son Dave started their own business, T-Square Builders, and the family moved to Somers. After Dan’s declining health issues and eventual retirement in 2020, Dave took over the entire business operation, which continues to thrive today under his expert leadership.