Changes Coming and Going at Thompson International Speedway

By Ron P. Coderre

In the middle of January there usually isn’t any news coming from Thompson International Speedway, but last week a flurry of news emanated from the racing venue that is starting its 74th season in 2014.

Word out of Hartford from Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office indicated the state will lend the Speedway $800,000 for upgrades to its facility.  A few days later the Speedway issued a surprise statement via e-mail on the sudden departure of Director of Competition Jeff Zuidema.

State to Assist with Improvements

In what will be a big boost to the effort to restore the track’s 1.7-mile road course, the State of Connecticut announced an $800,000 loan at 2 percent interest over a 10-year period to the Thompson Speedway.  The funds will be directed to the repaving project, which has been ongoing.  The funds will also be used to erect a 15,000 square foot garage building comprising classrooms for driver education, new offices, restrooms and a pro shop.  Improvements will also be made to safety and fencing systems, a bridge structure, storm water control systems and other support facilities.

Thompson Speedway employs 48 individuals and plans to hire another 23 over the next two years.  The loan, which is being provided through the Economic and Community Development office, stipulates that $200,000 of the loan principle will be forgiven provided the track maintains its current workforce and lives up to the hiring projections.

Thompson, known for its 5/8-mile oval track, is the premier racing venue in the Northeast.  In the late 1960s Thompson also featured a road racing course, which eventually went out of existence.  

In June 2013 the Speedway, owned by the Hoenig family, started efforts to renew and improve the former road course.  Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is anticipating a June 2014 opening.  Construction will continue to take place in phases throughout 2014.

Director of Competition Resigns for Personal Reasons

In October 2013 Thompson Speedway announced the retention and promotion of Jeff Zuidema as Director of Competition based on the outstanding job he’d done the previous racing season.

On Jan. 13 in a prepared statement Zuidema said, “I’d like to thank the Hoenig family for the great opportunity and confidence they have shown in me.  Unfortunately, I find myself having to resign my position as Director of Competition at Thompson Speedway due to ongoing and worsening back conditions.  I hope you all will continue to support all of the efforts made at Thompson Speedway.  I have always said that the greatest people in the world are racing people and I truly believe that.  I hope to see you all at Thompson Speedway in the future as a spectator.  Thanks for the years of support and some of my greatest memories.”

Zuidema had a great background in racing.  As a driver he was a four-time track champion at Thompson and amassed a total of 52 victories.  

“We wish to thank Jeff Zuidema for the work he has done in improving our oval track program.  He has invested countless hours and amounts of energy into his work, and has been a great asset to our company.  We wish him well, and hope he finds effective treatment for his chronic back condition.  He has long been, and will continue to be, a friend of both Thompson Speedway and the Hoenig family,” said the Speedway e-mail in a prepared statement.

 

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Theodore Anderson,

Army vet

E. WOODSTOCK — Theodore Anthony Anderson, 72, of  East Woodstock, died Jan. 17, 2014, at home. He was born March 21, 1941, in Putnam, son of the late Arvid and Doris Anderson. 

Ted was the owner of Anderson Construction Company and made his home in East Woodstock all his life. He was a graduate of the Woodstock Academy, where he participated in sports. After graduation he entered the U.S. Army serving in Germany. Ted was a proud member of the Muddy Brook Fire Department.

He leaves his son Kyle Anderson of Pomfret; his sister Signe Stevens of Woodstock nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Arvid Anderson. 

 A Graveside Service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 24 at the Elmvale Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations: Muddy Brook Fire Dept., PO Box 222, East Woodstock, CT 06244. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Annette DesLauriers

WALTHAM, Mass. — Annette DesLauriers, 53, of Waltham, formerly of Putnam, died Jan. 6, 2014, after a short illness at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Annette was born Nov.  29, 1960, in Putnam, daughter of Edgar and the late Lucille (Rondeau) DesLauriers.  

Annette graduated from St. Mary Catholic School, Putnam High School and UConn. She enjoyed arts and crafts and loved to paint. Annette also loved her cats.

She leaves her father Edgar DesLauriers of Putnam; sister Patricia Ann of Melbourne, Fla.; aunts, uncles and nieces and nephews, John Rondeau (Lillian)  of Putnam, Lucien DesLauriers of Escondido, Calif., Richard DesLauriers (Delores) of St. Petersburg, Fla., Theresa DesLauriers of N. Grosvenordale, Donald DesLauriers (Rhea) of Quinebaug, and Lorraine LaPalme of N. Grosvenordale.  Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Earl Bill,

WWII vet

WAUREGAN — Earl Bill, 92, of Manchester, formerly of Wauregan, died Jan. 14, 2014, at Manchester Hospital. He was the husband of Jeanne (Gladu) Bill. They were married July 21, 1945, in Sacred Heart Church. 

He was born Aug. 1, 1921, in Enfield, N.H., son of Lizifore and Rena (Mason) Bill. 

He moved to Wauregan in 1939 where he worked at Wauregan Mills. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Wauregan. Earl was a veteran of WWII, served with the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart. After his honorable discharge, he went into the building and construction business working as a construction foreman for Gilbain and Schnip Construction Companies. He retired in 1984. Earl was member of the Wauregan Knights of Columbus, a Third Degree Knight, a Past Grand Knight, and served as financial secretary. He was active with the Community Kitchen in Wauregan as coordinator and cook. Earl was a former member of the Atwood Hose Co., an avid fly fisherman. His memberships include the Valley Springs Sportsman’s Club in Thompson, Pomfret Rod and Gun Club, Moosup American Legion and Wauregan VFW. 

In addition to his wife Jeanne, he leaves his son, Ronald Bill of Quincy, Mass.; two daughters: Andrea Mercier of Manchester and Jacqueline Riley of Woodbridge, Va.; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 18 in Sacred Heart Church in Wauregan, with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wauregan, with military honors. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

M. Scott Petersen,

WWII vet

WOODSTOCK — M. Scott Petersen, 95, of  Prospect Street, Woodstock, died Jan. 13, 2014, at the Overlook Masonic Home in Charlton, Mass., after  a long illness. Scott was born in Franklin, N.H., and moved to Woodstock at a young age. 

He was employed at Pratt and Whitney working in Gauge Control, retiring after 26 years. He was a veteran of WWII  serving with the U.S. Army. Scott was a member of the Putnam Masonic Lodge, AF & AM in Woodstock and the Woodstock American Legion #111.  

He leaves his wife of 65 years, Marilyn (Shead) Petersen, his son Scott G. Petersen and his wife Diane of N. Grosvenordale; granddaughters Maryellen Petersen and Leanne M. Petersen; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and mother Morris and Mary (Scott) Petersen and his sister Ann Mellen. 

Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in the spring in Center Cemetery, Woodstock with military honors. Donations: Overlook Hospice, 88 Masonic Home Rd, Charlton, MA 01507. 

 

Daniel F. Perron,

WWII vet

BROOKLYN — Daniel F. Ferron, 93, of Brooklyn, and Sun City West, Ariz., died Jan. 5, 2014, at home in Arizona. He was born Dec. 18, 1920, in Woonsocket, R.I., son of the late Omer J. and Mary Anne (Chauvin) Ferron. He was the husband of Pamela Gagnon Ferron. They were married July 16, 2005. His first wife, Frances (Gagnon) Ferron, died Jan. 10, 1998. 

He was a graduate of Killingly High School, Class of 1939 and attended LaSalette Seminary for three years. Dan operated the Alice Eleanor Shop in Danielson from 1965 to 1995. He had also operated Puritan’s in Danielson from 1952 to 1965. Dan was a veteran of WWII, serving with the U.S. Army, a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. Dan was a member of the Brooklyn Tennis Club for over 40 years. 

He leaves his wife Pamela; his step son Jeremy Gagnon (Marianne) of NY, NY; step daughter Rebecca (Sanjay) Purandare of Danville, Calif., three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife Frances, a sister Solange Mays, two brothers, Paul and Roland. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 16 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: St. James School Scholarship Fund, in memory of Daniel Ferron, St. James Church, 12 Franklin St., Danielson, CT 06239.  Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Helen V. Meehan

WOODSTOCK — Helen Viola Meehan, 99, of Woodstock died Jan. 14, 2014, at Regency Heights in Danielson. She was the wife of the late James J. Meehan. He died in 2000.  Helen was born Feb. 8, 1914, in Putnam, daughter of Arthur and Gertrude (Billings) Garceau. 

She made her home in Woodstock most of her life and was a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret where she was active for several years. She was a waitress at Deary Brothers and Putnam Country Club. Helen was a member of the Woodstock Historical Society. She had a great sense of humor and was known for being outspoken and always had things under control. She loved cooking, canning, baking and housekeeping. 

She leaves her son Michael of Woodstock; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Leona, Beatrice and Florence and her brother Harry. 

Graveside Services were Jan. 18 in Elmvale Cemetery in Woodstock. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St. 

 

A. ‘Pete’ Thibeault,

Korean war vet

MOOSUP — Alfred L. “Pete” Thibeault, 78, of Moosup, died Jan. 12, 2014, at the WW Backus Hospital in Norwich. He was the husband of Georgette Marie (Desjardins) Thibeault. They were married June 14, 1958.  

He was born April 20, 1935, in Taftville, son of the late Joseph and Eva (Desaulniers) Thibeault. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict serving in the U.S. Army. 

Pete worked as a brick layer’s tender and later was employed at Kaman Aerospace and retired from Pervel Industries. Pete worked part time for many years at the service station on the Turnpike in Moosup. He was a communicant of All Hallows Church in Moosup. He enjoyed working around his house and caring for his property. He was a fan of UConn girls’ basketball and the Boston Red Sox. Pete will be remembered for always helping people, he was always willing to lend a hand. 

He leaves his wife of 55 years Georgette Marie; his son Steven Thibeault (Sheryl) of Moosup; his brother Francis Thibeault of Missouri; two grandchildren Jason Thibeault; Amanda Thibeault and Jay Baillargeon;  great-grandson Jaimon. He was predeceased by his sisters Cecelia Martin and Delores Gibson.  

The Mass of Christian burial was Jan. 20 at All Hallows Church, Moosup, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson, with military honors. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

David G. Sharpe,

WWII vet

 MENDON, Mass. —  David G. Sharpe, formerly a longtime resident of Thompson,  died Dec. 20, 2013.  He was the husband of the late Elizabeth J (Benson) Sharpe who predeceased him in 1992. He was also predeceased by his granddaughter, Kathryn E. Sharpe in 2003.

Mr.  Sharpe was born Sept. 22, 1927, in Thompson, the only living child of the late  Kenneth C. and Natalie E. (Cutting) Sharpe. He was a graduate of Putnam High School class of 1946.

 He served in the U.S. Army during WWII.

 Mr. Sharpe was employed for 21 years as a security officer for Wells Fargo throughout northern and southern Connecticut, retiring in 1989. He moved to Massachusetts in 1997 to be closer to his son David and family. With them, he enjoyed trips to Tortola, BVI, Cape Cod and most recently, Martha’s Vineyard as well as many local excursions. 

Mr. Sharpe enjoyed scaled model shipbuilding , Titanic history, playing his organ, and daily Bible reading. 

He leaves his son David D. Sharpe (Jennifer);  grandchildren Markenson, Gaberiel and Rachael all of Mendon; another son John E. Sharpe of N. Grosvenordale, and a daughter Diane E. Leger of Michigan. 

A Celebration of his life was Jan. 18 in Mendon. Donations: Wheels for Rachael, P.O. Box 150, Upton, MA 01568.  Buma Funeral Homes.

 

 

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Guarding

Cody White of Putnam, a security agent at MAPFRE, guards the 2013 World Series trophy with Red Sox mascot “Wally the Green Monster.” Courtesy photo.

 

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to James Frost, owner of the Courthouse Restaurant in Putnam.  Frost is a former Putnam High School football lineman.  Today he confines his athletic endeavors to golf and occasionally riding his bicycle.

Working in security can often be a lonesome job.  Making rounds on off hours.  Very few people to interact with on evening and overnight shifts.  But sometimes an event comes along that is a lifetime moment that will be etched in ones memory forever.  Just such a moment occurred recently for Putnam resident Cody White.

White, who is a 2010 graduate of H.H. Ellis Technical School in Dayville, is currently employed in security at MAPFRE (the former Commerce Insurance) in Webster, Mass.  The company recently had a distinguished visitor at its location.  Wally the Green Monster, the mascot of the Boston Red Sox and a very good friend of Jerry Remy, was at MAPFRE for a visit.  Wally was accompanied by a treasure that not many folks get the opportunity to see in person, the Red Sox 2013 World Series trophy.

While the trophy was at MAPFRE, one of the Red Sox major sponsors, White was assigned to guard the precious award and protect Wally from the many fans who wanted to get a piece of their hero.  According to White, this is one of the benefits that comes along only rarely in his type of work.  But he took it all in stride, like a pro, much like Wally.

When he was at Ellis Tech, White was a member of the Eagles wrestling team.  He is a black belt in tang soo do and a member of the Putnam Fire Department.

Recently White was a patient at Day Kimball Hospital where he underwent a successful planned shoulder surgery, which was not related to the “man hug” he received from his new found friend, Wally the Green Monster.

Coaches In The House

The success of the Putnam Science Academy basketball team has been attracting coaches from throughout the region and the country to the Mustangs’ gym.  On Jan. 10 the team entertained Believe Prep from South Carolina.  One of the spectators in the crowded bandbox was Providence College coach Ed Cooley.

According to reports, Cooley was there to scout one of the guards from the Rock Hill, S.C., team but walked out being more impressed with one of the Believe big men.  The Scientists won the game over Believe, which was ranked 12th in the nation, by a 105-77 margin.  Maybe Cooley should have been looking at some of the Putnam Science Academy players instead.

Also on hand was Assumption College assistant coach Dan Wendt a graduate of Chaminade in Hawaii.  According to word around the Worcester campus, the Greyhounds are interested in the Scientists’ 6-foot, 4-inch Anthony “Bull” Durham who comes from Philadelphia.  Wendt also alluded that they think very highly of 6-7 Jalen “The Alaskan Husky” Terry.  Durham is a player who can handle the rock and shoots it well.  He’s capable of playing guard or small forward.  Terry shoots the ball from beyond the arc well for a big man and is a rugged rebounder.

UConn Husky On The Bench

The young ladies from Marianapolis who play for coach Lauren Moore are fortunate to play for an individual who brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Golden Knights program.  There’s also an added bonus for playing in the Marianapolis girls’ program.

Heather Buck, the former UConn Husky, has been working with the team as an assistant coach as her time allows.  Buck has been conveying techniques, especially defense and inside play, she learned from coach Geno Auriemma during her five seasons on the team.

Buck, who hails from Stonington, was the Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year when she was a senior for the Bears.  As a high school player she scored more than 2000 points during her career.  Although relegated to a substitute role at UConn during her time at Storrs, she did have some moments where she played key minutes in games that kept the team’s record winning streak alive.

A magna cum laude graduate, Buck is currently working as a nurse.  She recently became engaged to her fiancé, whom we understand was a football player for the Huskies.

Spotted In The Crowd

When the University of New Haven Chargers visited Worcester to play Assumption College a large contingent of northeastern Connecticut individuals was on hand.  Coach Tom Espinosa along with his assistants Josh Scraba and Ryan Walsh brought the Putnam Science Academy team to see the game because one of the New Haven players is a former Mustang.

Jemal Mosely, who last season helped PSA to a 22-8 record, is a member of the Chargers of coach Ted Hotaling.  Mosely has been seeing plenty of action as the first sub off the bench for the 10-4 Chargers.

Also spotted in the crowd was former Plainfield High School great Wayne Irons along with his wife, son and grandson.  Irons, who was one of the best baseball players to grace the diamond in Plainfield, later went on to an illustrious softball career.  He’s a member of the Connecticut Softball Hall of Fame.  His son Mark is a graduate of Assumption College.

Pam Lomerson of Killingly was one of the officials working the LeMoyne College versus Assumption women’s contest Jan. 14.  Lomerson is a highly respected NCAA referee who works approximately 65 Division I and II women’s contests each basketball season.

Catching Up With College Players

Two college freshmen, who last season were playing on different courts in Putnam, recently turned in stellar performances for their college teams.  Former Putnam Clipper Ashley Espinosa, currently at Worcester State University, had the best game of her young college career when she tallied 15 points in a tough setback at the hands of Keene State.  She followed that performance with four points against Becker College despite being saddled with foul trouble.

Paul Brooks, the former Putnam Science Academy Mustang who is currently a member of the Worcester State University Lancers, was named the MASCAC Men’s Basketball Rookie of the Week.  Brooks averaged 11 points and 8.5 rebounds during the week of his selection.  Through the first 13 games of the season Brooks is averaging 5.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest, he also leads the team in blocks with 13.  The best performance for the 6-9 center/forward was a 14-point, 10-rebound and two block game in a victory over MCLA.

The Quinnipiac University duo of Ike Azotam and Ousmane Drame continues to be the top performers for the Bobcats.  The former Marianapolis standouts led coach Tom Moore’s team to victories over MAAC top ranked teams Iona and Manhattan.

Finally, Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith, the former PSA standout, now a member of the University of Dayton Flyers, is becoming a regular on television.  Smith and the Flyers were seen recently on ESPN2 and SNY.  He’s averaging about 15 minutes per game for coach Archie Miller.

From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History…

January 13, 1906: On Saturday afternoon, the young ladies’ team of Woodstock Academy will play the young ladies’ team of Killingly High in Danielson.  All ladies are invited to attend.  Gentlemen will not be allowed to attend.  (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Be yourself.  Everyone else is already taken.”  Oscar Wilde

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