Obituaries pg 8 1-22-15
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‘Jim’ Russell Hilton,
Guard vet
DANIELSON — James “Jim” Russell Hilton, 73, of Danielson died Jan. 16, 2015, at home. He was born July 10, 1941, in Pomfret, to Leonard Russell Hilton and Vera Karlson.
He leaves his wife, Amy Flagg Hilton. Jim and Amy were married on a snowy evening on Dec. 5, 1981. He also leaves three children: daughter LuAnn Hilton Sajjadi (Shar) of Florida, Michael James Hilton of E. Hartford, and Wade Russell Hilton of Danielson.
Jim was a guiding force in his children’s lives. He flew to Montana while Wade was active duty with the U.S. Air Force, coached Mike’s baseball team and was proud of Mike as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, and walked LuAnn down the aisle. Jim also leaves his brother, Lawrence Raymond Hilton and wife Lorraine of New Jersey. Despite distance, Larry kept in constant contact with his brother; checking in and remembering good times young and old.
Jim was employed with the State of Connecticut for 22 years with the Department of Income Maintenance working in the Purchasing Department; he retired in 1990.
Jim was a long time member of the Eastford Independent Fire Department Company. After moving to Florida in 1990, he volunteered at the Lake Helen Fire Department in Florida. He was enlisted with the Army National Guard from 1962 to 1968, and was a devoted Free-Mason with the Putnam Lodge #46, S. Woodstock for over 40 years. Jim was an avid reader of western novels, and will be remembered as thoughtful and generous; always ready with a witty story and a sharp joke. You could not ever find a more honest or caring man.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam followed by a Funeral Service at 1 with burial in South Cemetery Pomfret with military honors. Donations: Hospice and Palliative Care of NE CT: PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or Eastford Independent Fire Company, PO Box 333, Eastford, CT 06242.
E. ‘David’ Blake
CLAREMONT, N.H. — Edward “David” Blake, 79, of Davis St. died Jan. 12, 2015, in the Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont. He was the husband of Kathleen (Barnett) Blake. Born in 1935 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Edward and Dorothy (Jacques) Blake.
Before moving to New Hampshire, where Mr. Blake lived for 30 years, he lived in Pascoag. He was a supervisor for Hale Manufacturing, Cyril Johnson Manufacturing, and Dartmouth Woolen. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working in his garden. He loved doing everything outdoors.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons, David R. Blake of Thompson, Michael Riley of Maine, Jason Blake of Claremont, and Jeremy Blake of Claremont; his daughter, Diane Stevens of Oxford, Mass.; his brothers, Richard Blake, and Gerald Blake; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his son, Daniel Blake and his two brothers, Paul Blake and Philip Wood.
The funeral was Jan. 16 at Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam, burial in Putnam Heights Cemetery in the spring. Donations: American Heart Association.
Gertrude M. Menard
QUINEBAUG — Gertrude M. Menard, 91, of Green Acres Ln, died Jan. 17, 2015, in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late Alfred Menard. Born in 1923 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Antoinette (Gendreau) Hamel.
Gertrude owned and operated GPG Ceramics for 30 years. She was a member of the Ladies of St. Ann, VFW Women’s Auxiliary Post 10088, American Legion Women’s Auxiliary Post 67 and the Thompson Senior Citizens. She volunteered at St. Joseph’s Thrift Shop. She loved her trips to the casino and traveling to Europe, Canada and throughout the U.S. She was an avid sports fan following the Red Sox and UConn women’s basketball closely. The highlight of her day was her telephone call with her sister-in-law Kaye Hamel.
She leaves her daughter, Pat (Bruce) Bodreau of Quinebaug; her grandchildren, Justine (William) Gendreau and Steven (Lisa) Bodreau, her great-grandchildren, Michael Bodreau, Ryan Gendreau, Ashley Gendreau, Jillian Bodreau, Madison Bodreau, Spencer Bodreau, and Dalton Bodreau. She was predeceased by her brothers, Lorenzo “Larry” Hamel, Aldelard “Del” Hamel, Leonard Hamel, Girard “Trainer” Hamel, and Richard “Oscar” Hamel; her sisters, Sr. Lucienne Hamel CSC, Claire Rocheleau, and Jeanne Hamel; and her grandson, Scott Bodreau,
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St. N. Grosvenordale. The funeral will assemble at 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11 in St. Joseph Church, 18 Main Street, N. Grosvenordale. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, 18 Main St. N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255; or to the Quinebaug Fire Department Scholarship Fund, PO Box 144, Quinebaug, CT 06262
Beatrice Hamel
PUTNAM — Beatrice Bonneau Hamel of Little River Acres, formerly of N. Grosvenordale, went to her eternal rest, Jan. 15, 2015, after a short illness. She had made her home at Davis Place in Danielson. She was the wife of Gerard Hamel, he died in 1995.
She was born May 11, 1920.
Mrs. Hamel worked at American Optical Company in Southbridge, as an executive secretary for more than 30 years. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale.
Her only child Cynthia Hamel of Tolland died in 2008, her sister Lauretta Moriarty of Long Island, N.Y., died in 2014. She leaves her special friend Janet Macari of Dudley, nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service was held in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Edward F. Loiselle,
WWII vet
DANIELSON — Edward F. Loiselle, 87, of Danielson, died unexpectedly Jan. 11, 2015, at the Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Lauriante (Lefrancois) Loiselle.
He was born April 9, 1927, in Plainfield, son of John and Exilda (Frenette) Loiselle. Edward was a supervisor at Helikon Mfg. Co. in Taftville. He retired in 1988. He was a veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. Navy.
He leaves, in addition to his wife Lauriante, his son David Loiselle (Francine) of Pomfret; his daughter Linda Daigle of South Carolina; his sisters Florence Tyndall of Central Village; Edna Zercie of South Carolina; Theresa Richmond of Central Village; Doris Lavallee of Central Village; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by four brothers.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 19 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery with military honors. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Lucille Lalumiere
PUTNAM — Lucille J. Lalumiere, 85, of Putnam, formerly of Danielson, died Jan. 18, 2015, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. Lucille was the wife of Gerard R. Lalumiere. He died Oct. 8, 1994.
She was born July 3, 1929, in Putnam, daughter of Alfred J. and Eva (Laflamme) Beaupre. A devoted Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam, and St. James Church in Danielson, and attended the Putnam Catholic Academy. Lucille had made her home in Danielson most of her life. She was a perfectionist at knitting and crocheting. She was known to many as Nana Lu.
She leaves her daughters Linda Hall of Putnam, Diane Oppert of Thompson; five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Irene LaBelle.
Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 21 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Inger Christensen
Inger M (Traulsen) Christensen, 78, died Jan. 13, 2015, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester after a battle with bone cancer. Born Nov. 5, 1936, in Esbjerg, Denmark, she immigrated with her husband and son to the U.S. in 1957. She was the wife of Pouel B Christensen, and in June they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
She was the daughter of the late Orla and Magny (Christensen) Traulsen.
In the 1960s Inger worked at the Keys Department Stores in Webster and Milford as a buyer/supervisor. Inger has been a Real Estate broker in Massachusetts and Connecticut for the past 40+ years, working at Coldwell Banker since the early 1980s. She achieved many of the highest awards possible.
Inger has been very active her entire life as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and she always loved to help people both in a spiritual and material way
Besides her husband Pouel, she leaves her son Preben B Christensen (Mary) of Westborough, Mass.; one granddaughter Erica Marie Christensen of Westborough; by two brothers, Erik Traulsen (Ingrid) of Palm Coast, Fla., Henning Traulsen (Karlene) of Southington, and two sisters Beatta Kinz (Robert) of Framingham, Mass.,, and Doris Lisbet Giroux (Mark) of Oxford, Mass.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 24 at Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester. No flowers. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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American pg 9 1-22-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC column is dedicated to the father and son team of Jim and Steve Gagnon. Jim was a longtime beloved teacher at Putnam High School. Steve is a well known local contractor. Both men are always there to assist others whenever needed. Coincidentally, father and son enjoy the same birthday, Friday, January 23. Happy Birthday, guys.
Baseball people from throughout the state gathered at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington on Friday, January 9 for the annual Connecticut American Legion Baseball Hot Stove Banquet. This was the 14th year that the event has been held to honor individuals and teams associated with American Legion Baseball.
Stamford’s Bobby Valentine, former manager of the New York Mets, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox, was the featured speaker and was honored with the CT American Legion 2014 Alumni Award. Valentine, who was never the most gregarious personality when he was in Boston or for that matter when he worked on ESPN, was eloquent and outgoing in his remarks.
Valentine speaking to the more than 400 guests including many Legion players related his baseball experiences as a young man in Connecticut and how his coaches influenced his life. He also regaled the audience with tales of his days as a player and manager, including his acquaintance with many of baseball’s most noted players and personalities.
“To the young men in the audience remember the three R’s of life. Responsibility, respect and reality are what I tell my players. Always be responsible in everything you do. Respect the game, your teammates, coaches and officials. And live in the real world. Not everyone will reach the Major Leagues. Finally always strive to be the best you can be,” said Valentine.
The event had a tinge of Eastern and Northeastern Connecticut personality. Everett Shepard of Woodstock, who is the State American Legion Adjutant, delivered the opening remarks for State Commander Harry “Butch” Hansen Jr. who was unable to attend. Shepard also enjoyed the honor of presenting each recipient with a commemorative baseball bat symbolic of their recognition.
Jesse Hahn, who pitched for the San Diego Padres last season, was honored as the CT 2014 American Legion Major League Player of the Year. Hahn is a graduate of Fitch High School and played for New London American Legion Post #9 prior to moving on to professional baseball. He was recently traded to the Oakland Athletics at the end of the season after putting up a 7-2 record last season for San Diego.
The CT American Legion New England Coach of the Year Award went to Jay Hickey who coached the RCP American Legion team to the World Series in 2014. Hickey is the brother of former St. Mary’s School Principal Phyllis Hickey. Matt LaBranche, the coach of Eastern Connecticut State University, was recognized as the College Coach of the Year.
On hand representing TriTown American Legion Baseball was Joe Lindley of Thompson, the team’s secretary of the executive committee along with Junior coaches Mike Carignan and Gunnar Andersen.
Bobcat Prowling Putnam
A bobcat was spotted in Putnam on Saturday, January 10 but it wasn’t of the four-legged variety. Tom Moore, coach of the Quinnipiac University Bobcats, was spotted in the crowd at the Putnam Science Academy and Mt. Zion contest. Moore was intent on the play on the court as some of his future players were in action.
The Robinson twins, Andrew and Aaron, have committed to Moore for next season. Andrew posted 16 points and 16 rebounds in front of his future boss, while his brother Aaron played well despite some foul trouble. Moore also had his eye on three Mt. Zion players whom he’s courting, 6-foot, 11-inch Rokas Ulvydas who hails from Lithuainia, 6-6 Tugay Balyan from Ankara, Turkey and 6-4 Sean Lloyd.
In an exclusive interview with RPC, Moore was very high on the play of former Marianapolis standout Ousmane Drame, who’s been his leading rebounder and one of his top scorers. He also noted the former PSA big man Chaise Daniels “is progressing nicely. We expect big things from him as the season moves on and in the future.”
In the Bobcats most recent win, a 66-54 victory over Marist, which put them at 8-7 on the season, Drame led the team with 15 points, while freshman Daniels added five key markers.
Sick Call
The Plainfield girls’ basketball team, which is chugging along at a 6-6 pace after beating a good Tourtellotte team 49-35, received some bad news from sick bay. Senior Adrienne Lorange who has been a mainstay of the Lady Panthers success all season is out indefinitely with an undisclosed illness. Adrienne, along with her sister Madeline, and Julie Jordan has been a leading scorer and rebounder for Plainfield. RPC sends along get well wishes and a speedy return to the hardwood. She saw limited action in a loss to Montville.
Welcome Traveler…
Putnam Science Academy, which is rolling along at 18-2, received a late Christmas present when 6-4 combo-guard Brandon Hurst showed up on the Maple St. campus in the 06260 zip code. Hurst, who is a sophomore, is described by coach Tom Espinosa as “very athletic and who can score the ball in many different ways.” In his first three games he’s averaging about seven points a contest with the ability to shoot the three.
Hurst lives in East Hartford. He played two seasons at University High School and transferred to East Catholic High School at the start of this season. Hopefully for Hurst and the Mustangs this will be his final high school stop.
Thompson Speedway to Host Historic Racing
This year Thompson Speedway Motorsports Oval Track celebrates its 75th anniversary. The brainchild of the late John Hoenig, the 5/8-mile oval was the first paved track in the Eastern United States. Under the guidance of Donald Hoenig, his son DR and the recent addition of his grandson Jonathan, the Speedway has witnessed significant growth.
To celebrate its 75th anniversary the oval will witness the return of historic racing for the first time since 2012. On Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16 the Thompson track will host the Historic Oval Invitational featuring any race cars built prior to 2000. This will include Midgets, Sprints, TQ Midgets, Super Modifieds, Champ Cars, Vintage Outlaws, Stock Cars and much more.
A feature is also planned in the form of a Hot Rod 7 Classic Car show on the Saturday morning of the signature weekend. The cost to display a car is $10, which includes grandstand admission for the event. Anyone wishing more information should visit the website at www.thompsonspeedway.com or telephone 860 923-2280.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: To say impossible always puts you on the losing side.
(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
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Girls pg 10 1-22-15
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By Ron P. Coderre
Basketball victories for the local girls’ high school hoop teams were harder to come by this week than the proverbial “hen’s teeth.” Plainfield High School, which split a pair of games, was the only team in the region to win a game in last week’s action.
The preps enjoyed much more success as Pomfret School enjoyed a 2-0 week and the Marianapolis V1 unit was 2-1. The Lady Golden Knights V2 team and Hyde-Woodstock were winless.
Pomfret School Enjoys
Perfect Week
Pomfret School women’s basketball raised its record to 6-4 with a pair of relatively easy wins last week. The Golden Griffins opened with a 47-23 victory over Portsmouth Abbey on the road. Alyzae Davis with 16 points and Deja Ross with 15 combined for two thirds of the team’s offense in the win. The Griffs followed the victory with a 60-34 romp over St. Mark’s School at home. Davis (18) and Ross (15) were joined by Juliette Lawless with 13 points in the win over the Saints.
Marianapolis posted a 54-37 victory over Hotchkiss School behind Caroline Soucy’s game-high 17-point effort. Sophomore Jordan Frye chipped in a dozen points. The Lady Knights closed out the week with a 59-43 win over Northfield Mount Hermon as Soucy with 15 points led the way for 8-7 Marianapolis.
Sandwiched between the wins was a 57-42 loss to Noble & Greenhough. Soucy was the team’s leading scorer once again with 15, while Nicole Anderson added a dozen. The MPS V2 unit fell to 2-5 on the season when it was beaten by the Hoggers 25-18.
Hyde-Woodstock’s high scoring machine, Trayniece Mims continued her offensive assault on the record books by tallying 25 points in a 65-31 loss to St. Andrew’s. The Wolfpack is 3-5 overall.
Woeful Week on the Hardwood for High School Fives
Plainfield High School picked up the only win of the week for local girl squads with a 49-35 win over Tourtellotte. The 6-6 Lady Panthers were led by Madeline Lorange, who unleashed 29 points on the Lady Tigers. Julie Jordan added 10 points for the winners, while Tourtellotte was paced by Abbie Poirier with 11 markers.
Plainfield lost its other contest to Montville 51-42. The Lady Panthers trailed throughout despite 16-point efforts each from Lorange and Jordan. Tourtellotte completed its week by losing to Fitch 46-45 in overtime. Allie Ablondi, with 19 points, was the 8-3 Lady Tigers high scorer.
Woodstock Academy lost to East Lyme 53-45 and Windham 51-46. Galina Gruder with 17 and 19 points and Becky Messier with 14 and 11 were the only double-digit scorers for Woodstock, which drops to 5-7 on the season and 1-4 in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division.
Killingly lost to St. Bernard 38-35 and Stonington 74-47. Meagan Bianchi had 10 and 14 points respectively in the losses as the Redgals drop to 3-9 overall and 0-5 in the ECC Medium Division.
Putnam was pummeled by Parish Hill 58-18 to go to 5-5 and 4-2 in the Constitution State Conference – East. Ellis Tech, suffering through a winless season at 0-10 overall and 0-5 in the CSC – East, lost to Windham Tech 64-16 and Holy Family 39-19.
Alberts pg 11 1-22-15
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State Representative Mike Alberts (R-50) has proposed a bill that will allow farm wineries to sell brandy made from fruit harvested on premises but distilled off premises.
The bill, HB 5119, will not only increase sales and revenue of these farms but will also increase local traffic and tourism. A similar bill was proposed in 2014 and was unanimously passed on the House floor, but it did not receive a vote in the Senate.
“Current permits do not allow this practice, which is unfortunate,” Alberts said. “These farms are producing something that will attract new customers and new visitors to the area.”
On Jan. 9, the Environment Committee voted to draft the bill as a Committee bill, which means that it is one step closer to receiving a public hearing in the coming weeks.