Windsor N. Hall,

WWII vet

Windsor Newton Hall, 87, died March 20, 2015, at  Westview Health Care Center in Dayville. Born Dec. 25, 1927, in Putnam, he was the youngest son of Durham and Helen Phillips Hall.  

After graduating from Putnam High School, he completed Naval basic training in Seneca Lake, N.Y. He shipped out of Little Creek, Va. and served on a U.S. Navy fleet tug on the Atlantic during WWII. After the war he attended Nichols College and graduated with an associate’s degree in business administration. After a brief time delivering milk and working at Bradley Airport he began a 35-year career with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He retired at age 59. Throughout his life, Windsor loved bike riding, hiking, traveling.  He enjoyed writing poetry, playing golf and cards, telling jokes, trout fishing and was always the first one up on the dance floor.

He leaves his wife of 66 years, Mary Ella (Rivers) Hall; four sons, Wayne Hall (Kitty), Mark Hall (Laura), Michael Hall (Deborah), Windsor Hall (Elizabeth); two daughters, Marlene Cronin (David) and Margaret Bumbaca (Joseph); 16  grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law, Priscilla S. Hall. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Walter Hall and D. Allen Hall and daughter, Marla Hall Jackson.

Visiting hours will be from 9 to 11 a.m. April 18 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. A service will be held there from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will be at noon at the W. Thompson Cemetery at the intersection of Riverside Drive (Rt. 12) and Thompson Road.

 

Jennie McGhee

BROOKLYN — Jennie Ann (Shnerch) McGhee, 91, of Brooklyn, died April 5, 2015, after a brief illness. She was predeceased by her husband William Bernard McGhee. 

Originally from Pittsburgh, she was a devoted wife and mother of seven children. She was an avid reader, traveled extensively and was involved in many activities throughout her life. 

She leaves her family: daughters, Kathryn Moore of Portland, Ore., and Mary Elizabeth Chudnow (David) of Tolland; sons, William McGhee (Jan) of Hampshire, Ill., Richard McGhee of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Robert McGhee of San Clemente, Calif.; daughters-in-law, Maria McGhee, and Sandra McGhee; her grandchildren, Daniel, Virginia, Kathleen, William, Brian, Matthew, Rachel, and Stephanie; and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Thomas and James. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. April 8 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Donations: Interfaith Human Service, P.O. Box 281, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Sophie Chzaszcz

Sophie K. Chzaszcz, 97, did March 27, 2015.  Sophie was born Nov. 11, 1917, in Warren, Mass., to Martin and Josefa (Majka) Krzys.   For 59 years she was the wife of Edward Chzaszcz, who died in 2004.

As a young lady Sophie lived in the Quebec Square area of Brooklyn.  On March 5, 1945, she married Eddie at St. James Church in Danielson.  She was a homemaker and bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Chzaszcz Excavating Co.  She worked for Idlewild Farms for eight years, retiring in 1980.  Sophie lived at the same residence in Danielson for 66 years and adamantly drove her car up until two weeks before her 95th birthday.

Sophie enjoyed sewing, embroidering, gardening and shopping and dining at different restaurants with granddaughter, Pamela.  For the last two years she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Bob, where she enjoyed watching the wildlife, tending the vegetable garden, helping Cynthia can vegetables and spaghetti sauce and relaxing on her outdoor swing with granddog, Kasey.

She leaves her daughter Cynthia and husband Clarence “Bob” Bonneau of Moosup; her son David Chzaszcz and wife Cidalia Duarte of West Palm Beach, Fla.; grandchildren:  Ann-Marie and husband Alan Morin of Brooklyn, Pamela and husband Robert Rutledge of Oneco, Kevin Chzaszcz of Westminster, MD and Laura Chzaszcz of Brooklyn, NY; one great granddaughter Taylor Morin of Brooklyn. Sophie was predeceased by four brothers: Michael Krzys, Peter Krzys, Stanley Kurys and Alfred Krzys; three sisters: Nellie Szymurski, Rose Plantier and Theresa Gucwa; and her daughter-in-law Joan Chzaszcz.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 10 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. The Funeral will be at 9:45 a.m. April 11 from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 at St. James Church on Franklin Street, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson 

 

Eugene F. LeClair

DANIELSON — Eugene F. LeClair, 84, of Maple Court, formerly of Boiling Springs, S.C., and Putnam, died April 3, 2015, at home. He was the husband of Shirley (Skidmore) LeClair and the late Jeanne (Lariviere) LeClair.  Born in 1930 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Felix and Rose Alma (Martin) LeClair.

Eugene worked as a foreman and production supervisor at Prym’s in Dayville and Prym-DRITZ in Spartanburg, S.C., for over 46 years.  He enjoyed bowling with friends and family, summer camping in Rhode Island, motorcycle riding, square dancing, and working in his yard.  He was also a member of the Retreads Motorcycle Club.

He leaves his wife of 13 years, Shirley LeClair; his son Laurent M. LeClair (Cyndi) of Lyman, S.C.; his daughter Ann Marie McCard (Joseph) of Portland; his granddaughter Dulcea Courant-Morgan and her wife Miranda of Medford, Mass.; two sisters, Rita Gendreau of N. Grosvenordale and Theresa Boutin of Putnam.

Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. April 8 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.  Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.  

 

Virginia Olsen

EASTFORD — Virginia Olsen, 92, died March 27, 2015, in Westview Nursing Home. 

Formerly of Babylon, Long Island, N.Y., she was the wife of the late Robert Olsen. She leaves five nephews including David Olsen of Eastford. 

A Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. April 11, at the Eastford Congregational Church on Church Road. Burial will be at a later date in Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Donations: Eastford Congregational Church.  Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

David ‘Wheat’ Page

POMFRET CENTER — David “Wheat” Joseph Page, 57, of Hampton Rd., died March 30, 2015, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the husband of Deborah L. (Frappier) Page.  Born in 1958, in Westerly, R.I., he was the son of the late Donald Page and Janetta (Cassidy) Mackie.

Mr. Page was a 1976 graduate of Norwich Technical High School.  He worked as a Union Iron worker for Local #37.  He enjoyed rebuilding motorcycles, reading and tinkering --- what he referred to as “pittle farting around.”

In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Joshua David Page of Florida; daughter, Sibyl Page of Florida; brother, Donald Page Jr. of Alabama; his sisters, Gail Stanley of Virginia, Lori LaRocque of Plainfield, Donna Harris of Florida, Robin Rojas of Florida, and Janell Aguilar of Florida; his grandchildren, Brianna, Nathan, and Kyrsten Williams, Jocelyn Page, Angela and Michaela LaFlamme; and many other stepchildren; and grandchildren.

The funeral was April 3 at Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067.  

 

Charles A. Sutemeyer

DAYVILLE — Charles A. Sutemeyer “Sweet Babboo,” 62, of Dayville died March 28, 2015, at home. 

He was born June 27, 1952, in Putnam, son of the late Charles and Claire (Belisle) Sutemeyer. He married Roberta M. Schwend on May 26, 1995. Charles enjoyed bowling, playing pool, golfing and softball. It’s been said “He was the best softball player this town has ever seen.” He was a Red Sox and Giants fan. He graduated from Killingly High School in 1970. He was last employed at KSS Fuels. By trade he was a printer at Package Systems. He was the proud owner of the Batters Box in Putnam.

 He leaves his (wife) Roberta M. Sutemeyer (sister) Linda C.and& Paul Law of Foster, R.I. (niece) Lynne (Hubert) and Mark Raymond (nephew) Justin Haapala and (great-great niece) Mirabella Rose (niece) Megan and Matt Wade, (B-I-L) Keith & Ravonda Schwend (niece) Denise & Ben; Elliott & Cole Davis (niece) Tracy & Clark Davis (nephew) Thomas Schwend,  (B-I-L) Jeff and Susan Schwend (niece) Wendy and Dave; Hannah and  Joshua Weber (niece) Becky Buck; Ashleigh & Abigail, (S-I-L) Elaine Hamilton (nephew) Aaron and Jessie; Caleb and Cameron Hamilton (nephew) Brian and Heather; Parker Hamilton, (B-I-L) David and Helen Schwend (nephew) Samuel Schwend, (B-I-L) Robert Schwend. Charlie also leaves his fluffy friend, Buddy. 

A Memorial Service was April 4 at The Westminster Congregational Church, Canterbury. Donations: Day Kimball Hospice, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Desruisseau services

THOMPSON — The services for A. Joyce  Desruisseau, 75, of Thompson, who died Feb. 6, 2015, have been changed to 11 a.m. June 6 at Grove Cemetery, Eastford. Donations:  Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation, 282 Washington St., Hartford, CT 06106. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Wetherell services

WOODSTOCK — Peter T. Wetherell, of Woodstock, died Feb. 17, 2015, husband of Mary (Tamblyn) Wetherell. A Celebration of Peter’s Life will be at noon April 11 at the E. Woodstock Congregational Church, 220 Woodstock Road, Woodstock. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

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By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Rhonda Robinson.  When she’s not busy clearing brush, mowing lawns and doing general yard work, Rhonda is hard at work on youth activities at the Putnam Lodge of Elks.  She enjoyed a birthday on March 20.  Wish her a belated Happy Birthday when you see her.

Drive around northeastern Connecticut and one thing you’ll notice is snow- covered golf courses.  Despite the recent melting, golf courses continue to remain snow covered.  If and when they are free of snow, it’s obvious that by the time the courses are ready for play it may be sometime in late April.  This is not good news for area golf owners and operators as well as golfers.

Regardless of the snow cover there are individuals who are already planning golf tournaments that are scheduled for the month of May and early summer.

The initial major golf tournament of the season is the St. James Memorial Shootout scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at Foster Country Club.  This is the 18th edition of the event, which has been run by the inimitable Sam Markley, who likes to quote the pastor of St. James Church in Danielson Father John O’Neill when he says, “This is the best tournament in New England.”

For Markley, who almost single handedly runs the tourney every year, he’s indicated that this will be his final fling.  He’s been saying this for years but by all indications he’s serious this year.  The former Killingly High School three sport standout is working diligently to make this the best tournament ever, as he turns the reins over to a yet unmanned successor.

The Shootout employs the “scramble” format with a shotgun start scheduled for 10 a.m. sharp.  Known for the famous “Markley Long Drive Contest,” the tourney also features cash prizes, an unbelievable raffle, skins game and Markley’s usual wrinkle, which is a new contest every year.  The entry fee is $125 per golfer and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, refreshments, and hot dogs at the turn as well as the noted Foster Country Club steak dinner.

In his final year Markley is striving to surpass last year’s high water mark of $40,000 with the proceeds from the Shootout dedicated to St. James School, which has become the regional parochial school.  St. James is the second largest Catholic grammar school in Eastern Connecticut.  

The tourney is offering a variety of sponsorship opportunities including the newly created Tournament Sponsor at the $5000 level.

“We recently secured an individual who has stepped up to the Tournament Sponsor level.  In the near future we plan on unveiling the identity of that generous person.  Meanwhile we’d entertain anyone interested in discussing any sponsorship opportunity,” said Markley.

In addition to the Tournament Sponsor there is a Platinum level at $2000, which includes two foursome entries.  Gold Sponsorship is $1000 and Major Sponsor is $600.  These two levels include one foursome entry.  The Shootout also offers sponsorships at the Patron Saint level ($500), Cart and Event sponsors ($300), Bronze Sponsor ($200) and Tee Sponsor ($100).  Unique to the St. James Shootout is the Memorial Recognition category.  Individuals donating $50 or $100 to honor a loved one will have that person remembered at a Novena Mass at St. James Church.  Markley will also recognize notable St. James graduates and other area benefactors who have made significant contributions to the community, church and school during the post-tournament program. 

Anyone interested in more information is urged to contact Markley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone – 860 774-5167.  Checks should be made to “St. James” and mailed to Sam Markley, 102 Island Road, Dayville, CT 06241.

Tourney To Benefit Grads Pursuing Medical Careers

On Friday, May 15, Foster Country Club will host the 7th Trevor Palonen Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament.  The scramble format, shotgun start event will tee off at 10 a.m.  Entry fee is $100 per player and includes hot dogs at the turn and a 19th Hole steak fry in addition to golf with carts, raffle and awards.  Tee sponsorships are reasonably priced at $100 and $50.

The tournament proceeds will provide scholarship support for students pursuing a career in nursing or a related medical field.  Organizers Arvid and Pat Palonen (860 564-5965 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Derek Cyrus (860 383-5047) are hoping for a record turnout this year.  Checks may be made payable to TPMSF and mailed c/o 500 Canterbury Road, Plainfield, CT 06374.

Out And About On Sports Avenue

If you see Putnam’s Jim Gothreau about town, it’s not a mirage.  Approximately one month ago Gothreau suffered three strokes, which hospitalized him at UMass Medical Center and later at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital.  Despite suffering some setbacks during his rehabilitation, the courageous Gothreau is back in Putnam and walking Sports Avenue.

Although by his own admission he has “a ways to go before I can even start jogging,” Gothreau is optimistic about the future.  Currently he’s rehabbing and doing light exercise.  He’s regained his speech, which he lost with the occurrence of the initial stroke but will be going for more speech therapy beginning next week.

While he’s recuperating, Gothreau is living with his dad, Leon “Bing” Gothreau.  In a meeting with RPC, Gothreau noted he’d like to thank the many individuals who sent get well cards while he was hospitalized.  He would love to continue hearing from his friends.  Send him a get well note, Jim Gothreau, P.O. Box 22, Putnam, CT 06260-0022.

Racing For Camperships

The Putnam Rotary Club was graced by three individuals representing the Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp at its Tuesday, March 30 meeting.  On hand to bring Rotarians up to date on 4-H Camp progress were Louise Pempek, Sandra Ahola and Heather Logee.

The trio noted that one of its special event fund-raisers is scheduled for April.  The Camper Scamper 5K Race/Walk and 1 Mile Kid Run is scheduled for Saturday, April 18 at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m.  Registration fee is $30 with the youth fee set at $10.  

The race benefits campers by providing scholarship aid to families who are unable to meet the daily or weekly fee.  Runners are encouraged to get pledges in support of the event.  Any runner who has more than $75 in pledges will have their registration fee waived.  The walk and run competitions will award prizes in six categories in addition to the overall winners.

For more information or to register visit the 4-H website, www.4hcampct.org or call 860 974-1122.  The race, which is professionally timed by Last Mile Race Management, begins and ends at the 4-H Camp Lodge, 326 Taft Pond Road, Pomfret Center 06259.  Entry checks should be made out to WT4H Camp with 5K in the memo and mailed to the Taft Pond Road address.

All State Performer

Congratulations to Plainfield High School senior Steve Jankowski who was selected to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association All State boys basketball team.  Jankowski, who was the Panthers top point producer all season, was a Second Team All State selection.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t go to yours.” Yogi Berra

(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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DANIELSON — Members of the Savings Institute team presented two checks totaling $700 to Susan Desrosiers, executive director of The Arc Quinebaug Valley.  “Once again, the employees of the Savings Institute have demonstrated true kindness and dedication to help the citizens of our community.” said Desrosiers.

For several years, the Savings Institute has supported The Arc in many ways. The Arc provides programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other life-affecting disabilities.  Vocational, residential, recreation, day and retirement services offer opportunities for people with disabilities to reach their goals and be integral members of their community. The gifts will help to enhance services provided by The Arc.

“We have truly been blessed with such wonderful community support with regards to The Arc’s mission. It is people helping people that really make this agency shine, and that is all possible with the generosity of the community.” said Desrosiers. The Savings Institute has touched and improved many lives through their support.