POMFRET — Pomfret School has announced the names of students who were named to the high honor roll for the 2014 spring term. High honors are earned with a grade point average of at least 3.5 and no grade below a B–.

Alicia Brisson of Pomfret Center, a member of the Pomfret class of 2014, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Rebecca Bullied of Pomfret Center, a member of the Pomfret class of 2017, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Alexander Chase of Pomfret, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Brody Childs of Eastford, a member of the Pomfret class of 2016, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Maguire Crouse of Woodstock Valley, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Evan Cunningham of Pomfret, a member of the Pomfret class of 2017, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Sydney Fisher of Pomfret, a member of the Pomfret class of 2016, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Nickolas Fulchino of Pomfret Center, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Abigail Horst of Pomfret, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Nathaniel Kremer of Pomfret, a member of the Pomfret class of 2014, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Hallie Leo of Pomfret Center, a member of the Pomfret class of 2014, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Renee Leveillee of Thompson, a member of the Pomfret class of 2014, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Keith O’Hara of Woodstock, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Maxfield Paro of Pomfret, a member of the Pomfret class of 2017, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Rebecca Pempek of Putnam, a member of the Pomfret class of 2016, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Molly Schroder of Woodstock, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Connor Shea of Putnam, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Aaron Soucy of Thompson, a member of the Pomfret class of 2017, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Peter St. Lawrence of Thompson, a member of the Pomfret class of 2014, earned high honor roll distinction. 

William Wong of North Grosvenordale, a member of the Pomfret class of 2014, earned high honor roll distinction. 

Keith O’Hara of Woodstock, a member of the Pomfret class of 2015, earned high honor roll distinction. 

 

Burton W. DeVries,

U.S. Navy vet

E. WOODSTOCK — Burton W. DeVries, 90, of E. Woodstock, died July 21, 2014. 

He was born in East Douglas, Mass., the son of Broer and Nessie DeVries. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Parks. He was a member of the Old-Timers Ski Group at Wachusett and the Benson Flugel American Legion.

He leaves his wife of 67 years, Barbara (Brown) DeVries; his daughter Brenda Chaplis of Boylston, Mass.; son Brian DeVries of Charlton; four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his sister Helen Taylor and brothers Paul and Herman DeVries.

A Memorial Service was July 27 at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Woodstock. Donations: Woodstock Emergency Medical Services, PO Box 222, South Woodstock, CT 06267 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Emilda Plante

ASHFORD — Emilda Plante, 96, of Ashford, formerly of Woodstock and Florida, died July 22, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. She was the wife of the late Archie Plante. He died in 1982. 

She was born June 13, 1918, in Ballouville, daughter of Joseph and Donelda (Messier) Cusson.

She worked in local mills as a textile worker. Emilda enjoyed reading and crocheting. 

She leaves her daughters Wanda Fabian of Ashford, Barbara Kallini (Adel) of Delray Beach, Fla., Shirley Kempain of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandchildren Paula Salvas, Norma Fabian, Nancy Butts, Christopher Kallini, Jason Kallini, Jonathan Kallini, Kimberly Sellers and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Oliver Cusson. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was July 25 at St. Joseph Church, Dayville, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Francis Aubin

DAYVILLE — Francis “Whip” A. Aubin, 80, of Dayville, died July 27, 2014, at home. He was born Oct. 27, 1933, in Putnam, son of the late Odilon and Emma (LeFlash) Aubin. On June 8, 1957, he married the love of his life Gail T. Ledogar in St. Anne Church Ballouville.

Francis was a communicant of St. Anne Church in Ballouville. He was a member of the Danielson Elks, American Legion and The Knights of Columbus. He loved to play horseshoes and go fishing for bullhead.  He had a witty sense of humor and was friendly to everyone. Francis was an avid Red Sox fan and celebrated on his 70th Birthday with a Red Sox World Series Win in 2004.

He leaves his wife Gail T. Aubin of Dayville; a son Francis A. Aubin Jr. (Cheryl) of Pomfret;  daughter Patricia Aubin of Chaplin; grandchildren Craig Aubin (Jamie) of Thompson, Holly MacLeod (Eric) of Brooklyn, Amy LaPrade (Anthony) of Woodstock, Olivia and Alex Aubin-Brouillard of Chaplin; great-grandchildren Ayla and Ashel. He was predeceased by his siblings Ernest, Noel, Donald, Beatrice, Rita, Helen and Leo.

The Funeral will be at 9 a.m. July 31 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

Constance T. Reynolds

EASTFORD – Constance “Connie” Reynolds, 62, of Eastford, died July 26, 2014,  at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam after a brief battle with cancer. She was born Jan. 17, 1952,  in Putnam, daughter of Doris (Ritchie) Hand of Ashford and the late David Dubeau. She was the wife of John W. Reynolds. They were married in March of 1970. 

Connie worked as a certified nursing assistant at Douglas Manor in Windham and prior to that worked at St. Joseph Living Center in Willimantic. She was a hospice volunteer. 

Besides her husband and mother she leaves her sons, John D. Reynolds of Eastford, Keith W. Reynolds and fiancée Sharie Potter of Woodstock and Jason P. Reynolds (Roseanna) of Eastford; grandchildren, Jacob, Thomas and Cassandra Reynolds; brothers, sisters. She was predeceased by her grandson Joseph Reynolds. 

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. July 31 in Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson. Burial will be in Eastford Grove Cemetery. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.

 

Barbara Benoit

Barbara Louise (Charest) Benoit died July 21, 2014, at home. 

She was born June 18, 1938, in Attleboro, Mass., to the late George and Lena Charest. The family moved to the Danielson area where Barbara attended Killingly School through her junior year. 

At that time, the family moved once again and moved to Bridgeport where she graduated from Warren Harding High School.

Since graduating, Barbara lived in the Brooklyn and Killingly areas for the remainder of her life. 

She enjoyed reading, cooking, entertaining, playing tennis and skiing; however, her greatest passion was her dogs. 

She loved each and every one of her dogs in a very special way and her smile would light up the room whenever they entered. 

Another love of Barbara’s was to visit Old Silver Beach in Falmouth Cape Cod. 

Her love of that beach was transferred down to her grandchildren and she was able to spend the previous weekend with family in her favorite place that she often referred to as a “little bit of heaven on earth”. 

She enjoyed visiting her “old stomping grounds” and sailed the ocean on one of the most beautiful sunset cruises in which she not only witnessed a stunning sunset; she was also able to witness a beautiful full moon rising over the ocean.

Barbara is predeceased by her brother, Danny and two husbands, Paul Sarault of Brooklyn and Roland Benoit of Killingly. 

She leaves two daughters, Lynn M. Laperle (Douglas) of Brooklyn and Laurie J. Guay (Gary) of Thompson; one son, Mark W, Blain (Debra) of Douglas, Mass.; two granddaughters, Brittany L. Laperle of Salem, N.H., and Amy Bouzrak of Thompson; two grandsons, Aron D. Laperle of Brooklyn and Matthew Guay of Thompson; and two great-grandchildren, Sami and Safia.

The Mass of Christian Burial was July 25 at St. Joseph Church, Dayville, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Our Companions Animal Rescue, 46 Floeting Road, Ashford, CT 06278. 

Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Adele A. Cole

WEBSTER —  Adele A. (Langlois) Cole, 79, died July 26, 2014, after a period of declining health.

She was born in Woodstock and raised in Putnam, a daughter of Theodore and Lucy (Lafountain) Langlois and moved to Webster in 1953.

Mrs. Cole worked at Stevens Linen. She was a communicant of St. Louis Church. 

She leaves her husband of 35 years, Guy M. Cole; three children, Julie L. Sterczala and her fiance Robert E. Lee, Lorene M. Gouin (James), and Glenn A. Bacon Jr., all of Webster; three grandchildren, Kelly L. Barnaby (rich), Stephen L. Sterczala (Katie), and Jenna E. Gouin; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gloria Hickey in California and Lucille Miller of Killingly. She was predeceased by a sister and three brothers. 

The Funeral Mass was July 30 in St. Louis Church, Webster, with burial in Calvary Cemetery, Dudley. Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster.

 

Alice Parker

N. GROSVENORDALE — Alice M. (Armes) Parker, 85, of N. Grosvenordale, died July 20, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam.

Alice was born in Yorktown, N.Y., daughter of the late Lawrence and Lillian (Sundean) Armes and lived in Colorado before moving to N. Grosvenordale 35 years ago.  

She was a retired cook, having worked many years at Day Kimball Hospital.  She enjoyed bowling, knitting, baking and crocheting.

She leaves a daughter, Barbara J. Basley of Danielson; a brother, Rawlins Armes of Florida; four grandchildren, Bradley Belanger, Kayla Belanger, Kara Langevin and Eric Belanger; a great-grandson, Kyle Langevin.  She was predeceased by a son, Edmund Motrucinski.

A Celebration of Life will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 2 in the Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.  

Burial will be private. 

 

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By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to old friend Dick Loomis.  A former Putnam High School football lineman, Loomis restricts his current athletic endeavors to fishing, hiking and an occasional round of golf.  Loomis blew out an unknown number of candles on the cake on July 30.

A contingent of 43 golfers from Pomfret and the surrounding area trekked to Keene, N.H., for the 12th Annual Red Robbins Memorial Tournament.  The group was treated to a beautiful, fun-filled day on the South Course at Bretwood Golf Club according to the contingent’s unofficial scribe Mary Thomas.

It’s an understatement to say that the foursomes were evenly matched as five teams finished with identical scores of 11 under par.  Based on matching cards the foursome of Bob Willis, David Perron, Glenn Ellsworth and Paula Cathell was declared the winner.  Second place went to Greg Pike, Dan Ledogar, Stu Cathell and first time participant David Smutnick.  The show place went to the group of John Smutnick, Justin Loura, and Skip and Chris Ayers.

Closest-to-the-pin winners were Derrick Renaud (3rd hole); Ellsworth (#7); Jason Smutnick (#12); and Stu Cathell (#16).  The skins pot was divided by the foursomes of Don Pike, Jim and Donna Bartolomei and Jason Smutnick and the group of Ryan Willis, Ryan Auger, Ed Perron and PJ Smutnick.

The Mayor’s Award in honor of Bobby Ellsworth was presented to Don Pike, while the Anchor Award was won by the foursome of Fran Baranski, Bob Auger, John Rogers and Donna Lefevre.  

The entire group paid tribute to a pair of its regulars, Milt Rollinson and Stan Sheldon who died this year.

The group is so enthused about the trip; they’ve already planned the 2015 trek to the northlands for July 9th.

Aces in the Hole

It may be the recent hot weather or maybe there’s something in the drinking water but the local golfers are enjoying an unusual streak of holes-in-one.  Two more aces were reported this week.

Adam Shaw, one of the finest young men to ever graduate from Putnam High School, recorded the first hole-in-one of his golf career.  

Playing golf since he was 9 years old, Shaw added a little pizzazz to his ace.  In typical Shaw fashion it wasn’t a routine ace on a par three.  

“The shot,” as it was described by those who witnessed the historic event, was made on the par-4, 8th hole at Harrisville Golf Club, which measured 250 yards.  He used his driver for “the shot” that took place on Thursday, July 17.

Shaw’s playing partners, who witnessed the event, were Treavor Smith, Colt Foley and Michael “Artie” Artiaco.  As Artiaco said, “Shaw is in an elite group of golfers who can say they have made a double eagle or an albatross.”

Another young man (ahem), A. David Babbitt who’s been playing in the Thompson Lions League for well over 40 years, also recorded the first hole-in-one of his career.  His ace took place on the par-3, 17th hole at Raceway Golf Club in Thompson, which was playing 145 yards.  

Babbitt used his trusty 4-utility club and was hitting a Titleist NXT for his historic shot.  Witnesses to Babbitt shot were his partners Ron LaFleur, Ron Brissette and Steve Smith.

Babbitt gave credit for the success of the league to the late Jim Naum and to Dave Johnson who is currently running the operation.

Former St. Joe’s Hoop 

Standout Visiting Area

A recent visitor to northeastern Connecticut was Jack McDermott, former basketball standout at the now shuttered St. Joseph’s High School in N. Grosvenordale.  

During his high school hoop career McDermott helped to lead tiny St. Joe’s to many upset victories over opponents with much larger enrollments.

Today McDermott resides in California outside the San Francisco area, where he’s retired from an enjoyable and rewarding lengthy career in education.  

The 1965 St. Joe’s graduate is enjoying retirement playing golf and volunteering at non-profit organizations.  Every year he mans the 17th hole at scenic Pebble Beach for the annual PGA Pro-Am event, which he describes as “fabulous duty.”  Look for him on television next year.

Happy Anniversary

If you see former Putnam Police Chief Ed Perron or his wife Caroline Perron in the next week jot yourself a note to wish them a Happy Anniversary.  The Perrons will celebrate 53 years of wedded bliss on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

“The Chief,” who has been retired eight years, is a 1960 co-captain of the Putnam High School Clipper football team.  He is remembered as one of Putnam’s fiercest linemen ever.  Mrs. Perron has been a fixture in the Mayor’s office for many years.  She’s often referred to as “Mrs. Mayor.”

Fathers and Sons on the Links

The 78th Connecticut State Golf Association Father & Son Championship was played on Wednesday, July 9 at Lyman Orchards Golf Course in Middlefield.  The one-day event was won by Chris and William Simone with a 2-under par 70.

The local father-son twosome of William MacNicki  Sr. and Will MacNicki Jr. represented the Northeast well with a score of 83.  William, Sr. plays out of Mohegan Sun at Pautipaug and Will, Jr., who can be found in the kitchen at Someplace Special Restaurant in Putnam, is a member at Harrisville Golf Club.  

Field Hockey Revolution at Pomfret School

Revolution Field Hockey Camps will hold a pre-season camp at Pomfret School from Sunday, Aug. 3 to Wednesday, Aug. 6.  The program for players ages 10 through 18 is run by elite coaches.  The residential camp is $535 and the day program is $435.

Jaime Ginberg, head coach at Smith College, is the program director.  Pomfret School coach Louisa Jones is the site director.  

Anyone wishing more information should contact Jones at 860 963-5295.  To register, call 800 944-7112 or visit www.FHcamps.com. 

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Along the way, remember to have fun.

(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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