Obituaries pg 8 1-16-14



Stewart M. Tatem
WWII vet
EASTFORD — Stewart Meacham Tatem,  91, went to his home in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ Jan. 10, 2014. He is now free from Alzheimer’s disease.
Stewart Meacham Tatem was born March 31, 1922, to Harry and Floy (Meacham) Tatem. He was the younger brother of Olive Tatem Walker and John McNeil Tatem. He graduated from New Hampton School, New Hampton, N.H., after which he attended Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio for two years, ceasing his studies in order to join the Army Air Corps during WWII. He was a lifelong resident of Eastford.
He married Gladys L. Ettell in 1942. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1944 and served as a radio instructor. After being discharged Stewart returned to Eastford to help run the family woodworking business, started by his great grandfather in 1864. Stewart worked in the mill and eventually became president of Tatem Manufacturing Co.
Stewart lived his life for the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Congregational Church of Eastford, as a member for most of his life, he served on many committees, led high school youth groups and sang in the choir from an early age. He was also a ‘lay preacher’ for several churches over the years.
Stewart was one of the last remaining charter member of the “Eastford Independent Fire Company Number One” established in 1942. He was a member of the “Gideons, International” for 66 years. In the 1960s he was on the “Conservative Congregational Christian Conference” national board and continued as a lifetime member. Stewart served on the advisory board for Hartford National/Connecticut National/Shawmut Bank for many years. Stewart served as Probate Judge for the town of Eastford for 33 years. Stewart became a Registered Professional Engineer in June 1979. In the 1980’s the Crystal Pond Association was organized by Stewart.
Stewart had many different interests that include skiing (snow and water), skating, flying his “Piper Cub” airplane, kite flying, traveling, and sailing. Spending winters in Maui, Hawaii was a favorite part of Stewart and Gladys’ retirement.
Stewart leaves his son Dick Tatem (Judi) of West Unity, N.H.; son David Tatem (Kris) of Hartford, Wisc.;  and daughter Beverly Lindemann (Bruce) of Eastford; nine grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Gladys, Jan. 18, 2006.
A service of celebration will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 18  at the Congregational Church of Eastford. Donations: The Congregational Church of Eastford, PO Box 177, Eastford, CT  06242. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Walter J. Breault,
Army vet
DAYVILLE — Walter J. Breault, 83, of Ballouville Road, died Jan. 11, 2014, at the Oakwood Nursing and Rehab in Webster. He was the husband of Lorraine (Savoie) Breault. They were married in 1951 in St James Church.
He was born June 20, 1930, in Canada, son of the late Theodore and Irene (Lambert) Breault. He worked at Rogers Corporation as a Machine Tender and as a hobby was also a cobbler for many years. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. He was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his wife and foliage tours in New Hampshire.
He leaves in addition to his wife Lorraine, his sons, André Breault (Angela) of Manchester, Roger Breault of Brooklyn; two granddaughters, one grandson. He was predeceased by two sons, Walter L. Breault in 1952 and Joseph W. Breault in 1986, two brothers Richard Breault of Plainfield, Paul Breault of Plainfield and one sister Lucille Breault of Canada.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 17 in St Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Gloria Lavigne
KILLINGLY — Gloria M. Lavigne, 82, of Danielson, died Jan. 7, 2014, after a short illness. She was born in Grafton, Mass., daughter of the late Arthur and Dorila (Cofsky) Rivernider.
She leaves her husband of 61 years, and the love of her life Normand R. Lavigne. She also leaves her sons, Gary D. Lavigne (Carol) of South Windsor, Paul R. Lavigne of Danielson; her daughters, Gail M. Trudeau (Guy) of Brooklyn, Ann D. LaRoche of Boylston, Mass., Joan C. Barlow (wife of Dr. Dennis Barlow, recently deceased) of Eastford, Susan C. Lavigne of Rome, Ga.; her sisters, Ruth Lewcon of Uxbridge, Mass.; Evelyn Daley of Summerfield, Fla.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Wallace Rivernider and her sister, Shirley Rivernider.
The Funeral Service was Jan. 10. Donations: Your favorite charity. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Hazel Frink
WOODSTOCK — Hazel (Holland) Frink, 79, of Woodstock, died Dec. 19, 2013, in Coventry, R.I. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years Barrett Frink. He died Jan. 26, 2012.
She was born Sept. 17, 1934, in Providence, daughter of the late Jerome V. and Minnicent “Penny” (Bates) Holland, She was a graduate of the St. Xavier High School and the Rhode Island School of Pharmacy. She was a member of St. Stephen Church in Quinebaug, and a member of the Church Ladies Guild. She enjoyed knitting, dancing and singing.
She leaves her daughter, Karen Frink of Elkin, N.H.; a grandson Cameron Holland Wood of Andover, and a niece Cheryl Blackmer of Woodstock.
The Funeral Service will be held in the spring in North Woodstock Cemetery. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Doris C. Gileau
PUTNAM —Doris C. Gileau, 84, of Putnam, died peacefully Jan. 8, 2014, at Kindred Nursing Home in Webster. She was the wife of the late Armand Gileau. They were happily married for 55 years. Born Aug. 25, 1929, in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Philip and Rose (Laflamme) Croteau.
Doris was an avid bowler, loved playing cards and bingo. She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Putnam.
She leaves four children, two daughters: Denise Marshall of Thompson and Gale Gileau of Putnam; two sons: Kevin Gileau of Windham and Bradford Gileau (Lisa) of Wellington, Fla.; a brother, Richard Croteau (Nancy) of Bonita Springs, Fla.; three grandchildren: Carrie Norris of Killingly, Matthew and Brett Gileau of Wellington; great-grandmother to Kayleigh Norris of Killingly. Doris was predeceased by a brother, Arthur Croteau.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 13 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Day Kimball Hospital, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Thomas Seaton Jr.,
WWII vet
MOOSUP — Thomas J. Seaton Jr., died Jan. 2, 2014. Mr. Seaton was born on Aug. 5, 1922, on Fishers Island, New York, to Harriet Cranska Seaton and Thomas J. Seaton.
He grew up in Moosup, attended Plainfield High School, and then attended Bowdoin College, Maine.
In 1944 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a pilot and aerial gunnery instructor during WWII. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he attended Centre College, Kentucky, and completed his education at Columbia University, earning a master’s degree in library science in 1953.
He married Marguerite Parks in December 1952. In 1954 he was posted to the United States Department of Defense School system in England, where he served as a high school librarian until 1985. In 1990 he returned to the United States, living in Thompson, and later in Woodstock.
Mr. Seaton enjoyed many interests including, hiking, golfing, gardening, piano playing, and collecting antiquarian books. He taught adults to read and changed a number of lives as a literacy volunteer.
He leaves his wife Marguerite Parks Seaton, daughter Jean Seaton Keleher of Kensington, Md.; his son Thomas J. Seaton III of Waldorf, Md., and his son Edward A. Seaton of Pomfret Center; five grandchildren, Christopher, Alexander, and Claire Keleher, and Elena and Jeffrey Seaton; two sisters Evelyn Seaton Treiber of Central Village and Jean Seaton Rosane of Middlebury, Vt.  
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Germaine Goudreau
DANIELSON —  Germaine D. Goudreau, 76, died Jan. 7, 2014, at her home at Maple Courts.
She was born Jan. 18, 1937, in (Goodyear) Rogers, daughter of the late Arthur and Bella (Rickey) Briere. She was a graduate of Killingly High School and was employed at various types of businesses, lastly at Day Kimball Hospital Homemakers in Putnam. She was a diehard Boston Red Sox and Patriot football fan, a talented craft person and great cook.
She leaves her son Anthony Paquin of Bolling Green, Ky.; brother Leo Briere of Danielson; sisters, Lorraine Parkhurst of Brooklyn and Florence Magrey of Dayville; stepbrothers, David Rickey of Plainfield, Robert Rickey of Moosup, Raymond Rickey of Jewett City. She was predeceased by two sons, Richard Michael Paquin and Gerard Richard Paquin; sister Dorothy Hyland and brother Arthur J.N. Briere.
Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.

Former pg 9 1-16-14

By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to Putnam native Peter Regas.  One of the community’s biggest cheer leaders, Regas is a big supporter of everything Clippers.  Enjoy the column, Pete.
Since the arrival of Geno Auriemma on the UConn campus in Storrs, women’s basketball in Connecticut and the United States has never been the same.  Many may claim that other coaches before he arrived set the tone in women’s basketball but its indisputable Auriemma has certainly been the person who not only revolutionized the women’s game but he’s also had so much to do with generating the fan interest that the game enjoys today.
Along the way Auriemma has produced a litany of super stars; among them are the likes of Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird, Jennifer Rizzotti, Cara Walters, Diana Taurasi, Carla Berube, Svetlana Abrasimova, Tina Charles and many others.  In the mix of all the greats that have played for the Huskies there’s one individual who often gets overlooked despite having definitely put her mark on the history of women’s basketball at UConn.
In the late 1970s Plainfield High School boasted of a young lady basketball player who was setting local courts on fire with her play.  Her name was Cathy Bochain.  Playing for coach Jim Cotter, Bochain led the Lady Panthers to unprecedented heights.  She enamored not only the Plainfield faithful but basketball fans from all over northeastern Connecticut.
Her play led her to UConn, in the pre-Auriemma era, where she continued to shine.  Many believe that she and other players such as Leigh Curl were the Husky pioneers who set the tone for what the program is today.
Playing in creaky and leaky Alumni Hall, the Bochain Huskies attracted sparse crowds of approximately 50 to 100 fans for their games. Yet, without the benefit of the three-point arc, Bochain lit up the UConn scoreboard to the tune of 1,534 career points.  In 1998 Bochain was ranked 7th on the all-time Connecticut scoring list.  
The advent of the three-point arc, the faster, more wide open game plummeted Boachain on the all-time list faster than the Dow-Jones during a recession.  By 2009 she had dropped to 14th place and entering 2014 she was 18th on the career scoring parade.  She was passed by Bria Hartley in 2013 and is currently being hotly pursued by Stephanie Dolson, who by the time you read this may have surpassed Bochain , dropping her to 19th place.
Another disadvantage that Bochain faced was the fact that when she graduated cum laude with a pharmacy degree there was no American professional league for women to move on to.  Bochain proved that an athlete could excel in sports while following a rigorous academic program.  In 1983 when she received her degree she was the Huskies leading career scorer, had the most career steals (240) and most steal in a single game (10).  
Following a brief stint as a pharmacist at Day Kimball Hospital, Bochain moved on to a career in pharmacy management with CVS.  Today she is very successful managing a CVS store in Storrs.  Although the rewards are different than had she been afforded the opportunity to play professionally in the WNBA, she has reaped honors for her play approximately 30 years ago.  In 1992 she was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.  A humble individual, Bochain performs her work for CVS much the way the she attacked her athletics and academics from 1979 to 1983 at UConn, professionally.
Lady Hoopster Shines at Bella’s
Bella’s Restaurant in Putnam is a popular dining spot not only because of its sumptuous menu but in large part due to the pleasant wait staff that cater to the local dining clientele.  Among the smiling faces that care for diners every need is a Massachusetts lady by the name of Megan (Bowes) Carney.  Little do people realize the Bowes-Carney was once an outstanding collegiate basketball player.
A 1993 graduate of Worcester State University with a degree in education, Bowes-Carney was a stalwart on the court for the Lady Lancers.  As a high school player in Oxford, Mass., she attracted the attention of many college coaches.  In fact, she opted for Division III WSU over an opportunity to play at Division II Stonehill College.  As a power forward at Oxford High School she teamed with Carla Berube, who later went on to star at UConn, to lead the team to a perfect record and a State championship.  
The next time you’re at Bella’s if your waitress flips you your drink, meal or salad with a behind-the-back pass, watch out.  It may be Megan Bowes Carney demonstrating her basketball prowess.
Boston Fine Dining
Three Putnam area couples celebrated their wedding anniversaries with a getaway weekend in Boston.  Bill and Kathy Zamagni, Chico and Pat Panu and Moe and Pam Coderre took Boston by storm enjoying a few days in Beantown.
One of the high lights of the sojourn was the opportunity to relish the gourmet offerings of some of Boston’s finest restaurants.  On what was intended as a quiet evening of dining the trio was excited to be seated next to New England Patriots lineman Tommy Kelly, who this season has been sidelined with a knee injury.  They not only enjoyed speaking with Kelly and his lovely wife but they met three of the standout basketball players from coach Tommy Amaker’s outstanding Harvard Crimson hoop squad.
Zamagni is a former Putnam High School quarterback, Panu a former star on the Tourtellotte Memorial High School hardwood and Coderre, a three-sport Putnam Clipper stalwart.
BCS Champions By a Whisker
If you watched the historic final chapter of the BCS football era, you were treated to a see saw battle between Florida State University and Auburn University.  The contest went down to the final 13 seconds before the FSU Seminoles finally won on a touchdown toss by Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.
On hand for the game, which was played at the fabled Rose Bowl in Pasadena California, were Putnam residents Jim and Bev Shaw, both graduates of Florida State University.  Although the final score turned out to their liking, they admitted that the contest was a seat-squirmer that was very exhausting.  Go Noles!
From The Annals
of Putnam Sports History
January 5 and January 12, 1906: Windham defeated Putnam 56-17 in Willimantic.  PHS returned the favor, defeating Windham 21-15 at Putnam.  (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: The harder the race, the more glorious the triumph.
(If you have sports items worthy of publication please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Tough pg 9 1-16-14

By Ron P. Coderre
The start of 2014 was extremely tough on the local girls’ high school teams as everyone suffered at least one loss coming back after the holidays.  Killingly, Woodstock Academy and Ellis Tech went a combined 0-8 for the week, while Putnam was one-and two and Plainfield one-and-one.  Tourtellotte at 7-1 suffered its first loss of the season.
Pomfret School and Marianapolis continue to roll along as they were a combined 3-0 last week.
Tourtellotte Rebounds After First Loss of Year
Coach Carla Faucher’s Tourtellotte Tigers traveled to St. Bernard and were unable to get its offense in gear as they were dropped by the Saints 63-24 in its worst showing of the season.  Much to the team’s credit it bounced back for wins over Wheeler and Putnam.
On the road in North Stonington the Lady Tigers took the measure of the Lady Lions 48-38 behind its leading scorer Ali Ablondi who posted 13 points and sophomore Abby Poirier with 10.  The Lady Tigers then had an easy time against archrival Putnam, beating the Lady Clippers 51-24.  Ablondi with 18 points was Tourtellotte’s major weapon in the win.  
Putnam bounced back from its loss to Tourtellotte with a convincing 50-29 victory over University High School.  Makenzie Kaylor with 20 points and Cynthia Briere with 11 were the big guns for the Lady Clippers.  Despite a 21-point effort from Kaylor, Putnam was unable to overcome O’Brien Tech as it lost 48-41 to fall to 3-5 overall and 1-0 in the CSC East.
Plainfield defeated Fitch at home 49-40 as it received 11 points apiece from Madeline and Adrienne Lorange and 10 from Alicia Cournoyer.  The Lady Panthers then lost to Stonington 58-40 despite a dozen markers from Julie Jordan and 11 by Cournoyer.  Plainfield stands at 6-3 overall and 1-3 in the ECC Medium Division.
Woodstock Academy continued to struggle, losing a pair 55-25 to Stonington and 49-32 to St. Bernard.  Killingly fell to 1-8 on the season and 0-4 in the Medium as it was beaten three times.   The Redgals lost to Stonington 71-34, East Lyme 51-33 and Waterford 61-48.  Meagan Bianchi was Killingly’s high scorer in all three games.  She posted 16 against Stonington, 12 against East Lyme and 17 against Waterford.  Ellis Tech fell to 0-8 as it lost to Classical Magnet 58-15, Cheney Tech 32-15 and Goodwin Tech 52-9.
Pomfret School & Marianapolis
Riding High
Pomfret School wasn’t affected by the holiday break as it posted a pair of convincing victories this week.  The Lady Griffin waltzed past Portsmouth Abbey 56-11 and easily disposed of St. Mark’s 56-26.  Three Pomfret players hit double figures in the win over Portsmouth Abbey, led by Alyzae Davis with 13 and Mary Redmond and Juliette Lawless with 12 each.  Davis (18) and Redmond (16) were the high scorers in the win over St. Mark’s.
Marianapolis upped its record to 5-2 winning its only game of the week 46-34 over Hotchkiss School.  Rachel Aho with a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds led the way, while Madison Springfield was the high scorer with 14 points.  Marianapolis II fell to 1-5 when is lost to Northfield-Mt. Hermon 28-14.

Inside pg 11 1-16-14


caption:

Tough Play
 Jon-Luc Cournoyer 20 and Will Smith 16 apply pressure to Eagles forward. Courtesy photo.



The Woodstock Academy Ice Hockey team took home its first varsity win Jan. 8 defeating the Eastern Connecticut Eagles 5-2.
Points were registered by eight  different Centaurs including multiple points by Will Liscomb, Nathan Deluca, Tyler Huhtanen and Jordan Lamothe. Points are recorded by a player scoring or assisting on a goal. This is Woodstock Academy’s first varsity season.
The game was relatively even in the first period when at 8:21 WA’s Tyler Huhtanen scored the first goal assisted by Nathan Deluca and Jordan Lamothe. The first period ended with Woodstock up 1-0.
The Eastern CT Eagle team tied the game on a short handed goal to even the score 1-1. WA finally broke the tie with 13 seconds left in the second period on a power play goal from Will Liscomb assisted by Senior Captain Will Smith. WA took a narrow 2-1 lead into the locker room after two periods.
Woodstock opened the third period taking advantage of an Eagles penalty scoring ninety seconds into the period when freshman forward Will Liscomb scored his second goal of the game assisted by Nathan Deluca and Jon-Luc Cournoyer to put the Centaurs up 3-1. Three minutes later Nathan Deluca found the back of the net from an assist by Jordan Lamothe as Woodstock now had a 4-1 lead. Woodstock would put the game away on a five on three advantage from a goal by Zach Burnham assisted by Cassidy Thorpe and Tyler Huhtanen to take a commanding 5-1 lead.
The defense held for the remainder of the period allowing only one other Eagle power play goal for the final 5-2 victory. Goalie Baylee Johns turned back 25 shots from the Eagles. The Centaur skaters are a surprising 2 and 2 on the season and continue play in Norwich on Jan. 17. The next home game is Jan. 18 at Jahn Rink.

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