Obituaries pg 8 4-11-13
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Helen M. Plassmann,
mother of 2
WOODSTOCK — Helen Matthews Plassmann, 60, of Meehan Road, died April 5, 201,3 at home after a four-year battle with cancer. She was the wife of Carl D. Plassmann. Born in 1952 in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Edwin and Mildred (Wilcox) Matthews.
Helen was a 1970 graduate of Woodstock Academy. She attended Quinebaug Valley Community College and received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She was a Certified Medical Records Coder and worked at Day Kimball Hospital for nearly 40 years. She also briefly taught Medical Terminology and Medical Coding at QVCC.
Helen was a member of the Plainfield Historical Society where she led a successful effort to get the Plainfield Street Historic District listed in the National Register of Historic Places. An avid quilter, she was a member of the Cornerstone Quilters and Country Quilters of Northeast CT and enjoyed traveling to Pennsylvania and Vermont to attend quilt shows. She enjoyed snowshoeing, bird watching, running, walking, cross-country skiing, hiking, cooking and relaxing with a cup of tea. Helen took great pride watching her sons play sports growing up and later watching her grandchildren at sporting events and recitals. She liked to take trips to Washington, DC and to the beach in Charlestown, RI.
Helen leaves her husband of 31 years Carl D. Plassmann; her two sons Brad Favreau (Amy) of Woodstock and David Plassmann of Washington, DC; her brother, Andrew Matthews (Lori) of Hampden, Maine; her two sisters Brenda LeBeau of Eustis, Fla., and Patricia Peabody of Tolland; her sister-in-law Ellen Durand (Paul) of Griswold; her father-in-law Raymond Plassmann of Moosup; three grandchildren, Guerin, Lennon, and Campbell Favreau. She was predeceased by her mother-in-law Janette (Wibberley) Plassmann.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m., April 10 at the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. April 11 at the Inn at Woodstock Hill, 94 Plaine Hill Rd., Woodstock. Interment will be private. Donations: Woodstock Academy Foundation, 57 Academy Rd., Woodstock, CT 06281 to establish a fund in Helen’s name for at-risk girls at the Academy.
Shirley Ann Davis
BROOKLYN — Shirley Ann Davis, 77, of Bailey Street, died March 31, 2013, at the WW Backus Hospital in Norwich. The wife of Richard O. Davis, they were married May 3, 1955 in St. James Church in Danielson. She was born Dec. 17, 1935 in Killingly, daughter of the late Alphonse and Margery (Thompson) Bolduc.
She had made her home in the Brooklyn area most of her life. She had worked as a secretary at Glass Container and Idle Wild Farms, she also worked with her family at Crosby Flowers. She worked with her husband operating S and R Gardens in Brooklyn for over 20 years, retiring in 2012. She was a very talented and gifted gardener and artist and had a great love for her flower gardens and her pastel, oil and watercolor painting.
She leaves her husband Richard, children: Gary Davis (Linda) of Chocowinity, N.C., Debra Sullivan (Jerry) of Brooklyn, Dianne Berube (Larry) of Danielson, Robert Davis (Madeleine: of Brooklyn; 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters Barbara Poitras of Danielson, Nancy Delpesco of Florida and Rick Bolduc of Florida.
A Graveside Service will be at 10 a.m. April 20 at the Westfield Cemetery, North Street, Danielson. Donations: Oncolgy Dept., c/o WW Backus Hospital, 326 Washington St., Norwich, CT 06360. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Margaret Bennett
HAMDEN — Margaret Bennett, 86, of Hamden, formerly of Putnam, died April 3, 2013, at the Whitney Manor in Hamden. She was the wife of the late Thomas A. Bennett. They were married Jan. 7, 1950, in Bloomington, Ill. He died Nov. 8, 2004.
She was born Aug. 27, 1926, in Havana, Ill., daughter of the late William and Eva (Powell) Shore. She volunteered at Day Kimball Hospital and was a member of the High Pointe Church in Thompson. She enjoyed playing golf with her husband.
She leaves her son: Dale R. Bennett (Debbie) of Plano, Texas; two daughters: Terri Pearsall (William) of Putnam and Cathy Johns (Timothy) of Hamden; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Louis Shore.
A Graveside Service was April 8 in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Day Kimball Hospital, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Sylvia D. Bushey
PUTNAM — Sylvia D. Bushey, 83, of Modock Road died April 4, 2013, at home. She was the wife of Francis E. Bushey. They were married in 1948 in Woodstock.
Sylvia was born Aug. 23, 1929, in Putnam, daughter of the late Wesley and Florence (Carroll) Barton. She was a life time resident of Putnam. Sylvia was an avid Red Sox fan and UConn women’s basketball and a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Putnam VFW. She was a machine operator for Borden Candy Company.
She leaves her husband Francis E. Bushey of Putnam; children Gale F. Bushey (Sharon) of Thompson, Suzette L. Rumrill of Putnam, Dennis C. Bushey of Biddeford, Maine; grandchildren Rick, Danny, Mike, Tammy, Virginia, Jason, Kimmy and Kyle and great-grandchildren Mikey, Luke, Ryan, Cote, Angie, Bella, John, Logan and Ava-Lynn and great-great-grandchildren Coraline, Jaylah and Alisa. Sylvia was predeceased by a daughter Cynthia A. Moulton, a son Mark E. Bushey and a son-in-law Richard A. Rumrill. She was the last of 10 siblings.
The Graveside Service was April 9 at Munyan Cemetery, E. Putnam. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Victoria S. Lesieur,
food service
QUINEBAUG — Victoria S. (Livernoche) Lesieur, 68, of Quinebaug Rd, died April 7, 2013, in UMass Medical Center. She was the wife of the late George Lesieur. Born Jan. 31, 1945, in Webster, she was the daughter of the late Victor and Gloria (Yargeau) Livernoche.
Mrs. Lesieur worked in the food service department for the Marriott Corporation in Westborough, Mass. Mrs. Lesieur enjoyed traveling and spending time at the casino. She was a member and past President of the Thompson Memorial Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post 10088 as well as the past President of District 4 Ladies Auxiliary.
She leaves a brother Jonathan Livernoche and his partner Nancy Wetmore of Brooklyn; three sisters Virginia Livernoche and Veronica Livernoche both of Quinebaug, and Katherine Dietz (Dale) of Woodstock, and a special friend Deborah MacDonald of Niantic; nieces and nephews especially her devoted niece Lauri LaBrecque.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 9:30 a.m. April 10 in St. Stephen Church, Quinebaug, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Ladies Aux. VFW, Department of CT Cancer Aid and Research Fund, c/o Patricia Rodriquez, 422 Forsyth Rd., Salem, CT, 06420. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Melody Lyon Ayers
Memorial Service
A Memorial Service for Melody Lyon Ayers who died Dec. 16, 2012, in Waterbury ill be held at 11 a.m. April 13 at The Federated Church of Christ, Route 6, Brooklyn. Burial will be in Westfield Cemetery, Danielson. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
Carl Szpyrka
WOODSTOCK — Carl Szpyrka, 62, of Woodstock died unexpectedly April 3, 2013, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was the husband of Janet (Dupre) Szpyrka. They were married Aug. 25, 1973.
He was born Dec. 3, 1950, in Putnam, son of the late Walter and Rita (Michon) Szpyrka.
He had made his home in Woodstock most of his life.
He was employed at Loos and Company in Pomfret working as a mechanic in maintenance for the last 11 years.
Carl also worked as a security guard at the Woodstock Fair. He enjoyed fixing tractors and lawn mowers. He was a past president of the Irish-American Club in Putnam.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking and barbequing. His greatest love was spending time with his grandchildren.
He leaves his wife of 40 years Janet; daughters Tammy Szpyrka of Putnam, Sara Szpyrka of Woodstock; his brothers: Bruce Szpyrka of Palm Bay, Fla., Cy Szpyrka of Thompson; sister Jean Auger of Thompson; grandchildren: Colby Litchfield, Abbigail Litchfield, Emily Pedersen. He was predeceased by his brothers Dennis, George and Keith.
Donations: Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, PO Box 222, South Woodstock, CT 06267. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Christopher
Ashmore Sr.
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. — Christopher John Ashmore Sr., formerly of Putnam, died unexpectedly March 27, 2013.
He was born Jan. 17, 1977, in Putnam, son of Linda and Roger Ashmore Sr.
He loved snowboarding, camping, cookouts in Big Bear, Calif., dirt bike riding with his son until injuries prevented him from doing so.
He worked many jobs in Connecticut and California.
He leaves behind a new bride, Christina who were married Feb. 15,2013.
Also his ex-wife Stephanie who were bestfriends since teenagers; a son Christopher (CJ) and a daughter (Baby Girl) Marisa all of Apple Valley; brother Roger (Lori), Nathan (Donna) of Danielson, Chad (Charleen) of St. George, Utah; grandmother Joyce Morel of Central Village; grandfather Arthur of New Hampshire. He was predeceased by brother and best friend Mike in 2000 and his grandparents Gloria and Ron Ashmore.Burial was at the convenience of his family.
Charles H. Cobb Jr.
WEBSTER – Charles H. Cobb Jr., 91, died March 28, 2013, in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, after a short illness. His wife of 60 years, Alma O. (Landry) Cobb, died in 2003.
He was born Oct. 24, 1921, in Webster, a son of Charles H. Cobb Sr. and Ada (Knight) Cobb and lived here most of his life, moving to Worcester in 2006.
Mr. Cobb’s first job was that of a lumberjack when he was a teenager. He was then a forklift operator at Cranston Print Works Company in Webster for 42 years, retiring in 1983.
In his retirement, he was the night maintenance man at Webster Donut Shop.
He enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage, horseshoes, dining out, going shopping, watching sports on TV and listening to country music.
He leaves four sons, Charles H. Cobb 3rd of Worcester, Dennis P. Cobb of Dudley, Brian P. Cobb of Auburn and Kevin J. Cobb (Janine) of Worcester, with whom he lived; a daughter, Jeanne A. McGovern of Danielson; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his brother, Melvin Cobb, and by three sisters, Wylma and June Cobb and Dorothy Babcock.
Donations: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, 52 Old Webster Road, Oxford, MA 01540.
A magical pg 9 4-11-13
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caption, page 10:
Winner
Woodstock Academy boy's basketball coach Greg Smith takes down the net at the academy after the team won the state championship. Photo courtesy of Douglas Cutler.
By Ron P. Coderre
“Always a bridesmaid, never a bride,” is an apt cliché that can be used to describe Woodstock Academy basketball coach Greg Smith. The cliché is most appropriate with one exception, the 2012-2013 men’s basketball season.
Smith, in his 20th year on the faculty at the Academy, arrived in 1993 when he accepted a position in the History department. Self-described as “a pleaser,” he has accepted just about every assistant coaching position when he’s been asked during his two decades on staff.
Prior to being elevated to varsity basketball coach five years ago, Smith served as freshman, junior varsity, and varsity assistant for 11 seasons before even being considered for the head coaching position. During his five seasons at the helm of the Centaur hoop fortunes Smith is the holder of a 65-52 record. Entering this season, in which the Acads posted a brilliant 24-3 log, Smith and his teams were a less than spectacular 42-49.
But, what a difference a season can make. Especially one that includes an Eastern Connecticut Conference regular season Large Division title and even more impressive, a CIAC Class L Championship.
Whether he’ll admit it or not, Smith has become a bit of a celebrity in his home town and around Northeastern Connecticut. Chances are if an election was to be held in Woodstock now, Smith could easily win the First Selectman position. Despite the success, the modest and humble Smith takes very little credit for the big turnaround witnessed in Woodstock over the past winter.
“My two assistant coaches, Mike Bourgeois and Dave Magee, compliment my style of coaching perfectly. Couple that with a team of players who had a special chemistry, desire and work ethic, we had a scenario where all the pieces for success came together harmoniously,” said Coach Smith.
When first call for tryouts took place in November it was evident that this team had something special. The kids had worked together over the summer, not only on basketball, but in the weight room as well. And then there was Sullivan Gardner, the kid who skipped basketball his junior year.
“The kids on the team approached me and told me he needed this team. It sounds like stuff out of the movies, but even some players who realized they may lose playing time with him on the team were saying, ‘he needs the team and we need him’” said a pensive Smith.
Employing a technique from legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden of talking about success and taking the season one game at a time the Centaurs embarked on the magical season with a big win over a good Ellington team. They carried the winning streak to 9-0 with wins over the likes of New London, Waterford, Lyman Fitch and Suffield.
And then came what could have been a devastating one point loss to Windham. Rather the loss made the team refocus.
“Coach Bourgeois quickly noted that the loss exposed some weaknesses we had. We worked on those things and continued to take each game as it came along,” said Smith.
The team reeled off four more victories before losing to Bacon in overtime in a contest that was emotional for the winners. On that evening Bacon honored the father of two of its players who was serving in Afghanistan. Military Night was the team’s second loss.
The loss was the beginning of another winning streak, one that took them to 18-2 at the end of the regular season. It also helped them achieve a preseason goal, winning the ECC regular season Large Division crown. Looking toward the ECC Tournament, the Centaurs got by Stonington only to suffer a disappointing loss at the hands of New London a team it had beaten twice previously.
Each of our losses was a lesson,” said Smith.
The team had now lost only three times and by a mere total of five points. To some this would have been devastating but it gave this group of Centaurs the will to refocus and look ahead. Even a devastating early season loss to injury of starting forward Wil Bourgeois and the temporary loss of point guard and catalyst Chris Lowry to a thumb injury, never took away from the spirit of the other players.
Led by high scoring senior Ian Converse (20.4 ppg. and 11.8 rpg) and the “head of the snake” Chris Lowry (13 ppg., 8 apg., 3 rebounds and two steals per contest) the team prepared for the State Tournament. There were other actors in the cast also. Gardner came up big in Bourgeois’ absence, averaging 7.4 points a contest and contributing a massive 9.2 boards a game. Tristan Welch, the three-point bomber rose to the occasion with some big winning baskets from beyond the arc, while averaging 10.1 points per game.
And there were the unsung heroes, “Big” John McGinn whose presence and play off the boards doesn’t tell the story of his value to the team. And Trent Peters, the little guy off the bench who could ignite the team and crowd with his long range shooting. The pieces were in place for the run to the crown.
The tourney started with wins over North Haven and Middletown, two teams that Woodstock would have shriveled in front of in the past. Next were overtime wins against Wilton and Bunnell, the latter victory on the new wood floor that had just arrived from St. Louis.
“The floor made all the difference. It gave the team, the school and the community something to be proud of. It was a morale booster, said Smith.
As the team headed to Mohegan Sun Arena with its semifinal win in its back pocket, they remained the underdog to Number 1 seeded Trinity Catholic of Stamford. That story’s been told many times and in many places but the 52-49 victory in front of probably the largest crowd in CIAC history was the icing on the (wedding) cake.
The win provided Woodstock Academy with its first ever basketball State Championship. It also gave Coach Greg Smith the credibility to shed his title, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Smith and his Centaurs were able to stand proud as State Champs. And for the perennial assistant coach, he had the validity of his hard work as, “Head Coach” and the man who had gone to the altar of basketball greatness off a previous season record of 9-13.
Book pg 11 4-11-13
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Book donations welcome
N. GROSVENORDALE — The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will be accepting book donations for its upcoming spring Book and Bake Sale after April 15 at the library, 934 Riverside Dr. (Rt. 12), during regular library hours.
Hard cover and paperback books — fiction and non-fiction, including craft, gardening, cookbooks, carpentry, etc. — are accepted. Large-print books and DVDs are in demand. Not accepted: Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, text books, encyclopedias, or magazines. No book donations after noon May 3. Individually wrapped baked good donations will also be accepted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 the morning of the sale.
The Book and Bake Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. May 4.
Legals pg 11 4-11-13
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Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Zoning Board
of Appeals
The Town of Putnam Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a meeting on April 16, 2013, at 7:00 P.M. at the Town Hall located at 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT. A public hearing will be held on the following:
Appeal # 2013-001: Richard A. Loomis -- Request for a variance for reduction of rear yard dimension according to Section 730 of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations to reduce the required rear yard setback from 20’ to 0’. Property located at 75 Main Street. Town Assessor's Map 15, Lot 66. Zoned C-5.
Joseph Nash,
Chairman
April 3, 2013
April 10, 2013
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
APRIL 17, 2013
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter VII, Section 5 of the Putnam Town Charter, the Board of Finance of the Town of Putnam will hold a public hearing in the auditorium of the Putnam Middle School, 33 Wicker Street (Israel Putnam Way) Putnam, Connecticut, on estimates of the revenues and expenditures of the Town of Putnam for fiscal year July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014 on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.
All persons who wish to speak on any item in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2013-2014, or who may wish to recommend consideration by the governing officials of additional items or the rejection of items will be heard.
Copies of the detailed budgets for the General Government, Library, Board of Education, and the Town Aid Roads will be available in the Mayor’s Office, Town Clerk’s Office and the Board of Education on Thursday, April 11, 2013.
Anthony Falzarano,
Chairman
Board of Finance
April 2, 2013
April 10, 2013
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
NOTICE OF
SPECIAL TOWN
MEETING
April 15, 2013
The Electors and Citizens qualified to vote in the Town Meeting of the Town of Putnam, Connecticut, are hereby notified and warned that a Town Meeting of said Town will be held at The Daniel S. Rovero Selectmen’s Chambers, Putnam Town Hall, 126 Church Street, Putnam, Connecticut on Monday, April 15, 2013, at 7:30 in the evening for the following purposes:
1. To choose a moderator for said meeting.
2. To determine the wishes of those present and eligible to vote at Town Meeting of the Town of Putnam upon a proposed ordinance to combat blight and provide certain property maintenance standards. A copy of the proposed ordinance is on file in the office of the Mayor and available for public inspection during normal business hours.
Dated at Putnam,
Connecticut,
this 1st day
of April, 2013
Town of Putnam
Richard C. Place,
Mayor
Alma D. Morey,
Deputy Mayor
Renee Lasko
Richard A. Loomis
Norman Seney
John Smith Jr.
Owen A. Tarr
Its Board of Selectmen
Attest:
Sara J. Seney,
Town Clerk
April 10, 2013
Legal Notice
Town of Putnam
Zoning Commission
The Town of Putnam Zoning Commission will hold a meeting on April 25, 2013, at 6:30 P.M. at the Town Hall located at 126 Church Street, Putnam, CT. A public hearing will be held on each of the following:
Docket # 2013-03: Kristen Warren — Requests for a Special Permit according to Section 720 Schedule of Uses and Districts of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations for Monroe’s Salon & Spa. Property located at 36 Church Street, Town Assessor’s Map 15, Lot 38. Zoned R-7.
Docket # 2013-04: Town of Putnam Zoning Commission — Request for text amendments to Section 200 Definitions and Section 740 District Regulations of the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations/Industrial Heritage Overlay District (IHOD). A copy of the proposed amendments in its entirety can be reviewed in the Land Use Office from 8:30-12:00 & 1:00-4:30 P.M.
Docket # 2013-05: Town of Putnam Zoning Commission — Request for text amendments to Section 200, Definitions, Section 730 Schedule of Dimensional Regulations, adding Section 750 Quinebaug Regional Technology Park Overlay District Regulation and Map to the Town of Putnam Zoning Regulations for the creation of the Quinebaug Regional Technology Park Overlay District (TPOD). A copy of the proposed amendments in its entirety can be reviewed in the Land Use Office from 8:30-12:00 & 1:00-4:30 P.M.
Patricia Hedenberg,
Chairman
April 10, 2013
April 18, 2013