WOODSTOCK — The honor roll for the fourth quarter at Woodstock Middle School includes:

Grade 6

High Honors

Riley Chapuis, Sydney Cournoyer, Eva Farutin, Grace Gronski, Emma Hovestadt, Kaily LaChapelle, Hanna Longwell, Christina Mark, Emily McClure, Ella McMahon, Ashley Nunes, John Peabody, Megan Preston, Connor Quinn, Peyton Saracina, Heather Schofield, Sarah Tavares, Eli Werstler

Honors

Livia Armstrong, Emma Auker, Sierra Bedard, Timothy Billings, Ethan Bove, Matthew Brady, Rachel Canedy, Stefan Chervenkov, Sydney Couture, Julia Dearborn, Ethan Dinges, Guerin Favreau, Ann-Marie Hebert, Brynn Kusnarowis, Evan Lundt, Jason MacDonald, Marco Maluf, Samuel Massey, Lucy McDermott, Karissa Minkema, Aedan Noel, Evan Odorski, Alyssa Patel, Maxwell Racicot, Elijah Saine, Maeve Taylor, Rockwell Valentine, Alise Yonush

Recogition

Emma Anderson, Hunter Anderson, Rianna Bessios, Liam Blanchflower, Zachary Brody, Kaelyn Bushey, Cody Currie, Andrew Dilko, Eliza Dutson, Maggie Flynn, Jocelyn Foisey, Aiden Franklin, Huck Gelhaus, Cierra Heersink, Keegan Kelleher, Dominick Kollbeck, Cassandra Leighton, Mackenzie Leveille, Colin Liscomb, Nathaniel Majewski, Marissa Mayhew, Kathleen McDowell, Alina Michalski, Carly Millette, Salwa Naveed, Nathan Olson, Avery Pajak, Gillian Price, Alyssa Sharrow, Benjamin Sivertsen

Grade 7

High Honors

Emma Durand, Allison Faist, Christine Faist, Jessica Farrell, Anya Farutin, Tessa Houlihan, Rachel Lambert, Madelyn Lecuyer, Vivien Mark, Tristan Monahan, Teagan O’Hara, Emma Redfield, Hallie Saracina, Ashley Smith, Caitlyn Scroczenski, Daniel Suitum, Aleya Wesler

Honors

Nicholas Bedard, Sarah Blake, Elise Boisvert, Jordyn Brousseau, Corinne Child, Reagan Couture, Nathan Craig, Chandler Creedon, Hannah Dean, Tarryn Desrosiers, Zia Donais, Joseph Fleck, Megan Gohn, Hannah Kipp, Audrey Ledbetter, Victor Maldonado, Justin Marcotte, Jocelyn Mayotte, Justin McGroary, Heather Morse, Haylee Renaud, Emily Ross, Grayson Walley, Evelyn Withers, Evan Wood

Recognition

Zachary Atwood, Sabrina Bastien, Cai Bohanan, Keith Brousseau, Jonathan Conover, Hannah Cowdell, Shawna Cudworth, Josephine Dlugosz, David Fleck, Evan Gianfriddo, Basia Gotsis, Gavin Gould, Elliot Hellwig, Rebecca Jarvis, Nicholas Majewski, Aidan McDowell, Morgan Mowry, Luke Prouty, Lilly Quinn, Sophia Randolph, Emma Rhynhart, Christopher Rossi, Julia Theriaque, Chloe Veilleux, Gregory Weber

Grade 8

High Honors

Summer Chaponis, Spencer Collins, Heather Converse, Olivia Duncan, Olivia Golbranson, Ethan Holcomb, Jack Hovestadt, Emily Menard, Nathan Price, Mariangela Ruggeri

Honors

Owen Borski, Kathleen Boshka, Adam Bradley, Killian Braegelmann, Jasmine Charland, Brianna Dennett, Rachel Durand, Caleb Feen, Jenna Gormley, Madeline Gronski, Erika Helmetag, Sofia Jendrewski, Nathan John, Emma Kelleher, Justin MacCormack, Amanda Nowak, Eric Preston, Rebekah Wesler, Hannah Wotton

Recognition

Renee Auger, Harmony Barna, Dominic Bove, Lucas Couture, Brooke Deorsey, Matthew Froehlich, Ivy Gelhaus, Nicole Katinas, Hailey Kennett, Blake Kollbeck, Kathryn Mason, Liam McDermott, Sarah Naveed, Samantha Orlowski, Adam Sanderson, Codi Staveski, Derek Thompson, Ethan Thorpe

 

 

 

‘Chuck’ Welch Jr.,

U.S. Army vet

DAYVILLE — Charles “Chuck” Welch Jr., 71, of Mason Hill Road, died unexpectedly July 7, 2015, at UMass Medical Center, Worcester. He was the husband of Patricia A. (Burlingame) Welch. He was born Oct. 18, 1943, in Washington, Penn., son of Charles H. and Nora Marie (Bopp) Welch Sr.

He had made his home in Killingly since 1968. He had worked at Anchor Glass Co. for over 27 years, retiring in 1997. Chuck had served as VP of Local 31 GMP, for 17 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 21 for 35 years, an avid baseball fan, rooting for any team to win against the Red Sox. He was a veteran of PA National Guard serving with the U.S. Army. He would never miss a wrestling show and passed that interest on to his grandchildren while cutting an apple for them to enjoy. He enjoyed fishing with his kids and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife Patricia of 30 years, he leaves his children, Charles R. Welch (Tracy) of Danielson, Pamela Heffern (Darrell) of Hadley, Penn., Philip D. Welch (Cheryl) of Canonsburg, Penn., Kelly Welch Lumbra (Norman) of Dayville, David Martel (Wendy) of Dudley, Shawn Martel (Jessica) of Dayville, Steven Martel of Dayville; siblings, Betty Baumgardener of Slippery Rock, Penn., Jack Welch, of Washington, Penn., John Welch of Cannonsburg, Penn., Diane Austing of Dennison, Ohio; 19 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. A daughter Tammy Tetreault predeceased him 

Burial with military honors was held July 11 in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Donations: DKH Diabetes Program, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Normand R Lavigne,

WWII vet

KILLINGLY— Normand R. Lavigne, 86, of Danielson, died July 7, 2015, after a short illness.  He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria M. Lavigne. They had been married for 61 years.  

He was born on Feb. 27, 1929, in Chicopee, Mass., to Amedee and Blanche (Theroux) Lavigne.  He was a veteran of WWII serving in Korea before the Korean conflict in the U.S. Army.  After the service, while living in Dallas, he worked at Master Video Systems supervising the installation of master antenna systems throughout the Midwest.  He was written up in one of the trade journals of that time as the “Wizard of the Wires” for his work.  After moving to Connecticut he worked as the supervisor of quality control at Kendall Corporation in Willimantic.  Later he became the sole employee of his wife, Gloria M. Lavigne, at “Baskets of Plenty” in Pomfret.  He was well known for his works of Christian ministry.

He leaves his son, Gary D. Lavigne (Carol) of S. Windsor; his son, Paul R. Lavigne, of Danielson; his daughter, Gail M. Trudeau (Guy), of Brooklyn; his daughter, Ann D. LaRoche (Thomas) of Boylston, Mass.; his daughter, Joan C. Barlow (wife of Dr. Dennis Barlow, deceased) of Eastford; his daughter, Susan C. Lavigne, of Rome Ga.; his brother, Guy Lavigne (Judy) of Pensacola, Fla.  He was predeceased by his brother, Herve “Lucky” Lavigne of Cumby, Texas. 

Calling hours were July 11 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. Donations: Your favorite charity. 

 

‘Chuck’ Weimer Jr.,

Vietnam war vet

DANIELSON — Charles “Chuck” P. Weimer Jr., 73, of Danielson, died July 3, 2015, at Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the husband of Patricia (Harvey) Weimer.  Born in 1942 in E. Orange, N.J., he was the son of the late Charles P. Weimer Sr. and Marcia L. (Laird) Weimer. On Oct. 10, 1964, he was united in marriage to the former Patricia H. Harvey, in Towaco, N.J., at the Jacksonville Chapel.

Mr. Weimer graduated from the Newark New Jersey School of Fine Arts with degrees in both engineering and fine arts. He was also a graduate of the County College of Morris in Randolph, N.J., and Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, and attended Fairleigh Dickinson College in Madison, N.J.

Chuck was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army serving with the 5th Infantry during the Vietnam war, after being honorably discharged he went on to serve for 11 years in the 50th Armor Division of the New Jersey National Guard, during this time he received seven commendations. 

Mr. Weimer worked for International Paper for 50 years retiring as the Northeast Senior Lead Design Manager Corrugated Division, where he holds eleven corrugated packaging design patents, retiring in 2009.

Chuck was a life member of the Woodstock Fair Association from 1980 to the present, a member of the Eastern Connecticut Amateur Radio club with the call letters of WB1AOC which his son Charles, III will assume, and Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master for the former Boy Scout Troop 340 of Wauregan. He enjoyed restoring antique radios, collecting vintage tractors, antique hit and miss engines, and vintage cars, with his son Charles. Charles was an avid Harley Davidson rider and enthusiast and an amateur gemologist. He also cherished the time he spent assisting his son racing at the Thompson Speedway.   

He leaves his wife of nearly 51 years Patricia H. Weimer; his two sons Charles “Chuck” P. Weimer III (Lori Hillman-Weimer) of Danielson and Jason W. B. Weimer (Sherry) of Killingly; mother-in-law Margery S. Carlson of Asbury Park, N.J.; three grandchildren Charles P. “Chaz” Weimer IV of Danielson, Kayla H. Levesque of Killingly, and Mason Ross-B. Weimer of West Warwick, R.I.; and a great grandson Gavin Botting and his father Robert Botting of Danielson. 

A Celebration of Chuck’s Life will be held from 5:50 to 8 p.m. July 15 at the Atwood Hose Fire Company, Rt. 

 

Linda J. Bowen

DAYVILLE — Linda J. Bowen, 74, died 3, 2015, at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Linda was born on Oct. 7, 1940, in Foster, R.I., to the late Josephine (Borders) and Wallace Merow. 

She married Frederick R. Bowen on Oct. 10, 1959. He died in 1987. 

Linda lived in Dayville most of her life. She was a teacher’s aide in the Killingly school system. She also worked for Sunshine Shop in Dayville and King Cadillac GMC in Putnam. Linda loved crafting, shopping and putting a new coat of paint on a room to make it look all new again. She shared many fond memories with family and friends at Alexander’s Lake.

She leaves her children Scott Bowen (Lisa) of Webster; Sandy-Jo (Bowen) Schey (Kevin) of Brentwood, Tenn.; her brother Gene Merow (Betty) of Dayville; her sisters Donna Mercier (Roger), Nancy Fitzsimmons (Michael) of Bluffton, S.C.; grandchildren, Collin, Mason and Steven and her best friend for more than 65 years Beverly Grudzinski of E. Killingly. 

A private family service was held July 6 at Westfield Cemetery, Danielson. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Ronald Kuchy

BROOKLYN — Ronald Kuchy, 68, formerly of Brooklyn, died July 5, 2015, at his home in E. Hartford. He was born Nov. 14, 1946, in Putnam, son of the late William Sr. and Blanche (Senkewitz) Kuchy. 

Ronald made his home in Brooklyn for most of his life. He worked for Big Y supermarket in Danielson for many years. He was an avid Red Sox fan, enjoyed WWE wrestling, bingo, horseshoes, bowling and playing softball. He attended school in Canterbury and Norwich Free Academy. Ronald was active with the Arc of Quinebaug Valley and Special Olympics for many years.

He leaves his brothers, William Kuchy Jr. of Brooklyn, Gary Kuchy of Stafford Springs; his sister Barbara Coutu of Holiday, Fla.; nieces and nephews. 

The funeral as July 11 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with burial in S. Cemetery, Brooklyn.

 

Scott Smith

BROOKLYN — Scott Smith 48, of Brooklyn, died July 2, 2015, from a motorcycle accident on Rt. 12 in Putnam. He was the husband of Monica G. (Morabito) Smith. They were married Dec. 31, 2002. 

He was born Feb. 23, 1967, in Windham, son of Karin Shackelton and Richard Smith.

He was employed by Hull Forest Products and also Carpenters Union Local 24 for many years. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. 

In addition to his wife Monica, he leaves his daughter Angelina Mary Grace Smith and his son Adam his mother Karin Shackelton and stepfather Richard of Woodstock, his father Richard Smith and stepmother Linda of N. Windham, brother Mark Smith of Hartford, sister Corrina Ouellette and her husband Gary of Middletown, sister-in-law Lynnette Smith of Putnam.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Maplewood Cemetery Norwich. Donations: Audubon Society, 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259.  Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Cecelia Ray

KILLINGLY — Cecelia Anne Baranski Ray, 102, died on July 7, 2015, while a resident at Westview Nursing Care. She was the wife of Thomas H. Ray who died in October of 1956. 

Cece (as she was known to her many nieces and nephews) was born June 7, 1913, in Webster, daughter of Alexander and Tessie Baranski. She was the eldest of their eight children. She and her husband started T. H. Ray Heating Oils in 1935. After the death of Tom, Sr., she took over the business and ran it until 1973, when her son Tom took over. She loved to travel and took many cruises with Jim and Edith Brown, Dick and Del Weaver and Max and Marilyn Poer.

She leaves her son, Thomas H. Ray II (Mary Alice), and their two sons Sean and Renee, and Gregory; two great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Ashley Ray; sisters Loretta Wood, Gloria Paine, Elaine Gingras; former daughter-in-law Sally Ray. She was predeceased by her sister Florence, and brothers Edward and Robert.

The Mass of Christian burial was July 14 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dayville, with burial  in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Gagnon Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Esther Larson

NEW YORK CITY --- Esther M. Larson, 96, of New York City, formerly of Ware, Mass., and Union, died June 7, 2015.

A highly respected fashion illustrator for more than 50 years, as a child she exhibited precocious artistic talent and upon graduation from Greenwich High School, was awarded a scholarship to The American School of Design, where she studied fine art.

Her professional career began in 1942 at Women's Wear Daily, and after a brief sabbatical at May Company, Los Angeles, as head artist, then later, Ransohoff's, San Francisco as head artist and art director. She returned to New York and, at the behest of Andrew Goodman, she began a 30-year relationship with Bergdorf Goodman, where her work was featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The New York Herald Tribute, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Town and Country.

Simultaneously, she worked editorially for The New York Times, Charm, Mademoiselle, Seventeen and Vogue. At the urging of Vogue's editors, Ms. Larson designed a line of garden clothes which were featured in Vogue, The New York Times and The Daily News. The latter noted that Ms. Larson was the highest paid fashion artist in New York at the time. After the sale of Bergdorf Goodman, Ms. Larson joined Lord and Taylor and subsequently created fashion illustrations for premier specialty stores throughout the country: Jacobson's, Montaldo's, Kreeger's and numerous others. Throughout her career Ms. Larson captured the essence of each distinct fashion period and promoted the work of a cadre of prominent fashion designers: Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, Galanos, Charles James, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and others. Her body of work is currently featured at Kent State University's School of Fashion Design and Merchandising and in the archives of The Fashion Institute of Technology as well as the Smithsonian, which chose 55 illustrations for its permanent collection. In 1998 the Society of Illustrators elected her to its list of "Women Illustrators, Past and Present." Ms. Larson's other interests included restoring nationally recognized New England farm houses and herb gardens, collection 18th-century American art and Americana, restoring and displaying vintage Model A Ford automobiles throughout the country and breeding and showing Airedale terriers.

Most significant, however, more than her numerous professional achievements, she was an impeccable wife, mother, employer and dog mistress.

She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Jack Everett Larson, in 2005,  her canine companion Melvin in 2009. She leaves her son Jack Everett Larson Jr. of Eastford; sister, Carolyn D. Gerwick of Stamford; loyal friends and longtime caregivers, Anna Mazur and Dorothy Krempa.

Donations: The Animal Haven, 89 Mill Road., N. Haven, CT 06473.

 

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By Ron P. Coderre

This Week’s RPC column is dedicated to former Putnam High School athlete Alan Guertin.  As a Clipper he provided many exciting moments for the fans.  Today Guertin is a fan of Putnam High School and American Legion Baseball where he roots for the Clippers and TriTown teams.

The Killingly High School golf team had a championship spring season sweeping through the Eastern Connecticut Conference thanks primarily to the play of its top two players John and Drew Aitken, who play out of Connecticut National Golf Club.  Now that the schoolboy golf season has concluded, the twin brothers continue on the tournament circuit in individual competition.

On Monday, July 6 the Aitken brothers traveled to the Watertown Golf Club to compete in the Connecticut Junior Amateur.  Both brothers enjoyed success as they qualified to move on to the Round of 32.  John Aitken fired a one under par 71 on the par 72 layout in the qualifying round, while Drew Aitken finished at even par.  Jason Liu of Wintonbury Hills was the medalist with a three under par 68.

John Aitken enjoyed success as he moved all the way to the semifinals before losing to Connor O’Brien 7 and 6.  For Aitken, the Killingly High School senior to be, it was a great run.  He reached the semifinals by defeating Tim Rotermund of Madison Country Club 2 and 1 in the quarterfinals.  Andrew Sciarretta of Brooklawn Country Club was the eventual winner of the Connecticut Junior Amateur, besting O’Brien in the Final match 2 and 1.    

In the Round of 32 John Aitken bested Andrew Sanzaro of Ellington Ridge 2 and 1.  Drew Aitken moved on as he won by default over Jack Klingman of Wee Burn Country Club who had qualified with an opening round score of 76.

In the Round of 16 John Aitken got involved in a marathon match with Louis Gosart of Tashua Knolls Golf Club.  Aitken finally won the match on the 22nd hole of the grueling matchup.  Drew Aitken exited the tourney when he was edged 2 and 1 by Eric Ganshaw of Tamarack Country Club.

The Aitken brothers continue to bring northeastern Connecticut golf into the spotlight as they are in the mix of every tournament they enter.

Woodstock Softball Camp 

Huge Success

The Woodstock Academy softball coaching staff hosted its third Softball Camp under the direction of head coach Jason Gerum.  Approximately 20 players - 5th through 8th graders participated in the camp, which provided instruction in the fundamentals of the game.  The goal of the camp is to prepare the young ladies as they grow and get ready to compete at the travel ball or high school level.  Players attended from Little League programs from Woodstock Academy sending towns as well as from Dudley and Webster and Killingly and Thompson.

“It has been a great experience for all.  We now have WA softball players working the camp that are camp alumni, which is really special.  Parents and coaches are always welcome to come, watch and even pick up some things as far as instruction goes,” said Gerum.

According to Gerum the camp allows the staff the opportunity to give back to the youth in surrounding communities through the sport they love.  Proceeds from the camp go to the Woodstock Academy softball team to pay for items such as preseason training camp and senior day.  Gerum received administrative support from Pomfret resident Kelly Alves, Woodstock Academy’s Assistant Director of Admissions and Communications.

Former Athletes Surprise Coach

High school and youth coaches often never realize the positive impact they have on their players until many years after they’ve retired from the coaching ranks.  That’s the scenario that took place at 85 Main on Wednesday, July 1 when a large group of former Marianapolis male and female athletes surprised their former coach Jim Lucason with a gathering that will be embedded in their memories forever.

Lucason, an English teach and coach at Marianapolis Prep School in Thompson from 1974 to 1986, was feted at a gathering organized by one of his first standout athletes, Valentine Iamartino of Thompson.

“Jim Lucason had a positive impact on my life that helped me to become the person that I am today.  He was a man who gained the respect of all the students and athletes he worked with because he was able to develop our confidence in ways that made us believe in ourselves,” said Iamartino.

During his tenure at Marianapolis, Lucason served at various times as the coach of men’s and women’s basketball and soccer.  He was also the Golden Knights Director of Athletics while on the Thompson Hill campus.  Lucason concluded his teaching career in the Thompson school system.

Among the former students and athletes who were on hand to thank their former coach for his role in their lives were, Brian Bates, Aileen and Barry Murphy, Peter Mousseau, Chuck Bourgeois, Steve Lorkiewicz, Jason and Mary Ellen Jones, Christian Iamartino, Charlie King, Peter Nedzweckas, Lynn Quintal-Hill and Lisa Colangelo.

 

Lucason was also reunited with his former coaching friend John Farrington and his wife Paula, former teaching buddy Jay Kenney, and longtime friend Shirley Houle.  He also received a call during the evening from a former teacher and coach at Marianapolis, Rod Fitzgerald, who now resides in Texas. 

Father and Son Event 

at Connecticut National

Since the purchase of the former Putnam Country Club, now Connecticut National Golf Club, by Jim Dandeneau and Brad Rabitor about a decade ago, the scenic golfing venue located in the East Putnam section of Putnam is fast becoming recognized throughout Connecticut.  The layout, which is a visually stunning 18-hole course featuring tees for all levels of play, has attracted a number of State and area events.  It has served as the venue for the qualifier for the PGA Travelers Tournament as well as a number of top Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts Amateur events.

On Tuesday, July 14 CT National GC hosted the prestigious Connecticut State Golf Association 79th Father & Son Tournament.  Father and son golfers from throughout the State gathered for the right to claim this elusive title.  In the past the tournament was won by the Thompson father and son team of Dale and Matt Smith.

Kudos to CT National GC professional and course and facility manager Jim West for bring these events to the northeastern Connecticut corner of the State.  The facility, which boasts an extravagant dining venue, is open to wedding, reunions, golf outings and social events.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” John Lubbock

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