Coats, more needed

The local Knights of Columbus councils are collecting clean, used winter coats, blankets and baby clothes in good condition, for needy people throughout Windham County and the surrounding area. If you have a winter coat or a blanket or baby clothes to donate, please call Brother Knight Cliff Soucy, at (860) 774-6796, or Brother Knight John Ryan, at (860) 928-7241 and leave a message. 

 

William Adams Jr.,

U.S. Navy vet

PUTNAM —  William J. “Butch” Adams Jr., 76, of Farrows St., died Aug. 13, 2015, in Day Kimball Hospital.  Born in 1938 in Worcester, he was the son of the late William J. Adams Sr. and Evelyn (Blair) Adams.

Mr. Adams was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam war. He worked as a professional dancer with Lemeri for many years.  He was also a hair dresser, upholsterer and a dental assistant.  He enjoyed cooking, animals, and walks along the river.  Living on Cape Cod for most of his adult life, he especially enjoyed sending time by the ocean.

He leaves his brothers, Donald R. Adams (Brenda) of Leicester, Mass., Philip Adams (Lydia) of Oxford, Mass., Kevin Adams of Sturbridge,  and Lois Wilson of Holland, Mass.; his sisters, Joyce Moss of Thompson and Phyllis Janssen of Hyannis; Mass.; nieces; nephews, great-nieces; and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Adams. 

Services were private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Mary Clark

EASTFORD — Mary (Gorman) Clark, formerly of Mansfield Center and Eastford, died Aug. 8, 2015, at Pierce Memorial Healthcare in Brooklyn. 

She was born on Dec. 29, 1927, in Manchester, the only child of Josephine (O’Connell) and William Gorman.  Mary graduated from Manchester High School in 1945.  She then earned her RN from St. Francis School of Nursing, Hartford.  Prematurely white-haired, Mary joked that it was hard to keep a low profile as a 17-year-old nursing student with that particular feature.  That white hair became her halo, and the one time she dyed it brown, it scandalized the whole neighborhood.  During her almost 50-year nursing career, Mary worked at St. Francis, Rocky Hill Veterans’ Hospital, and Windham Memorial Hospital, as well as many private duty assignments.  She helped Dr. Blake Prescott set up his practice in Storrs, and was his office nurse for almost 25 years.  She ended her nursing career as a school nurse in the Putnam system.  No matter where she worked, Mary exemplified compassion and professionalism, and her patients considered her a trusted friend and confidante.

Mary met her future husband Donald at the roller skating rink in Coventry. They were married in 1951, and went on to raise six children in Mansfield Center.  In 1968, Mary and Donald opened The Pines Family Camping in Eastford.  Mary enjoyed socializing with the campers while still balancing her nursing career and family.  In 1973, the Clarks built a house and made Eastford their new home.

Mary loved and was loved by all, not the least of which were her constant and adoring canine companions.  She enjoyed nothing better than taking long walks in the woods with Donald and the dogs.  She thrived upon being busy, and earned an associate’s degree in her “spare” time.  She inspired those around her to be kinder and gentler.  She seldom had a bad word to say about anyone, and was the peace-keeper, the heart and soul of the family.  She kept a cool head, despite all the harebrained things her kids threw at her.  And she welcomed every stray, human or otherwise, that they dragged home. Mary’s faith was very important to her; she was a long-time communicant of St. Philip the Apostle in Ashford

She leaves her daughters Ann DeMaio (Robert) of Chaplin, Kathryn Demers of Mansfield Center, Beth Jones (Kenneth) of Eastford, Meg Ann Clark and husband Richard Lewis of North Port, Fla.; son David Clark of Manchester, and daughter-in-law Erin Clark of Eastford; grandchildren and great-grandsons. Mary was predeceased by her husband Donald, her son Timothy, and her son-in-law Steve Demers

Mary didn’t want a fuss when she left this world, and there will be no calling hours.  Donations in her memory may be made to Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 673, Bloomfield, CT  06002.  

 

Jacqueline Baranski

POMFRET — Jacqueline Mary (Caffrey) Baranski, 92, died peacefully Aug. 14, 2015, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. 

Jacqueline was born Oct. 18, 1922, in Putnam the daughter of Harry Thomas Caffrey and Alice Fayette Wells Caffrey. She attended Killingly High School, was active in the Dayville Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, and was an accomplished artist. She and her husband owned and operated Skip’s Dock in Jerusalem, R.I., before retiring to Homosassa, Fla., where they spent the next 20 years before returning to Pomfret in 2000.

She leaves her children Edward Alexander Baranski Jr. (Mary), Francis Harry Baranski (Betty) and Patricia Ann Caffrey; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Edward Alexander Branski Sr. in 2005, her grandson Edward Alexander Baranski III, and great-grandson Edward Alexander Baranski IV.

The funeral will be at 8 a.m. Aug. 22 from Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial at a later date. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 21. Donations: Holy Trinity Church or a charity of one’s choice. 

 

Shirley R. Bodo

PUTNAM — Shirley R. Bodo, 76 of Killingly Ave, died  Aug. 14, 2015, in Hartford Hospital.  Born in 1938 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Mary Jane (Auger) Bodo.

Shirley worked as a machine operator for the former William Prym Company.  She also worked for Danielson Curtain. She was an animal and music lover who enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and working outdoors.  She was a goodhearted person.

She leaves her sisters; Mary Jane Bouthillier, her twin Theresa Yargeau, Barbara Crowley (Carl), and Mildred Auclair; her brother Richard Pelletier (Donna); nieces and nephews.  Shirley was predeceased by her brothers Lionel Arpin and Alcide Pelletier and her sister Florence Tetreault.

Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Aug. 20 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial  at 11 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery.

 

Susan Kay Colley

PUTNAM — Susan Kay (Gaumond) Colley, 55, Aug. 9, 2015, at UMass Medical Center, Worcester, as the result of a motor vehicle accident.

Susan was born April 12, 1960, in Putnam, the daughter of Richard and Martha Gaumond.  

Sue loved life. She enjoyed entertaining at family picnics and being with her friends at the Putnam Baptist Church, where she was very active. She relished going to the Westview Nursing Home with her little dog, Nicki. Even in death she shared her life by being an organ donor. 

She was preceded in death by both of her parents. She leaves her fiancé Donald Boutwell; three sisters; Barbara Girard of Anderson, S.C., Brenda Bennett of Thompson, and Diane Gaumond of upstate New York. 

There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. Aug. 22 at the Putnam Baptist Church on Church Street. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Doris Courtemanche

N. GROSVENORDALE — Doris (Mead) Courtemanche, 85, of Quinebaug Rd., died Aug. 14, 2015, in the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home.  She was the wife of the late Leo E. Courtemanche.  Born in 1929 in Thompson, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Cecilia (Gadboury) Mead. Mrs. Courtemanche worked as an inspector for Borden Candy Shop and Risom Manufacturing.  She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and served as a town constable and crossing guard. She leaves her sons, Gary Courtemanche of Thompson, Michael Courtemanche of Silver Spring, Md., and Scott Courtemanche of Frederick, Md.; her sisters, Phylis Tarullo of Quinebaug, Luva Hoar of Brimfield, Mass.; and Cynthia Champion of Florida; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 19 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in W. Thompson Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. 

 

Irene Beresik

DUDLEY — Irene Beresik, 93, of Joshua Place died Aug. 10, 2015, at UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, after a period of declining health.  

Irene was born April 23, 1922 .She is the daughter of the late John and   Anna (Bieniewicz)  Syskowski   She was a lifelong resident of Dudley. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph M. Beresik, her son Richard Beresik and her daughter in law Katherine (Solodyna) Beresik.

Mrs. Beresik was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church . She enjoyed spending time with friends at Webster Senior Center and Joshua Place . She was an avid bingo player and a Red Sox and Patriot fan. She was employed many years at the former Sandlerette and Bentley  Shoe .

She  leaves one son: Joseph S. Beresik of Webster; three daughters: Patricia Masse of N. Grosvenordale, Pauline Beausoleil of Edgewater, Fla., and Nancy Charron of Port Orange, Fla.; one sister Rose Piasta of Webster; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.

Her Funeral Mass was Aug. 14 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dudley, with burial in St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Webster. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

Marilyn Jezerski

WEBSTER — Marilyn ( Ontso) Jezerski, 77, died Aug. 13, 2015, at the UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester.

She was born in Worcester daughter of the late Dimitri and Krisavgia (Chala) Ontso and lived in Webster most of her life.  She was a stitcher for many years at Stevens Linen. She was a past president of the Webster Emblem Club 129 and a past District Deputy.  She was a past Exalted Ruler of the Auburn-Webster BPO Elks # 2118. 

She leaves her husband of 54 years, Anthony J. Jezerski; a son Michael A. Jezerski; a granddaughter Chelsea Jezerski, all of Webster; a sister Athena and her husband Zorab Simonian of Worcester; a sister-in-law, Margaret Ontso of Northboro, Mass.; other relatives in Connecticut. She was predeceased by brothers, Louis Ontso  and Michael Ontso and a sister Elektra Gregory.

The funeral was Aug. 17 in St. Mary Assumption Albanian Orthodox Church, Worcester, with burial at St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: to the Church or to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Putnam resident Scott Perry who works very hard every day keeping the roads around the Wheelabrator-Putnam Ash Landfill spotless.  Perry enjoys what he does and always has a friendly smile and hello for everyone.

Daniel Harrington, a soon-to-be junior at Woodstock Academy from Pomfret Center, is having an exciting summer on the links as he chases the New England PGA Junior Tour championship.  Harrington recently qualified for the Player of the Year Championship Tournament, which was held on Thursday, August 13 at Thompson Country Club in North Reading, Mass.

The New England PGA Junior Tour conducted more than 60 events this summer.  Harrington competed in only six of the events but amassed a sufficient number of points to earn the Number Nine spot in the Top Ten to qualify for the Championship event.  Although he played in fewer events than many of the other golfers, his 18-point average propelled him into the Top Ten.

Harrington posted first place finishes in tournaments at Crystal Lake Golf Club in Burrillville where he shot an 81and Holden Hills in Jefferson, Mass., where he posted a 75.  In his other matches, he finished second at Wanatonomy Golf Club in Middletown, R.I., fourth at Triggs in Providence, fifth at Blissful Meadows and tenth at Blackstone National in Sutton, Mass. He cracked the Top Ten with a first place finish on Aug. 4 when he shot a 75 to win the Holden Hills tourney.

This is Harrington’s first year participating on the NEPGA Jr. Tour.  The 16 year old participated in the 16-18 year old category.  He plays out of the #1 slot for the Woodstock Academy Centaurs of coach Rich Garceau.

New England Basketball Hall Inductee

A name familiar to local sports enthusiasts was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, August 8 in ceremonies held at the DCU Center in Worcester.  Jim Dargati is the son of Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductee George Dargati.

There are various categories in which people enter the NE Hall of Fame.  Dargati entered in the Perry category, which is named in honor of Ron Perry Sr.  That category honors individuals who, like Perry, have achieved distinction in two or more of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame categories: great high school player; great college player; great high school coach; great college administrator; great referee.  Dargati entered in the great high school player and great high school coach categories.  

Dargati spent 14 years coaching at his alma mater Loomis-Chaffee School where he amassed more than 200 victories.  He currently coaches at South Windsor High School, where he just finished his first season at the helm.

Some inductees whose names are familiar to northeastern Connecticut sports fans included former Norwich Bulletin reporter Tim Connolly, ex-Bartlett High School standout Eddie Grzembski, former Marianapolis basketball and baseball coach and San Francisco Giants minor league pitcher Fran Kasheta, ex-Tourtellotte coach John Kottori and Bill Loftus, father of Atty. Bill Loftus of Woodstock.

Chartier Story Add On

A few weeks back we wrote about the Chartier brothers who had made a name of themselves as local athletes.  This week thanks to a courtesy note from Celeste Chartier we wind our way into the noted Chartier women athletes.

In the days of Putnam Catholic Academy, Michelle Chartier was an all-sport standout who went on to play basketball and softball at Southern Connecticut State University.  She later became a noted high school coach who was inducted into the Connecticut Softball Hall of Fame.  Today she continues to play basketball in the National Senior Olympics, having competed in seven National Games since 2001 winning a pair of Silver and a Bronze Medal.

Michelle’s sister. Celeste has also played alongside her sister in the Senior Olympics.  While the sisters teamed together at PCA they averaged 40 points a game as a twosome.  Celeste scored more than 1000 points in high school before moving on to Stonehill College where she pioneered the Stonehill women’s basketball program.  

She’s a member of the Stonehill Athletic Hall of Fame.

After her college career, Celeste played with the All American Redheads and another touring women’s team.  

She was inducted with the Redheads into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.  She was later inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.

One generation removed from Michelle and Celeste was Mary Beth Chartier, the daughter of Louis and Sue Chartier.  She starred at Killingly High School where she scored more than 1000 points and was an All State Player.  She later went on to a great college career at Fairfield University. 

As the legendary Paul Harvey would say, “And now, you know the rest of the story.”

Former Coach Resurfaces

Gary Brine, who was the head football coach at Killingly High School and Woodstock Academy, has resurfaced as an assistant coach for the Killingly Redmen.  He joins the coaching staff of head coach Chad Neal.  

According to Killingly Athletic Director Gene Blain, two other people will be added to the coaching staff.  Kevin Marcoux, who coaches the Redmen golfers, will join the gridiron staff as an assistant.  Josh Fortin, who played at Worcester State University and is a former Redman, is also joining the staff in an assistant capacity.

Pomfret Griffin at Quinny

Long ball hitting Nate Kemer, who was a standout golfer at Pomfret School under coach Brian Rice, is currently spending his summer working in the Quinnatisset Country Club pro shop for Mike Pizzetti.  

Kemer is currently a member of the Hamilton College golf team, where he’s hoping to crack the #4 spot this coming year.  The economics major drives the ball a ton, has a nice short game and putts very well.

Return of a Native Golfing Great

Ellsworth Chase, a 1963 graduate of Putnam High School, has returned to northeastern Connecticut with his wife, the former Patty DiVencenzo, after living away for more than 30 years.  As a Clipper, Chase was one of the school’s best ever golfers.  In fact, he holds the course record at Norwich Golf Club where he fired a blazing 61.

Chase credits his success on the links to a pair of northeastern Connecticut’s finest gentlemen and golfers Paul Nelson and Ray Navarro.  As a youngster playing at the former Pomfret Golf Club, Chase noted that Nelson and Navarro provide him with valuable insights, not only on golf but on life.

Chase also reminisced about the basketball player at Putnam who had the best shot from the corner.  According to Chase, Moe Coderre could drain the rock from the corner with the best, including the great Scott Burrell of the University of Connecticut and the legendary Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics.  It’s a certainty that Moe Coderre will be honored to be held in such high esteem by Chase.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: The optimist is the person who invented the airplane.  The pessimist invented the parachute.

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