Marianapolis pg 7 2-14-13
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THOMPSON — The Connecticut students on the Marianapolis Preparatory School first semester honor roll include:
Headmaster’s List
Sarah L. Cavar, Brooklyn; Dylan A. Horn, Sterling; William O. LaFiandra, Woodstock; Megan K. Romprey, Thompson; Caitlin M. Walsh, Thompson.
Dean’s List
Christian Adams, Woodstock; Jamie L. Barrette, Thompson; Matthew Bellerose, Putnam; Elyse M. Bergeron, Putnam; Joel C. Cheney, Woodstock; Emily M. Jacoboski, Willington; Alex L. Murphy, North Grosvenordale; George F. Murphy, N. Grosvenordale; Carly N. Quinn, Danielson; Doreen Reagan, Pomfret Center; Elizabeth J. Sisko, Brooklyn.
Honor Roll
Noah D. Aubin, N Grosvenordale; Seth D. Aubin, N Grosvenordale; Cooper J. Everson, Sterling; Reed J. Hopkins, Putnam; Jeremiah W. Knipe, Putnam; Miranda J. Lazzara, N Grosvenordale; Christopher P. Lundt, Woodstock.
Celebrity pg 7 2-14-13
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Celebrity bartenders
fund-raiser Feb. 21
PUTNAM — Interfaith Human Services of Putnam - Diaper Bank of NECT will host a Celebrity Bartenders Night fund-raiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 21 at Winners at J.D. Coopers on Park Road, Putnam.
There is no cover charge but donations of diapers and wipes will be gratefully accepted.
For just $10, choose a bottle prize from the “Diaper Explosion Board” to win one of many prizes donated by many local merchants - gift certificates, oil changes, salon gift baskets and more!
There are other great prizes available as well - an autographed photo of Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholtz, New England Patriots and Boston Bruins gear for your favorite sports fan...there’s something for everyone!
Bartender Schedule
5 to 6 p.m.Bonding Buddies featuring Dave Conrad, Warren Scholl, Bob Halloran and Ken Merchant; 6 to 7 p.m.: Thompson for Tots featuring First Selectman Larry Groh Jr., Shawn Johnston, Rachael Johnston, Mark Provost, Valentine Iamartino; 7 to 8 p.m.: Sweet Lullibies featuring Ted Reynolds with friends to be announced; 8 to 9 p.m.: DKH Delivers featuring Dr. Marc Cerrone, Dr. Erika Kesselman, Anne Amberg, CNM, Annette Jakubisin-Konicki, APRN, and Roger Franklin
Can’t make it but would like to donate? Drop off a donation (see our website for more information) or donate online! Visit www.nectinterfaith.org
Obituaries pg 8 2-14-13
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Alexandria Leighton,
artist
LEICESTER, Mass. — Alexandria C. Leighton, 34, of Boyd Street, died Feb. 8, 2013, in UMass University Campus in Worcester. Born in 1978 in Natick, Mass., she was the daughter of Dwight Leighton and his wife Sharon of Woodstock, and Jean (Carroll) Leighton of Fitchburg, Mass.
Alexandria worked as a social worker for Faith House. She created and sold her own artwork which included painting on canvas and handmade jewelry. She served as a sponsor for Alcoholics Anonymous and volunteered for children’s Bible study. She enjoyed coaching soccer and basketball for her brothers and sisters.
In addition to her parents, she leaves brothers, Adam Leighton and Kevin Leighton, both of Woodstock; sisters, Katrina Leighton and Cassandra Leighton both of Woodstock; and her paternal grandparents, Joyce Leighton of Baldwinville, Mass., and Grover Leighton of Eugene, Org.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Agnes Plantier
BROOKLYN — Agnes Plantier, 92 of Hartford Road, died Jan. 24, 2013, at home.
She was the wife of the late Arthur Plantier. She was born April 11, 1920, in Putnam, daughter of the late Arthur Wilfred and Celia Goncharrow. Agnes was an LPN, she worked at the Westview Nursing Home for more than 25 years, she had also worked for a physician’s office in Willimantic and Willimantic Thread Company.
She made her home in Brooklyn most of her life, a communicant of Our Lady of LaSallette Church in Brooklyn. She was a devout Catholic. She enjoyed puzzles, crafts and flowers. Agnes was outgoing, loving, and was soft spoken.
She leaves her son, Arthur “Skip” Plantier of Brooklyn; a sister, Sophie Pizzo of Jewett City; grandchildren, Beverly Plantier of Jefferson, Ga.; Audrey Plantier of Thompson; Laurie Plantier of Dayville; great-grandchildren: Mariah Plantier, Chad Plantier, Kolisha Bancroft, Justin Plantier, Crystal Turnquist; great-great-grandchildren: Jaelynn Plantier, Ladon Bancroft, Eden Plantier. She was predeceased by her siblings, Alice Edenfield, Gladys Tryon, Frank Goncharrow and Helen.
Services will be at a later date. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
R. ‘Dick’ Provencher
DAYVILLE — Richard Provencher, 84, of Dayville, died Feb. 2, 2013, at home.
He was the husband of the late Shirley (Zulkiewicz) Provencher.. Dick and Shirley were married Oct. 1, 1953. She died May 5, 2011.
He was born Dec. 25, 1928, in Danielson, son of the late Thomas and Aurore (Marquis) Provencher. In his early teens Dick began work by delivering groceries at Meyers Market in Danielson, and eventually became the store’s butcher.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Company C-169th Infantry, where he was fortunate to have been able to travel to Switzerland and Germany. Dick always said those were some of the best years of his life. He was a member of the Danielson Blackhawks football team.
In December 1961 he purchased Dick’s Esso in Attawaugan. In 1977 he moved the business to what is currently Dick’s Dayville Garage in Dayville. Dick never cared to retire and continued to work at the garage until he was 82. Dick’s passion was taking good care of his many loyal customers. Back in the day, he had a huge customer following and prided himself for being known as fair and honest. Using his knowledge and experience from Meyer’s Market, in the early 1960’s Dick had what was considered one of the first gas stations that doubled as a convenience store. He sold candy, snacks, ice cream, Stewart sandwiches, groceries, various sundries and even Christmas trees. Dick’s Esso was “the” place to hang out for many young hot rodders and their muscle cars. Dick had a great sense of humor, and loved to play pranks on his employees as well as his customers.
Dick enjoyed watching sports with his boys, and cheering for his favorite teams the Patriots, Celtics & especially the Boston Red Sox. He also enjoyed arguing loudly and colorfully with the umpires and refs.
He leaves sons Richard (Ellen Marie) of Pomfret Center, Brian and Dale of Dayville; Kim (fiancée April Landry) of Grosvenordale. He was predeceased by siblings: Lillian Tomasik; Dolores Gluck; Doris Hopkins, Ernest Provencher..
Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St. Putnam. Immediately following (doors open at 11 a.m.) please join us at Gaudreau’s Auction Gallery & Function Center (formerly St. Ignatius Church in Rogers) 21 Williamsville Rd., Dayville. There will be lunch as well as a celebration of life for both Dick and Shirley.
A Mass with burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dayville, will be held at a later date.
Donations: Hospice of NE CT, 320 Pomfret St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Paul Bessenaire Sr.,
Korean war vet
DAYVILLE — Paul J. Bessenaire Sr., 79, of Putnam Road Feb. 6, 2013, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam.
He was born Aug. 29, 1933, in Pawtucket, R.I., son of the late Ulysse S. and Evelina (Pinsonneault) Bessenaire.
He was the husband of the late Gloria (Perreault) Bessenaire for 57 years.
They were married Aug. 13, 1955, at Our Lady of LaSalette Church in Brooklyn. Mrs. Bessenaire died Aug. 8, 2011.
Paul served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
He enlisted at age 17 with the permission of his mother. After he returned from the war he worked at Vandale’s Variety in Danielson where he met his future wife Gloria.
He later worked in public service, first as a police officer in Putnam and later as a member of the Danielson Borough Police Department. He was last employed at CL&P.
Paul was also a member of the State Police Auxiliary.
He formerly served on the Killingly Town Council, St. James School Board of Education, various town committees; most recently the Killingly Public Safety Committee.
He was a communicant of St. James Church.
He leaves his children, Deborah Coolidge (Wayne) of S.Killingly, Michelle R. Brady (John) of Sterling, Marianne Bagley of Oxford, Paul J. Bessenaire Jr. (Robin) of Lake Wales, Fla., Peter J. Bessenaire (Debra) of Dayville and Patrick J. Bessenaire (Heather) of Danielson; brother Robert Bessenaire (Jeanne) of S. Killingly; 19 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Robert Perreault (Pauline) of Sterling and Raymond Perreault (Monique) of S. Killingly. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Wayne Bagley; brothers, Gerard and Raymond; sisters, Theresa and Cecile.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with full military honors at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson.
Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home Activities Fund, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260. Tillinghast Funeral Home, Danielson.
Community pg 9 2-14-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
The 2013 Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Gala honored a Putnam man, Roger Franklin with the George J. Racine Sr. Humanitarian Award. Judging by the introduction by award presenter Donald St. Onge, Franklin has more than earned the recognition. Recognized as a volunteer, many don’t realize that there was a time when he was also a very good athlete.
The primary reason for Franklin’s nomination was based on his volunteer service to Day Kimball Hospital and particularly with the network’s Hospice program. Since 2003, when Franklin’s wife of 40 years, Ruth died in Hospice care, he has devoted more than 12,000 hours in service to the organization that helped him through the loss of his spouse.
“Giving back to Hospice, its patient care staff and the hospital’s volunteer team has provided me the satisfaction of knowing that in some small way I’m helping others. It’s particularly important to me because the time I’m devoting is for the people of our area,” said Franklin.
The 75 year old Franklin learned team work at an early age growing up under the guidance of his parents Frederick and Irene Franklin. As the oldest of three Franklin brothers, he led the way through his school years for his brothers Charles and Richard. Additionally he came to appreciate the value of being a good team member through his participation in athletics.
Beginning in the youth leagues organized by former Putnam teacher Bill Buckley, Franklin established himself in junior basketball and baseball leagues. By the time he reached high school, the 1956 Putnam High School graduate was well prepared for the competitiveness of schoolboy sports.
As a Putnam Clipper, Franklin earned seven varsity letters during his four years on the Woodstock Ave. campus. He earned four letters in baseball, becoming a starter as a sophomore and proving his versatility by playing first base, the outfield and catching. But basketball under coach Jim Greenhalgh is where he has his fondest memories.
“In my senior year we weren’t expected to get much beyond the first round of the State Tournament. We were a determined bunch and fooled most people by making it all the way to the Class S championship before losing to New Canaan,” said Franklin.
Franklin was instrumental in the team’s success as one of the leading scorers. He recalls the 77-62 semifinal victory over a favored Ellsworth team. In humble fashion he says, “I didn’t have a great game in the championship game.” The 72-58 loss to New Canaan wasn’t due to his play as much as it was the play of a 6-foot, 5-inch center from New Canaan by the name of Willkie Gilmore.
He recalls his teammates that season of glory, the team’s center Bill Bellerose, All-State player Mike Bousquet, the two juniors in the backcourt Paul Fall and Gerry Desautels and Phil DeSantis, who was superb off the bench.
There was also another sport that Franklin participated in, although he never received a varsity letter. He was a member of coach George St. Marie’s cross-country team for four year but never placed in a meet. But true to Franklin’s determination he stuck with the team through his senior year.
“I always remember Mr. St. Marie telling me, ‘Roger I tell the bus driver to warm up the bus when I see you heading to the finish line because I know you’re my final runner to cross the line’,” he said with a chuckle.
Following graduation he went on to Norwich University where he played basketball for two seasons before being sidelined with an injury. Graduation from Norwich led to a career in the Army that spanned 32 years. He was in the Reserves for 30 of those years and was honorably discharged in 1992 with the rank of colonel.
Simultaneously he enjoyed a 40-year career in the State of Connecticut Employment Security Division, where he worked in various locations in Eastern and Central Connecticut. He spent his last years as the director of the Danielson Labor Market office.
Franklin’s volunteer efforts aren’t limited only to healthcare. He’s been active in the Congregational Church of Putnam for more e than six decades, where he is assistant treasurer, co-chairman of the golf tournament, a liturgist and involved in the choir and the Empty Bowl Committee. He’s the past president of the Putnam Cemetery Association and a life member of the Aspinock Historical Society. He was also instrumental on the Coach Greenhalgh Memorial Scholarship Committee, which raised $50,000 to establish a scholarship in perpetuity in his former coach’s name.
“Receiving the Racine Award was a tremendous honor, especially when you consider all of the people in our area who do so many good deeds for others. I am honored because I think volunteer and public service is what builds community spirit,” said Franklin.
“In reflecting on this honor I think of coaches Greenhalgh and St. Marie and teachers like Mr. Buckley and Mr. Pedley who had such a positive influence on who I am today. Those early days in sports definitely taught me team work and how hard work produces positive results,” he concluded.
Volunteering remains primary in Roger Franklin’s life but he does find time for golf with friends at Quinnatisset Country Club and golf trips to Florida. He also cherishes time with his only son, Ross and his daughter-in-law Erika and grandson, Hunter, whom he visits in Arizona.
After all these years of doing for others, Roger Franklin rightfully is deserving of the George J. Racine Sr. Humanitarian