Obituaries pg 8 11-7-13
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Brian R. Kallio
PUTNAM — Brian R. Kallio, 26, of Cleveland Street died Oct. 29, 2013, in Hartford Hospital. He battled Cystic Fibrosis his entire life, defying all odds and never stopped fighting until his last breath. Born in 1987 in Putnam, he was the son of Sandra (Jordan) Kallio and Brian D. Kallio and the amazing big brother of Brittany Kallio.
Brian was a sports enthusiast and maintained a blog called Water Cooler Talks. He was an avid golfer and belonged to the Woodstock Golf Course, a die hard NY Giants fan always anticipating the start of the season and was Commissioner of the Football Guru’s a fantasy football league.
In addition to his parents, on his maternal side, he leaves his grandmother Norma Jordan of Danielson; his aunt and uncle, David and Cynthia Peterson of Putnam; his brothers through life Paul Tetreault of Plainfield and Storm Lessard of Putnam; cousin, Meaghan Gagnon and her husband James; and uncle Peter Jordan and his partner Sandy Mayo, and their children Raymond and Ashley of Putnam. On his paternal side, he leaves his step mom, Julie Ann Kallio of Brooklyn; step sister, Tayler Ann Mortimer and her daughter Novah Skye of Brooklyn; aunt and uncle, Timothy and Amy Brunet of Brooklyn; and cousins Kody and Lexie Brunet. He is predeceased by his step brother Travis Mortimer.
The Funeral Service was Nov. 2 in Munyan Cemetery. Donations: Brian R. Kallio Fund, c/o Citizens National Bank, 182 Main St., Putnam, CT 06260 to help the family with his funeral expenses. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Olive Mackey
BROOKLYN — Olive Mackey, 102, of Brooklyn, formerly of Eastford and Glastonbury, died Oct. 28, 2013, at the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn.
She was born Jan. 25, 1911, in S. Glastonbury, daughter of the late Ernest N. and Annie O. (Platt) Mackey.
Olive worked 46 years as an executive secretary for the Aetna Insurance Company in Hartford. She had made her home in South Glastonbury and Hartford most of her life, moving to Eastford in 1980, a graduate of the Glastonbury High School Class of 1927, and a 1929 graduate of the Merchants and Bankers Business School in Hartford. In 1929 she was awarded the State Championship in Short Hand. She was a member of the Christ Church Episcopal in Pomfret, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Betty Putnam Chapter #106 in South Woodstock and the Good Intent Chapter #17 in Glastonbury.
She was predeceased by her brother Edward H. Mackey. She leaves a niece Martha D. Pepper Hitchcock, and close friend Patricia Logan both of East Hampton.
Graveside Services wee Oct. 31 in Old Church Cemetery, Glastonbury. Donations: The Christ Church, PO Box 21, Pomfret, CT 06258. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Barbara Fitzmaurice
PUTNAM — Barbara (Meyer) Fitzmaurice, 71, of Providence Pike, died Oct. 28, 2013, at UMass Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of Thomas C. Fitzmaurice for 43 years. Born in 1942 in Queens, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Edward and Margaret (Craft) Meyer.
Barb spent her life caring for others. She was a nurse at New Britain General Hospital, the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain and worked as a visiting nurse for the last 10 years of her career in Ohio. She was a member of Interfaith Stitchers and loved swimming at Koinonia. She enjoyed crosswords, sewing, reading, gardening and playing Spider Solitaire on her computer. She loved spending time with her three cats, Sandy, Taffy, and Gabby.
In addition to her husband, she leaves her son Sean Fitzmaurice (Gwenn Gaumond) of Woodstock; daughters, Kathy Fancher and her fiancé John Flick of Madison, Ohio, and Kelly Fitzmaurice of Bristol; four step children, Michelle Byram (Mark) of Madison, Ohio, Tom Fitzmaurice (Diane) of Cleveland, Laura Arrington (Boyd Arrington) of Perryburg, Ohio, and Tim Fitzmaurice (Patty) of Elyria, Ohio; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters Doris Kubiak and Florence “Flossie” Samida and by her furry companions, Dusty and Dandy.
Visitation is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 9 at Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Dorothy R. Kerouack
BROOKLYN — Dorothy Rose Kerouack, 81, of Brooklyn, formerly of Webster, died Oct. 29, 2013, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Nursing and Rehab Center. She was the wife of the late Adrien Kerouack. He died in 1983.
She was born July 27, 1932, in Webster, daughter of the late Armand and Bernice (Grzyb) Gelineau.
Dorothy was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Wauregan. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella. She worked at American Standard in Wauregan as an inspector for over 20 years. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards with her brothers and sisters-in-law, she enjoyed family gatherings, dancing and listening to her Polish radio station on Sunday mornings.
She leaves her children: Sharon Brouillard of Plainfield, Alan Kerouack and his fiancée Joyce Barr of Canterbury, Linda Silvia and her husband David of Plainfield; siblings: Roger Gelineau (Dot) of Dudley, Thomas Gelineau (Donna) of Dudley, Nancy Sutcliffe (Kent) of Freetown, Mass.; sisters-in-law: Jeannette Gelineau, Shirley Chattelle; grandchildren: Nichole Danis (Matt) of Canterbury, Troy Warner of Killingly, Shane Kerouack of Brooklyn, Lori Pike (Ryan) of Pomfret and great-grandchildren: Hailey, Emma, Leah, Avery, Kloe, Kinzley. She was predeceased by a brother Armand Gelineau. A Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 2 at Sacred Heart Church, Wauregan. Donations: Oncology Department at Day Kimball Hospital, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Jeannette Nedzweckas
N. GROSVENORDALE — Jeanette M. (Murphy) Nedzweckas, 87, of Murolo Rd, died Nov. 2, 2013, at home. She was the wife of the late Peter Nedzweckas. Born in 1925 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Anita (Faucher) Murphy.
Mrs. Nedzweckas worked as a floor supervisor at Colts Plastic in N. Grosvenordale for many years.
She leaves a brother Arthur Murphy of N. Grosvenordale; two sisters Cecile Tetreault of Stamford and Dorothy McCormac of Putnam; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother Frederick George Murphy.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Nov. 8 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or NDE, USA, Kampala Children’s Center, 73 Grandview Dr., Newington, CT 06111-4724. Gilman-Valade Funeral Homes of Putnam and N. Grosvenordale.
In pg 9 11-7-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to Lysa Molnar of the Archambault Insurance Agency. Molnar is very active in then northeastern Connecticut community and the Putnam Lodge of Elks where she supports a variety of youth activities.
In the brief eight-year existence of varsity basketball at Putnam Science Academy, coach Tom Espinosa has put the program on the “fast track.” The meteoric rise of the program has caused not only local basketball gurus to take notice, but the word about the type of basketball being played by the Mustangs is quickly spreading regionally and even nationally.
The recently released 2013-2014 Pre-Season National Post Grad Rankings has the Mustangs ranks 10th nationally. Post Graduate basketball is some of the highest caliber basketball that can be played prior to the collegiate level. Rosters change drastically from year to year and coaches must stay on the grind to reload every year to be able to compete on the national level. Espinosa has proven a master at reloading and uncovering talented players year in and year out.
The most recent poll has Brewster Academy ranked Number One. Among the Top 10, Putnam Science Academy has six on this year’s schedule. In addition to Brewster Academy, the Mustangs will face Northfield/Mount Hermon, St. Thomas More, Notre Dame Prep, South Kent School, and Believe Prep, schools that are ranked 5th through 9th respectively.
“I was shocked but pleasantly surprised when the pre-season poll was released. This is an honor for our team and our school. It certainly will put added pressure on our kids to perform at the highest level,” said Espinosa.
Since the inception of the program, Espinosa and the Mustangs have sent three players, Rundell Mauge, Shaun Lawton and Dayshon “Scoochie” Smith to Division I programs. They’ve also sent a number of other players to Division II and III programs throughout the Northeast.
The talent that Espinosa’s recruited for the 2013-2014 season should see the number of players moving on to prestigious college programs rise if the team can live up to its pre-season billing.
Western Connecticut Record Breaker
The name Octavias McCoy may not ring a bell with local football fans but if the name Ben LaBelle is mentioned it certainly conjures up great memories of the powerful fullback on the Killingly High School gridiron. LaBelle, who starred for the Redmen, went on to a stellar career at Western Connecticut State University where in 2000 he set a WCSU record with 16 touchdowns in one season.
Two weeks ago McCoy ran for 226 yards on 22 carries and five touchdowns in a 70-14 rout of Fitchburg State University. In the process the Stratford native broke LaBelle’s 13 year old season record as the five TDs gave him 18 on the season. McCoy has five games remaining this season and will no doubt push his record setting number well beyond the standard once set by LaBelle. Last week he continued his assault on the record book by rushing for an all-divisions record 455 yards and five touchdowns in a 55-35 win over Worcester State University. His record setting game gained him space in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated.
Recovering
It’s encouraging to see Putnam resident Ed Bielik back walking Sports Avenue even though he still requires the use of a cane as an assist. Bielik has been through a series of medical issues and in and out of the hospital but is in good spirits as he works his way back to better health.
In his heyday Bielik was the area’s top softball umpire. It was nothing for him to umpire a high school contest in the afternoon and go on to call balls and strikes in a men’s league doubleheader that same evening. Weekend’s Bielik was often spotted on the diamond working make-up games and Co-ed League contests. Send him get well wishes at Ed Bielik, 28 Laconia Ave., Putnam, CT 06260. RPC is in your corner, Ed.
Calendar Correction
Go to your cell phone calendar or if you’re the type who uses a date book, make the following correction and date change. Word from Willie Bousquet and Dave Vitale is that the previously scheduled Putnam High School Alumni Athletic Association 2-Person Pitch Tournament is now on tap for Friday, Nov. 22.
The event is scheduled for 9 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 p.m. at Athens Pizza on School Street in Putnam. The cost is a reasonable $40 for a 2-person team, with prizes being awarded to the top six finishers. Admission fee includes free pizza ala Saeng Phongsa.
For more information or to register contact Bousquet at 860 617-4282 or Vitale at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Stars Shining in Woodstock
The Eastern Connecticut Conference recently announced its 2013 Volleyball All Stars. Three young ladies from Woodstock Academy were recognized in the Large Division. Sarah Swenson, who’s been the main cog in the lady Centaurs machine all season, was recognized by being named to the 1st team. Her teammate Kendall Wilcox was accorded Honorable Mention recognition, while Abby Hustus was chosen for the Sportsmanship Award.
In the ECC Medium Division Plainfield’s Chivon Burns was selected as a 1st team all star. Her teammate Tessa Marandola was chosen for Honorable Mention, while another Lady Panther Enxhi Ferraj received the sportsmanship Award.
From The Annals Of Putnam Sports History
November 1898: Putnam High School defeated Killingly in football 5-0; in a second game played on Thanksgiving Day, the game ended in a 0-0 tie. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: It’s better to get burnt out than to rust out.
Local pg 9 11-7-13
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caption:
Celebrating
The Coderre family , standing, left to right: Lance, Owen, Emily and Lisa.; kneeling: Remy Coderre. The family was on hand to celebrate the Red Sox World Series victory with 2 million other fans. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
For the third time in a decade Boston Red Sox fans had an opportunity to celebrate a World Series Championship produced by their beloved BoSox. The Red Sox “Year of Redemption” culminated with a “duck boat” parade through the streets of Boston and on to the Charles River.
The event ended at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, where on April 15 the tragic bombings that created Boston Strong, with outfielder Johnny Gomes placing the World Series trophy covered by the Red Sox jersey numbered 617 at the site of the bombing. The scene was emotional and demonstrated the true spirit of Boston citizens and all those from throughout New England and beyond who supported the community following the tragedy.
Former Putnam resident and current Waterford resident, Lance Coderre, his wife Lisa and their three children Emily, Owen and Remy were on hand with more than 2 million other Sox fanatics. The family came prepared with a sign that read, “Waterford Loves John McDonald.” It was in honor of East Lyme resident and current Red Sox reserve infielder John McDonald. Although a member of the Boston 40-man roster, McDonald wasn’t on the 25-man roster. He was however, an important piece in the Sox plan, as he was in uniform in the dugout as insurance in the event of an injury to an infielder.
“As the first duck boat approached, the three players in the boat were Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Elsbury and Johnny Mac. When Elsbury spotted the sign he grabbed McDonald who quickly gave us a big thumbs up. Although we aren’t close friends we’ve been
in each other’s company in the past. He’s a great guy,” said Lance Coderre.
Also in the throng was three generations of Morin’s, grandpa Rene Morin, his son Kevin Morin and his son Nicholas Morin. This is the third time the Morin family has participated in a Red Sox World Series celebration. While in Boston Kevin Morin called the WINY Radio Sports Talk Show and proclaimed the news to listeners in Northeastern Connecticut. “Coming to this celebration is becoming a Morin family tradition,” Morin told the talk show hosts. Coincidentally, Coderre and Morin are close friends and both graduated from Putnam High School in 1989 and were members of the Clipper baseball team. Although they didn’t run into each other in Boston, they were in contact via cell phone.
Following the Red Sox 6-1 clinching victory in Game 6 at Fenway Park, the Norwich Bulletin ran a front page photo of the Desaulnier family who were in attendance for the historic event. On hand for the game were Ed and Mary Lou Desaulnier, their son Matthew and his son Ben.
The Red Sox are truly a part of our New England fabric in more ways than just baseball. They prove that they can bring families together and make it happen for more than one generation. Boston Red Sox 2013 World Champions!
Mosley pg 10 11-7-13
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By Ron P. Coderre
Jemal Mosley the former Putnam Science Academy guard is proving that hard work and persistence on the basketball court pays off as he begins to forge a foot print on the hardwood for the University of New Haven.
Last season Mosley came to Putnam as a postgraduate student looking to improve his game and find a college that suited his academic and athletic talents.
When he entered PSA there were no college scholarship offers on the table but by the end of last year’s 22-8 season, there were a number of suitors for this young man from Spring Valley, New York. He decided on the New Haven Chargers of 3rd-year coach Ted Hotaling.
According to the UNH website the 6-foot, 1-inch Mosley is one of three freshmen on the team. Reports emanating from the New Haven campus indicate Mosley is having a great preseason and is expected to get his share of time on the court as the Chargers embark on their rugged Northeast-10 schedule.
As a PSA Mustang Mosley was a solid backcourt performer for coach Tom Espinosa. In 28 games last season he was the second leading scorer on the team, tallying 406 points for a 14.5 points per game average.
He shot 60 percent from the floor and was almost 40 percent from three-point range. He also was a very respectable 76 percent from the free throw stripe.
Proving that he was more than just simply a scorer, Mosley dished out 101 assists and had 65 steals while playing solid defense. He even chipped in nearly three rebounds per contest.
“Jemal was a great young man to have on the team last season, always very positive in his approach to the game. He’s wearing a smile from ear to ear about his choice to attend the University of New Haven. According to reports he’s well liked by the coaching staff and very much in their plans,” said Epinosa.
Prior to coming to PSA Mosley played at Don Bosco Prep where he averaged 15 points a game and was a two-time All-Suburban New Jersey selection. Mosley, who is a business major at New Haven, is the son of Andrea Pope.