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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!