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By Ron P. Coderre
James “Jim” Naum, a Thompson icon, passed away Nov. 11, Veterans Day. His passing signals the end of an era in Thompson and the village of North Grosvenordale. His absence echoed throughout the town and northeastern Connecticut, leaving a void equivalent to the size of the Grand Canyon for the community to fill.
Jim Naum and his parental family like so many others of the era immigrated to the U.S. through Ellis Island when he was less than one year old. As part of this family heritage, Naum was ever thankful of the opportunities granted to him as a citizen of the United States. Like many in his community Naum grew up in one of the areas of N. Grosvenordale known familiarly as “the Greek village.”
As a young man in that village his hours when not in school were spent in the driveways and fields in the vicinity playing baseball and basketball. A trip through “The Greek village” would see youngsters playing basketball to hoops attached to every garage in the village. It was there that the tradition of winning basketball was spawned, in the unpaved sometimes muddy driveways of N. Grosvenordale.
Arriving at Tourtellotte Memorial High School in 1947, Naum quickly established himself as a three-sport star, running cross country and playing basketball and baseball for the Tigers of coach Jim Canty. Deadly accurate with his two-hand set shot, in the days prior to the jump shot and three-point arc, Naum combined with the likes of George Dargati, Christy Carabina, Jimmy Karapanos, Tommy Tanacea and Teddy and Tasi Vriga to form the nucleus of teams that brought State titles back to the little hamlet in 1949, 1950 and 1951.
In his senior year the Tigers won the second State title and Naum was accorded All-State honors by the New Haven Register. His work as a player, coach and contributing member of the community earned him entry with the inaugural class into the TMHS Athletic hall of Fame in 2010.
“As an athlete Jim had a deadly outside shot but it wasn’t only on the basketball court that he starred. He was a baseball pitcher for the high school and American Legion teams. He threw what was referred to as a ‘heavy ball’ that was difficult to hit,” said his longtime friend and sometimes teammate Jim Sali, also an alum of “the Greek village.”
Naum was good enough to go on and play college basketball at Nichols College from 1950 – 1952, where he served as the captain of the Bison’s team. His collegiate years were interrupted by the Uncle Sam and the Korean Conflict, but he returned to the collegiate hardwood in 1958, starring for two years at Eastern Connecticut State University. He was so respected in Willimantic that he remained there for two seasons as an assistant coach.
After banging around in semi-pro and industrial leagues Naum moved on to another phase when he became assistant basketball coach to his idol coach Jim Canty. Entering the old Cluett Gym it was a sight to behold, the stately Mr. Canty seated on the bench with his handsome young assistant Jim Naum seated beside him, both nattily attired in sport coat and tie.
Eventually, Naum was elevated to the position of head coach at Tourtellotte, where held the position from 1977 to 1989. Famous for his “yoyo” offense, Naum led his 1987 team to the Class S State Championship, one of his proudest moments. The title was the first for the Tigers since the days when Naum himself was a player.
“His death was a very sad day. My memories of coach Naum are ingrained with his sense of history and tradition for the high school and its athletic programs. It was an honor to play for him. And it was very special having his son Tom on our team,” said Earl Rosebrooks who was voted the MVP of the 1987 State Tournament.
“Mr. Naum was a big influence in my life and that of many others. He was a pillar of the Thompson community and will be dearly missed,” concluded Rosebrooks.
Naum, who taught in the Thompson Public School system for 33 years, turned to another phase of his life following his days coaching basketball. Always one to help others, he became active in the community with various organizations including the Thompson Lions, American Legion Post #67, TEEG and the Quinebaug Cornerstone Lodge #122. He also served as a member of the Board of Education, the Planning and Zoning Commission and as a Justice of the Peace.
“Jim was a giving person. He was always there whenever there was a need. His loss is immeasurable and the town will be hard pressed to replace him,” said Sali, who for the last two months of Naum’s life visited him every Sunday morning.
A huge Red Sox fan, Naum was able to witness the Red Sox World Series triumph surrounded by friends during Game 6 prior to his demise.
Naum leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Anna and a son Tom. He was predeceased by his son Michael. A scholarship fund in his memory has been established and donations should be sent to the James Naum Scholar Athlete Scholarship Fund, c/o Citizens National Bank, P.O. Box 6002, Putnam, CT 06260.
As time passes, Naum will always be remembered as an athlete and coach. The tales of his exploits will echo through the halls of Tourtellotte Memorial High School for many years. In the hamlet of North Grosvenordale, his name will continue to be mentioned and honored wherever the good folks of the town gather. His mark on life goes on.