Ron P. Coderre

Boys’ basketball inaugurated the “new” Putnam High School gymnasium with the CNB a Division of ESB Clipper Holiday Classic.  New facility.  Same winner.

Defending champion, Killingly came to Putnam and found their confidence, winning a pair of games and beating host Putnam in the championship contest to walk off with the title.  Tourtellotte, which lost in the opening round to Killingly, won the consolation contest. 

In the Centaur Classic Holiday Tournament, Greenwich High School travelled across the state to claim the championship.  Greenwich beat host Woodstock Academy in the title game, handing the Centaurs and coach Aaron Patterson their initial loss of the season.

Ellis Tech dropped a pair of games and remains in search of its first victory of the young season.  Plainfield played one game over the holidays and came away with a victory over Windham Tech.

Marianapolis was the lone prep school in action.  The Golden Knights journeyed to Massachusetts for the Belmont Hill Tournament and came out of three games with a pair of losses and a single victory.

Redmen Repeat

Defending Clipper Classic champion Killingly and coach Jimbo Crabtree rode into Putnam and repeated something that’s getting to be a routine, winning the championship.  Killingly bested the host Putnam Clippers 53-40 in a game that was closer than the final score might indicate. 

Putnam hung around for most of the contest but didn’t have the horses to pull off the victory.  Trailing 25-16 at intermission, the Clippers made runs early in the fourth period that brought them to within one point of Killingly but simply ran out of gas as tournament Most Outstanding player Brendan Turner took over control of the game.

Turner, who has battled injuries for the past two years, led the Redmen to the win with 13 points and was joined in double figures by All-Tournament selection Chace Wood who also had 13 markers.  Putnam was paced by sophomore Dan Porcic who also posted 13 points despite being dogged by the Killingly defense all evening.

In its only other game, the 2-1 Redmen were dropped by Griswold 50-43 despite a dozen points from freshman Luke Desaulnier and 11 points from Wood.

Putnam took to the highway for its only other game and emerged from East Granby with a 55-52 closely contested victory.  Porcic with 19 points paced the Putnam offense, which placed two other players in double digits.  Brevon Harmon and Zach Evans each chipped in a dozen points in the win.  Evans’ points all came from beyond three-point range for the 2-1 Clippers.

Tourtellotte, which had already beaten Ellis Tech earlier in the season, turned the trick once more in the Classic consolation contest.  The Tigers ran away with a 60-36 win on a team effort as nine players got into the scoring column led by Evan Ware with 16 points.  Troy Morin contributed 10 points for the 3-1 Tigers of coach Neil Bernier.  Ellis Tech’s Trent Raymond led all scorers with 24 points.

In its only other contest the Golden Eagles lost to Wheeler 69-32, falling to 0-5 on the young season.  Raymond with 15 points was once again the team’s leading scorer.

Woodstock Academy got to the title game of the Centaur Holiday Classic by beating Cheney Tech in the opening round 59-46.  Three Centaurs carried the bulk of the offense, scoring 54 of Woodstock’s 59 points.  Nick Short was the leading scorer with 23 points followed by Bryce Jarrett (16) and Cuinn Stevenson (15).

In the tile game Greenwich prevailed 54-40 with a strong second half performance.  Stevenson with 12 markers was the lone double-digit scorer for the 2-1 Centaurs.

In Willimantic, Plainfield prevailed over Windham Tech 73-47.  The Panthers rode the coattails of Liam Jacobs who was game-high scorer with 25 points.  He was joined in double figures by Jeff Nicolosi with 11 and Elijah Malboeuf with 16.  Plainfield is 3-2 on the year.

Marianapolis Prep struggling to find the win column lost two games in the Belmont Hill Tournament before finally picking up its second win of the season.  The Golden Knights, who are 2-8, beat Roxbury Latin 54-43.  They were paced in the win by a trio of double figure scorers led by Dominique Senat with 15 points.  He was joined in double figures by Joe Del Ricci (14) and Marley Blommers (11).

The Knights of coach Andrew Vitale opened the tourney with a 68-37 loss at the hands of the host Belmont Hill.  They then lost to Nobles 53-48 despite a 17 point performance by Audric Sandoval.

 

 

Karen L. Paquette

WOODSTOCK — Karen L. (Campbell) Paquette, 54, of Woodstock, died Dec. 28, 2015, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. Daughter of Odena (Audette) Campbell and the late Robert Campbell, she was  born Feb. 3, 1961, in Putnam.

Wife of Chandler Paquette, they were married on Aug. 17, 1985.

She worked for Crabtree and Evelyn for 11 years as a manager, then 10 years at the Hyde School, and was currently the head chef at Woodstock Academy for the past five years. Her family meant everything to her. She and Chandler always cooked the breakfast at the annual Turkey Dip for MDA on Thanksgiving morning. She was a member of the Republican Town Committee in Woodstock. She loved her home in Woodstock.

She leaves her husband Chandler Paquette of Woodstock; her mother Odena Campbell of Putnam; two daughters Amanda Paquette of Woodstock and Chelsea Paquette of Pomfret; two grandchildren Elizabeth and Jessica Leach; siblings Donna Young (Doug) of Woodstock, Robert Campbell Jr. of Putnam, Michael “Peach” Campbell of Woodstock, and her dog Rosie.

A Memorial Service was Jan. 2 at the East Woodstock Congregational Church. Donations: Town of Woodstock Recreation Committee, Attn. Recreation Director, 415 Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Jeannette Jimmo

QUINEBAUG — Jeannette P. Jimmo, 88, of Quinebaug, died unexpectedly Dec. 29, 2015, at home. She was the wife of the late Sidney H. Jimmo. They were married March 25, 1967. He died Aug. 4, 1998. 

She was born Oct. 11, 1927, in Carroll, Maine, daughter of Roy and Minnie (McLaughlin) Smith.  She lived in Woodstock since 1965, moving to Quinebaug in 2007.  She worked as a packer at a clothes pin factory in Maine and as an inspector at Anchor Glass in Dayville for 26 years, retiring in 1991. Jeannette attended the Hope Community Church in Putnam for many years. She was a member of the Interfaith Stitchers as she enjoyed crocheting and knitting. Games, puzzles, traveling and socializing with friends and family were her favorite pastimes. Having lived in Lincoln for many years, she enjoyed going back to spend her summers with family there. Jeannette was known for her bubbly personality, positive attitude and an infectious laugh.

She leaves her children Marlene Ogden of Woodstock, Myron Ogden Jr. of New Hampshire and Florida and his partner Claire Audette. She was predeceased by her two sons Woodrow “Woody” Ogden in 2013 and Norman Ogden in 1948. She also leaves her daughter-in-law Rose Ogden of Putnam; four grandchildren:  Robin Diranian (Mike), Lisa Meehan (Mike), Penny Ogden and Mandy Ogden, 10 great-grandchildren: Jacob, Madeline, Ethan, Lauren, Ava, Evan, Anna, Alison, twins Hannah and Hailey; close friends and nieces: Doris Taylor, Barb DeRoche, Debbie Hawkins and Ruth Perry.

The Service was Jan. 2 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Elmvale Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations: St. Jude‘s Children’s Hospital. PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. 

 

Antanas Juzaitis

PUTNAM — Antanas Juzaitis, 99, of Thurber Rd, died Dec. 24, 2015, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  He was the husband of the late Kazimiera (Ramanaskas) Juzaitis.  Born in 1916 in Raguva, Lithuania, he was the son of the late Stasys and Marcele (Juospaitis) Juozapavicius.

Mr. Juzaitis worked as an engineer at Catalytic Engineering.

He leaves a son Raymond Juzaitis (Helen); two daughters Kristina Juzaitis and her husband Ira Robbins, and Diane Juzaitis; two grandchildren Antanas Juzaitis and Lina “Leanne” Juzaitis. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 5 at St. Andrew Lithuanian Catholic Church in Philadelphia, with burial at Calvary Cemetery in W. Conshohocken, Penn. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

Frederick Zulkiewicz

PUTNAM — Frederick W. Zulkiewicz, 88, of Hawkins Rd., died Dec. 29, 2015, in UMass Memorial Hospital.  He was the husband of the late Madeline (Bernier) Zulkiewicz.  Born in 1927 in Woodstock, he was the son of the late Leon and Antonia (Bida) Zulkiewicz.

Mr. Zulkiewicz worked as a self-employed carpenter and was a member of the Local #23 Carpenters Union.  Frederick loved riding his Harley Davidson and building houses.  

In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Kathleen of Delaware; sisters, Adela Jankot of Webster, and Cecilia Desaulnier of Killingly; and several grandchildren.  He is predeceased by two brothers.

The Graveside Service was Jan. 2 in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.

 

Alice D. Guay

DAYVILLE — Alice D. (Grondalski) Guay, 82, formerly of Cardinal Dr., died Jan. 3, 2016, at Davis Place Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Gerald F. Guay Sr.  Born in 1933 in the Goodyear section of Killingly, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Antonia Grandalski.

Alice married Gerald Guay “Jerry” in 1953 and moved to Chaplin soon after. They nurtured their four children there, and in 1976, they moved to Louisiana.

After her husband died in 2005, she stayed with her daughter; Laurie and her husband Joe, moving back to Killingly two years later. She lived with her son Glenn and his wife Helena for seven years. During the last two years of her life, she was a resident of Davis Place in Danielson.

Alice was blind for more than 25 years due to the effects of diabetes. Not once did she complain or lament about her condition. Her “what can you do?” attitude allowed her to take life in stride without grumbling. She shared her smile and laughter with everyone.

Alice enjoyed listening to Judge Judy and other such programs. Probably her favorite pastime was talking on the telephone. She was very likely the only person that could call a wrong number, and then hold a conversation for an hour – she never met a stranger. She hade a bubbly personality.

She leaves her sister Bertha Kuszaj; her sons, Gary Guay (Laurie), Glenn Guay Sr. (Helena); her daughter Laurie Null (Marcel “Joe”); her grandchildren, Glenn Guay Jr. (Edyta), Jennifer Stone, Amy Bouzrak, and Matthew Guay; her two great-grandchildren, Sami and Saphia; her brother-in-law Milton Guay and his current wife Barbara, sister-in-law Mary Frost (Robert), sister-in-law Rita Guay. Alice was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Gerald F. Guay Sr., her son Gerald Guay Jr., her brothers Ted, John, and Joseph, her sisters Mary, Wanda, and Geneveva, and sister-in-law Shirley Guay.

She will be buried alongside her husband and son at Port Hudson National Cemetery in Zachary, La. The Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

Paul Sharpe Sr.

WEBSTER/WOODSTOCK — Paul E. Sharpe Sr., 74, died Dec. 29, 2015, at the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn.   

He was born in Worcester son of the late Howard and Vera (Richards) Sharpe and lived in Woodstock for three years prior to that living in Webster.  He was a manager for many years at Iandolis Super Market in Worcester. 

He leaves a son, Paul E. Sharpe Jr. of N. Grosvenordale; a daughter Kelly Sharpe of Georgia, and a grandson Paul E. Sharpe III of Pascoag; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carol Sharpe and Barbara Blakley, both of Florida. 

Service and burial were private. Donations: American Lung Association. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column, the very first of 2016, is dedicated to Diane Harmon, one of Putnam High School’s most ardent sports fans.  When not working at Jessica Tuesday’s, Harmon can usually be found in the stands at a Clipper sporting event rooting on her son and nephew, along with all the Putnam athletes.

Clipper Classic Boys’ All Stars

Killingly High School senior Brendan Turner was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2015 Clipper Holiday Classic.  He was joined on the All-Tournament team by his teammates Chace Wood and freshman Luke Desaulnier.  The remainder of the team included Evan Ware of Tourtellotte and a pair of Putnam Clippers, Zach Cutler and Dan Porcic.

The All-Academic team, which was composed of one player from each school, included Cory Sipos (Killingly), Furu Sherpa (Tourtellotte), Zach Brennan (Ellis Tech) and Cutler (Putnam).

Clipper Classic Girls’ All Stars

Meagan Bianchi of Killingly High School was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Girls’ Clipper Holiday Classic.  She was joined by three of her Teammates on the All-Tournament team.  Also named from Killingly were Morgan LeSage, Ally Conde and Kylee Mazzarella along with Marissa Shirshac of Windham Tech and Emily Vincent of Tourtellotte.

The All-Academic team included Stacey Belliveau (Putnam), Christina Kopacz (Tourtellotte), Oralee Collazo (Windham Tech) and Conde of Killingly.

Centaur Holiday Classic All Stars

Two Woodstock Academy females were recognized as all star performers during the Centaur Holiday Classic held at Alumni Field House.  Named were Jamie Woods and Madison Brennan.

Tourney Tidbits…Some noted personalities who were spotted in the tournament crowd included Father John O’Neill, pastor of St. James Church in Danielson, Putnam optometrist Dr. David Gaudreau, a member of the Putnam Board of Education and college basketball official Corey Pothier…Killingly Athletic Director Gene Blain was in attendance at all games despite recent surgery for a right knee replacement…Ray Elliot, former girls and boys head basketball coach at Windham Tech shook a lot of hands during the two-day event…Working the door at all the games was former Tourtellotte standout Nate “Gator” Gagnon, who now teaches at Putnam..,WINY Radio was on hand for both championship games with Sports Director Josh Sanchas handling the play-by-play and Scott Derosier providing the color commentary…Former Putnam High School standout lineman Dick Bianchi is the grandfather of Killingly hoop standout Meagan Bianchi…All games were officiated by the newly created Board #35…Some of the recognizable officials included Jeff Glenn, Rick Bogert, Joe Camposi, Tom Hayden, Christian Sarantopoulos and Scott Blevins…The best dressed and most colorfully outfitted coach in the tourney was Tourtellotte’s Neil Bernier with his brightly colored lime green and lemon yellow shirts to go along with his matching ties…Coach Tom Espinosa of Putnam Science Academy enjoyed the games with Killingly football coach Chad Neal and former Assumption College record setting receiver Eric Mauer…Putnam High School Principal Jackie Vetrovec, Assistant Principal Suzanne Sansoucy and Athletic Director Adam Mielniczuk did a great job of controlling the environment of the two-day tourney…Congratulations to Killingly High School and coaches “Jimbo” Crabtree of the boys’ team and Mark Lowell of the girl’s team for the Redmen and Redgals sweep of the titles…Finally, what would games in the Putnam gym be without Maurice “Moe” Coderre singing the National Anthem.

Gridiron Recognition

Congratulations to Killingly High School offensive lineman Josh Angell for his recent recognition on the State level.  The big tight end was named to the USA Today All-USA Connecticut second team.

College Hoop Update

Two noted local college basketball players played significant roles in impressive victories for their teams over the past weekend.  Former Woodstock Academy All State performer, Ian Converse, a sophomore at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, had eight points in a 67-65 victory over Eastern Nazarene.  Converse and the Engineers are enjoying a successful season with a 10-1 record.  WPI is ranked #14 in the D3hoops.com Top 25.

Across town at Worcester State University, former Putnam Science Academy big man Paul Brooks continues his impressive play for the Lancers.  In a 93-89 victory over Gordon College, Brooks posted 14 points and nine rebounds.  The 6-foot, 9-inch center is one of the major reasons the Lancers are having a great season currently at 8-5.

RPC Closing Thought For The Day: The bee that hangs around the hive doesn’t get the honey.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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DANIELSON — Quinebaug Valley Community College has been designated a 2016 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds.

Now in its seventh year, the designation provides service members and their families with transparent data- driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities. In addition, QVCC was ranked the #2 military friendly community college in the country in the newly created Top 25 ranking of schools by type.

Institutions competed for the elite Military Friendly® School title by completing a survey of over 100 questions on topics such as military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies. The designation is awarded to the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade school in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students and dedicate resources to ensure their success both in the classroom and after graduation.

According to Pam Brown, director of transition services and VA certifying official at QVCC, there are about

90 service members or veterans enrolled this fall, with over half receiving GI Bill or other educational benefits from the VA. “I think the overall QVCC experience is still very student focused, which is important to veterans,” said Brown. “The College is always willing to support veteran projects such as the recent photo exhibit, the veterans’ garden, the veterans’ OASIS, GI Guardians, and Veterans Day activities. We encourage an atmosphere where our veterans are respected, appreciated, and engaged with the school and each other.”

“QVCC could not be more proud to receive this honor,” stated President Carlee Drummer. “And we are even more proud to provide support to our veteran students who have served so tirelessly to protect the freedoms we all enjoy.”

QVCC will be showcased along with other 2016 Military Friendly® School in the annual Guide to Military Friendly® Schools, special education issues of G.I. Jobs® and Military Spouse Magazine, and on MilitaryFriendly.com