Local writer pens his account of the Flood of 1955
Putnam native Ronald P. Coderre recently released a booklet he’s written about his experiences and memories of The Flood of 1955.
“August 19, 1955 is one of the most significant days in the 170-year history of the community of Putnam. For those old enough to remember, it’s the day the town was taken by surprise and devastated by the flooding waters of the Quinebaug and French rivers,” said Coderre.
“The oral history of that day and those that followed is becoming more distant every year. For that reason and others, I felt it was important to put the memories I have, as a 14-year-old boy at the time, in print. It’s 70 years since that fateful day and worth remembering,” said Coderre, author of the booklet.
Proceeds of sales for the booklet, which is on sale for $25, will go to the Putnam Aspinock Historical Society. Copies can be purchased at the Aspinock Historical Society in the Municipal Complex.
“A publication on this subject is long overdue. We’re so pleased to support Coderre’s work because we feel it’s extremely important to the history of Putnam. We encourage people to share the news with relatives who may have moved from Putnam and would be interested in this booklet,” said John Miller, president of the Putnam Aspinock Historical Society.
Coderre, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force (1959-1965) and 1959 graduate of Putnam High School, has been writing locally for more than 40 years.
He is remembered for his sports column Ramblings, Points and Comments which ran for many years in The Norwich Bulletin and The Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger. It was also published in the former Windham County Observer and The Journal Transcript in Danielson.
In 2019, Coderre wrote the 100-year history of the Mayotte – Viens American Legion Post #13 and followed in 2021 with the 125-year history of the Putnam Police Department.
He’s also been the person behind the pen since 2007 of the semi-annual publication The Community Beat, the newsletter of the Putnam Police Department.
“Writing my memories of the 1955 Flood is something I’ve thought of doing for many years but never got serious about sitting down and actually following through. In many ways this venture turned out to be more labor intensive than originally envisioned. However, it was very rewarding,” he said.
Coderre is a 1969 graduate of Assumption University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in rehabilitation counseling in 1972.
He served as Vice President of Philanthropy, Marketing and Public Relations at Day Kimball Hospital for 26 years.
He’s also served the community in numerous governmental positions, including the former Putnam City Council and Board of Education. His civic leadership capacities include the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, The Putnam Little League, the Putnam Business Association, The American Legion and the Putnam Rotary Club.
He lives in Putnam with his wife Donna.
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