Medals

Woodstock Academy’s Ethan Aspiras, left, and Linsey Arends display their medals and certificates earned for their finishes at the East Coast Invitational. Photo courtesy of The Woodstock Academy.

 

More Woodstock Academy track records fall in Providence

More Woodstock Academy indoor track school records fell over the weekend at the East Coast Invitational.

Senior Greg Weber and sophomore Linsey Arends both put up new standards for the Centaurs Jan. 18.

Weber cleared 21-feet, 5-inches in the long jump while Arends finished the 1,600-meter in 5:26.20.

Breaking school records has become a habit for the Centaurs.

 

“It’s very much the talent this season,” said Woodstock Academy indoor track coach Josh Welch. “The records that fell are one or two decades old and these athletes have accomplished something very special in breaking them.”

Arends’ time in the 1,600-meter was good enough for seventh in a field that was chock full of talented runners. The sophomore also placed fifth in the 2-mile in 11:57.3.

Arends is already known for her cross-country talent, but is now making a name for herself in the shorter distances.

 “We knew last spring that she has potential in track. The demands on shorter events are very different than those on the trail and she is taking advantage of that to make her a stronger runner all around. She has a shot at the 3,200-meter record this season if we can get her fresh on a good track, too. She is driven and will find success where ever she applies herself,” Welch said of Arends.

Weber’s long jump, which broke his own school mark that he set just the week before at the University of Rhode Island, earned him a third-place finish.

As soon as he finished in the long jump pit, the senior headed to the high jump where he cleared 5-10 to earn a second medal for a sixth-place finish.

“He is very new still and there is so much more he can do this season and in the spring. His natural talent is a major factor; his ability to take instruction is also a big factor in his growth. He is smart, coachable, and will realize what he is really capable of as his focus grows stronger. I couldn't ask for much more in an athlete,” Welch said.

Ethan Aspiras also earned an East Coast Invitational medal for a fifth-place finish in the 2-mile in a time of 10:10. Fellow junior Adam Schimmelpfennig was sixth in the hurdles with an 8.2 second finish.

“(The) East Coast (Invitational) has great competition from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, etc.… It's a very tough meet to make a showing at, maybe more so than anything other than the State Open and New England's.  Grabbing a medal there is a major accomplishment.  That level of competition pulled many of our athletes to personal bests and improvement on seed times for states for Adam, Linsey, and Greg,” Welch said.

 

Dual Meet Results

The girls’ indoor track team downed Leicester, Mass., 50-34, and Marianapolis 69-13, but lost to Auburn, 52-34, Jan. 15. The girls are now 7-2. Arends took home a first-place finish in the 1,000-meter.

The boys’ indoor track team defeated Leicester, 61-25, and Marianapolis 81-5 but lost to Auburn, 43 ½ - 42 ½ to raise its record to 6-2. Joe Zhou finished second in the high jump when he cleared 5 feet, 10 inches.

Marc Allard

Director of Sports Information

The Woodstock Academy

Elaine Ruth

(Fisher) Auclair

ZELLWOOD, Fla. --- Elaine Ruth (Fisher) Auclair, 77, of Zellwood, formerly of Putnam, died Jan. 10, 2020.

Elaine was born May 4, 1942, in Worcester, the daughter of Sidney and Jean (Sclar) Fisher. Elaine was a well-loved, long-term substitute teacher at Putnam Elementary School and a talented artist.

She leaves her daughter, Laura Fisher Andersen (Eric “Gus”) of Stockbridge, Ga.; four grandchildren: Chance, Gunnar, Sydne, and Cole; two sisters, Myrna B. Pumerantz and Joyce M. Pearson; her brother, Jeffrey H. Fisher (Ellen); her nephew, Marc A. Pumerantz and his children, Caitlin, Chase and Bailey; and niece Lynn Pumerantz Jaworski (Steven) and their children, Emily and Tucker; five step-children: Kim Auclair (Marna), Joy Auclair (Jon Wallace), Carl Auclair, Carey Auclair, Michael Auclair; step-grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law; and several cousins; her YaYa Sisters of Zellwood.She was predeceased by her parents, her brother-in-law Gilbert Pumerantz and her husband, Nicholas Auclair.

Burial is private. Donations: Health Choice CT, PO Box 603, Suffield, CT 06078.  Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Norman J. Beaupre Jr.,

Army vet

WOODSTOCK VALLEY --- Norman Joseph Beaupre Jr., 70, was called home to be with Our Lord Jan. 12, 2020.

Norman was born on July 18, 1949, in Hartford to Norman and Lorraine (LaBonte) Beaupre. Norman then began a life or love for God, family and country. He served in the Special Forces and after 15 years was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. His first wife of 10 years was Kathy Duke and together they have two daughters, Tracy Koonce of Brookford, N.C., and Lorraine McCready of Stafford, Va.

Norman remarried in 1981 to his soulmate Jahala Jean and have two children, Danielle Beaupre-Boncek of Pomfret and Norman "Beau" Beaupre III of Woodstock Valley. They recently celebrated 38 wonderful years of marital adventures.

Active in the community, Norman was a member of American Legion Post 13, New England Western Dance Association, and served as commander of VFW Post 1523 for eight years – the longest running commander in the Post's history. While he enjoyed playing cards and pool; singing and dancing with his beautiful wife and acting as sound engineer for his wife's band, when asked what his greatest achievement is, he would answer, "my family".

He leaves his wife, children, three brothers, and two sisters, as well as 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his mother, father, and first wife along with his brother in arms, Joe.

To celebrate his life and share memories, go to the memorial webpage at norman-j-beauprejr.forevermissed.com Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: Putnam VFW Albert J. Breault Post 1523, 207 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260.

 

Cynthia W. Cole

Cynthia Whitehead “Cici” Cole, 90, died Dec. 21, 2020 at Westview Health Care Center.

She survived the death of her husband, Charles “Chick” Cole by three years. He had been the love of her life, and it gave her great peace to imagine rejoining him.

Hers was a life rich in community, steeped in education, art and people she loved.

Born in New York City to Cathleen Gruner Whitehead and Lyman Tibbles Whitehead in 1929, she was a striking and impactful presence from day one. Growing up in Oyster Bay and Syosset Long island, she had the maturity and beauty of a teenager, towering above all the students in her grade school classes. For high school, she attended The Fox Hollow School in Lenox, Mass., and graduated with a love of literature. After entering polite society as a young debutante, she then moved to New York City and developed a career in modeling. There she caught Chick’s eye. They married, and in 1951 they moved to Pomfret School where Chick became a faculty member and director of the Art Department. There, they raised their four children: Susan, Lindsey, Charlie and Willie. All of the children attended and graduated from Pomfret School.

She was a dedicated faculty wife and opened her heart and home to many students. She was a natural with them. Described by Izzie Burch, the one grandchild who attended Pomfret: “She could make any situation fun. All my friends wanted to go over to Granny and Chick’s house. She was ageless, vivacious, sassy, and told wonderful stories; she saw the best in people and had strong values; she was beautiful, opinionated beyond belief, funny, interesting.”

To those who knew her, her opinion mattered.  And let it be known: she was not shy in giving it.

“Is THAT your haircut?” she’d ask. “Take the tarts when passed” she’d say, and most famously: “The world hates a slow leaver.” She’d often declare this as she forced Chick out the door of many a hostess’s front hall. Those on the receiving end of her wisdoms felt thrilled when she was pleased, and when not pleased, well… she was generous in bestowing second chances.

She was the kind of person you wanted to do right by. Part of that was her laugh: lilting, full throated and dry. It was the kind of laugh that made you feel like you’d won.

As a young mother, Cici was hired by The Pomfret Community School to be the “nurse” for the students. Despite the fact that she was not a nurse and that she only made $2.00 an hour she always felt it was one of the best jobs she ever had. She had an enormous heart for other people’s children. In her later years, she went on to become a highly successful and renowned real estate agent in northeastern Connecticut. Initially, she was employed by The Byrnes Agency; subsequently by the T.R. Preston Company and eventually, Coldwell Banker. As an agent, she was known for her integrity, her honesty, caring to a fault, and her tireless, versatile and charming energy.  And boy, could she sell houses. Quite often, the same house more than once -- to ordinary people, famous athletes, and even movie stars. She loved connecting the right people to the right house. She said she always felt fortunate to get to know so many different families and people over the years. They became her friends and she was thankful for it.

She lived life with energy, wit and elegance. “Be a good grandson and fetch your granny a vodka sandwich.” She had a larger-than-life personality, and a heart to match. She left part of herself in all four of her kids and all nine of her grandchildren.

There will be a Memorial Service at noon May 2 in the Clark Memorial Chapel at Pomfret School. Donations: The Chick and Cici Cole Scholarship at Pomfret School. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Helen M. Cotnoir

THOMPSON ---Helen (Gawlik) Cotnoir, 87, of Thompson Rd., died Jan. 14, 2020, at Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of Arthur W. Cotnoir. He died in 1993.

Born in 1932 in Killingly, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine (Zurowski) Gawlik.

Mrs. Cotnoir was a bank teller for Hartford National, Shawmut and Fleet Bank for 25 years. She volunteered her time at Valley Springs.  She enjoyed cookouts with family, crocheting and trips to Foxwoods and traveling and exploring new places with her husband and her son Brian.  She also enjoyed dancing to Polka music.

She leaves her son, Brian Cotnoir of Thompson; her grandchildren, Michelle Teague, Christopher Cotnoir, Jamie Aubin, and Zachary Cotnoir; and her great-grandchildren, Justin, Austin, Dakota, Kaden, Isabelle, Emmalin, Ashel, Bodhi, and Lukas. She was predeceased by her sons, Joseph Cotnoir and Wilbur “Wayno” Contoir.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 20 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St. N. Grosvenordale.

 

Loretta Despatie

BROOKLYN --- Loretta Despatie, 97, of Brooklyn, died Jan. 9, 2020, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. She was the wife of Gerard P. Despatie since 1941. He died in 1989.

She was born April 22, 1922, in Manchester, N.H., daughter of Alfred and Alexina (Beaulieu) Bergeron.

She was raised in Canada before moving back to N. Grosvenordale at the age of 10 where she attended St. Joseph School. She worked for Cluett Peabody in N. Grosvenordale, Powdrell & Alexander in Danielson and for Hale Manufacturing in Ballouville, before retiring in 1984.

Loretta enjoyed baking, knitting, crocheting and sewing. She was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson, a member of the QVCC Senior Citizens, the Daughters of Isabella and volunteered for R.S.V.P.

She leaves her granddaughters Charlene Hammond (Joshua) of Oxford, Mass., Laura Miller (Daniel) of Brooklyn; five great-grandchildren; Austin Hewko USN, Connor Harnois USAF, Mackenzie Miller-Holowaty and Daniel J. Miller of Brooklyn, and Owen Hammond of Oxford. She was predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law Marie Joyce and Richard Holowaty

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with a Prayer Service at 6. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale.

 

Constance (Bransfield) Noon

GLASTONBURY ---Constance (Bransfield) Noon, 81, of Salmon Brook Dr., died Jan. 10, 2020, at Salmon Brook Rehabilitation and Nursing Home.

Born in 1938 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Lea (Duso) Bransfield. She was the wife of Alan F. Noon.

Constance was employed as a payroll/benefits clerk for the Town of Killingly. She retired in 2003.

In addition to her husband, she leaves her son, Michael Noon; daughter, Sherry Holmes; granddaughter, Kaitlynn Holmes (she called her “my little angel.”)

The funeral and burial will be scheduled in the Spring. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St. Putnam. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd, Southington, CT 06489.

 

Patricia Sadowsky

DUDLEY --- Ms. Patricia A. Sadowsky, 77, of Mason Rd. died Jan. 15, 2020, at UMass Hospital, University Campus.

She was born Aug. 9, 1942, in Mechanicsville to the late Clarence and Claire (Demers) Pottie.

Pat attended St. Joseph’s grammar and high school in N. Grosvenordale, CT. She was a graduate of the class of 1960. After graduation she attended Elizabeth Ollis Beauty Academy in Worcester. She then worked for her friend Barbara Cournoyer at Barb’s House of Styling in Webster. She was also involved in her ex-husband’s family business at Indian Ranch and Pineview Farms. She also worked as the bake shop manager for the Publick House in Sturbridge, Mass., Gentex Optics, Dudley, and O.F.S. (Lucent Technologies) in Sturbridge.

Pat enjoyed computer games and spending time with friends. She also enjoyed the ocean, Red Sox baseball and card games.

She leaves her son, James Aaron Sadowsky; daughter-in-law, Wendy Sadowsky and her grandson, James Nicholas Sadowsky, all of N. Oxford, Mass.  Patricia lived with her cousin Gloria Dubeau in Thompson for many years. 

Visitation is at 9 a.m. Jan. 25 in Valade Funeral Home & Crematory, 23 Main Street, N. Grosvenordale, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, and burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Second Chance Animal Shelter, Inc. P.O. Box 136, E. Brookfield, MA 01515; or to the SPCA of CT, a no-kill shelter in Monroe.

Centaurs Gold prep improves to 18-1

 

There are plenty of teams who can keep up with the Woodstock Academy Centaurs Gold prep basketball team for the first half.

The telling tale generally occurs in the second half.

Bosco Institute found out how difficult it is to deal with the Centaurs depth Jan. 17.

The Centaurs only held a four-point lead at the half, but walked away with a 17-point win, 92-75, in a Hoophall Prep Showcase game.

The win was the 12th in a row for the Gold prep team and raised its record to 18-1.

Woodstock Academy did what it does best in the second half.

It pressed.

And because of the amount of quality players on the bench - which allows the Centaurs to liberally substitute, sometimes taking a page from hockey with a five-player line change - which press was suffocating.

 “The press was extremely effective. We forced (24) turnovers. It was a big court with great depth perception so it was really cool that the press was so effective. I think our depth took them out of a couple of things that they wanted to do,” said Woodstock Academy coach Jacque Rivera.

The Centaurs also produced some transition offense off those turnovers, getting 36 points off of them.

Bosco Institute, a team from Indiana, led by eight points early in the first half, but the Centaurs got back into the game with an 11-point run of its own later in the half.

It led 45-41 at the break, but gradually pulled away in the second half.

Ronnie DeGray and Dyondre Dominguez did much of the damage for the Centaurs.

DeGray, the only returning member of the team from a year ago, delivered a game-high 24 points.

He made 9-of-12 from the floor including 3-of-6 from beyond the 3-point line.

Rivera is just hopeful that someone in the stands was watching.

The 6-foot, 7-inch player from Parker, Colo. has not committed to a college program as of yet.

Providence native Dominguez made 6-of-10 from the floor, five of those from beyond the 3-point line and four free throws to finish with 21 points.

He also led the Centaurs with eight rebounds, seven off the defensive boards.

“The big thing for Dyondre is that he is really getting it going on the defensive side. He’s rebounding. He’s defending and playing with more confidence,” Rivera said.

Michael Jefferson and Quran McPherson also finished in double figures for the Centaurs with 10 points apiece.

Rivera is just happy the Centaurs got invited to play in the Hoophall Showcase.

“It’s the best event in the country. It gets unbelievable publicity. You play in front of packed crowds. It’s right in the middle of Springfield which has a rich tradition of basketball, obviously with James Naismith (who invented the game) and Springfield College (the site where Naismith taught when he created basketball) right up the road. I think the overall experience is just a memorable one,” Rivera said.

Jan. 16 the team traveled to Barrington, R.I. to play St. Andrews and were tested.

The Centaurs escaped with a 71-65 win over the New England Prep School Athletic Council member team.

“Any time you go on the road to play a NEPSAC school, you will be challenged. New England basketball is where it’s at. Home games are tough. Going on the road, it’s dark at 4 p.m. and it’s a 7 p.m. tip. When you factor in all of those things and the fact that (St. Andrew’s coach) Mike (Hart) has 30 years’ experience in the business, of course, his team is prepared," Rivera said.

The Centaurs survived behind 22 points from Dominquez and an 11-point effort from Quinton McElroy.

The Centaurs Gold team gets back on the court Jan. 24 in a four-team Coaches vs. Cancer tournament at Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine.

Another Connecticut team, St. Thomas More, is also involved in that tournament.

 

Blue Loses at Hoophall

The Centaurs Blue prep basketball team saw its record drop to 13-8 over the weekend as it lost both its games at the Hoophall Classic. The Centaurs lost a heartbreaker to Rise Prep, 64-63. That was preceded by a 76-62 loss to Cheshire Academy

Woodstock Academy trailed Rise Prep, 31-26, at the end of the first half but made it close at the end. The Centaurs edged Rise Prep in fast-break points, 11-3, but lost the bench battle, 29-14.

Trevor Green put together a double-double effort with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Nahshon Battle led Woodstock Academy with 17 points while Vondre Chase tossed in 10 points and eight rebounds.

Battle was the only player in double figures against Cheshire with 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting. Former Woodstock Academy high school basketball standout, Chase Anderson, added nine points for the Centaurs.

Paul Hosey (6 rebounds) and Vondre Chase added eight points each.

Marc Allard

Director of Sports Information

The Woodstock Academy