Centaurs fall
short in Cranston
championship
Will Fleeton was beginning to wonder what he got himself into.
The Woodstock Academy girls’ basketball coach had forgotten that he had gone over the state line to the east.
“When the officials came over and told us all the differences (between Connecticut and Rhode Island rules). I was wondering, ‘My God, why did we come down here?’ It’s totally different rules to an extent because of how the game was called than up here. At that moment, I was thinking we shouldn’t have done it. Looking back on it, it was probably one of the best things for us,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs traveled to Cranston West High School in Rhode Island for the Hank Orabone Holiday Tournament last week. Woodstock Academy handled the changes pretty well.
The Centaurs downed E. Providence, 44-35, in the first round and just lost to host Cranston West, 45-37, in the championship game.
In addition to how games are officiated, Rhode Island follows NCAA not Federation rules which means games are split into halves, not quarters, and there is a shot clock.
“I think the kids did a good job adjusting. It caused a little trouble because we’re not used to it and we had a couple of possessions where we lost track of the time,” Fleeton said.
To help the players on the floor, the bench began counting down when the shot clock hit 10 seconds.
“We were counting every time, not that we were in trouble, but we wanted to give the kids a little comfort so they would know what was going on and not forget where they are,” Fleeton said.
Although he had no numbers to back it up, he thinks the opposition in both games was more prone to shot clock violations than his team.
It’s a feature Fleeton would love to see adopted by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
“I’m a defensive guy so if we can play ‘D’ and cut some time off the clock; the pressure is on the offense. I’m a huge fan (of the shot clock). I think it makes defense a little bit stronger,” Fleeton said.
It took a little while to get used to.
The Centaurs (1-3) found themselves down to East Providence early in the first half by nine points.
But Woodstock Academy rallied with an 11-point run at the end of the second quarter to take a three-point lead by halftime.
“It was a full team effort which is why I was personally so excited about it. Everybody got touches and I think, everyone who was on the floor, scored,” Fleeton said.
Katie Papp battled hard inside for the Centaurs, something they needed since East Providence had a bit of a size advantage.
The senior finished with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists to lead the Centaurs. Sophomore Aurissa Boardman was also in double digits with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. Kayla Gaudreau helped with eight points including a pair of 3-pointers.
The Centaurs started out well in the championship game against their hosts, Cranston West, only to see the Rhode Island school rally.
“I think they just outplayed us, outworked us, outhustled us and, at times, even outcoached us. With all that said, we were in the game. That’s why I say those things because I think a few positive adjustments and we have a win,” Fleeton said.
Papp had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go with two blocks.
She was named the Centaurs MVP in both games.
“Katie played well. She was clearly a force under the basket in the first game and, offensively, she was in rhythm so she put up some good points for us, For the people in Rhode Island, they got to see something special in Katie Papp. They got to see everything she can do,” Fleeton said.
Hallie Saracina added six points while both Boardman and Gaudreau finished with five.
It was the Centaurs first holiday tournament since the Centaurs Classic came to a close a couple of years ago at Woodstock Academy.
“I like the comfort of being at home but I would much rather play a tournament situation like this on the road because the pressure is on the home team especially if it makes the final like Cranston West did. It’s their tournament. I’m sure they wanted to win their own trophy,” Fleeton said. “It was nice to take as trip during vacation week and playing teams we’re not familiar with was even more important.”
The Centaurs opened the week with a matinee loss to Fitch, 41-32.
Peyton Saracina led Woodstock Academy with eight points in the loss while Alexa Pechie finished with six points.
“We could very well be 3-1 or 2-2 if a couple of things had gone differently. I think the kids have shown the possibility is there, it’s just a matter of me and my staff getting it out of them,” Fleeton said.
The Centaurs are off until Jan. 2 when they visit Waterford (3-0) and then play at East Lyme (0-4) also on the road Jan. 4.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy
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A. ‘Del’ Dubreuil,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Adelard Dubreuil, a lifetime resident of Putnam, died peacefully in his sleep Dec. 28, 2019, at the age of 100.
He was born Dec. 25, 1919, in Putnam to the late Alphonse and Angelina (LaBonte) Dubreuil.
Del served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, landing on Omaha Beach in August 1944 during the Normandy invasion. He served in the 7th Army Armored Division, seeing combat in the Battle of the Bulge-Ardennes Alsace Lorraine Campaign to Belgium and Luxembourg while serving under General Patton, U.S. Army Third Armored Division. After his service, Del became a member of VFW Post #1523 and the American Legion Post #13 of Putnam.
Del attended St. Mary’s Elementary and Putnam Trade School. Del worked in the Putnam mills and enjoyed hunting, fishing, biking and swimming. He was a member of the Putnam Fish and Game Club.
He leaves nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Lena Lagace and Gloria Blevins, and brother Edward Dubreuil.
The Service is at 11 a.m. Jan. 4 in Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, with burial with military honors at St. Mary Cemetery.
Gary Allen Larrow,
Vietnam vet
BROOKLYN — Gary Allen Larrow, 68, of Brooklyn, died unexpectedly Dec. 24, 2019, at home. Born March 11, 1951, son of Albert and Charlotte (Durand) Larrow.
Gary was a decorated combat Vietnam Army veteran, who received a Purple Heart and Air Medal.
He also served eight years with the RI Air National Guard after being honorably discharged from the Army. He was a truck driver for almost 50 years, just like his father and grandfather.
He leaves his mother Charlotte E. Larrow of Danielson; his daughters Patricia (Matthew) George of Dayville, and Shannon Larrow of New London; his grandsons Sean George and Paul George of Dayville; his granddaughter Brianna Larrow of Putnam; his estranged wife Patricia A. Larrow of Putnam; his brothers Steven (Terri) Larrow of Brooklyn, Michael (Cheri) Larrow of Orlando, Ind., Kenneth (Phyllis) Larrow of Danielson, and Edward (Sue) Larrow of Pomfret; his sister Charlotte Larrow of Brooklyn; his companion Susan Strauss and her family of Brooklyn; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Gary was predeceased by his father Albert Larrow, his son Sean Allen Larrow; his co-pilot and Cav Brother Tom Suprok
Visitation is from 4 to 7 Jan. 6 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. A Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Jan. 7 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with military honors at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson.
Robert Hendrickson
SOUTHBRIDGE — Robert “Bob” J. Hendrickson, 60, of Southbridge, formerly of Woodstock, died Dec. 23, 2019, at home.
He was the husband of Maura (Mendonça) Hendrickson. He was born April, 5 1959, in Putnam, son of the late Theodore and Ruth (Austin) Hendrickson.
He was a CNC programmer /engineer for Whitcraft in Eastford. Bob was an avid cribbage player, enjoyed playing golf, loved gardening and traveling with his wife. He was a member of the Church of The Good Shepherd in Woodstock and served as a deacon.
He leaves his wife Maura; his son Jake Robert of Astoria, N.Y.; siblings Gary (Linda) of Woodstock, Gene (Leona) of Woodstock, Lynne of Woodstock, Wayne (Donna) of Thompson, Karen (David) of Woodstock, Cheryl (Bruce) of Woodstock; nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Life was Dec. 28 at the Church of The Good Shepherd in Woodstock. Donations: Church of The Good Shepherd, PO Box 747, Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Richard J. Blanchard
DANIELSON — Richard J. Blanchard, 63, of Danielson, died Dec. 25, 2019. Born June 10, 1956, in Woonsocket, R.I., Richard was a carpenter most of his life. He loved NASCAR, hunting, fishing and country music.
He leaves his children Vicki-Lynn Blanchard of Putnam, Christopher Blanchard of Danielson, Jonathan Lippard (Cynthia) of Barberton, Ohio, and Jessica Lippard of Danielson; his mother Ruth Lamoureux of Danielson; his siblings Ann Leclerc (Richard) of Dunedin, Fla., Kathy Combs (Ronald) of Danielson, Peter Lamoureux of Putnam; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews; his dog Shelby. He was predeceased by his siblings Michael, Sonny and Karen. A Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 2 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Sr. Marie Ruth
Page, DHS
WINDHAM — Sr. Marie Ruth Page, DHS, 103, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit died Dec. 28, 2019, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham.
Born on April 3, 1916, in Chicopee, Mass., Marie Ruth Exilda Page she was the daughter of the late Edouard and Amanda (Gelinas) Page. Sr. Marie Ruth entered religious life in 1934 in Putnam and made her religious profession at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France on Sept. 2, 1937. She was then known as Sr. Edouard de la Croix.
Sr. Marie Ruth was a teacher for more than 50 years having taught at St. Mary’s School, Jewett City; St. Cecilia School, Leominster, Mass.; St. Brendan School, New Haven; and Assumption School, Chicopee. More than 30 of those years were teaching the eighth grade.
In her retirement years, she served as sacristan at St. Joseph Guest House, New Haven, and did CCD work at St. Cecilia’s Parish in Leominster, and Assumption Parish, Chicopee. In 2004 she moved to the Holy Spirit Provincial House and was admitted to the Healthcare Facility in 2012. She was one of the first sisters to form the new community at St. Joseph Living Center in 2016.
She leaves the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates as well as two nieces, one nephew and many grand and great-grandnieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, David Page and Raoul Page as well as her sisters, Gertrude Belanger, Rose Warwick, Florence Sampson and Viola Jerreld.
Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 2 at St. Joseph Church, Willimantic, with a prayer service at 10 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam at 2:30 p.m. Donations: DHS Retirement Fund, P. O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Theresa L. Davis
DANIELSON — Theresa L. Davis, 90, of Danielson died Dec. 25, 2019, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn.
Born on March 12, 1929, in Killingly, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Rosanna (Renaud) DeVillez. She was the wife of Robert F. Davis, who died in 1969.
Theresa was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. She worked at Pryms as a packer for 45 years until it closed in 1990.
She leaves her sisters Lorraine Collins of Tolland, Nancy Bernier of Danielson, and Claire Sabourin of E. Killingly. She was predeceased by her brothers Leon DeVillez, Eugene DeVillez and Theodore DeVillez; her sisters Dora Petecki, Pauline Nichols, Mary Dixon, Florina Weaver, Alice Lafountaine and Ida Blair.
A Chapel Service was Dec. 31 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Danielson. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Eugene H. Gieda
DAYVILLE — Eugene H. Gieda, 70, of Dayville, died Dec. 26, 2019, at Hartford Hospital. Born Oct. 17, 1949, in Scranton, Penn, he was a son of the late Henry and Eleanor (Kozlowski) Gieda. He was the husband of Frederica (Melzar) Gieda.
Eugene was a security manager at Foxwoods Casino and he loved his job. He enjoyed traveling, gardening, salt and freshwater fishing.
He leaves his wife Frederica Gieda of Dayville; his sons Nicholas P. Gieda (Melissa) currently stationed in New Mexico, and Tristan H. Gieda of Haddam; his grandson Owen Gieda. He was predeceased by his brother.
The Funeral Service was Dec. 31 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. Donations: Frederica Gieda, 79 Ware Road, Dayville, CT 06241.
Eleanor Chobot
WEBSTER — Eleanor E. Chobot, 79, died Dec. 29, 2019.
Eleanor was born April 28, 1940, in Caribou, Maine, daughter of the late John and Rose (Parker) Wright. She worked for many years as the manager at the Woolworth’s lunch counter and greatly enjoyed working at the Polish Picnics at the Webster Fish and Game. Eleanor also enjoyed crossword puzzles, and crocheting.
She leaves her husband of 32 years, John Chobot; two daughters: Connie Gibeault (Michael) of Brooklyn, and Tammy Morris (Matthew) of Glenside, Penn.; three grandchildren: Daniel Gibeault, Wyatt Gibeault and his fiancée Shannon Papuga, and Gage Gibeault; her twin great-grandchildren: Riley and Camden; she was predeceased by her brother Irving Estes.
Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster. Donations: Community Cat Connection, 289 Thompson Road Webster, MA 01570.
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Presents research
LEWISTON, Maine — Andrew Veilleux of Dayville recently presented his student research titled “Justified Retribution? Assessing Contemporary Memory of the Expulsion of Sudeten Germans from Czechoslovakia after the Second World War” at the 18th Mount David Summit.“ He attends Bates College. Veilleux, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Marc J. Veilleux of Dayville, is a 2015 graduate of Escola Graduada De Sao Paulo.
Get degrees
BOSTON — Two local students recently earned a degree from Simmons University: Danielle Faries of Canterbury, master’s in nursing (family nurse practitioner); and Lisa Bessette Grover of Dayville, master’s in behavior analysis.
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caption:
Re-dedication
Left to right: Members of the Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital – Francine Lee, treasurer of The Shop; Denise Baum, co-manager of The Shop; Kim Lecuyer, co-manager of The Shop; Valentine Iamartino, president; Wanda Mineo, vice president – with Joseph Adiletta, interim president, Day Kimball Healthcare at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the recent re-dedication of the gift shop at Day Kimball Hospital. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM —The Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital (DKH), in partnership with the Putnam Business Association (PBA), Putnam Economic and Community Development Office, and Day Kimball Hospital, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the re-dedication of the Hospital gift shop recently.
The Shop, located just through the Visitor’s Entrance at Day Kimball Hospital, recently underwent a renovation and expansion project.
The shop originally opened in 1951 and has been operated and managed by dedicated members of the Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital ever since.
The Shop is one of many ways the Woman’s Board raises funds needed to enhance the quality and services of Day Kimball Hospital. “All proceeds from our gift shop go back to the hospital, so it’s very exciting to see how our newly renovated gift shop is helping our community by helping the hospital,” said Valentine Iamartino, board president.
Currently, the Woman’s Board is working to fulfill a three-year, $200,000 pledge, in support of room renovations to the hospital’s Burdick Family Birthing Center. Most recently, monies were raised to support an updated BabySafe Monitoring System for the Maternal Child Health department located within the Hospital’s Birthing Center.
At the ceremony, Putnam Business Association Coordinator, Sheila Frost, presented a plaque to The Shop in commemoration of the rededication and in recognition of Day Kimball Healthcare’s 125th anniversary.
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