caption:

 

Tournament Winners

The first-place team of the Arc Quinebaug Valley’s 30th Annual Gardner Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament included: Tommy Derosier, Tim Cunha, Pete Cunha and Scott Derosier. Photo courtesy of Clarus Studios, Inc.

 

 

The Arc Quinebaug Valley held its 30th Annual Gardner Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament, presented by Tournament Sponsor Gerardi Insurance Services, Inc., on June 16 at Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam. The tournament grossed more than $40,000.

Other major sponsors included Rawson Materials, Putnam Bank, Fluid Coating Technology, Inc., Byrnes Insurance Agency and East Commerce Solutions, Inc.

Local businesses, Arc Board members and community members came together on the course as golfers to support The Arc Quinebaug Valley.  From fun and competitive play, complimentary massages provided by Caroline D’Elia, L.M.T., acoustic music performed by Stanley & Libera, complimentary foursome portfolios taken by Clarus Studios, Inc., delicious meals prepared by the venue, snacks donated by  Frito Lay and wonderful raffles and auction items, the event proved to be an enjoyable and successful day for all.

Four different vehicles from The Gates Automotive Group, The Arc’s Car Sponsor, were displayed at the tournament entrance, enticing golfers to be the first to sink a Hole-In-One on hole four, for the chance to win one of the four present vehicles. 

With a score of 57 on the Par 71 Connecticut National Golf Club course, the foursome of Tim Cunha, Pete Cunha, Scott Derosier and Tommy Derosier took first place.  Second-place winners were the foursome of Dr. Jack Mooney, Mike Cristina, Jeff Clang, Sr. and Jeff Clang, Jr., with a score of 60.  The foursome of Rick Dion, Paul Roy, Doug May and Chris Ketralis took third place with a score of 61.

In the skins competition, specifically on hole 6, the winning team players were Dr. Jack Mooney, Mike Cristina, Jeff Clang, Sr. and Jeff Clang, Jr., with an Eagle 3.

Closest to the pin winners were Ryan Walsh on hole seven, Joe Landry on hole nine and Mary Kuhn on hole fifteen. 

Best Dressed Team award went to the RE/MAX foursome, with each player winning a $50 gift card donated by Danielson Surplus.

Golf Committee member and Past President of The Arc Board of Directors, Jeffrey Rawson, was presented with the Gardner Johnson Award to his surprise during the tournament dinner. “I was honored to receive the award and to join the list of so many wonderful and impactful people before me who have positively changed the lives of folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” said Rawson.

Gardner Johnson, for whom the golf tournament is named, was the loving father of a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  He was a champion advocate for his son and The Arc Quinebaug Valley.  Gardner knew that all people, regardless of a disability, should have the life they want, and to be cared for with dignity and respect.

Working with Mr. Rawson on the golf tournament committee were Co-Chairs Lynn Bourque and Brandy Hapgood, as well as members Pam Brown, Gene Michael Deary, Eric Quinn, Earl Rosebrooks, David Stuyniski, Jeff Rizer, Kristine Durocher, Julie Ann Dupont, Geoff Bolte, Rick Dion and The Arc staff Susan Desrosiers, Crystal Simonson, Linda Lamoureux, and Abby Snyder.

“This golf tournament is one of our biggest fundraising events each year and we are forever grateful for the continued support of our wonderful community.  It is the generosity and kindness of those dedicated to our mission who truly help our agency continue to shine.” said Susan Desrosiers, Executive Director of The Arc Quinebaug Valley. 

Proceeds from The Annual Gardner Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament help to enhance services provided by The Arc for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other life-affecting disabilities.

 

 

Bradford Ross Downs,

Marine vet

WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Bradford Ross Downs of Woodstock died unexpectedly June 15, 2017. Brad was born May 22, 1942, in Fairfield, son of Clara Evelyn Walker Downs and E. Wallace Downs. 

He moved to Woodstock on his own at the age of 16 where he attended and graduated from Woodstock Academy. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1964 earning the USMC Good Conduct Medal. He was an accomplished horseman, breeding champion Appaloosa horses and later enjoying working with his beloved Percheron horses. He held a life time interest in farming, starting as a member of Future Farmers of America and continuing his love for the outdoors through gardening and maintaining property. A master mechanic who could “fix anything”, he enjoyed projects that took extra effort to repair. He and Patricia liked to travel together seeing landmarks and going on cruises. He loved his family, his horses, his garden, and being at the pastures. 

He leaves his wife of 28 years, Patricia A. Downs; daughter, Cynthia Karen Downs; stepchildren Wendy, Tonia, and Earl; first wife Helen; 10 nieces and nephews. 

A graveside service was June 23 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Webster, with military honors. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Gerald T. Wilga,

WWII vet

THOMPSON — Gerald T. Wilga, 92, of Quaddick Town Farm Rd., died June 19, 2017, at home.  He was the husband of the late Sophie (Silvestri) Wilga.  Born in 1925 in Webster, he was the son of the late Stanley and Eva (Budrow) Wilga.

Mr. Wilga was a graduate of the Bartlett High School and was a U.S. WWII veteran serving with the U.S. Coast Guard being honorably discharged on Sept. 16, 1943.

Mr. Wilga worked for more than 35 years as a mechanic at Massachusetts Electric.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 67 in N. Grosvenordale, the Quinnatisset Golf Club, and the Raceway Golf Club, both of Thompson. Gerald enjoyed traveling with his family up North and down to the Cape. He also enjoyed golfing and fishing.

He leaves nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers Paul Wilga, Robert “Tug” Wilga, Bernard Wilga, and Raymond Wilga. 

Visitation is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 29 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Followed by a service in the funeral home at 11:30, burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in N. Grosvenordale with military honors. Donations: Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. 

 

Joanne Jolly

PUTNAM — Joanne M. Wojtasiewicz Jolly of Putnam died June 14, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Raymond “Pete” Jolly. They were married in 1951 in Turners Falls, Mass. He died in 2005. 

Born on April 16, 1932, in Turners Falls, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Genevieve (Tranoski) Wojtasiewicz. 

She graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1950. Joanne and her husband moved to Putnam in 1952. She worked at Putnam Savings Bank, American Optical and Ellis Tech in Danielson where she retired.

She leaves her brother Francis Wojtasiewicz of Tennessee; sister Patricia Rewa of Tennessee; aunt Rose Pupek of Springfield, Mass.; nephew James Rewa of Putnam (made his home with her); special niece Rita Guay (Donald) of Chicopee, Mass.; niece Pamela Rewa of N. Hampton, Mass.; special friend Theresa McQueeny Newington; nieces, nephews and cousins. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was June 19 in St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, Putnam with burial in Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, Turners Falls. Donations: NECCOG Animal Shelter, 125 Putnam Pike, Dayville, CT 06241; or St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Bernard J. Knych, 

Korean war vet

WEBSTER — Bernard J. Knych, 87, died June 13, 2017, at home. His first wife of 17 years, Catherine (Vear) Knych, died in 1974. His second wife of 35 years, Illona B. (Bacon) Knych, died in 2014. He was born in Webster, the son of Albert J. and Agnes (Czechowski) Knych and lived here all his life. He graduated from Bartlett Trade School .

He was a Navy veteran of the Korean war and was a member of the Polish American Veterans. Mr. Knych was a battery specialist at Norton Company in Worcester for many years, retiring in 1992. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Basilica. He belonged to the Booster Athletic Club. He had also been a member and past president of the Kosciuszko Club. He enjoyed golfing at the Roseland Golf Course in Woodstock. He was a devoted fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.

He leaves two daughters, Linda J. Cyr-Bibeau and her fiancé Paul Kubik of Webster, and Barbara K. Jeneral (Jeffrey) of Dudley; three grandchildren, Christopher Cyr of Pomfret, Kelly Menghi of E. Putnam and Erica Spears of Webster; four great-granddaughters, Natalia, Savannah, Amelia and Star; a sister, Joan Comeau of Webster; an aunt, Gladys Przystas of Webster. He was preceded in death by a brother, Albert Knych. He was looking forward to the birth of his 5th great-granddaughter in November. The Funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. June 16 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace. The Webster-Dudley Veterans Council will render the military honors at the cemetery. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. June 15 at Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St. Donations: St. Joseph Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570.

 

Paula Wrubel

DUDLEY — Paula M Wrubel, 72, died unexpectedly June 12, 2017, at Harrington Hospital Hubbard Campus.  Paula was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Harold and the  Angela (Stansky) Dobson. 

She loved being a homemaker  Paula was a devoted Catholic and an animal lover . She had a kind heart, always taking in stray animals in her neighborhood and doing her best to find homes for them .

She leaves her husband of 51 years Stanley Wrubel;  one son: David Wrubel (Linda) of Southbridge; three sisters, Barbara Potter of Barre, Mass., Rita McChesney of Florida, and Bernice Largesse of Florida; grandchildren: Samantha Wrubel ,and Ian Hancock. Jonathan Faford and his wife Megan, Kayla Faford and Joshua Faford and two great-grandchildren Mason and Logan. She was predeceased by her daughter, Linda Faford.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. June 26 at St. Stephens Church, routes 197 and 131, Quinebaug. Private burial will be held in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Bartel funeral Home, Dudley.

 

Roger P. Landry,

Air Force vet

PUTNAM — Roger P. Landry, 73, died June 10, 2017, at home..

Roger was born in Putnam, son of the late Mederic and Alice (Martineau) Landry and lived in Putnam all his life.  

He served in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970 and attained the rank of sergeant.  

After his discharge he worked for many years at Pratt & Whitney, where he worked as a construction electrician until his retirement,

He leaves his sister, Susan Harwood of New Hampshire.  He was predeceased by three sisters: Marie Phaneuf, Claudette Landry and Denise Landry.

Donations: Animal shelter of the donors’ choice.  

Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

..

 

 

 

PUTNAM — There will be an open house and ribbon cutting at the newly refurbished bridge at the Armory entrance to the Putnam Nature Trail at 10 a.m. July 1.

After the ceremony community members are invited to walk the trail. Rain date is July 8.

Earlier this spring volunteers did an Earth Day cleanup of the trail, followed by restoration work on the bridge. The project was organized by the Greater Putnam Interfaith Council in collaboration with the Town of Putnam and The Last Green Valley. 

The Putnam Nature Trail runs along Little River behind the elementary and middle schools and the football field. The entrance to the scenic trail is behind the old National Guard Armory at the rear of Murphy Park, site of the town Little League fields off Wicker Street on Recreation Park Road. There are also access points to the trail off the football practice field.  

The Last Green Valley and the Town of Putnam provided financial assistance. The Boy Scouts helped with the cleanup. Steve Champ and John Etheridge designed and completed the renovation of the bridge and many community volunteers helped with the cleanup.