- Details
- Category: Current Issue
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along to George Carabina a long time teacher and student favorite at Pomfret Community School. Carabina is also known locally as a respected basketball official. On Wednesday, October 30 Carabina will blow out another candle on the cake. Happy birthday, George!
The greater Northeastern Connecticut community was not only saddened but shocked by the news of the death of Killingly resident Barry Nash. He died on Wednesday, October 9 at the age of 80.
Nash, who was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a graduate of Killingly High School, was standout basket ball player for the Redmen. While playing high school hoops he also took on the additional duty of being the correspondent for the Norwich Bulletin for all Killingly athletic events. He was always very proud of his writing skills, which eventually led him to becoming an author.
In 2012 Nash completed his book titled "JUNGFRAU, " a novel regarding the final days of Adolf Hitler in the Berlin Bunker, his escape to Switzerland and the “final solution.” The Nash novel posed the question, “Was Hitler’s escape to Switzerland truth or fiction?”
Nash also prided himself on his athletic accomplishments, especially during and following his days in the military, when he played on semi-professional basketball teams, many that captured championships in Wyoming and northeastern Connecticut.
In his later years, Nash teamed up with his longtime friend and former great Killingly High School athlete and coach Norman “Joe” Allard. The pair frequented many of the Putnam area restaurants and was well known at The Courthouse Bar & Grille. In restaurants they were often affectionately referred to by their numerous friends and acquaintances as the “Odd Couple” or “Grumpy Old Men.”
When he had your ear, Nash who loved life and was a “bon vivant” would regal his audiences with stories or corny jokes. In all honesty he was a true “raconteur’ and could hold people spellbound as he delved into the minutest details of his stories.
Barry Nash will be remembered for his engaging smile, which would grab the attention of everyone he met. A charitable individual, he was always on the ready to help others in need. He leaves three adult children. Anyone desiring to keep his memory alive may do so by sending donations to St. James School Scholarship Fund, 12 Franklin St., Danielson, CT 06239 or The Danielson Lodge of Elks Building Fund, 13 Center St., Danielson, CT 06239.
A Memorial Mass is scheduled for Saturday, November 2 at 11:30 a.m. at St. James Church in Danielson. Nash would be proud to know that many attended his swan song.
Marathon Man…
Putnam resident and all-around good guy Martin Fey is some kind of special athlete. Fey, 59 won the 50-59 age division Oct. 13 at the United Health Care Marathon in Newport, R.I. One of Fey’s other annual challenges is the run up Mount Washington, which he also competed in earlier this year.
Fey, who has run more than 15 marathons since his late 30s, decided only a few weeks ago to attempt the Newport race. It was held in conjunction with a half marathon on a course that traced the shore into Middletown and up into the hills overlooking the ocean.
“ I wanted to see if I could run a marathon in a decent time on an average of 8-10 miles a week training, along with a fair amount of hard cycling,” said Fey. “My knees can’t take 60-mile training weeks anymore.”
Fey finished in 3:17, a minute ahead of his closest division competitor. His personal best for the 26.2-milke marathon distance is 2:46, reached at the age of 42.
“I guess the bug has bitten me again, because I’m looking at maybe doing another one in November,” Fey said. “But this time I’m going to try getting in some long runs before the race.”
Chance Meeting…
While enjoying lunch on Friday, October 18 at the famous Zip’s Diner in Dayville, former Boston Red Sox catcher and current St. Louis Cardinals minor league hitting instructor Roger LaFrancois was introduced to Bob Brex, executive director of NECASA.
You may ask, “What’s so special about that meeting?” Well, as many know LaFrancois was involved in baseball history when he caught the final 26 innings of a 33-inning baseball game that started on April 18, 1981 and ended 8 hours and 25 minutes later. The contest was between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings. Pawtucket eventually won the game a month after it was suspended. Pawtucket journeyman first baseman Dave Koza drove home Marty Barrett with the winning run for a 3-2 victory.
That cold April evening, which was the eve of Easter Sunday, 1,740 fans were in attendance for the game. By the time the contest was suspended, sometime around 4 a.m, on Sunday, April 19 only 27 hardy souls were left in the frigid stands. Among those who remained was one, Bob Brex a diehard baseball and PawSox fan. Brex, 30 years later became a celebrity on national television when the networks noted the anniversary of the game.
At Zip’s LaFrancois and Brex were introduced for the first time. The pair enjoyed reminiscing about the historic event from two obviously different stand points. In 2011 author Dan Barry wrote a book entitled Bottom of the 33rd, reliving the accounts of the game. Both LaFrancois and Brex are prominently mentioned in Barry’s book. If you’re a baseball fan or enjoy history, pick up the book. It’s a great read.
One Final Note
Worth Mentioning…
It’s great to see Putnam good guy, Bob Brown up and about and back walking Sports Street. Recently Brown encountered a health scare but thanks to quality medical care, he’s not only up and around but can be found on the links at Quinnatisset Country Club. Take care of yourself, Bob.
From The Annals
of Putnam Sports History…
November 1899: Putnam High School and Killingly High School play to a 6-6 tie. (Information contributed by Willie Zamagni)
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “All fat guys watch me and say to their wives, ‘See, there’s a fat guy doing okay. Bring me another beer.’” Mickey Lolich, Former Detroit Tigers Pitcher