By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to former Putnam High School hardnosed football player Dan (call me Danny) Goyette.  In his high school days Goyette was a defensive terror for the Clipper gridders.  Today he can be found managing the sales department at Putnam Ford.  He’s preparing to celebrate another birthday on June 15.

The success of any organization or for that matter a community can often be measured by the busy people who volunteer their time, energy and on many occasions their financial support to the causes they believe in.  For more than six decades, the Killingly-Brooklyn area and all of northeastern Connecticut have been fortunate to have an individual who’s been “Mr. Blood, Sweat and Tears” for the region.

Richard T. “Sam” Markley was raised in Danielson by his caring parents, the late Ed and Gertrude Markley.  From a very early age he was taught the value of hard work, honesty and charity by his parents.

Markley received his early education at St. James School in Danielson, where he graduated in 1960.  He then went on to four years at Killingly High School, where he not only was an outstanding student but also a three-sport athlete.  Following his 1964 graduation from Killingly, he moved on to Merrimack College, where he distinguished himself as an English scholar and writer.

After college he set his sights on finding a career in the Metropolitan Boston area.  Established in Boston and enjoying city life, Markley’s career suddenly took a u-turn when his dad offered him a major role at Markley Motors on Rte. 6 in Brooklyn.  That was a key point in his life that for the next 35 years would be his new career but would also be a gift to the people of northeastern Connecticut.

Approaching this “fork in the road” Markley immersed himself not only in the car business but in becoming a “go-to guy” to many.  Always loyal to his alma mater, Killingly, he immediately became a supporter of the school because of the “maroon and white” that ran through his veins.  To this day his time on the gridiron, court and diamond as a Redman are not only his pride but a reason he gives back.

His generosity, of funds and time, are spread far beyond his love of Killingly High School.  He’s been a backer of numerous organizations, such as the local Little League, the Danielson and TriTown American Legion Baseball programs, youth basketball and football leagues and for the past 18 years the St. James Memorial Golf Tournament.  He stepped up in the past to assist and volunteer at Day Kimball Hospital, the former Danielson Chamber of Commerce, and later the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, of which he was the very first President.  In the midst of his working career and volunteer activity, Markley also wrote a popular sports column for the former Journal Transcript newspaper and sponsored a monthly golf magazine.

As a person often described as a ‘renaissance man’ because of his wide cultural and educational interests, Markley became an author following his retirement from the automobile industry.  He’s authored two books, “A House Shaken” and “Showroom.”  His books have been featured in publications at his alma mater Merrimack College, where he was also a guest graduate author.

In retirement, Markley is beginning to ease up but the call to help others is something that still beckons him periodically.  He does find time to vacation in Florida with many of his former Killingly High School buddies, where they enjoy the camaraderie and opportunity to kibitz about “the good old days.”

His love of family, imbedded in him at a young age, keeps him on the go.  He and his wife Cathy enjoy their days at their home on Lake Alexander, their “Golden Pond.”  They enjoy time with their sons, Tom and his wife Wendy and their grandchildren, who keep Sam and Cathy young and Joe, who is to be wed in September.

Active in a different way today than when he was a younger man, Sam Markley still remains a person devoted to his God, his family, his community and his friends.

Redmen Making Headline  

The Killingly High School golf team, for the third year in a row emerged as the Eastern Connecticut Conference champions.  The Redmen captured this year’s event by the narrowest of margins, edging Stonington 326 to 327 in the tournament that was played at Mohegan Sun Golf Course.

Killingly was led by juniors Drew and John Aitken who finished second and third in the individual competition with scores of 78 and 79 respectively.  Sam Ognisty of Stonington was the 2015 champion with a three over par 75.  Connor Fillmore, who finished tied for 9th, Ben Lovrien, tied for 13th with an 86 and Connor Leibscher, tied for 17th with an 87, rounded out the Killingly scoring.

Woodstock Academy finished fifth in the team competition, with Tourtellotte 10th and Plainfield 14th.  Dan Harrington, who posted an 80 was the Centaurs top finisher, tied for 4th place.  Tom Kingsbury with an 87 was Tourtellotte’s top golfer. He finished tied for 17th place.

The ECC also announced its 2015 all star team.  Harrington and Jordan Lamothe of Woodstock were Large Division selections.  The Aitken twins and Fillmore were First Team in the Medium Division with Leibscher garnering Honorable Mention.  Tourtellotte dominated the Small Division with the selection of Cole Johnson, Kingsbury and Dave Dalpe.

Eastford Runner Wins 10K

The traditional Woodstock Memorial Day 10K Road Race attracted its largest turnout with more than 200 runners coming out for the event, which finishes with the most difficult stretch up Child Hill Road.  Eastford resident Samuel Alexander was the 2015 champion, completing the race in a time of 34:29, a full minute and 56 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Ben Joyce of Manchester.  

Local favorite and Boston Marathon competitor David Lusignan finished third and was the first Woodstock runner to cross the line with a time of 37:41.  Another local favorite Linda Spooner of Sturbridge was the first woman to break the tape.  She posted a time of 40:57 good for 8th place overall.  The second woman finisher was Brianna Demers of Ashford, who finished 10th overall with a time of 42:10.  Renee Kullig was the first Woodstock female runner to come across the finish line.  She posted a time of 44:59.

Net Stars Named

The ECC recently named its male and female tennis all stars for the recently concluded season.

Asa Scranton of Woodstock Academy was a First Team singles selection in the men’s Large Division, while his teammates Max Mullin and Adam Piche were First Team doubles picks.  Piche also received Honorable Mention as a singles player and was the Centaurs’ Sportsmanship awardee.  Andrew Klawitter of Killingly also won a Sportsmanship Award.

 In the female selections, the Academy’s Angel Martin was a First Team singles selection in the Large Division.  Riana Lincoln garnered Honorable Mention honors.  Meg Houlihan and Shea Musumeci were First Team double selections.  Teagon Waggoner and Taylor Gion of Killingly were named Honorable Mention selections from Killingly in the Medium Division.  Jessica Haley of Killingly won the Sportsmanship Award. 

North To New Hampshire

A group of northeastern Connecticut golfers trekked to Keene, N.H., for their annual two-day sojourn to the state with the motto, “Live Free or Die.”  In a marathon 36-hole competition at Bretwood Golf Course, the foursome of Bill Poirier, Tom Harney, Rene Morin and yours truly finished first with a combined 27 under par.  The winners toured the par 72 North Course in 13 under and the South Course in minus 14.

Second place two strokes behind the leaders was the group of Todd Poirier, Steve Townsend, Henry Burton and Roger Mercier.  The show place foursome was composed of Bob Starkey, Bob Thomas, Dave Kelly and Armand Lafleur, while the team of Fran Baranski, Jack Moran, Rick Carnahan and Bob Mercier (no relation to Roger) finished fourth.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “The will to win, the urge to reach your full potential…these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”  Eddie Robinson

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