By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC good sport shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School athlete Eddie Durand.  Once a star runningback for the Clippers, Durand now does his running around on local golf courses in his free time.

In recent weeks the northeastern Connecticut area lost two good sports with the passing of Woodstock resident Michael W. Madden and Pomfret native Robert E. Ellsworth Sr.  Both men were contributors to their communities in very humble ways.  Their loss will impact the area anytime their names are brought up in conversation.

Michael “Big Mike” Madden…

I first met Mike Madden 10 years ago when I moved into office space in downtown Putnam in the same building that he and his business Oak Knoll Builders occupied.  Quiet but friendly initially, our friendship didn’t take long to blossom as we quickly became what now seem like lifelong friends.

I was out of the country when I received a text notifying me of Madden’s sudden and unexpected death.  Being on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean gave me a deep sense of regret and hopelessness, as you want to reach out but know there’s nothing you can do or say until you return.

Returning to the office since Mike’s death also gave me an eerie feeling ascending the stairs to the second floor.  Mike and I were in the habit of dropping in on each other whenever we saw that the lights were on.  Our conversations were most often very comforting as we bounced ideas off each other and spoke of things family, friends, sports, business and Putnam.

Over time I learned that as a young man growing up in Marlborough, Mass., Madden was a respected high school football player.  I also discovered that he was a graduate of Bridgewater State University, where he became a noted weight lifter, who eventually would have Olympic tryouts prior to being sidelined by shoulder problems.

Although Madden was taken from us at the young age of 50, he was extremely active and involved in the community and life during his five decades.  We enjoyed golf tournaments together and I found out he was also an avid fisherman and hunter.  He was active in the Putnam Business Association, the Sportsman Club in Sterling and served on the advisory board at Ellis Tech for the carpentry department.  He was an active member of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Northeastern Connecticut for a number of years.  Madden also remained involved with his fraternity brothers of Sigma Chi, Theta Zeta Chapter and the National Riflemen Association.   

In addition to spending time with his family, wife, Heather, children Michael and Jessica and his father William, Madden enjoyed spending time with friends at the Courthouse Restaurant in Putnam.  He could often be found at his favorite barstool enjoying a meal and beverage in the establishment of his friends James and Sheila Frost.

The memories of “Big Mike” Madden will be with me for many years despite the fact that we only enjoyed a 10-year friendship.  The office chats, the occasional beer, the rounds of golf and seeing him drive through town in his pickup truck will serve as my constant reminders of the man who cared for family and friends.  Rest in peace, Mike.

Robert “Bobby” Ellsworth…

As a young high school athlete I was asked along others to play on a summer league softball team comprised of teachers who were about 15 years older than we were.  That’s when I first met Bobby Ellsworth.  It was a meeting that would last until the time of his death, well over 50 years.

Ellsworth was one hell of a good ballplayer.  Whatever position he was asked to play he excelled.  As I found out over time Bobby was a great high school athlete at Putnam where he stood out as a football and baseball player.  His athletic prowess carried over on the golf course as he aged.  At his wake there were a number of individuals who were part of an annual golf outing to Bretwood Country Club in New Hampshire that Ellsworth was integrally involved in organizing.

Always friendly, Ellsworth had a welcoming, smiling face that translated to an immediate connection with strangers and the many students he came in contact with during his many years as a physical education teacher and as a school administrator.  His years in the Army Air Corps were also times that he was very proud of as a member of American Legion Post #13 in Putnam.

In addition to his loving wife Emma, he enjoyed family time and hours on the links with his sons Rob, John and Glenn.  Active in the Pomfret Lions, he was the mainstay in many of the group’s fund-raising activities, where he was always part of the good natured ribbing and chiding that went on in the Club.

Bobby Ellsworth is now gone physically, but his presence in family, community and athletics will live on whenever people gather to discuss the ‘good old days.’  So long Bobby from the young man who met you on the softball diamond.  Rest in peace.

Happy Anniversary…

Family and friends gathered on Friday evening, September 16 at The Mansion at Bald Hill in Woodstock to honor on one of northeastern Connecticut’s finest couples, Phil and Claire Durand.  The occasion was the celebration of the pair’s 50th wedding anniversary.

Active in the community as the owners of CT Tool Co. in Putnam, the Durands are generous individuals who in a very quiet way support so many of the good causes in the area.  They are a devoted couple that cares deeply about family and their church, St. Mary of the Visitation in Putnam. 

Mr. Durand is a graduate of Putnam High School where he starred as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball for coach Jim Greenhalgh.  Mrs. Durand is a graduate of the former Putnam Catholic Academy.

The evening was orchestrated by the couple’s three sons, Steve, Michael and Dan, who were also outstanding athletes at Putnam High School.

Hoopsters Drawing Attention…

In the next few weeks Putnam may be seeing some faces in town that are often seen on television during the winter months.  It won’t be a mirage.  The basketball team at Putnam Science Academy is drawing nationwide attention and attracting some of the big name NCAA Division I coaches to its Maple St. campus.

UConn coach Kevin Ollie, who worked this summer as a coach for Team USA U-18 team with the Mustangs Hamidou Diallo, was in town recently for a full evening observing the players workout.  Other schools that have been in town include Kentucky, Indiana, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Iona, Long Island University, Southern Connecticut State University and Post University.

In addition to Diallo, other Mustangs attracting attention include Eric Ayala, Jaheam Cornwall, Darnell Brodie, Brandon Hurst, Akok Akok and Tanahj Pettway.  Newcomers attracting attention are big men Isaac Kante, Malik Ondigo and Lapri McCray Pace.

Local products, Dan Porcic, who comes over from Putnam High School and Liam Jacobs, who graduated from Plainfield High School, are also getting the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of Division II and III coaches as well as the big name coaches.

All of these players will have the opportunity to compete for playing time in the upcoming season, as Putnam Science Academy and coach Tom Espinosa will feature two complete teams this year.  It should be an interesting winter for local basketball fans as the Mustangs will face some of the best teams and players in their quest for a National Prep School title.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

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