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By Ron P. Coderre
A sporty hello is extended by RPC this week to Putnam Mayor Richard “Pete” Place who celebrates a birthday on June 27. “Hizzoner” won’t say how many candles are on the cake. As a Past Exalted Ruler of the Putnam Elks and U.S. Navy veteran, Place always puts country and community high on his priority list.
One of the best kept sports secrets in our area is the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Instituted in 2010, the Hall has inducted 20 individuals, coaches and teams in its first two classes. Much of the leg work and research involving the initial entrants has been done under the leadership of Joe Lindley.
The purpose of the Hall is to recognize the school’s very best athletes, who over the course of their lives embodied the extraordinary interscholastic athletic tradition of excellence at Tourtellotte.
The initial class was composed of eight individuals and two teams. Inducted were Brian Murphy of the Class of ’75, Eva Houle ’87, George Dargati ’50, Alan Leboeuf ’79, Coach James Canty ’29, Ted Vriga ’54, Jerome “Jerry” Ryscavage ’55 and Jim Naum ’50. The two teams comprised members of the 1927 Boys’ Basketball program and the 1949, 1950 and 1951 Boys’ State Championship Basketball program.
The 1927 team recorded a 24-0 log and was part of a 45 game winning streak. The Championship team posted a three-year record of 72-5 and enjoyed a 46 game unbeaten string during that stretch.
The Hall Class of 2011 included George W. St. Marie Class of ’29, Thomas “Tom” Fatsi ’43, Bill Guillot ’81, Chris Carabina ’50, Tom Tanacea ’50, Angela Girardin ’95, Maggie Stoll ’86, Theodore “Ted” Fatsi ’45 and Frank Ungerer ’50. Also honored was the 1993 Girls Soccer, CIAC undefeated State Champions, who posted a 17-0-3 record.
On June 16 the TMHS Hall of Fame inducted it third class at ceremonies held in the high school auditorium. Congratulations go out to all inductees, living and deceased and to the members and coaches of the honored teams.
In the following weeks, RPC will profile the athletes and teams as a way of bringing back memories and recognizing and never forgetting those individuals who excelled in the history of Tourtellotte athletics.
More Local Athletes Tying The Knot…
Wedding bells were ringing on June 9 for former Putnam High School football standout Ian Conley who exchanged vows with Courtney Hansen of Woodstock. The wedding took place at the scenic Gwen Kareg Inn in Pomfret with more than 150 friends, family and guests in attendance.
Conley, a 2000 graduate of Putnam, is best remembered as the center on the Clipper football team that went all the way to the State Tournament in his junior season. In his senior year, Conley was injured but did manage to perform in his final career game against Killingly on Thanksgiving Day. During his days as a Clipper, Conley also served as the scorer for the basketball team. He played football under coaches Joe Humphrey and Bob Skopek. Today, Conley is the dispatcher for the E. Hartford Police Department. His bride is a practicing physical therapist.
Smith Duo Finishes Fourth…
The father-son golf twosome of Dale and Matt Smith represented northeastern Connecticut and Quinnatisset Country Club respectably at the Walter Cosgrove Four-Ball Tournament held at Green Hill Municipal Golf Course in Worcester over the weekend of June 9 and 10.
The Smith duo was steady all weekend, firing rounds of 66 each day to finish the two-day event at 132 good for a fourth place finish. They were six strokes off the winning pace posted by Ryan Riley and Herbie Aiken, who came in at 126. They finished right behind the vaunted pair of Frank Vana, Jr. and RJ Foley who had a score of 131.
Danielson Rotary Golf…
The 19th Spyder Burke Memorial Golf Tournament put on by the Danielson Rotary Club is in the final stages of completion but there are still opportunities available for golfers who wish to enjoy a great day of golf. The event has moved its venue to Connecticut National Golf Club and is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 29.
The day includes 18 holes of golf with cart, registration gift, skins game, special contests and dinner following play. All this for the very reasonable cost of $125 per golfer. Dinner only arrangements can be secured for $35 per person.
According to the Rotary golf committee sponsorship opportunities remain available by contacting Dawn Chmura at 860 792-1607 or by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The levels include Title ($2000), Gold ($1000), Silver ($500), Bronze ($250) and Tee ($125). Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by a free short game clinic by Club Professional Jim West at 12:15 p.m. The shotgun start is 1 p.m. followed by the Awards Dinner at 6:30 p.m. To register mail your check to Danielson Rotary Club, P.O. Box 394, Danielson, CT 06239-0394. Members of the organizing committee are Randy Kempain, Chmura, Richard Moore, Mary Jane Burke, Bob Chenail and Judy Haines.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Every day do something that will inch you to a better tomorrow.