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- Category: Past Issues
Area says good-bye to noted sportsmen
By Ron P. Coderre
Northeastern Connecticut suffered the loss of three well known sports figure that died within three day of each other. The passing of Joe Bove Jr. of Dayville, Ray “Pic” Jolicoeur of Putnam and Robert Trudeau of Pomfret Center left the area reeling. All three in their youth were affiliated with the community of Putnam on the athletic fields or courts.
Former PHS Athlete Bove
The death of Joe Bove Jr., a former member of the Killingly Town Council, took his many friends and acquaintances by surprise. Bove died of cardiac complications June 16. Known primarily for his involvement in politics and as a community activist, he is remembered by those who knew him previously as a kid involved in sports in Putnam.
As a young man Joe Bove was much bigger than most kids his age. His size often gave him an advantage over kids he competed against. In 1951, the year that Little League was founded in Putnam, Bove, who was 12 years old, possessed one of the most feared fast balls in the league. He also frightened many opponents because he was also slightly wild with the high heater.
His claim to immortality in the annals of Putnam Little League occurred in a game that was coming to a conclusion as dusk was setting in. He was pitching for the Braves and his catcher was Peter Phaneuf. It seems that Phaneuf began having problems with his hand and was replaced as the catcher by Bill Rice.
To get Rice ready for action, he was allowed a couple warm ups. Warming up without a mask, as was the tradition of the era, Rice took a Bove fastball squarely in the forehead, right between the eyes, knocking him unconscious. The pitch sent Rice to Day Kimball Hospital and Bove behind the plate to assume the catching duties.
A 1956 graduate of Putnam High School, Bove was a member of the Clipper basketball team that made it to the CIAC Finals, played at UConn, where they lost to a very good New Canaan team 72-58. Described as loquacious by his classmates, Bove was always one to keep any team he was on very loose. He was member of the baseball team as a freshman, sophomore and junior and played varsity basketball in his senior year. In real life he enjoyed a successful career as a design engineer and later as a substance abuse counselor. One of his passions, following his retirement was placing an occasional bet on a horse. He’ll be missed dearly by his wife Sandra of 49 years, and his sons Dennis, Danny and Michael and his friends from throughout the area.
Former Marine 'Pic' Jolicoeur
As was the style of era, Ray “Pic” Jolicoeur missed a part of his young years because he joined the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. Growing up as a youngster he lived in the heavily sports oriented neighborhood of Rhodesville, an area that turned out some of the best athletes in Putnam. Following his discharge from the military, “Pic” returned to his native Putnam, where he hooked on with the Putnam Hawks. In the decade of the ‘50s the Hawks were the rage of local softball, regularly taking on the best competition that Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island had to offer. “Pic” was a big man, well over 6 feet, who was feared at the plate as a long ball hitter. He also displayed a strong arm in the outfield and was agile enough to fill in at first base when needed.
Although he was a Yankee fan, something that caused consternation in the neighborhood of Rhodesville, which was dominated by Red Sox rooters, he won many friends with his smile and affable personality. Later in life, he could be found on the golf course at Quinnatisset Country Club with many of his childhood buddies. He was a regular in the gang that called itself the “7 AM Group.”
“Pic” leaves his wife of more than 50 years, Shirley and daughter Denise and her husband George Tsanjoures, and his son, Ron Jolicoeur. His absence will certainly be felt at Quinny and at the VFW Post #1523, where he once served as commander.
The Kid from St. Mary’s – Bob Trudeau
In the days when most Catholic kids went to parochial school, St. Mary’s School in Putnam turned out some very strong and competitive teams in basketball and baseball. Boasting an enrollment of more than 800 kids, the younger classes of those days idolized the 7th and 8th grade athletes.
Robert R. Trudeau was one of those athletes. Nicknamed “Toothpick” because of rather thin and tall build, Trudeau was one of the St. Mary’s athletes that kids in the schoolyard looked up to.
Although his athletic career was brief, his love of sports continued until the day of his death, June 16. Trudeau, the basketball player, enjoyed watching the UConn girls’ team play, often attending many games. He also relaxed with swimming and fishing. He’s survived by his daughters, Donna and Cindy and his sisters Lorraine and Anna. Although most probably don’t remember him as an athlete, there are still some kids who attended St. Mary’s who do.