By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Woodstock resident Caroll Spinney, who is best known as Big Bird.  On Saturday, February 28 The Bradley Playhouse hosted a full house for the world premier of "I Am Big Bird – The Caroll Spinney Story."  The documentary is a truly great story of a wonderful man, the love of his life Debra and his love for life.  Congratulations Big Bird and many more years of success.

The Woodstock Academy gymnastics team, under the guidance of coach Robin Deary-Fillmore, was virtually unstoppable as it leaped past the competition in the CIAC Class S competition.  This was the third consecutive Class S tourney title for the Centaurs and the fifth consecutive Class championship.  In 2011 and 2012 the Acads captured the Class M championship.

In the team competition Woodstock Academy finished with a score of 147.625 easily outdistancing second-place finisher Jonathan Law, which posted a score of 132.2.  The team was paced by the top two all-around performers Grace Logan, who finished first with a score of 37.775, and her teammate Paige Stuyniski who totaled 37.3.  Joining Logan and Stuyniski in the triumph were Centaur gymnasts Jacqueline and Nicolette Deary and Jordan Fulchino.

Stuyniski captured first place in the Bars (9.7) and Floor (9.625) while Logan was tops on the Beam (9.1).   Logan also finished second in the Vault (9.45), Jacqueline Deary third (9.250), Nicolette Deary fourth (91.75) and Stuyniski fifth (8.9).

Logan finished behind Stuyniski in the Bars with Fulchino in fifth place followed by Jacqueline Deary.  On the Beam Logan finished first, Stuyniski second with Nicolette Deary fourth and Fulchino fifth.  Stuysniski captured the Floor exercise followed by Logan, N. Deary third, and J. Deary fourth.

The Centaurs now have their eye on winning their third straight CIAC Open title and the New England Championships.  Coach Deary-Fillmore announced earlier in the year that this would be her final season coaching high school gymnastics.  The string of championships that she’s produced is witness to the fact that she’s probably the most successful high school gymnastics coach in Connecticut.  

The pressure may be on her gymnasts to produce in the next two meets but if the stars are aligned, it would be a fitting tribute to a great coach if she and the Centaurs could finish off the season as Open and New England champs.

Deary-Fillmore is assisted by her daughter Kasey Fillmore, who will succeed her mother as the Academy gymnastics coach.  Kasey certainly brings some solid credentials to the position as she was a four year gymnastics performer at Bowling Green University.  Deary-Fillmore is also assisted by her brother Gene Michael Deary.

All Star Selections

Girls’ all-star selections were announced recently for the Eastern Connecticut Conference and NEPSAC.  In the ECC Large Division Woodstock’s Galina Gruder was accorded honorable mention honors while her teammate Abby Willis received the sportsmanship award.

In the Medium Division, Plainfield’s Julie Jordan was a first team selection.  Her fellow Panther Madeline Lorange was chosen as an honorable mention honoree.  The sportsmanship award went to Adrienne Lorange and Killingly’s Drew Johndrow.

Allie Ablondi and Jess Dodd of Tourtellotte headed the ECC Small Division first team selections.  Sophomore Abby Poirier was an honorable mention selection, her teammate Elizabeth Jourdan received the sportsmanship award.

Marianapolis senior Rachel Aho, who is headed to Providence College on a basketball scholarship, was named a Class A NEPSAC All Star.  Aho corralled a team-leading 252 rebounds this season for the Lady Knights.  Her teammate junior Caroline Soucy was also NEPSAC All Star selection.  Soucy, who averaged double figures this season, led the team with 81 assists and 65 steals.

College Bound

Allie Ablondi, Tourtellotte’s long-range shooting phenom, recently announced she’ll be attending Central Main Community College in Auburn, Maine, in the fall where she will continue her basketball career.  Ablondi led the Lady Tigers of coach Carla Faucher to an 18-6 record and an ECC Small Division regular season title.  She was superb from beyond the three-point arc with 45 on the season as the team moves on to the CIAC State Tournament.

Stats and More

As both the boys’ and girls’ high school and prep school regular season come to a close the statistical leaders for the recently completed year are becoming clearer.  Steve Jankowski of Plainfield will have at least one more game but after 21 games he’s the scoring leader with 18.8 points per game.  

There’s new action from Putnam since Shawn Audet has returned from his medical absence.  Audet is behind Jankowski averaging 17.3 points per game.

Tim Horvat of Marianapolis appears to have captured the prep scoring title, averaging 19.4 points per contest.  He was followed by Pomfret’s Cam Winston at 18.3 and Putnam Science Academy’s Kealen Ives at an even 15 points a game.  

PSA’s Andrew Robinson is the prep’s top three-point gun with an amazing 101 as he enters the National Prep School Championships.

Plainfield’s Madeline Lorange is the top three-point shooter among the girls with 64, while Tourtellotte’s Allie Ablondi is second with 45.  Lorange is also the top female high school scorer, averaging 14.7 points per contest.

Trayniece Mims of Hyde-Woodstock ran away with the prep scoring title averaging an astronomical 28.7 points a game.  The Pomfret duo of Alyzae Davis and Juliette Lawless hold down second and third place respectively at 15.4 and 15 points per contest.

On the college level, Shaun Lawton, the former Putnam Science Academy standout, had four points and three rebounds for the University of Maine in a 63-60 loss to the University of Hartford.

All Star Selections

The Eastern Connecticut Conference boys’ basketball committee announced its all star selections recently.  As expected with the mediocre season most local teams experienced the selections were few and far between.

Steve Jankowski of Plainfield in the Medium Division was the only local First Team selection.  His teammate Liam Jacobs was an Honorable Mention pick, while Brian Van Alst received the Sportsmanship award.  Owen Guillot of Killingly also received the Sportsmanship award.   Adam Converse of Woodstock Academy was an Honorable Mention choice in the Large Division with his teammate Nick Kowalchuk receiving the Sportsmanship award.  Justin Tennant of Tourtellotte was the Sportsmanship winner in the Small Division.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”  H. Jackson Brown Jr.

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By Ron P. Coderre

The Eastern Connecticut Conference recently released its Athletes of the Month for January 2015.  The award is presented by the Byrnes Agency Inc. of Dayville, Norwich and Woodstock.  

Allie Ablondi, Tourtellotte’s senior basketball standout, was selected as the female recipient.  Her selection was based on her performance during January when she led the Lady Tigers to a 7-2 mark, on their way to capturing the ECC Small Division regular season title.  Ablondi averaged 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals per contest during the month.  She twice recorded 21-point performances.  Noted for her long range shooting accuracy, Ablondi has 45 three-pointers on the season for Tourtellotte as they play in the CIAC Tournament.

Ablondi was recently named to the ECC Small Division All Star first team for the 2014-2015 season.  This is the second year in succession that she’s achieved this recognition.  Last year she was also recognized as an All-Norwich Bulletin selection.  In December she helped lead her team to the Championship of the Clipper Classic a feat that they also achieved the previous season, when Ablondi was named Classic MVP.  This season she was named to the All-Classic team.

Off the court Ablondi has a passion for horses.  In September she will be attending Central Maine Community College in Auburn, Maine, where she will continue her basketball career.

Jacob Raggon of Wheeler High School in North Stonington , a member of the Lions basketball team, was named the ECC Male Athlete of the Month.

 

 

Jack Gallup

DAYVILLE — Jack A. Gallup, of Cook Hill Road died suddenly at home, March 1, 2015.

He was the husband of Eileen (Mailhot) Gallup for 38 years. Born in Putnam, he was the son of the late Albert and Marjorie (Briere) Gallup. Jack was employed at Cranston Print for 25 years until he retired in 2008. Jack walked in his father’s footsteps and was a member of the Danielson volunteer fire department, where he was well loved and respected for 36 years until retiring in 1995 as deputy chief.  

“Chief” sported a gruff exterior, but was a teddy bear. 

He leaves his sisters Pamela Lee and Kimberly Cornish; his children, Ronda Materas (Steven), Donna Russo (Joe), Cheryl Boman and Skip Boman; grandchildren, Jonathan and Matthew Marcheterre, Nick and Cara Russo, Seth and Zachary Boman, and the apple of Jack’s eye, Gianna Materas, and great granddaughter, Kenzi. Jack was predeceased by his sister Marilyn Larkin. 

A Funeral Mass was March 9 at St. James Church, Danielson. Donations: Gianna Materas Education Fund, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, 1055 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford, CT 06385. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Marcella P. Goulet

PUTNAM — Marcella (Blain) Goulet, 85, of Cottage St., died March, 1, 2015, at home. She is the wife of the late Edward A. Goulet.  Born in 1929 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Arsene and Beatrice (Poirier) Blain.

Mrs. Goulet worked as a card tender for Belding Heminway.  She enjoyed cooking, walking, swimming and traveling.  

She leaves her godsons, Michael Phaneuf, and James Korch; nieces; and nephews.  She is predeceased by her sister, the late Irene Korch.

Services will take place in the spring and have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT. 06260.  

 

Dorothy Nichols

PUTNAM — Dorothy R. Nichols, 91, of Little River Acres, died Feb. 28, 2015. She was the wife of Waldo I. Nichols. He died in 1990. She was born May 30, 1923, in Putnam, daughter of the late Omer and Rose (Michon) Bernier.

Dorothy enjoyed spending time reading, quilting, knitting stenciling and needlepoint. She made beautiful crafts for her family and friends.

She leaves her son, Clifford Nichols (Katherine) of E. Putnam; her daughter Patricia Nichols and her husband Steven Falade of N. Stonington; her two grandchildren, Aaron Nichols and Emily Nichols and her great-grandchild, Connor Nichols. 

Burial will be held at a later date. Donations: Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeast Connecticut, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

James L. Rogers Jr.,

WWII vet

WOONSOCKET, R.I. —  James L. Rogers Jr.  90, of St. Joseph St., formerly of Putnam,  and Inverness, Fla., died Monday, March 2, 2015, in Roger Williams Medical Center, Providence.  He was the husband of the late Millicent (Maloney) Rogers and the late Patricia (Deotte) Rogers.  Born in 1924 in Lynn, Mass., he was the son of the late James L. Rogers Sr. and Bessie (Mercer) Rogers.

Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.  He worked as an expediter for Anchor Glass.  He enjoyed playing cards and was an avid Boston Red Sox and N.E. Patriots fan,  and loved animals. 

He leaves his daughters, Melinda Ashworth-Yeaw (Russell) of N. Scituate, R.I., and Tracey Rogers-Mcneely and her companion Todd of Floral City, Fla.; his sister, Virginia Sweeney of Bradenton, Fla.; his grandchildren, Amanda, James, Andrew, Emma, Colton, Raylan, and Wyatt; and his great-grandchildren Garrett, and Aiden. 

The Funeral was March 7 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations:  Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489. 

 

Henry Rostron

BROOKLYN — Henry Rostron, 86, of Costello Rd., died March 1, 2015, at the home of his son Brian and daughter in law, Paula.  

Born in 1928 in Chorley, Lancashire, England, he was the son of the late Tony and Florence (Tuttle) Rostron.  Henry immigrated to the U.S. in 1952 and was very proud to become an American citizen.  He settled in Raynham, Mass., in 1958 and lived there until he became ill in recent years.

 Harry, as he was known to many, was a sweet, kind and generous man. Harry had a sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor.  He was a strong and independent man until just a few years ago.  Harry was also an artist, creating woodcarvings and scrimshaw designs as a hobby for many years.  He worked as a metallurgist for Space Metal Buildings for several years as well as Texas Instruments.  

He leaves his sons, Brian Rostron of Brooklyn, and Dana Rostron of Coventry, R.I.; his brother Jack Rostron of Norton, Mass.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.   He was the brother of Gordon Rostron who died last year in Chorley, England.

A private gathering to celebrate Harry’s life will take place at a later date.

Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

 

Francis Zolenski

POMFRET CENTER —  Francis “Frank” Zolenski, 59, of Brayman Hollow Rd., died March 5, 2015, at home.  He was the husband of Cynthia Zolenski for 25 years.  Born in 1955 in Hartford, he was the son of the late Frank J. and Barbara (Fillmore) Zolenski.

Mr. Zolenski worked as a Test Tech for Electric Boat for 13 years previously working for Gerber Scientific, Gerber Industrial, and Scan Optics.  He enjoyed fishing and collecting sports memorabilia.  He volunteered each year at the Connecticut Invention Convention.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his niece, Samantha Boyle; two nephews, Matthew Boyle and Michael Boyle; cousins.  He was predeceased by his brother Fred Zolenski; and his sister, Bernice Zolenski. 

Donations; WPTP Junior Football League, PO Box 138, Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

William Lucchesi Jr.

BROOKLYN — William Lucchesi, 71, died March 2, 2015, at home, following a long battle with leukemia.  He was born on May 29, 1943, in Putnam, to the late William and Dora (Prosperi) Lucchesi.  He was married to Susan Strouse on July 20, 2009.

He was a 1962 graduate of Killingly High School and attended Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine, and Mitchell College, New London.  Bill served in the Connecticut National Guard Army Corp of Engineers from 1965-1971.

 He worked at Pervel Industries in Plainfield, until it closed in 1987.  Bill purchased the flocking division of Pervel in 1987 and was the CEO and President of Intermark Fabric Corporation in Plainfield until he retired in 2005. He was a member of the American Flock Association and the American Textile Association. Bill was known throughout the world as a leader in the textile industry. 

Bill loved to travel to Europe for business and pleasure. He enjoyed driving with his wife to Florida in their RV and watching the Yankees spring training.. He also enjoyed his vegetable garden, doing projects and watching his NY Yankee and NY Giant games.   Bill had a big heart and always helped others whenever he could.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Daren Lucchesi of Brooklyn; daughters, Tara Sherman (Keith) of N. Dartmouth, Mass., Darcy Palmer (Christopher) of Brooklyn; stepdaughters, Shelly Czupryna of St. Petersburg, Fla., Alison Sharpe (Albert) of Brooklyn and Nicole Marcheterre (Scott) of Brooklyn; grandchildren, Ethan and Owen Sherman, Jon and Luke Palmer, Jillian and Jack Sharpe and Corporal Alec Marcheterre, USMC; sister, Gloria Hanson of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; mother in law, Matilda Strous and brother in law, Bradley Strous both of Danielson.  He was predeceased by his wife Sandra (Palmer) Lucchesi in 1997.

A Funeral Mass was March 6 at St. James Church, Danielson. Donations: UMMF-Trial-Cerny and mailed to UMass Medicine Development Office, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545. The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Kevin P. Mazzarella

PUTNAM — Kevin P. Mazzarella, 51, died March 4, 2015, at the UMass Medical Center-University Campus, Worcester, from complications of acute myelogenous leukemia that he fought for three years.

He was the husband of Celestia “Julie” K. (Berry) Mazzarella. They were united in marriage on May 17, 1986, by Fr. Rene Parent at Our Lady of Peace Church, E. Killingly. 

He was the son of Evelyn L. (Gaudreau) Mazzarella of Dayville, and the late Florian P. Mazzarella Jr. He was born in Putnam, graduated from Killingly High School in 1981, and from Harvard H. Ellis Technical School in 1983. He worked at Hale Mfg. From 1983-1989 and held various positions until they closed in Oct. of 1989. He then went to work in the sales field where he worked until October of 2010, when he left the corporate world to open a business, K and J Tile and Hard Surface Cleaning, LLC. He also worked for the Town of Putnam Board of Education, driving school bus, a position he enjoyed very much. 

In addition to his wife and mother, he leaves, a sister Karen Loiselle of Brooklyn; his father in law, Lyndall Berry of Florence, S.C.; aunts, uncles, nieces nephews and cousins. He also leaves his fur babies, Cita and Charlie. 

A celebration of life to be announced at a later date. Donations: UMMF-Trial, UMA Medicine Development Office, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545; or The American Cancer Soc., Hope Lodge, 7 Oak St., Worcester, MA, 01604; or Animal Rescue.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Karen McKinney 

DUDLEY — Karen  (Marvin)  McKinney, 74, died March 5, 2015, at UMass after a battle with cancer. Her husband of 36 years, John McKinney died in 2001. She was born in Medford, Mass., the daughter of the late Richard and the late Amy (Bergstrom) Marvin.  Karen graduated from Lexington High School and  Emerson College .She  worked at Dudley Elementary  School, retiring in 2002 after 40 years of service. She worked many Dudley town elections and was active in the Republican Party. She loved teaching and went back to substitute teach in her retirement. Karen enjoyed  traveling  spending time at the  ocean and many summers spent with her family in Jamestown R.I.

 She leaves two sons: Jay McKinney (Kim) of Dudley and Todd McKinney (Jennifer) of Woodstock; one sister: Leslie Sloane of Villages, Fla.; grandchildren: Stephanie , Jacob and Zoe. The Funeral was March 9 in  Holy Trinity Church, Southbridge, with burial later in Waldron Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel.

 

Keith Murray

N. GROSVENORDALE — Keith R. Murray, 37, formerly of Worcester, died March 4, 2015, at Davis Place, Danielson, following a battle with Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma. He was born and raised in Worcester, but spent many weekends and summers in Holden, Mass.

Keith graduated from Worcester Vocational Technical High School.  In 1995, Keith began a 20-year career working at NAPA Auto Parts, including stores in Putnam, Auburn and Worcester. 

He was respected for his knowledge and experience. He worked until early December of 2014, when he became too ill to continue.  Keith’s love of cars carried over in his spare time as well. He received one of his most prized possessions, his 1972 Chevelle from his wife as a Valentine’s gift. 

Together, they spent many hours with the Chevelle, including in the early days, weekly runs at the New England Dragway, where Keith enjoyed going up against other racers.  He was also a crewmember of the race team The 5th Dimension Racing, which ran at Thompson Raceway.  

An avid and talented bowler, Keith participated in the Monday Night Social and most recently the Thursday Night Social leagues at the Auburn Bowl.  He even bowled a perfect 300 game.

Keith leaves his wife of 11 years, Heather E. (Rae) Murray; his daughter, Kassidy E. Murray; his father, Robert L. Murray of Holden; his mother, Nancy (Ogden) Murray of Worcester; a brother, Kevin Murray of Worcester; two sisters, Jessica Washburn of Fairhaven. Mass., and Serena McCabe of Holden. 

The funeral was March 9 at  Miles Funeral Home, Holden. Spring burial will be in Grove Cemetery, Holden.  Donations: The KM Memorial Fund, c/o Hometown Bank, 4 Gore Rd., Webster, MA 01570; or to Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC) Research, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.  

 

John Roy Owens

SMITHFIELD, R.I. — John Roy Owens, 96, formerly of Eastford,  died March 4, 2015, at the Village at Waterman Lake in Smithfield. He was the husband of the late Jennie (Shishko) Owens. He was born in Bellefonte, Penn.,

He was a son of the late James S. and Cora M. (Beers) Owens. He had been a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Post Office before retirement, and previously an elementary school teacher. Roy was a member of the Masonic Fraternity for more than 50 years. He loved his ham radio club, being an instructor for the power squadron, investment club and to volunteer at Red Cross blood drives.

He leaves his son John Owens Jr. of Harmony, R.I.;  and daughter, Sandra Callender of Kihei, Hawaii; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sisters Ruth Murheid, Jean Selig and Esther Littell, and one brother, James Owens Jr.  Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home.

 

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