By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to Lindsay Lussier of Putnam.  Currently one of the personalities at 85 Main, Lussier in her high school and prep school days was a highly sought after soccer player.  She later went on to a college career at Franklin Pierce University and international competition.

The Putnam High School Class of 1959 held a three-day reunion over the weekend of Sept. 5, 6, and 7.  One of the graduates who returned was Paul Bellerose, who currently lives in Milton, Fla., with his wife of close to 50 years, Juanita.

As a young man growing up in Putnam’s famed North End, Bellerose played Little League baseball for the legendary Leger Lamoureux on the championship Yankee teams.  Bellerose attended St. Mary School in an era when the school had approximately 800 students.  He was a member of the Crusaders basketball team coached by another legend Stan Scraba.  Some of Bellerose’s teammates included Bob Gosselin and Peter Phaneuf and the late trio of Lenny Bonneville, Paul McCormac and Paul Leclair.

In high school Bellerose came into his own under the tutelage of football coach Jim Greenhalgh and track coach George St. Marie.  As a sophomore he emerged as one of the fastest and most feared running backs in Eastern Connecticut.  He enjoyed three stellar seasons on the gridiron for the Clippers culminating in a 6-1 season in his senior year capped by a 40-0 trouncing of Killingly on Thanksgiving Day.  Bellerose teamed in the backfield with bruising fullback Bob Rovatti, quarterback Bill Moser and running backs Paul Planchon and Ken Longo.

On the track, Bellerose was a standout sprinter in both indoor and outdoor track.  During his time at Putnam he held records in the 100-yard dash and the 220, as well as anchoring the relay team.

Upon graduation Bellerose was offered a combination football and track scholarship at Southeast Louisiana State University.  He played and ran for one college season before injuries ended his competitive career.  During his brief stay in Louisiana he had the opportunity to compete against Louisiana State University football All American and Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon in a track meet.

Bellerose is a U.S. Air Force veteran and enjoyed a brief career in law enforcement before working and retiring from Connecticut Light & Power.  In recent years, he suffered a slight stroke, which has limited him slightly but has not dampened his spirits.

Fall Ball

A group of players who were part of the TriTown American Legion Baseball team this summer have continued play in the post season as part of a “fall ball” team that competes in a Massachusetts/Connecticut weekend league.  The team is coached by the trio of Dan Durand, John Foucault and Mike Carignan.

Following three weeks of play the team is a respectable 3-3 and in third place in the league.  The team recently swept a doubleheader behind the one-hit pitching of Nicholas Foucault in the first game and the combined tosses of Jared Carignan, Ryan Gadoury and Josh Allard in the nightcap.  The hitting stars were Carignan, Eli Majek, Zach Cutler and Justin Soucy.  The team plays its home games at Tourtellotte Memorial High School. 

Still Playing and Winning Championships

The Norwich Over-45 Softball League recently concluded its season with the crowning of Billy Wilson’s Ageing Still as the 2014 champions.  The Still was composed of players primarily from the Norwich area with the exception of a Brooklyn resident.

Mike Gaudreau, owner of Hurme Radio and TV in Danielson, was one of the mainstays of the championship team.  The lefty hitting Gaudreau continues to swing a powerful bat although he admits that his speed isn’t what it used to be.  In addition to running his business, Gaudreau serves as chairman of the Brooklyn Recreation Commission.

Football Standings and Stats

After two weeks of schoolboy football Plainfield stands tall as the early season “king of the hill” with a 2-0 record.  Killingly, Woodstock Academy and Quinebaug Valley Pride are still in search of victory #1 as is Pomfret School.  Hyde-Woodstock is 1-0 after whitewashing Dexter School.

Individually, Killingly’s Kyle Derosier is the passing leader with 397 yards after two games.  It’s no coincidence that the top receivers also hail from Killingly.  The area’s #1 receiver is Vasileous Politis with 154 yards followed closely by his teammate Michael Elsey with 137 yards.  The top runner is the Pride’s Raif Santerre who has rushed for 192 yards in two games.

Endurance Test

Runners and tri-athlete-type individuals seeking one more challenge before the cold weather sets in should seriously consider the Quinebaug Valley Community College Foundation’s newest and latest fund-raising venture- Tackle The Trail.

This unique event is a 19-mile run beginning in Pomfret and ending in Willimantic.  In essence the route is essentially the old Airline Trail.  The event, which is open to individuals or five-member relay teams, begins promptly at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18.  The entry fee is $100 for an individual and $150 for a relay team.  The event is limited to 30 teams and 50 individuals and preregistration is required as there will not be any event-day registration.  This is a rain or shine event. 

To register, participants should go to www.QVCC.EDU/TACKLETHETRAIL/ or contact the QVCC Foundation development and community involvement director Monique Wolanin at 860 932-4174.

Whet Your Whistles

Although the football season is in its infancy, the IAABO Eastern Connecticut Board 8 basketball officials are in search of new recruits according to the Board’s public relations officer Roger LaFrancois.  The Board is seeking candidates who are interested in becoming high school basketball officials for the upcoming season.

Candidates are required to attend rules classes that will prepare them for the written exam that is scheduled for Monday, November 3.  All preseason rules classes will be held at Norwich Free Academy on 305 Broadway in Norwich.  The class dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30 beginning at 6 p.m. and extending to 8:30 p.m.  

Any interested individual is urged to contact Board 8 Interpreter/Training Director Mike Thomas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 860 912-6736.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Energy is contagious…Get plenty of sleep.  But not too much!  Too much sleep can be debilitating.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

 

 

J. ‘Jack’ Champeau,

Air Force vet

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — John A. Champeau, 78, of Kananwood Terrace, died July 9, 2014, after a brief illness. Born July 10, 1935, in Putnam, he was the son of the late John A. and Harriet (Whitman) Champeau. 

Mr. Champeau attended Putnam High School and was a standout basketball player and president of the National Honor Society, graduating with high honors.  Following his graduation from Putnam in 1953, he enlisted with the U.S. Air Force where he was a Fusing Systems Specialist for the 30th Supply Squadron in the Nuclear Weapons Program, until he was honorably discharged in 1957. 

After serving in the Air Force, John attended Ellis Technical School where he earned a diploma in Mechanical Design upon graduating in 1960.  He would go on to have a long and varied career in the aerospace industry at General Dynamics, IBM, Raytheon and Kaiser.  He spent time living in Alabama, California, and Texas before settling down in Florida and New England during his retirement years, including time in his hometown of Putnam. He had a passion for New England sports, following the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots as well as the UConn basketball teams, and was an avid Dodgers fan.  He enjoyed listening to jazz, watching old movies and cooking.

He leaves one brother, Phillip Champeau of Clinton, Tenn.; two sisters, Lucille Caron of Dayville and Linda King of Pomfret; nine nephews, Paul J. Champeau of Glendale, Ariz., John W. Champeau of Ellington, Michael J. Champeau of Great Falls, Mont.,  David P. Champeau of Hudson, Mass.,  Ernest (Skip) Berube of Lakeworth, Fla., Tim Berube of Spring City, Tenn., Charles (Chuck) Berube of Danielson, Arthur (Butch) Caron Jr. of Dayville, and Phillip Champeau Jr.; and six nieces, Lisa Riendeau (Lefevre) of Keystone Heights, Fla., Kathleen Ayers of Ashford, Cheryl Young of Dayville, Cindy James of Dayville, Darleene Champeau of Clovis, Calif., and Carrie Allain of Clayton, N.C..  He was predeceased by his brother Paul ‘Rocky’ Champeau and his sister Doris (Dot) Lefevre. 

A graveside service with military honors will be held at noon Oct. 3 at the Grove Street Cemetery in Putnam, with a reception to follow at the Putnam Elks Club, Edmond Street. Donations: American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Sr. G. Desilets, DHS

PUTNAM — Sr. Gilberte Désilets, DHS, 102, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died Sept. 28, 2014, at the Holy Spirit Provincial House where she had been in retirement since 2001.

Sr. Gilberte was born on Feb. 22, 1912, at St. Grégoire, P.Q. Canada, the daughter of the late Eric and Blanche (Hébert) Désilets.  She entered religious life in 1928 and made her religious profession on Aug. 25, 1931, at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France.  She was then known as Sr. Cecilia.

She began her teaching career at St. Mary School, Jewett City and then at Immaculate Conception School, Fitchburg, Mass.; Holy Family School, Fairfield, and Assumption School, Chicopee, Mass.  In 1980 she retired from teaching and served in various capacities as dietician, domestic services at St. Joseph Guest House in New Haven and she did private tutoring at St. John School, Plainfield, and St. Mary School, Jewett City.

She leaves two sisters, Fernande Desilets of Leominster, Mass., and Jacqueline Mills of Brockton, Mass.; nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 30 at the Provincial House chapel with burial at St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations; Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Gretalyn I. Lund Elmen

WOODSTOCK — Gretalyn Iris Lund Elmen, 98, died Sept. 9, 2014.

She was born Jan. 14, 1916, in Beverly, Mass., to the Rev. Anders Gottfrid and Mrs. Iris Lindblad Lund. 

Her elementary schooling was in Cranston, R.I., New York City, and Worcester, Mass. Gretalyn was presented with an honorary prize upon her graduation from South High School in Worcester. She received a B.Ed. from Worcester State Teachers College (now Worcester State University) and did graduate work at Clark University, Worcester. She taught school over a span of 60 years, from 1937 to 1997, in Shrewsbury and Lexington, Mass., and in Evanston and Kenilworth, Ill. 

In her “retirement years,” she tutored at Rectory School, Pomfret, for 19 years. Her family albums are filled with photographs of her students. Gretalyn married the Rev. Dr. Paul Elmen in 1942. They lived in Evanston for more than 30 years as Paul was a professor of English Literature at Northwestern University and of Moral Theology at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He died in 1999. 

Gretalyn and Paul, children of Swedish immigrants, were fluent in Swedish, and Gretalyn, proud of her Scandinavian heritage, translated several published books from Swedish to English. They travelled frequently, visiting across Europe from Iceland to Turkey with extended stays in Sweden and Great Britain. Gretalyn a lover of learning, enjoyed the theater, reading and book discussions, pristine grammar, crossword puzzles, motherhood, and teaching. She was interested in people, loved to socialize, and would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime. She was gracious, witty, well-versed, and vibrant. 

She leaves her daughter, Elisabeth Elmen Levesque (Joffre); her son, John Elmen (Robin Neely) of Cumberland Foreside, Maine; and her grandson, Paul Joffre Levesque and his fiancée, Maureen Holowinski, of Northbrook, Ill. Two brothers, Rev. Anders Godfrey Lund Jr. and Rev. Clayton R. Lund, predeceased her. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 18 at Christ Memorial Church, Rt. 169, Pomfret, with private interment in Christ Church Cemetery. Donations: Christ Church, Box 21, Pomfret, CT 06258; or Rectory School, P.O. Box 68, Pomfret, CT 06258. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Jeannette Millette

PUTNAM — Jeannette Millette, 90, of Putnam, died peacefully Sept. 21, 2014, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Nursing Home.

She was employed by Day Kimball Hospital for 25 years.  She loved shopping and cooking. A plaque in her kitchen said it all, “No matter where I serve my guests, they always like my kitchen best!”

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Oclede Joseph Millette (Al Millette) and daughter Celeste Marie Millette. 

She was the daughter of the late Noe and Diana DesJardin.

She was predeceased by six brothers John, Lucien, Albert, Raymond, Roger, Henry; and one sister, Helen Dauphinas.

She leaves her sister Yvette Keonnicke (Frank) of Norwich; children: Carol Mercier of Putnam, Allen Millette of Eastport, Maine, Claudia Millette of Manchester, Priscilla Holbrook (Peter) of Scottsdale, Ariz., Dr. Beverly McGuire (Troy) of Jacksonville, Fla., and David Millette (Cindy) of Melbourne; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

Burial and a celebration of her life is planned for Spring of 2015. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Marsha A. Reed

PUTNAM — Marsha A. Reed, 66, of Putnam, died Sept. 28, 2014, at Day Kimball Hospital. The wife of Kevin Reed, they were married in 1985. She was born Sept. 12, 1948, in Worcester, daughter of the late Marshall and Alice (Donahue) Carter. 

She was a very talented and creative women. She loved to garden, enjoyed painting and all kinds of crafts. 

She leaves her husband Kevin; two sons, Michael Morin of Webster, Zachary Reed of Putnam; brothers John Carter (Linda) Linda of Dudley, Paul Carter of Oxford, Mass.; grandchildren, Gage and Rachel Morin. 

Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., with the funeral service at 11 a.m. Oct. 2 at the funeral home. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

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caption:

 

Honored

Leo Mikayla Van Dam, right, with Lions District  23C Governor Nanette Burdick. Courtesy photo

 

 

Van Dam 

receives Leo of

the Year Award

PUTNAM — Putnam Leo Mikayla Van Dam, 17, a senior at Putnam High School, was named Leo of the Year by Lions Clubs International for the association’s 2013-2014 fiscal-year.  Van Dam is one of only 30 Leos world-wide, and only 12 in the U.S. who has been honored with this award.  

She was acknowledged for her accomplishments Sept. 18 at a Lions and Leo Reception at J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant in Putnam.  Lions District 23C Governor Nanette Burdick presented the award to her.  In addition, District 23C Leo Liaison Diana Grise was present for the celebration. She will be formally recognized at the Connecticut Lions Mid-Winter Conference at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell, CT on February 7, 2015. 

According to Lion Al Cormier, the Putnam II Leo Club adviser-team leader, “Leo Mikayla Van Dam cares about people.  As president of the Leo Club she was the pulse behind the club’s growth these past two years, resulting in significant strides in membership, retention and fund-raising efforts.  Possessing high ethical standards and personal integrity, her solid family-based values and morals guide her thoughts, words and actions.  In her humble way she has earned the respect of our Leos and adviser-team.  Mikayla sets the example and is tireless in motivating her peers to get the job done, regardless of what is required.  She continues to make a difference in all that she does.”

In addition to the Leo Mikayla’s award, the Putnam II Leo Club received the Leo Club Excellence Award from Lions Clubs International for the association’s 2013-2014 fiscal-year.  This award was given to only 50 clubs world-wide.

The Putnam II Leo Club is involved in helping the community though holiday “ Adopt-a-Family” support and in the School Age Child Care Program.  Additional projects in which they are involved include Daily Bread, Community Cafe, NEADS – Canines for Combat Veterans, Special Olympics, Eyeglass Recycling, HOPE Used Cell Phone drives, Putnam Clean Up Days, Empty Bowls, Putnam Family Resource Center back-to-school backpacks and the Putnam Lions Fall Classic Bike Ride.  Leo fund-raising benefits Lions’ charities, including Camp Rising Sun, CT Eye Research Foundation, Lions Low Vision Center and the FIDELCO Guide Dog Foundation.  In addition they support the Barton Center for Diabetes Education, CT Audubon Center of Pomfret, N.O.W. Foundation and the Windham County 4-H Foundation.

For more info contact Cormier at 860-928-2495.