By Ron Coderre

In late November and early December 2012 the boys and girls high school and prep school basketball seasons got under with a flurry of activity.  Entering the season every team had aspirations of posting winning records, winning division or conference championships, making the State and prep tournaments and some even spoke of winning a State title.  All those memories seem like so long ago.
Now slightly more than three months since the start of the season only one local team can proudly say they are State Champions.  The Woodstock Academy Centaurs under the direction of coach Greg Smith are the only team from the area left standing.  The Acads reached the apex of high school basketball with a hard fought, well deserved 52-49 victory over Trinity Catholic of Stamford, in a game played at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville.  (See story starting on page 1 for the details.)
There were numerous heroes for the Acads, who led the game at every stop.  Ian Converse, the team’s “go to” guy all season didn’t disappoint, posting a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds as he played the entire 32 excruciating minutes in leading his mates to victory.  Chris Lowry, who was also on the court for 32 minutes, had five points while dishing out 11 rebounds, many of the spectacular variety.  Workhorse Sullivan Gardner was immense off the boards with 14 caroms, while contributing eight points, as he also played the entire game.  The other half of the Woodstock rebounding tandem, “BIG” John McGinn had six boards and five points, while long range bomber, Tristan Welch tossed in two treys, the closer coming with 3:23 to play, as he tallied eight markers.  Trent Peters, who was the lone bench player to see action, played six minutes but contributed a huge three-pointer from beyond the arc.  It was a total team effort for the Woodstock Academy Centaurs, who are now the reigning Connecticut Class L champions.
Notes
It was truly amazing sitting on press row and scanning the huge crowd at the Mohegan Sun Arena and thinking there were some folks who were originally opposed to moving the championship games to that venue…The bottom tier of the arena was filled to capacity and many of the seats in the upper arena were also occupied…Often the crowd is referred to by the media as the “sixth man.”  In the case of the Woodstock crowd, they deserve a “tip of the sports fedora.”  They filled a large part of the arena and were positively vocal all evening…When the team arrived in Putnam and exited Route 395 at Exit 95, the Putnam Police along with two fire trucks were waiting to lead a parade that snaked up Kennedy Drive, over the Bridge Street bridge, up Woodstock Avenue and into Woodstock and to the Academy campus.  Along the route more fire trucks and ambulances were waiting at the Farmer’s Market and at the Woodstock Avenue and West Thompson Road intersection…Most of the Woodstock Academy faculty and coaches from other sports were on hand for the game as were many area coaches and fans from throughout Northeastern Connecticut…Jim Gothreau was spotted roaming around the arena, snapping photos of the game and the fans for the Putnam Town Crier…Prior to the start of the contest, Academy senior Austin Stone captivated the audience with patriotic rendition of the National Anthem…WINY Radio with John Wilbur and Paul Coutu were located at courtside, providing the play-by-play and color analysis for those listening at home.  The game was also streamed far and wide around the world via the internet…Woodstock Academy golf coach Rich Garceau upon exiting the stadium, “This was a great victory.  It puts a lot of pressure on my golf team to also bring home a State title…According to Coach Smith the team watched the movie “Hoosiers” the night before the big game.  It worked.     
RPC’s Super Conference Final Standings
            Boys                    Girls
Woodstock        24-3        Pomfret        20-5
PSA            22-8        Marianapolis        19-9
Marianapolis        21-9        Plainfield        16-7
Plainfield         12-10        Putnam        15-7
Hyde-Woodstock    10-11        Hyde-Woodstock    11-6
Tourtellotte        10-12                               Woodstock Academy 8-14
Ellis Tech        9-12                                   Tourtellotte        4-16
Pomfret        8-12        Killingly        2-18        
Killingly        7-13        Ellis Tech        1-19
Putnam         4-16

Bob Bernier Honored With CIAC Merit Award
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shoutout goes to a former Putnam High School cross country and track stand Bob Girard.  Known familiarly around Putnam as “Bob the barber,” Girard celebrated his 74th birthday on March 20.  Happy birthday and keep snipping away, Bob.
The world of officiating athletic events is akin to being an elected official.  Whatever the sport officials like politicians are always only 50% correct.  It takes special individuals to put on the striped shirt or the mask and go out day after day, season after season, for years on end.  One such person is Bob Bernier, who’s devoted four decades officiating basketball and mentoring young referees.
On Friday, March 15 prior to the start of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference boys and girls State championship tournaments Bernier was honored by the organization when he was one of four people presented with the prestigious CIAC Merit Award.  He was recognized for his work as a referee, administrator and work in improving basketball officiating in general.
Bernier became an IAABO member in 1977 when he joined the Eastern Board #8.  He remained active on the court through 1993, officiating high school and NCAA Division II and III college games.  But his love of officiating also kept him active in other capacities.  He’s served as secretary and president of Board #8, is a past president of the State Board and currently serves as the Women’s Coordinating Chair for IAABO, CT State Board of Directors, CT State Board Women’s Basketball Chair, and as a CIAC Girls’ Basketball Committee advisor.
As the recipient of the Merit Award his selection was also based on other achievements outside of the world of basketball officiating.  Bernier graduated from Putnam High School in 1965, where he was one of four Clipper athletes who played football, basketball and baseball during his four years in high school.
Following high school he enrolled at Johnson & Wales Jr. College where he was a member of the JWC golf team.  His college life was interrupted during the height of the Vietnam War when he was drafted into the United States Army.  He served in Vietnam as an operations and intelligence specialist until his discharge in 1970.
Upon being discharged he returned to Johnson & Wales where he served as the assistant golf coach, helping to lead the team to the NJCAA finals in Flint, Michigan.  In 1973, he reconnected with his former high school buddy, Jeff Jankot, who like Bernier had served in Vietnam, where he was wounded and lost his eye sight in the line of duty.
Jankot, who previous to his wartime injury had aspired to become a PGA professional, hooked up with Bernier as coach and player as a member of the National Blind Golfers Association.  Bernier traveled to Massachusetts weekly to work with Jankot on his golf game.  Eventually the partnership paid off as in 1992 Jankot fired rounds of 93-92 to become the National Blind Golfers Champion.  The two remain very close friends to this day.
Bernier, at the request of the CIAC most recently has played an active role in recruiting and developing female officials.  He continues in an active role, promoting women’s basketball and opportunities for women in basketball officiating.  He was part of a team that developed the first ever IAABO Women’s Basketball Officiating School at the University of New Haven and in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
In real life, Bernier retired from the Connecticut Department of Transportation after 27 years of service.  He currently works in a part time capacity at Connecticut National Golf Club.
The Merit Award is the second meaningful award Bernier’s received relating to basketball officiating.  In 2011 IAABO presented him with a Life Membership for his outstanding service to basketball officiating.  Bernier’s life on and off the basketball court has been characterized as a “true giver rather than receiver.”  The Merit Award is truly fitting and deserved for Putnam native Bob Bernier.
Plainfield Runner Honored by ECC…  
The Eastern Connecticut Conference Female Athlete of the Month for February is Plainfield High School indoor track standout Kerri Ruffo.  The award is presented by the Byrnes Agency of Dayville, Woodstock and Norwich.  In February the Plainfield junior racked up a number of strong performances in leading the Lady Panther tracksters at conference and State meets.
In the ECC Small Division Championship, Ruffo tallied 28 points including victories in the 1600m and 3200m races as well as a 2nd place finish in the 1000m.  As the team moved to the Class S Championship, Ruffo continued to lead, pacing the 4x800m relay team to a 3rd place finish while individually placing 3rd in the 3200m, which qualified her for the CIAC Open meet where she finished 6th.  Her State Open performance earned her a spot in the New England Championships on March 2 where she finished her outstanding indoor season with an 18th place finish.
Ruffo is the second Plainfield female athlete to win the ECC award.  Morgan Griffin of the Plainfield basketball team was the December and January winner.
On The Mend…
A few weeks back RPC mentioned that former Putnam High School three-sport athlete Gerry Vaillant had been hospitalized with cardiac issues and related surgery.  Since then Vaillant has had a number of returns to the hospital but we’re pleased to report that he’s currently doing much better and is on the mend.  
Although he continues to require rehabilitation services, Vaillant is in the friendly confines of his home.  He reports that he’s received numerous get well card since it was first reported he was hospitalized.  If you’ve ever been a patient, it’s warming to receive get-well cards and it helps the healing process.  Send Vaillant a note at 13 Memorial Terrace, Putnam 06260.
Unified Basketball Teams Take Center Court…
The ECC, CIAC and Special Olympics held their Unified Sports Basketball Tournament on March 11 at Norwich Free Academy.  Congratulations to Killingly, Plainfield and Woodstock Academy for being part of this successful event.  Ashley Lebeau, a member of the Woodstock Academy team was part of the opening ceremonies with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.   
RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: “When you go through trying times, you don’t stop trying.” Kevin Ollie, University of Connecticut Men’s Basketball Coach

Sheila Lavoie,
owned business
MANTEO, N.C. — Sheila Houghton Lavoie, 73, of Manteo, died March 11, 2013, at The Outer Banks Hospital. Born in Norwich, she was the daughter of the late Earl Andrew Converse and Medora Bessette Converse and was the widow of Raymond Oscar Lavoie.
She owned the Book Nook in Dayville for many years.
She leaves a daughter, Lynne Michelle Lavoie (John C. Paulus) of North Carolina; three sons, Glenn Alan St. Onge (Kate) of Connecticut, Mark Rene St. Onge (Cathy) of Florida, and Kirk Lawrence St. Onge (Joanne) of Connecticut; sisters, Judi Vertefuille and Beverly Jankowski; brothers, George Houghton, and Roy Converse; grandchildren, Jill, Dawn, Kris, Erin, Theresa, Walter, and Justin and great-grandchildren, Alex, Kameren, Riley, Brooklyn, London, Shannon, Kaelynn, Elijah, Lily and Colin. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn Babbitt and two brothers, Richard and Doug Houghton.
A Memorial Service was March 16 at Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo, with a service April 5 in Connecticut. Donations: Companion Dogs Plus, 12672 South 575 West, Centerpoint, IN 47840.

David A. Barrows
BROOKLYN — David A. Barrows, 54, of Greenway Drive, died March 12, 2013, at Hartford Hospital. Born Feb. 4, 1959, in Putnam, he was the son of Dolores (LaFlamme) Barrows of Putnam and the late Arthur W. Barrows.
Mr. Barrows worked as a mason and carpenter in the Florida area most recently for D. C. Concrete . Mr. Barrows was a talented tattoo artist, an avid motorcycle enthusiast, and an all around good person who had a “heart of gold.”
David leaves his mother, three brothers Mark Barrows of Brooklyn, Scott Barrows of Attawaugan, and Jay Barrows of Brooklyn with whom he lived; two step brothers Ronnie Barrows of Florida and Paul Barrows of Dayville; aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Bruce w. Barrows on July 23, 1994.
The Funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Dorothy M. Jensen,
mother of 7
PUTNAM — Dorothy (Miller) Jensen, 90, of  Chapman Street, died March 16, 2013.  She was the wife of the late Albert Jensen.  Born in 1922 in Springfield, Mass., and raised in Palmer, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Emil and Helen (Walz) Miller.
Mrs. Jensen worked as a waitress for Publick House for 22 years.  She enjoyed watching the Red Sox and loved her cats, raising over 50 during her lifetime.
Dorothy leaves her sons, Eric Jensen of New Castle, Ohio, and Carl Jensen of Springtown, Texas; daughters, Jean DeGioia of Garrison, N.Y., Norma French of Putnam, Nancy Thornton of Woodstock, and Patricia Jensen of Putnam;  nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Christine Merceri.
Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. March 20 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam with a funeral service at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Oak Knoll Cemetery in Palmer, at a later date.

Dorothy Menzone
WEBSTER — Dorothy P. (Terrett) Menzone, 87, of Webster, died March 15, 2013, at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester.
She was predeceased by her first husband, Ralph F. D’Andrea Sr., and by her second husband, Anthony Menzone.
Dorothy was born in Onley, Texas, daughter of the late Nathan J. and Florence L. (Barfield) Terrett and lived in Webster most of her life. She was a retired mental health assistant having worked at Worcester State Hospital for many years. She loved dining out.
She leaves three daughters, Sharon E. D’Andrea of Martin, Calif., Linda A. Colburn of Woodstock, and Elizabeth M. D’Andrea of Webster; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sons, Gary F. D’Andrea and Ralph F. D’Andrea Jr.; and by a sister, Ellen Wallum.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. March 21 in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Child Hill Road, Woodstock. Donations: American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

Irene Kokocinski
WEBSTER — Irene (Tomaszek) Kokocinski, 87, died March 12, 2013, after a brief illness.
She was born in Webster and lived there all her life. Irene was a graduate of Bartlett High School, LaSalle Jr. College and Annhurst College.
She retired from a career of teaching at Bartlett High School in 1985. At Bartlett she served as chairwoman of the Business Dept. She was a founding member of the Webster Education Association and served as secretary until her retirement. Irene also served as a member of the Webster School Committee , Board of Directors at Hubbard Hospital, Webster Democratic Town Committee, and Democratic State Committee. She loved politics. Irene was selected as the Patriot “Woman of the Year” in 1992. She served as a trustee of the Chester Corbin Library in Webster and was also a member of the committee for construction of Webster Middle School. Her slogan was “If it is good for the children, I’m for it.”  
She leaves her husband Edward Kokocinski; children: Philip Charbonneau (Marjie) of Webster, Jay Charbonneau of Altadena, Calif., and Joy Pizzetti (Michael) of Pomfret; five grandchildren Christopher  Hajec, Todd Hajec, Glenn C. Charbonneau, Abby Charbonneau and Corrine Charbonneau, one great-grandson Cameron Gaboury. Irene is predeceased by her parents Albert and Mary (Koskta) Tomaszek, her son Glenn Charbonneau in 1967 and her sisters Helen Taft and Florence Bourdeau.
The Funeral Mass was March 16 in St. Joseph’s Basilica, Webster with burial in St. Joseph’s Garden Of Peace, Webster. Donations: St. Joseph School Fund, c/o St. Joseph’s Basilica, 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.