James Henry Bartolomei Jr.
BROOKLYN — James Henry Bartolomei Jr., 74, of Brooklyn, died Aug. 25, 2024.
Born in Putnam, to Claire Robitaille (1929–2018) and James Bartolomei Sr. (1924–1976), Jim grew up on Vandale Street with his parents and six siblings. He attended St. Mary’s Church and Catholic school before heading to Putnam High School. After high school, he graduated from UConn with a bachelor’s in mathematics and a minor in intramural basketball, and later earned a master’s in teaching from ECSU.
Jim began working for the button factory in Putnam before starting his 30-plus year career at Putnam High School as a beloved mathematics teacher. While teaching, he also became a well-respected coach. He will be remembered for coaching girls’ soccer, boys’ basketball, and boys’ golf.
Jim retired from Putnam High School in 2013 but remained engaged in coaching.
Jim’s favorite job, however, was helping to raise his children, James Henry III and Lesley. He worked hard to provide for them, traveling to see them wherever they were —whether in D.C., Boston, New Hampshire, Maine, California, or their new homes in Madison, and Little Rock.
Jim met his wife Donna at the Willimantic Country Club in 1997. They fell in love and married in May 1998, and he became the stepfather to her three children. They bought a house in Lisbon and were involved in every moment of their children’s upbringing. Later, they moved to their home in Brooklyn, where Jim and Donna welcomed their dog and Jim’s best friend, Pedey (or Pedroia, like the former second baseman of the Boston Red Sox).
Jim loved the beach, with York Beach, Maine, being his favorite. He brought his children there each year, creating many cherished memories with them and his entire family.
Jim had many hobbies, particularly those involving a ball. His most profound love was golf; you could find him on the golf course all summer. Did you know he had three holes in one? He tied with Donna! Jim made many friends through golfing, some of whom joined him on golfing adventures. However, he could also be found on the basketball court, tennis court, or riding a bicycle.
He also loved to travel with friends. Notable places they traveled to include Ireland, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, Alaska, Vermont, and Hawaii. He also went on a 41-day cross-country trip in 2001, during which Lesley and Jimmy flew out to California to join him for a few weeks. Jim and Donna also visited 15 major league baseball parks and many drives to Arkansas, among other destinations.
Jim was an avid reader who loved Dean Koontz, Nelson DeMille novels and many more. He enjoyed watching Star Trek, The Three Stooges, and Jeopardy. His musical tastes included Bob Dylan, Cream, Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, and more. He was a die-hard New England sports fan, rooting for his Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and, most of all, his UConn Huskies.
Jim was known for assigning nicknames to his friends that would stick with them for a lifetime. He was quick-witted, with colorful New England sarcasm, grounded by his laid-back, go-with-the-flow attitude. He never shied away from sharing his opinions on current affairs and politics.
He leaves his wife of 26 years, Donna Bartolomei; his son, James Henry Bartolomei III (Suzanne), along with grandchildren Lily Grace and James Henry IV of Little Rock; his daughter, Lesley Young (Doug), along with grandchildren Alexa and Drew of Madison; stepchildren Laura Laidley (Larry), of Jewett City, Justin Loura (Jenn) of Columbia, and Kayla Simpson (Steve), of Marlborough; his dog, Pedey; siblings John A. Bartolomei (Pamela), Jeffrey F. Bartolomei (Laura Burke), Jay R. Bartolomei (Karen), Jo-Ann B. Dean; Joyce D. Adams and Dr. Jill M. Espelin; nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Putnam Elks Lodge, 64 Edmond St., Putnam. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.
.
Wed. Sept. 11
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- “The Five Senses of Women” exhibit will run through Sept. 30 at the Corridor Gallery at the Putnam Municipal Complex. Free. It features a variety of medias and techniques from five local artists: Lisa Andrews, Kathy Guertin, Carolyn Nadeau, Laura Moorehead, and Karen Reid. 1. www.PutnamCtArtsCouncil.com for gallery hours and more information.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Library will hold one of its Art @ the Library series, “Landscape Journeys by Al Mathes” at the Thompson Public Library through September. In the Display Case: Constitution Week by Ida Ransom.
Sat. Sept. 14
Fashion Program
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present ‘Fashions of Gilded Age” from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Free. Register: 860-963-6826.
Sun. Sept. 15
Poets
WOODSTOCK --- State Poet Laureate Antoinette Brim-Bell returns for a second year to read in the Poets at Large Roseland Park series. This free poetry/spoken word event to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the barn at Roseland Park. Featured with Brim-Bell will be Massachusetts Beat Poet Laureate Linda Bratcher Wlodyka and Christopher Reilley, former poet of Dedham, Mass. Sign up for open mic at
Tues. Sept. 17
KBIC Meeting
KILLINGLY/BROOKLYN --- Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council meeting for all faith communities and spiritually-minded individuals at 1 p.m. at the Danielson United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 9 Spring St., Danielson (behind Key Bank).
Thur. Sept. 19
Peace Day
PUTNAM --- The Greater Putnam Interfaith Council invites local residents to a Peace Day Celebration at 6 p.m. at the Daughters of the Holy Spirit offices, 508B Pomfret St. The event will feature music, readings, prayers and information.
Sun. Sept. 22
Art in Park
WOODSTOCK --- The 10th Annual Art in the Park will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Roseland Park.
Mon. Sept. 30
Explore Harp
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Public Library will present “Exploring the Harp” for kids 6-12 at 4:30. Limit. Registration required: 860-963-6826.
Sat. Oct. 5
'Cozy Pumpkin'
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host “Make Your Own Hand Knit Cozy Pumpkin at 10 a.m. at the Pomfret Community Center. Learn the basic of arm knitting and make your own cozy pumpkin(s). $45 per pumpkin. All supplies are included! Limited spots available. Sign up now on Facebook at Sovanny’s Comfort Boutique.
Wed. Oct. 16
Movie Night
PUTNAM --- The Friends of the Putnam Public Library will present Movie Night (a Disney remake of a classic haunted house PG-13 comedy) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. Free. Only covered drinks allow.
Sat. Oct. 19
Great Pumpkin Fest
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Great Pumpkin Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This community celebration of fall features The Great Pumpkin, craft and art vendors, live music, activities for the kids, and more.
Rec to Treat
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host Rec or Treat at 4 p.m. Trunk or Treating with PCS PTO, hayride, crafts, bonfire and movie. Food and drink will be available for purchase. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Fri. Oct. 25
Murder Mystery
POMFRET --- Murder Mystery Dinner at Grill 37. Cocktail hour starts at 6 followed by the show and buffet dinner. Dressing up is strongly encouraged. The theme will be Death of a Gangster! www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.
Sat. Oct. 26
Trick or Treat
PUTNAM --- The town of Putnam and the Putnam Business Association will present the Downtown Trick or Treat from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Main Street. From Riverfront Commons to Union Square, participating merchants and local groups pass out treats.
Thur. Nov. 21
History Program
THOMPSON ---The Thompson Historical Society and the Thompson Public Library will present “Lafayette Story and Thompson Lore About the Man of Two Countries” at 6 p.m. at the library. Free.
.
Honored
WICHITA, Kan. — Ronald N DeGray of Woodstock was named to the Wichita State University’s Dean’s Honor Roll for spring 2024.
.
Hale YMCA Riptides swimmer
places 5th at national meet
Mary Kate Barnwell sprinted to a fifth-place finish in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of :28.11 in the 15 & under division at the YMCA National Long-Course* Championship swim meet held recently in Florida.
Throughout the meet Barnwell had earned best times in several events including the 200 backstroke, 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, but had not qualified for finals.
In the morning preliminary heats for the 50 Free, Mary Kate swam her best time (:28.18), and she really wasn’t sure if she would qualify for the evening finals – especially with so many fast swimmers — sometimes only separated by hundredths of a second.
In 2023, the summer before entering high school, Barnwell did not qualify for any Finals evening swims., but she was simply happy to have the opportunity to represent Hale YMCA and the State of Connecticut at the National level.
This summer one of Barnwell’s goals was to qualify for the evening Finals competitions. While she was super stoked to swim in the finals for the first time, she didn’t think a top five finish was even possible. At the evening finals for the 50m Free, Barnwell’s quick reactions on the block made her one of the first swimmers in the water and helped to earn her the fifth-place finish.
Upon returning to the Quiet Corner, she didn’t get much rest, as she got right back to volunteering her time each day teaching swimming at Hale YMCA as a counselor in Training at the Race4Chase Triathlon camp.
*Long-Course means the swim meet is held in a 50-meter pool, like the Olympics.
Contributed by Brian Reilly
.