PUTNAM — Putnam Science Academy’s prep basketball team has rarely had much in-season turnover. Coach Tom Espinosa said the Mustangs have had one guy go and one come in on four or five occasions. Maybe. So it doesn’t happen often.
But a basketball season like this 2020-21 season doesn’t happen often either. And as a result, there are a lot of new names – eight, in fact – dotting the PSA roster as students made their way back to campus last week.
“This is all COVID-19 related,” Espinosa said. “Whether it’s schools are closing and kids have nowhere to go or they’re wanting to get more exposure because recruiting is all closed down so they come here … it’s just a year like no other. I don’t know if we’ve ever had two new kids come in. And now we’ve got eight.”
The first of those is Josh Bascoe, an experienced point guard who played last year at Vermont Academy and is battle-tested. The Bucknell commit will probably have the first crack at the starting point guard position left vacant by Bensely Joseph’s season-ending injury.
Nana Owusu-Anane was also at Vermont Academy last year and will provide the Mustangs with frontcourt help. The 6-foot, 8-inch Owusu-Anane, who has committed to Brown, is “the typical big man that we like,” Espinosa said.
Leon Williams also spent time at Vermont Academy, though just the first half of this school year. A 6-4 guard, Espinosa said Williams is a bit of late bloomer whose game is expanding and going to the next level.
PSA has also brought in Amadou Diallo, a smaller sized point guard at 5-10 but who is considered one of the toughest guards in New York City, and Mouhamed Dioubate, a Class of 2023 wing, who at 6-5 has loads of potential and the chance to be very special. Both are part of PSA’s connection into Queens, N.Y., which has brought in players in the past such as Hamadou Diallo and brothers Mamadou and Hassan Diarra (plus current Mustang Cherif Diarra).
Boris Mitkin, PSA’s third player from Russia in the last two seasons, is strong and skilled, and at 6-8 will provide depth in the frontcourt. Flavien Geoffroy, a postgrad from Paris, is a 6-6 forward who adds toughness.
And finally there is Miles Rose, from upstate New York. He’s young – a member of the Class of 2023 – but Espinosa said he has a lot of potential and “is the kind of kid who could be a top 50 player down the line.”
PSA has played just two games in this disjointed season (both wins, over Hoosac, Halloween weekend), but the intent is to play more as restrictions are lifted. These new eight players join holdovers CJ Anthony, Trent Coleman, Cherif Diarra, Bryce Harris, Elijah Hutchins-Everett, Edwin Linares, Alexis Reyes, Mohamed Sanogo, Viktor Shvets, and Darryl Simmons, as PSA chases down a second straight national title, and third overall.
The Mustangs will be without the aforementioned Joseph, plus Sean Durugordon (Missouri) and Zay Folkes (Charlotte), who enrolled early in college. Jao Ituka transferred out of PSA and Nic Louis-Jacques has decided to stay home for the time being but could return. “We have 16 uniforms,” Espinosa said. “There’s going to be a lot of competition. We’ll see who survives it.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
.
LTC Lawrence Bellerose
USAR, Ret.
PUTNAM — “Dear Lord, give me the patience needed to serve everyone as my own . and Lord, most importantly, the right to shed an honest tear when my heart is touched.” -From the Funeral Directors Prayer. For Larry, the funeral director’s prayer summarizes how he faced each day as he was called to assist families in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut during his more than 50-year career.
LTC Lawrence James Bellerose (USAR, Ret), 82, the former owner of the Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes of Putnam and N. Grosvenordale, died Jan. 14, 2021, after fighting COVID-19.
He was born in Webster, the son of the late Laurent and Rita (Hamel) Bellerose. Raised in N. Grosvenordale, Larry was a post-depression child who ran around the streets of the “Swede Village” with his gang of friends, including his best friend and “brother” David Babbitt. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School, Class of 1956, and the New England Institute of Applied Arts and Science in Boston, Class of 1957.
Even as a young boy, it seemed the idea of becoming a funeral director was his goal in life. He began working for the Gilman family as a 16-year-old. Then following school, he served an apprenticeship with James T. Pratt Funeral Service in Hartford. While working in Hartford, he often would eat lunch at the local diner, where a young lady from Vermont, Arlene Boynton, often ate. They soon were dating and then married in 1959, settling in Putnam to begin his career. Larry worked as director for the Gilman family for the next 15 years, and then in 1973, purchased the business. Larry and Arlene became the caretakers of traditions of kindhearted service the Gilman family established in 1919. In 1980 he bought Valade Funeral Home in N. Grosvenordale. He and Arlene retired in 2003.
He also served more than 35 years as a member of the U.S. Army. Joining the National Guard in 1959, he then transferred to the Army Reserves as a 2nd Lt. in 1965. He rose through the ranks, serving posts with the 76th Infantry Division until his final post as Battalion Commander of the 417th Regiment in W. Hartford in 1985. From 1985 to 1991, Larry served as a liaison officer for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was honored to assist numerous students throughout Connecticut to commissions at West Point. He retired in 1998.
He was a member and Past President (1983) of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association and was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. In 1988, Larry was chosen as the Governor of District 1 of NFDA, serving New England members until 1991.
He served locally as well. He was appointed to the former Board of Police Commissioners for the City of Putnam, serving until 1984. He was a 30-year member of the Rotary Club of Putnam, where he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow, recognition for following the ideals of Rotary; “Service Above Self” was also awarded the Putnam Rotary Club Vocational Service Award. He also served as youth exchange officer for the club and served on the District 7890 Youth Exchange Committee, assisting students with placement in families around the world. He and Arlene opened their home to several exchange students through the years. He was a member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Putnam Lodge of Elks, a member of the Elks National Foundation, a member of the Cargill Council 64, Knights of Columbus and the Msgr. Mathieu Council Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Oscar Swanson American Legion Post 67, the Board of Directors of the Hospice of the Northeast, a corporator of Day Kimball Hospital, where he served as the general chairman of the Annual Giving Appeal for five years. Larry also was member of the board of directors of the former Cargill Bank for more than 25 years. He was a faithful member of St. Mary Church in Putnam, where he assisted on multiple committees and with many projects, including part of the parent group that started the “Circle of Fun.” Larry also was the longtime sexton in charge of the Gate of Heaven Cemetery for the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Putnam.
Larry became an adopted son of Vermont with his marriage to Arlene. When not working, he enjoyed spending many a day in his adopted state. He also appreciated relaxing on the shores of Alexanders Lake in Dayville in their cottage. Larry and Arlene moved to Clermont, Fla., permanently in 2007.
Larry’s beloved wife of 58 years, Arlene F. (Boynton) died in 2017. He leaves three children: John L. Bellerose and his partner, Wendy Monroe, of Newmarket, N.H., David B. Bellerose (Kimberly), of Oxford, Mass., and Kathryn B. Willard (Robert) of Thompson; five grandchildren, Ryan Bellerose (Kat) of Putnam, Alexandra Bellerose of Oxford, Mass., Anneliese Bellerose and her partner, Michael Benoit of Rochdale, Mass., and Emma and Zachary Willard of Thompson; great-grandsons, Raiden, Caleb and Talan; and his brother-in-law, R. Gary Boynton (Kathy Davis) of Shelburne, Vt.. He was predeceased by his sister, Geraldine “Gerri” Carlage in 2010.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 23 at St. Mary Church, Putnam. Per COVID restrictions, masks and social distancing are required in the church. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Rutland, Vt., will be held in the spring. Donations: Matulaitis Rehab and Skilled Care Center, 10 Thurber Rd.; or the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, 600 Liberty Highway, both Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Gerard J. Messier Sr.
PUTNAM — Gerard J. Messier Sr., 78, of School St., died Jan. 2021, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of the late Barbara J. (Heath) Messier. Born Jan. Jan. 9, 1943, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Gerard and Viola (Dragon) Messier.
Mr. Messier worked for 39 years as a button polisher for US Button Corporation, a job that he loved. He enjoyed listening to the piano player and playing bingo with his Matulaitis friends. Before he became ill, he looked forward to family dinner every Monday with his kids and grandkids. He a fixture in the bleachers, cheering for his grandchildren on for every school concert, award ceremony, baseball, basketball, football game and graduation.
He leaves Gerard Messier Jr.; his daughters, Valerie Schrump (Donald) of Putnam, Elizabeth Messier of Putnam, and Cheryl Piligian (Robert) of Putnam;; his grandchildren, Catherine and her husband Bert, Timothy, Heather (Michael), Justin (Angela), Jared (Sarah), and Thomas; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Xavier, Zachary, Amy, Matthew, Skyler, Kadyn, Lexi, Eli, and Trevor, as well as his Matulaitis family. He was predeceased by his son, Joseph Messier.
Services were private. Donations: Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Carolyn P. Tanajes
DAYVILLE — Carolyn P. Tanajes, 99, of Westview Health Care Center died Jan. 15, 2021. She was born on May 7, 1921, at home in the Phoenixville section of Eastford, the daughter of Victor and Anna (Slowik) Piecyk.
She attended the one-room Phoenixville school, graduated from Woodstock Academy, and then matriculated at the Willimantic State Teachers College, graduating in 1943 to pursue her lifelong love of teaching. During her long career, Carolyn taught in the Eastford, Pomfret, and Putnam school systems retiring in 1979 from Putnam Elementary. A music lover, she was an accomplished piano player, and often incorporated her talent into school programs, creating elaborate costumes and sets to entertain the school children and parents alike.
She spent her retirement years doing what she loved the most, enjoying her own children and grandchildren. Her family will always remember her as a selfless individual, always putting others’ needs above her own.
Carolyn was predeceased by her husband, Joseph R. Tanajes, who died in 2008. She leaves her daughters: daughter Carole Lynn Sheldon (Scott) of Mansfield and Beth Sheldon (Mark) of Eastford; grandson Mark Sheldon Jr. (Catie) of Ashford; granddaughters Lauren Sheldon (fiancé Thomas Brinsko) of Coventry, Marybeth Sheldon (fiancé David King) of Marlborough; great-grandson Mark Sheldon III of Ashford. She was predeceased by three brothers, Victor, Frank and Carroll; two sisters, Stella and Frances. She was a communicant of St. Philip Church in Warrenville. A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 20 with internment at St. Philip Cemetery. Donations: St. Philip Apostle Church in Warrenville. Potter Funeral Home in Willimantic.
..
caption:
Earns Award
Emma Costa is an 8th grade Pomfret resident, and a Cadette Girl Scout who recently completed her Silver Award.
Scout earns
Silver Award
POMFRET --- Emma Costa, an eighth grader at Pomfret Community School and a Cadette Girl Scout with Troop 65500, recently completed her Silver Award project, the highest ranking award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn.
A scout needs to spend a minimum of 50 hours working toward a project’s goal. For her project, Costa decided to tackle several needs in the community in one project; the need for reusable bags, the need for healthy meals, and the need for filling the shelves at food pantries.
She made 30 reusable grocery bags that included a small recipe book with nutrition facts, most of the non-perishable items needed to make the recipes, and a gift card to purchase perishable items.
In order to help fund her project, Emma used her sewing skills to make and sell masks to raise money for the gift cards. She conducted a food drive at her church, Our Lady of LaSalette, and asked family and friends to help by donating food items to fill the bags. She said, “Working on this project allowed me to help others in need.”
She donated 10 bags to each of these local food pantries: The Daily Bread, Pomfret Food Pantry, and Friends of Assisi. In the future, Costa said, she hopes to “tackle other projects like this to support her community.”
Troop 6500 is led by Gerri Szamocki, Elizabeth Costa and Tammy Szpryka. The troop consists of 15 girls from all towns in the Quiet Corner. If you are interested in learning more about scouting or this project, please contact
..
Honored
WORCESTER — Six local students were named to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute dean’s list for the spring 2020 semester: Jake Sullivan of N. Grosvenordale, Class of 2021 majoring in aerospace engineering; Michaela Johnson of Quinebaug, Class of 2020 majoring in chemical engineering; Claudia Plummer of Woodstock, Class of 2021 majoring in civil engineering; Jake Barefoot of Woodstock Valley, Class of 2020 majoring in electrical and computer engineering; Evan Hallberg of Chepachet, Class of 2022 majoring in biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering; Lilly Nardelli of Chepachet, Class of 2021 majoring in mechanical engineering.
.