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Seniors
Woodstock Academy seniors, left to right: Katie Papp, Rachel Lambert, Kayla Gaudreau and Hallie Saracina celebrated Senior Night. Photo by Marc Allard.


The good news is that the girls’ basketball season will extend beyond 20 games for the Woodstock Academy Centaurs.
The bad news is that they could, possibly, face one of the top two teams in the state, Norwich Free Academy, two more times.
The Centaurs put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the Class LL state tournament with a 39-38 win over Killingly early last week.
Those hopes weren’t dampened all that much by a 56-26 loss to Norwich Free Academy Feb. 11.
The loss dropped Woodstock Academy to 6-13 but the top 32 teams in Class LL make the state tournament. The Centaurs are currently seeded at No. 30.
“We have a pretty good chance but we will take it one at a time until we get there. Things look a little brighter. The kids have picked a good time to pick it up. We’ve won a few recently that put us in this position and we just have to continue to take one at a time,” said Woodstock Academy coach Will Fleeton.
The Centaurs only had one game left to play in the regular season.
They were scheduled to travel to Killingly on Monday for a 7 p.m. game. (the game ended too late for this edition).
The first meeting between the Centaurs and Killingly produced some nail-biting times for both teams.
The direction from Fleeton to senior Kayla Gaudreau with under 30 seconds to play was pretty simple: Go after the basketball. If you foul, that’s OK, too.
The result was even better than Fleeton could have imagined as it led directly to the Senior Night win for the Centaurs.
“Seniors usually come through on Senior Night from what I’ve seen,” Fleeton said. “Going into the last in-bound, I made it clear that we had to go for the steal but if we didn’t get it, we would have to foul right away. I wanted them to go after the ball and if (the officials) called a foul, so what?”
Gaudreau took those words to heart.
Killingly had an in-bounds pass from under the basket, but instead of finding a player close, Killingly opted to go for a lengthy in-bounds pass. Gaudreau got up in the air and deflected the ball and then, it was a foot race. Gaudreau won.
“They picked up the foul and if they hadn’t, I had a good feeling that she was going to have a break away basket,” Fleeton said. “Luckily, she picked up the foul and was clutch at the free throw line and knocked them down.”
Those free throws proved to be the game-tying and game-winning points.
Killingly opened a first quarter lead, 15-11, but the Centaurs reversed those numbers a bit in the second quarter and fought back to a 22-22 tie.
The two teams were also tied at the end of the third quarter at 32.
Gaudreau finished with 13 points in the game.
“We knew it was going to be an intense game especially with a big crowd at home. It was good to pull off the win,” Gaudreau said.
Fellow senior Katie Papp added nine.
Rachel Lambert and Hallie Saracina were honored in Senior Night activities prior to the game along with Gaudreau and Papp.
The Centaurs struggled a bit against NFA.
The Wildcats (16-3) are one of the top two teams in Class LL and played like it Feb. 11.
A 3-point basket by Saracina and another hoop at the buzzer by Papp kept the Centaurs within 10, 19-9, at the end of the first quarter.
But NFA’s defensive pressure and ability to score wore down the Centaurs.
The Wildcats were responsible for many of the 30 turnovers in the game by Woodstock Academy.
As a result, NFA extended the lead to 17, 31-14, at the half and were up, 48-22, at the end of the third quarter.
“That (Woodstock Academy) team looked a lot different than when we played them last week (a 66-31 win for NFA in Norwich),” said Wildcats coach Courtney Gomez. “They were aggressive, weren’t backing down from the press, had great ball movement in the zone and played some great defense. They came out and played tough. It was good for them to come out like that and build some confidence and momentum going into the tournament.”
Gaudreau led the Centaurs with nine points and six rebounds, Papp added five points in the loss.
It may not have been the last time the two will meet this season.
The Centaurs are likely to finish seeded either eighth or ninth-seeded in the ECC Div. I tournament. Should they get past the play-in game, they could meet NFA in the quarterfinals.
The two could also meet in an early round game of the Class LL state tournament.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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Honored
The Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team honored its seven seniors on Senior Night prior to a 4-2 win over East Haven Feb. 15. Photo by Marc Allard.




The Woodstock Academy boys’ hockey team had never beaten East Haven before this season. Last week, the Centaurs downed the Yellowjackets twice.
Woodstock Academy kept its winning streak alive and extended it to eight straight games with a pair of victories over the East Haven Cooperative program.
The Centaurs downed the Yellowjackets on their home ice early in the week, 3-1, and followed that up with a 4-2 victoryFeb. 15.
“That was a big win there,” said Woodstock Academy coach Kevin Bisson.
The Centaurs (14-4) are fighting for a CIAC Div. II state tournament home game.
“East Haven is a Division II opponent and we have Housatonic and New Milford left, those are both Division III opponents, so those points are going to be important but we are restricted in how many we get (against Div. III teams). When we can take a Div. II (win) and get those extra points, it’s critical to keep our momentum going. We had a little back-and-forth at the beginning of the year. We have certainly found our consistency and we’re trying to make the strong push to the end,” Bisson added.
The Centaurs jumped in front of the Yellowjackets in the first period Feb. 15.
Nick Chubbuck scored his second goal of the season 9 minutes, 42 seconds into the contest off assists from Jake Starr and Austen LeDonne.
 “Nick has had a tough year scoring. He knows it. We all know it, but he’s really been trying so to see him get the first one and get the momentum on our side was huge,” Starr said.
The Centaurs got a little breathing room in the second period when sophomore defenseman Brendan Hill, with help from Guerin Favreau and Doug Newton, scored his fifth goal of the season.
“Brendan has had that breakout year,” Bisson said. “He was good last year, too, but as a freshman when you are still learning to play with those other bigger bodies – he’s a big body, himself, and plays that style of game – but its’ getting that understanding of when you can go and when you shouldn’t. We use him in every phase of the game.”
Bisson was also happy with the play of another sophomore, Kyle Brennan, Feb. 15.
“He was just a man on a mission,” Bisson said with a smile. “He was all over the ice, taking away opponent’s chances, back checking, fore checking, playing the body, shooting pucks, going hard to the front. Those are two young guys (with Hill) that we’re certainly going to rely on for years to come.”
Favreau put the Centaurs up, 3-0, with his 30th goal of the season with 9:38 to play in the second period.
But Woodstock Academy got caught a little flat-footed to start the third. East Haven scored just nine seconds into the period and then added another with 6:34 to play to make it close.
“We just weren’t ready for the puck to be dropped,” Bisson said. “That gave them a little juice and they were pushing from there.”
Fortunately, senior Josh Lavitt was up to the task in goal for the Centaurs where he made 22 saves in relief of starter Colin Liscomb who was out on a school trip.
Favreau finished off the win when he scored off an assist from Hill into an empty net with 12 seconds to play.
The win also came on Senior Night for the Centaurs.
The team celebrated the dedication of seven players in their last year in a Woodstock Academy uniform; Newton, Starr, Anthony Girard, LeDonne, Sean McCusker, Sonny Neilsen and Lavitt.
“It was good. I think we’ve won every Senior Night (that he has played in). Coming in, we wanted to keep that streak going. I remember going through it all four years and watching my friends graduate and go through this and now, it’s really special doing it myself especially with some of my best friends,” Starr said.
The Centaurs also jumped out on top early against East Haven in their first meeting of the week. Favreau, off a feed from senior Newton, poked one into the East Haven net just 2 minutes, 14 seconds into the game.
But this would hardly be a high-scoring game as the score remained 1-0 through the remainder of the first period and the entire second period as well.
East Haven tied the game up just 2:50 into the third period.
The Centaurs weren’t fazed. They kept attacking. “There were a lot of chances that we just didn’t capitalize on,” Bisson said.
A case in point was the first line of Favreau, Newton and Brennan forging a good chance, but Brennan’s shot clanged off the crossbar on a redirect.
Newton later had a breakaway and tried to confuse East Haven keeper Logan Hamilton with a little forehand, backhand activity but Hamilton came up big with the save.
The Centaurs were not getting bodies on the net and thus, shots off rebounds were pretty much non-existent.
Fortunately for Woodstock Academy, Favreau didn’t need one with 5 1/2 minutes to play.
The forward came down the left side, shot across his body, went glove side and snuck it past Hamilton.
Newton then added some insurance in the final seconds with a goal into an empty net.
 “We’re (ranked) fourth in the State (in Div. II) and we just want to keep this going because we’re only in there by a couple of points. We just want to make sure that we’re going to get a home playoff game. That would be huge,” the senior said.
Marc Allard
Director of Sports Information
The Woodstock Academy

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Rhonda Jarmolowicz
PUTNAM — Rhonda (Parmentier) Jarmolowicz, 59, of Chassey St.., died unexpectedly Feb. 6, 2020, at Rhode Island Hospital. Born in 1960 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Stasia (Malec) Parmentier.
Mrs. Jarmolowicz worked as a personal care assistant for the Center for Transitional
Living where she took special care of her client, Vivian for the last three years. She loved to cook Polish food and bake sweets for her family. She was always trying new recipes. She loved unconditionally and had a heart of gold.
She leaves her daughter, Heather Jarmolowicz and her friend, Bob Brown of Putnam; her brother, Randy Parmentier of Gettysburg, Penn.; and her grandchildren, Jasmine Charland and Isabella Brown. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

Ethel G. Asselta
PUTNAM — Ethel G. (Baker) Asselta, 85, formerly of Marshall St., died Feb. 12, 2020, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.  She was the wife of the late Salvatore Asselta Sr.  Born in 1934 in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Elizabeth E. (St. Germaine) Baker.
Mrs. Asselta was a homemaker and enjoyed country dancing and spending time with her family.
She leaves her daughters, Ann Dupre (John) of Worcester, Paula Asselta of Worcester, and Carol Harwood (Bill) of Charlton; siblings, John Baker, Michael Baker, Richard Baker, Frances Brunelle, and Jennie LaBrie; six grandchildren; and10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Salvatore Asselta Jr. and her siblings, Frederick Baker, Joseph Baker, and Mable Peters; and her companion Herman “Sonny” Prince.
The Graveside Service was Feb. 18 in St. John Cemetery, Worcester. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Jacqueline Dombroski
WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Jacqueline Dombroski, 84, of Woodstock Valley, died Feb. 12, 2020. She was the wife of the late Francis V. Dombroski.
Jackie worked at Travelers for years before her retirement. She so loved the nature filled surroundings of her home in Woodstock. She loved crafts and her gardens which later on were tenderly cared for by her neighbor Marge. Jackie also loved the numerous rescued cats she “adopted”, and caring for the birds that filled her yard. She and her late husband were both avid UConn Husky fans.
She leaves her daughters Pamela Dombroski and Ann Krischus of Woodstock Valley; a son Michael D. Dombroski (Jane Perry) of Bristol; cousins, (brothers and sister) Michael A., Gregory and Theodore (Ted) Demaio, and Debra Morin. Jackie was predeceased by her sister Barbara Butler and an aunt, Stella (Sandy) Demaio.
Services were private. Donations: Bungay Fire Brigade, 1256 Rt. 171, W. Woodstock, CT 06282; the ASPCA; or the American Cancer Society. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

Sharon E. DeCiccio
DAYVILLE — Sharon (Richardson) DeCiccio, 75, of Primrose Village, died Jan. 24, 2020, at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Born in 1944 in Bridgeport, she was the daughter of the late Harry Borg Richardson and Roseanne (Sirois) Richardson.
Mrs. DeCiccio worked as a secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections. 
She leaves her longtime companion, Normand A. Bouchard of Dayville; her daughters, Cheryl Cimelus of Bridgeport, and Marissa DeCiccio; her grandchildren, Christian and Braydon of Jacksonville, Fla.; her two sisters, Harriette Lanier (Richard), their children Michael, Joseph, Sarah, and Matthew of Milford; and Kathy Reddy (Leo), and their children Erica and Mark of Johnstown, Penn.; her brother, Harry Richardson (Susan), their children Karen and Brian, of Orange; her stepdaughters, Lisa Jenckes (Stephen), and their son Jack of Exeter, R.I., and Beth -Ann Sylvia (Roland), and their children Courtney, Brooke, Ben of Burrillville.
Visitation is at 1 p.m. Feb. 29 with a Funeral Service at 2 in the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.  Immediately following her service, all are invited to the Community Room at Primrose Village, Dayville for refreshments. Burial will be private.

Joyce M. McLean
PUTNAM — Joyce M. (Dion) McLean, 74, of Perry St.., died Feb. 14, 2020, at Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of Michael G. McLean.  Born in 1945 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Bernard and Marie (Peloquin) Dion.
Mrs. McLean worked for many years as a private housekeeper. She enjoyed watching movies and interior decorating and time spent with her grandson Michael.
She leaves her husband; her son, Michael J. McLean (Eleanor) of Gilbert, Ariz.; and a grandson Michael A. McLean (Denise) of Gilbert.
The Funeral was private. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

Raymond Adams Jr.,
Army vet
THOMPSON — Raymond H (Bud) Adams Jr. 79, of Thompson, died Feb. 11, 2020, at Webster Manor. Raymond was born in Worcester, son of the late Raymond and Dorothy (Richard) Adams. 
Bud graduated Worcester Boys Trade School and attended Barrington College in Rhode Island and served in the Army during peacetime, stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He was a carpenter and enjoyed his work. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting in Maine.
He was a member of Charlton Baptist Church and was part of the music program.
He leaves his wife of 56 years Elizabeth (Kircher); two sons, Charles R Adams (Nicole) of Seekonk, Mass., and Matthew R Adams(Bambi) of Weeki Wachee, Fla.; one sister, Sylvia Pusateri (Vincent) of Holden, Mass.
The Funeral was Feb. 17 at Charlton Baptist with burial in Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Charlton Baptist Church, 50 Hammond Hill Rd., Charlton, MA 01507. Bartel Funeral Home and Chapel, Dudley.

Theresa R. Gagnon
THOMPSON — Theresa R. (Smalarz) Gagnon, 90, a long-time resident of Webster, died Feb. 12, 2020, in Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam. Her husband of 56 years, Dr. Lionel L. Gagnon, died in 2006.
She was born May 23, 1929, in Webster, a daughter of Adam G. and Rose D. (Kasierski) Smalarz. She lived in Lowell, Mass., from 1938 to 1948. She graduated from Lowell High School in 1947 where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She then lived briefly in N. Grosvenordale before moving to Webster in 1954.
Mrs. Gagnon worked as the executive secretary for the plant manager of Cluett-Peabody Mills in N. Grosvenordale and then as secretary for her husband’s optometry practice in Webster, retiring in 1995.
Theresa was a communicant of St. Louis Church in Webster and a member of the St. Louis League of Catholic Women. In her younger years, she shot archery competitively throughout New England and belonged to the Bay Path Archers Club in Southbridge. 
She was an active member of the Webster Senior Center and danced with the “Silver Dippers.”
She loved good food and socializing. She enjoyed a good laugh, had a forgiving nature and a smile that could light up a room.
She leaves a son, David P. Gagnon of Webster; a daughter, Nancy R. Piekarczyk (John) of Thompson where she had lived; nieces, nephews and cousins. A brother, William Smalarz, predeceased her.
Her Funeral is at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 in St. Louis Church, Webster, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace. Donations: Charity of the donor’s choice. Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, Webster.

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