By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Putnam school teacher Jeanne Benoit. As a teacher she was always supportive of the Middle School teams and cheerleading squads. In retirement she stays active volunteering her time to assist community groups.
The Killingly High School Alumni Athletic Association Hall of Fame conducted the third induction ceremony in the brief history of the organization on Saturday, November 19. The ceremony was held at the Mansion Banquet Center at Bald Hill in Woodstock.
WINY radio personality Gary “O” served as the Master of Ceremonies as six former athletes and three teams were honored. Longtime Danielson businessman Warren Rosenberg received the Humanitarian Award for his support of youth sports, high school athletics and generosity to the community. The award is presented in memory of the late Dr. Lavius Robinson, affectionately known to Killingly athletes as “Doc Robbie.”
The six honorees included the late Steve Kuszaj, Class of ’48 who was awarded posthumously, William Hoss ’49, Richard “Sam” Markley ’64, Dennis Morrison ’70, Missy Kowolenko-Angle ’89 and Ben Labelle ’97 in absentia.
The three State Championship teams honored included the 1983 Boys Outdoor Track team, 1991 Boys Cross Country team and the 1996 Football team.
The 1996 football team, which included Ben Labelle was represented by three players. The award was accepted by Steven Exarhoulias, Alan Beausoleil and Mark Lowell. Exarhoulias along with Lowell and Labelle went on to college careers at Western Connecticut State University. Beausoleil went on to star at Wheaton College. Lowell accepted Labelle’s Hall of Fame plaque in honor of his friend and former teammate who was out of state.
Coach Frank Crandall represented the 1983 State Champion Track team and regaled the audience with tales of athletes, Bill Oliverson and Dave Chartier who traveled in from Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. for the event.
Osbrey pulled off the coup of the day, when he contacted the 1991 cross country coach Paul Coutu live on the telephone. Coutu who is never at a loss for words was completely caught off guard by the surprise call. Members of the team, Sean O’Leary and Todd Lepine accepted the award on behalf of the team.
Michael Kuszaj accepted the award in memory of his dad. He held the crowd of approximately 100 in awe with emotional stories of his dad. “My dad played sports to play, not to win. His attitude led him and his teams to win, as the winning came naturally,” said Kuszaj.
Hoss, who enjoyed a college basketball career at the University of Rhode Island and later played in the All Navy Tournament, also extolled the qualities exemplified by his friend Steve Kuszaj.
Markley stole the show when he related a tennis story in which Hoss and his son eliminated Markley and his doubles partner Dexter Goyette in the former Killingly-Brooklyn Springtime Festival Tennis Tournament. As Markley told the story, the match was never a match as he and Goyette were wiped out by Hoss and Hoss. In remembrance of the moment he asked Goyette to present a new sleeve of tennis balls to Hoss as a souvenir.
Morrison, who starred in football, baseball and track, stood by as his dad took the microphone and completely captivated the audience prior to his son’s thank you remarks. Kowolenko-Angle was brief but emotional in thanking the committee and the audience for the honor. Today she’s an executive with United Natural Foods.
For those in attendance it was a time to reflect and remember. All of the recipients and teams provided the details for the festivities.
Converse Brothers Lead The Way…
Ian Converse, the former Woodstock Academy standout basketball player, continued his torrid early season scoring pace as he led Worcester Polytechnic Institute to the title in the Ted Coghlin Memorial Tournament. Converse earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors as he led the 3-0 Engineers to a 73-70 victory over DeSales College. Converse netted 21 points in the championship game to go with his 20-point performance in the semifinal contest.
Across town in the Worcester Courtyard by Marriott Tournament consolation contest sophomore Adam Converse helped Clark University pick up a 71-70 win over Newbury College. The burly Converse posted six points for the 2-1 Clarkies.
Running Reward…
Killingly High School female cross country runner Katie Stevens, who finished 16th in the Connecticut State Open and 65th in the New England Championships, was rewarded for all the work she’s put in to achieve the level she’s at today. Stevens in the presence of her parents and coach Joe Banas recently signed a National Letter of Intent to run at Central Connecticut State University. In September Stevens will be a member of the Lady Blue Devils cross-country team under coach Eric Blake.
Mr. Baseball in Japan…
After spending three seasons as a utility player for the New York Mets, Norwich Free Academy alum Eric Campbell has decided to play baseball elsewhere. According to ESPN, Campbell who was a free agent following the conclusion of the season, will sign with the Hanshin Tigers in the Japanese Major League.
During his three seasons with the Mets Campbell floated between the Big Apple and Las Vegas, the Mets AAA franchise. His combined statistics were .221 batting average, 36 runs-batted-in and seven home runs. He played all four infield positions, the two corner outfield spots and was the team’s emergency catcher. He’ll join former Major League players Randy Messenger (Miami Marlins) and Kosuke Fukudome (Chicago Cubs) on the Hanshin roster.
Former Umpires Death Leaves
Big Void with Friends…
I met Mike “Chip” Chiappone about 40 years ago when I became an umpire on the Eastern Board of Approved Baseball Umpires. From the first time we met we struck up a friendship that lasted until the day of his death, Wednesday, November 16.
Chiappone was a natural as an official. He enjoyed being with people, especially young people, which led him to officiate baseball, basketball, football and softball. Chiappone was a man who could control a tough game and hostile crowd with his effervescent smile.
I once saw him officiate a heated basketball game between Plainfield and Putnam where he quieted the crowd during a time out by simply turning to the stands with his smile and calmly say a few words to some irate fans. I don’t know what he said, but whatever it was, it was typical Chiappone. He had a way with people that very few others, especially in the world of refereeing, had.
In his obituary he was described as, “a kind, generous and gentle man. He always had a smile on his face and after he spoke with you, you surely would have a smile on yours as well.”
Mike Chiappone will never know this, but the way he carried himself as an official and as a man had a huge influence on my life. I’ll miss sitting with him at the retired umpire’s table at the annual banquet. I’d always take away something positive from our meetings. “Chip” you were a great man, greater than you’ll ever know. Rest in peace, my friend.
Dishing Out the Assists…
As a player at Killingly High School Meagan Bianchi was her team’s leading scorer. Although she was the go-to person on the floor, she was an unselfish player always looking for the open player to pass the ball.
Currently a freshman at UConn-Avery Point, Bianchi has found someone to pass to and it’s paying dividends. In a recent 101-40 victory over Holyoke Community College Bianchi set the Pointers single game assist record, dishing out an amazing 16 assists. Her primary target was her high-scoring teammate Tatyana LaFrance-Boyce who tallied 27 points to lead the way to victory.
Bianchi added 14 points and nine steals to her record setting assist performance. The Pointers are 3-2 on the season and 2-1 in the NCJAA Region XXI.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine.” Morris West
(If you have sports information to share with PTC Sports contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
..
R. Howard Smith,
Korean war vet
DAYVILLE — R. Howard Smith, 82, died peacefully Nov. 18, 2016, while on vacation in S. Yarmouth, Mass., on Cape Cod.
Howard was born on April 20, 1934, in Paterson, N.J., to Ona Mae and Walter B. Smith. In his teenage years, he was a member of the 1949 national championship New Jersey Civil Air Patrol Cadet drill team. After serving in the Army in Europe during the Korean War, Howard graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in education and from Parsons School of Design with a degree in interior architecture and design, which he practiced for 13 years in northern New Jersey. Howard served as Borough Council member, Council President, and Mayor of Bloomingdale, N.J.
Howard moved to northeastern Connecticut in 1973 along with his young family and parents. There he began his real estate career. He worked with Petrowsky Real Estate before forming his own real estate firm. As a broker, Howard specialized in commercial, industrial, and investment real estate. He was also a respected real estate appraiser. Howard was heavily invested in his community, serving as president of the Northeast Connecticut Board of Realtors, a director of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, member and secretary of the Board of Directors of Day Kimball Hospital, chairman of the Killingly Water Pollution Control Authority, and member of the Board of the E. Killingly Fire District. He was a frequent participant in town meetings until his retirement.
Howard had many interests during his life. He loved his family, the visual arts, organic gardening, history, beekeeping, boating and sailing, coastal Maine, UConn women’s basketball, and was passionate about woodworking late in his life.
He leaves his wife of 56 years, Genevieve, of Dayville;; his daughters, C. Kelly Smith of Providence, and Ellen Pratt of Danielson; his son-in-law, Kevin Pratt, of Danielson; his grandchildren, Sedona Pratt and Bryce Pratt, both of Danielson; his sister, Evelyn White (Edwin) of Middleboro, Mass., and Florida; his niece, Jennifer Heine of Hanson, Mass., and nephew, Christopher White of Furlong Penn. and his West Coast nieces, Karen Smith of Sacramento, and Toni Smith of Portland. Howard was predeceased by his brother David, who died in a plane crash in 1964.
Services were private. Donations: Wounded Warrior Project, Inc. Gilman and Valade Funeral Home in Putnam.
Jacqueline Beaudoin
DAYVILLE — Jacqueline (Holgerson) Beaudoin, 82, of Country Club Rd., died Nov. 22, 2016, at home. She was the wife of the late Edward Beaudoin. Born in 1934 in Dayville, she was the daughter of the late William Holgerson and Rose (Lafave) Holgerson.
Mrs. Beaudoin worked as one of the first LPNs for Day Kimball Hospital for 35 years and the Holy Spirit Provincial House. She also volunteered for Day Kimball Hospice. She loved cats and enjoyed shopping, especially with her best friend Joan. She was an avid fan of UConn basketball and the New England Patriots. She enjoyed feeding the geese, watching the Catholic network on TV, and was a parishioner of the former St. Anne Church in Ballouville. She was an extremely kind woman.
She leaves her son, Edgar Coderre (Karen) of Thompson; her daughters, Suzon Warner (Howard) of Pomfret, and Robin Hubert (Richard) of Danielson; stepdaughter Robin Sanzi (Gene) of Putnam; her sister, Betty Baranski of Pomfret; her grandchildren, Kelly, Amanda, Amie, Sarah, and Cole; her great-grandchildren, Lily, Miarose, Cassidy, and Micheala; and step grandchildren Gino and Alicia.
A Funeral Mass was Nov. 26 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Donations: N.E.C.O.G., P.O. Box 759, Dayville, CT 06241; or to E.W.T.V, 5817 Old Leeds Rd., Irondale, AL 35210. Gilman–Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
James Dina
PUTNAM — James Dina, 79, of Putnam, died Nov. 23, 2016, at the W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich. He was the husband of Christina (Miloseva) Dina for 46 years.
He was born Aug. 23, 1937, in Putnam, son of Ahilea and Nada (Popoff) Dina. He worked for the IRS and as a lab technician at the Belding Heminway Mill, and later for Crabtree & Evelyn and Staples Distribution. He made his home in Putnam all his life, was an avid sports fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, and UConn women’s basketball. He enjoyed family trips to Japan, Bermuda, Hawaii and San Francisco, and especially Macedonia to visit relatives. He enjoyed reading, sports statistics, grocery shopping. James was a caring, honest and loyal man who always put his family first.
In addition to his wife Christina, he leaves a son: Christopher Dina (Yukari); a daughter: Elizabeth (Dina) Gavaris (Spiro), all of the New York City area; three grandchildren: Emika, Charlie and Ethan James; a sister: Mary Page (Gary) of Putnam; a sister-in-law: Pauline Dina of Putnam. He was predeceased by his brother Alexander Dina.
The Funeral was Nov. 28 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Danielson with burial in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: The American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Catherine A. Dowe
TUSCON, Ariz. — Catherine A. Dowe, 53, formerly of Putnam, died Nov. 14, 2016, in University of Arizona Medical Center. Born in 1963 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Margaret M. (Boux) Dowe of Las Vegas, and the late Harold Dowe.
Miss Dowe attended Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., and attended Central State College in New Britain. She went on to receive her associate’s degree at QVCC in Danielson. She then attended the Business Music School in Atlanta for a year. She then moved to California, then moved back east and realized that she enjoyed traveling so she attended a travel school in Boston. She worked at Rite Aide for two years and went on and worked as an airline reservationist for American Airlines for 27 years. She enjoyed visiting Las Vegas, people watching, attending live concerts and especially enjoyed traveling. She was a very generous person with her friends and did give a lot to the poor.
She leaves her mother Margaret Dowe; two brothers Gregory Dowe of Dallas, and Michael Dowe of Las Vegas; her sister Elizabeth Sankow (Fred) of Old Lyme; a nephew Chad and two nieces Stacey and Sarah.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 7 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation on Providence Street, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005; or to St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.
..
Wayward Seed
Pat Hedenberg threw a pumpkin into her hedge last year. And this year, she found a pumpkin growing up into her rhododendron bush. Courtesy photo.
Construction
at The Rectory
School nears
completion
POMFRET — New construction on The Rectory School campus on Route 44 in Pomfret is on schedule for completion at year’s end. When teachers and students return from their holiday break, they will move into the newly created academic spaces.
The Hale Elementary School Wing will occupy the lower level with the Smith Learning Center on the second floor. The new homes for Rectory’s elementary school (kindergarten through fourth grade) and Rectory’s signature Individualized Instruction Program (IIP) have been designed to create an environment that is at once academic and nurturing. The unique needs of each program will be served in their new areas.
Also new will be a reconfigured entrance that will centralize and expedite the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up for Rectory’s 104 day students.
The opening of the Smith Learning Center marks the first time that Rectory’s Individualized Instruction Program (IIP) will have its own dedicated area. The Smith Learning Center, which is adjacent to the middle school classrooms for easy access for students, will serve as the hub for the collaborative efforts of students’ teachers and tutors.
The 17 tutoring rooms open into a common area that features individual work spaces, a small group study lounge, and comfortable seating for reading and conversation. In addition to these spaces, there are computer stations offering assistive technology to support learning. A resource room and a new office for Director of Learning Services, Scott Greene, are key additions to the new facility. Individualized instruction, a notable feature of the school since its founding in 1920, provides academic support for both remediation and enrichment.
Facing the campus at grade, the Hale Elementary School Wing has been designed to be open and flexible. The space can be configured for full classes and small groups. The ground-level space, accessed by a hallway filled with natural light, contains three elementary school classrooms with dividing partitions. Closer inspection reveals that this is no traditional layout. Nooks for quiet reading, window seats, and hallways are also learning spaces. Director of the Elementary School, Maria Carpenter, anticipates that creative teachers and students will adapt theses spaces for small-group instruction, observation, writing, and discussion.
Even the entry lobby with its movable seating is intended to double as program space during the school day.
Large windows and flexible spaces are features of this area, specifically designed for students ranging from kindergarten through fourth grade. It has been designed to support and facilitate a project-based curriculum, incorporating nature and the environment as fully as possible.
Carpenter and Greene readily acknowledge the collaboration with architect Kevin Tubridy of New England Design. “He listened to what we wanted and helped turn our visions into a set of architectural drawings that completely satisfied our image of the perfect space,” Carpenter said. Tubridy, a 1960 alumnus of The Rectory School and a current trustee, also developed Rectory’s Master Plan.
This construction is funded through the ongoing Master Plan capital campaign; Phase I raised $5,469,602 from more than 120 donors and encompassed five separate projects:
1. Renovations to Grosvenor House, including the new Admissions entrance (completed April 2013);
2. New construction of a new faculty duplex with one three-bedroom home and one four-bedroom home (completed August 2014);
3. Renovations to the Father Bigelow Memorial Dormitory, including a new three-bedroom faculty apartment (completed September 2014);
4. New construction of The Seaward Family Student Pavilion and the Wang Family Amphitheater (completed May 2015);
5. New Construction of the academic addition housing the Hale Elementary School Wing and the Smith Learning Center (anticipated completion December 2016).
Naming gifts for the new academic addition were received from the Hale Family: Betty, Laurence, Jane, Helen ’16, Newell ’19, and Peter ‘21 (Hale Elementary School Wing) and June and Henry Smith ‘76 (Smith Learning Center). “The school received extraordinary support at the leadership level from our community,” observed Headmaster Fred Williams. “This generosity assures that The Rectory School, now approaching its centennial, will continue to meet the needs of the students it serves.”