WATERFORD — Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has named Alicia Zurowski as its new mortgage officer.

Charter Oak now has four Mortgage Officers serving the eastern Connecticut housing market. The Waterford-based credit union has been the Number 1 mortgage lender in New London and Windham counties combined for an unprecedented six consecutive years. Zurowski, who grew up in Plainfield, is a longtime resident of Griswold. Her extensive underwriting and lending industry experience covers more than 15 years, including eight prior years with Charter Oak where she played an important role in the credit union obtaining its FHA lending designation.

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sports shoutout is sent along to Al Cormier, a career educator, counselor, coach and administrator.  Cormier enjoyed many years as a popular individual on the campuses of Marianapolis Prep, Woodstock Academy, Putnam and Putnam Science Academy.  Today Cormier, a retired Army officer, enjoys time with his grandchildren and working with community based civic and veteran’s organizations.

Preseason Chamber Breakfast… 

In a breakfast meeting that’s become a UConn basketball tradition, Huskies coach Kevin Ollie was the special guest of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce for his annual preview of the upcoming hoop season.  Ollie addressed a huge throng and did a player-by-player breakdown of all his players.

According to the Hartford Courant, this is what coach Ollie had to say about former Putnam Science Academy frontcourt standout Mamadou Diarra.  “We have Mamadou, a very tough player, an old school player. You’ve seen a lot of our teams over the years have had toughness.  I think that’s what he’s going to bring.  He’s a rebounding machine, he’s got to get his legs back under him and I think you’ll see some monster rebounds. He’s old school, he doesn’t do a lot of pump-faking, and it’s all dunks, which I love.  A great young man, an infectious smile.” 

Those are glowing words for a young man who is only a freshman on the Storrs campus.  Diarra, who was the backbone of the frontcourt for the PSA Mustangs for the past three seasons , will now have an opportunity to demonstrate if he can perform at the next level.

Recently, Putnam Science Academy coach Tom Espinosa had an opportunity to witness first hand a UConn basketball practice.  According to the Mustangs coach, Ollie puts his charges through some rugged drills and competition.  He reports that Diarra is happy and adjusting to the college game.

Apology…

A couple weeks ago we wrote about the Woodstock Academy Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony with a brief blurb on the inductees.  Thanks to former Headmaster Kent Weaver we were informed of some misinformation that was printed.

In writing about inductee Shirley Mitchell we misrepresented her as a former Centaur Debbie Clarke.

Here’s the true story of Shirley Mitchell, a 1978 Academy graduate.  Mitchell was a stellar athlete who was a three-sport standout earning varsity letters in soccer, basketball and softball.  In her time on the Woodstock campus, Mitchell is one of a very few athletes to earn 12 varsity letters.

RPC offers a sincere apology to Ms. Mitchell and a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Weaver.

From the Where are They 

Now Files…

Remember Sara Jean-Louis?  A 2009 graduate of Putnam High School, where she starred in track for the Lady Clippers, Jean-Louis continued her track career in college.  She graduated from Springfield College in 2013 with a degree in communications and marketing in hand.

Today Jean-Louis is putting her degree to work as an event planner at Leicester Country Club in Massachusetts.  In her off time she serves as the cheerleading coach at Oxford High School.  The creative Jean-Louis is currently on a fund-raising venture to procure uniforms for the Oxford cheering squad.  While waiting to achieve her goal she dressed the team in old football jerseys and spandex pants, allowing them to strut their stuff on the sidelines rooting for the Oxford gridiron squad.

Local Touch at Hartford Marathon…

Two local runners turned in outstanding performances in the recent Hartford Marathon.  Matt Pelletier of Sterling and Michael Stadolnik of Plainfield are running buddies.  The two long distance runners spend numerous hours training and running together in the area of their home towns.  All the work paid off in Hartford.

Pelletier, who was running with leg pain, still managed to finish the 26-mile 365-yard trek in a time of 2:19:36, good for a second-place finish.  He was two minutes and 20 seconds behind the winner Brian Harvey of Boston.

Stadolnik, who is a familiar figure at the Deary Memorial and O’Putnam races, finished seventh overall in Hartford.  His time of 2:35:48 was good enough to earn him a first-place finish in the masters’ runners division.  Stadolnik was also the first Connecticut runner to cross the finish line in this year’s Boston Marathon.

A Name from The Past…

The Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony on Monday, October 17 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich.  The Class of 2016 included some notable and well known individuals.  Among the inductees were former UConn women’s basketball standout Rita Williams, professional golfer J.J. Henry, and former NBA star Manute Bol, who was inducted posthumously.  Another inductee was Maurice “Wilky” Gilmore.

Who was “Wilky” Gilmore you might ask.  For those old enough to remember, Gilmore was a 6-foot, 6-inch basketball player from New Canaan High School, who following high school went to the University of Colorado where he scored more than 1000 points.  He was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks of the NBA and was the last man cut by the team.

In 1956 Gilmore, as a sophomore, led New Canaan to the State Championship in a 72-58 victory over Putnam High School in the title game.  During New Canaan’s run to the championship, Gilmore averaged 29 points per game.  In the finals, his height and scoring was just too much for Putnam to handle.  The trip to the finals in 1956 was the first for the Clippers since 1929.

Gilmore died in 1993 at the young age of 53 in California of an apparent heart attack.

Members of the Putnam team, which lost only two games that season, included Michael Bousquet, Roger Franklin, Bill Bellerose, Phil DeSantis, Gerry Desautels and Paul Fall.  Other members were Al Mignault, Roland Pelkey, Bob Trudeau, Tracy Heavens, Joe Bove, Kendall Dean and Bob Gosselin.  Jim Greenhalgh was the coach and Nelson “Buzz” King and Bill O’Brien served as student managers. 

Sad Ending…

The demise of the Boston Red Sox, getting swept by the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS, was disappointing to loyal BoSox fans.  Some locals were fortunate to take in some of the three-game set.

Charlie Puffer of Woodstock was on hand in Cleveland for the opening game of the series.  He was in Ohio for a reunion with classmates from Bradley University.  Matt Desaulnier was in the stands for the third and final game of the series.  RPC unfortunately had tickets for game #4, which of course never occurred.  Those are the breaks.

CIAC Playoff Standings…

The CIAC released the playoff standing points for the 2016 postseason.  There are four divisions, LL, L, M and S.  Eight teams from each Class make the postseason.  The only area team with enough points to be mentioned is the Killingly Redmen of coach Chad Neal.  Killingly currently occupies the 10th spot in Class M with 85.00 points based on the team’s 3-1 record.  Waterford at 3-0 in on the top with 120.00 points.  

RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: What was the best thing since sliced bread?

(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.)

 

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Sharon J. Marciano

PUTNAM —  Sharon (Crossman) Marciano, 72, of Providence Pike, died Oct. 10, 2016, unexpectedly in her home.  She was the wife of the late Frank Marciano.  Born in 1943 in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Kathin (Bass) Crossman.

Mrs. Marciano worked as an inspector and a mender for Stevens Linen in Dudley. 

She leaves her sons, Joseph A. Marciano of Quinebaug, Michael H. Marciano of Putnam, and Anthony J. Marciano of Dayville; her brothers, Bruce Crossman, and Ricky Crossman; her sisters, Gloria Laratzix, Jean Keech, Joyce Crossman, and Judith Smith; her grandchildren, Mike J. Marciano of Putnam; and her great-grandson, Logan Michael Marciano of Putnam.  She is predeceased by her sister, Joan Drain.  

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A gathering will begin in the funeral home 10 a.m. Oct. 22 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam. Burial will follow in Phillip Cemetery, Foster, R.I.

 

William LeRoy III

PUTNAM —  William J. LeRoy III, 37, of Putnam, died Oct. 5, 2016, in Hartford Hospital.  Born in 1979 in Putnam, he was the son of William J. LeRoy Jr. of Florida and Rhonda (Noe) Markowitz of Putnam.

Mr. LeRoy worked as a self-employed carpenter and was a self-taught computer programing “wiz.” 

In addition to his parents, he leaves his son, William J. LeRoy IV of Florida; his brother, Guillaume J. LeRoy of Putnam; and his sister, April R. Hudson of Florida.

Services were private. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Elaine T. Auger

PUTNAM —  Elaine T. (Cutler) Auger, 57, of Senexet Road, died Oct. 14, 2016, at home.  She was the wife of Michael Auger.  Born in 1959 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Rita (Roy) Cutler of Pomfret and the late Raymond E. Cutler Sr.

Mrs. Auger worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Retardation for 34 years and Seely Brown Village in Pomfret.

She was a member of the Pomfret’s in Stitches and enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, and all things crafty.

She leaves her husband Michael Auger of Putnam; her mother Rita (Roy) Cutler of Pomfret; two daughters Heather Auger and her fiancé Jason and his daughter Zoe Bellanceau of Woodstock, and Marie Auger of Putnam; a stepson Kristopher Auger of Minot, N.D.; and siblings Raymond E. Cutler Jr. (Deborah) of Pomfret, David Cutler (Linda) of N. Grosvenordale, Joanne Mortellite of Largo, Fla., Russell Cutler of Hilo, Hawaii, Anita Cutler-Whitten (Kenneth) of Woodstock, and Susan Rhodes (Jerry) of Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Mass of Christian Burial is at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, followed by a reception at Seely Brown Village, 400 Deerfield Rd, Pomfret Center. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067; or Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman-Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Gary Beaudoin

KILLINGLY — Gary Ernest Beaudoin, 62, of Killingly died Oct. 1, 2016, at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. He was born on Jan. 19, 1954, son of the late Ernest and Theresa (Edwards) Beaudoin. 

He went to Killingly High School and then worked at Acme Cotton as a setup man, then he worked at Danco as a machinist and then at the Rogers Corporation in material, dye and shipping and handling. His passion was music, he could play several different instruments like guitar, drums, banjo, and harmonica. Gary played in bands for 45 years. He was also a DJ (Blast from the Past), a professional clown (Luney), and an all-around entertainer. He liked watching racing and football, but most of all he loved his Haunted Yard in Dayville. Gary was a friend who would always be there and he always put others first. 

He leaves his wife Kathleen Beaudoin; two sons Kevin Beaudoin and James Beaudoin; his daughter Heather Horton; his daughter-in-law Amanda and son-in-law Michael Horton; his six grandchildren Alissa, Michael, Darren, Destiny, Christopher, and Kevin Jr.; three great-grandchildren; Jeremiah and Tyler Tewksbury, and Ozzy Horton. 

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home. Funeral Service, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 21 at the funeral home. 

 

Laura Jean Blanchette

WILLIMANTIC — Laura Jean (Hesselman) Blanchette, 40, of Gifford Ave., died Sept.  24, 2016, in her home.  Born in 1976 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Lillian (Thomas) Hesselman and the late Eugene Hesselman. 

Laura Jean worked as an order picker for Brooks Distribution Center.  She enjoyed poetry, reading, and spending time with her children. 

In addition to her mother, Laura Jean leaves her daughters, Brooke Blanchette, Emiley Blanchette, and Izebell Slater; her sisters, Tracy Hesselman, Cathey Hesselman

Doreen Romman, and Terra Hesselman; and her aunt, Eve LaFleche.  

Services are private. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

William Perry Jr.

WOODSTOCK — William A. Perry Jr., 80, of Woodstock died, Oct. 14, 2016, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. William was the husband of 49 years to Susan Wayman Perry and they were married in 1967 in Webster. 

He was born on Sept. 3, 1936, in Putnam, son of the late William A. and Ada (Morse) Perry Sr.

William was an avid long distance hiker, hiking the Appalachian Trail, and would hike with his daughter Melissa on Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire. He enjoyed the time he spent with his son Jeffrey at motocross events. He enjoyed traveling and cruises, with favorites including the Panama Canal and Alaska. William also enjoyed scuba diving, skiing and racing motorcycles. He was an aerospace engineer working for the Whitcraft Group in Eastford, and served with the National Guard.

He leaves, in addition to his wife Susan, of Woodstock; his daughter Melissa and her husband Dr. Birien Chokshi of Woodstock; his granddaughters Sofia Jendrewski and Olivia Jendrewski;  brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews. William was predeceased by his son Jeffrey A. Perry and his brother Bob Perry.

Burial was in North Woodstock Cemetery. Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT, 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Anita Reed

PUTNAM — Anita N. Reed, 29, died Oct. 9, 2016, in Worcester.  

She was born in Worcester, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Reed.  

She leaves her fiancée Ernest L. Sargent and their son Aiden Sargent, both of Putnam.

Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Leonie M. Dauphinais

additional info

WEBSTER --- Leonie M. Dauphinais, 81, of Putnam died Oct. 2, 2016, at Lanessa Extended Care in Webster.

She was born Aug. 8, 1935, in Putnam. She worked at Danielson Curtain and retired from AO in Southbridge. She provided care for many children after retirement. 

She leaves: Her partner and best friend, Robert Leclair; sons Mark Dauphinais, Anthony Dauphinais and Neil Dauphinais; grandchildren, Ryan Dauphinais and  Corey Cyr; great-grandson, Oliver Dauphinais of Danielson; sister Katherine Lyons of Belchertown, Mass.; brother, Henry Gilbert of Putnam. She was predeceased by her twin sister Mary Szruba; sister Pauline Terwilliger; brothers James, Robert, Bernard and Wilfred Gilbert Jr. and a grandson. 

 

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