By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC good sport shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School athlete Eddie Durand.  Once a star runningback for the Clippers, Durand now does his running around on local golf courses in his free time.

In recent weeks the northeastern Connecticut area lost two good sports with the passing of Woodstock resident Michael W. Madden and Pomfret native Robert E. Ellsworth Sr.  Both men were contributors to their communities in very humble ways.  Their loss will impact the area anytime their names are brought up in conversation.

Michael “Big Mike” Madden…

I first met Mike Madden 10 years ago when I moved into office space in downtown Putnam in the same building that he and his business Oak Knoll Builders occupied.  Quiet but friendly initially, our friendship didn’t take long to blossom as we quickly became what now seem like lifelong friends.

I was out of the country when I received a text notifying me of Madden’s sudden and unexpected death.  Being on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean gave me a deep sense of regret and hopelessness, as you want to reach out but know there’s nothing you can do or say until you return.

Returning to the office since Mike’s death also gave me an eerie feeling ascending the stairs to the second floor.  Mike and I were in the habit of dropping in on each other whenever we saw that the lights were on.  Our conversations were most often very comforting as we bounced ideas off each other and spoke of things family, friends, sports, business and Putnam.

Over time I learned that as a young man growing up in Marlborough, Mass., Madden was a respected high school football player.  I also discovered that he was a graduate of Bridgewater State University, where he became a noted weight lifter, who eventually would have Olympic tryouts prior to being sidelined by shoulder problems.

Although Madden was taken from us at the young age of 50, he was extremely active and involved in the community and life during his five decades.  We enjoyed golf tournaments together and I found out he was also an avid fisherman and hunter.  He was active in the Putnam Business Association, the Sportsman Club in Sterling and served on the advisory board at Ellis Tech for the carpentry department.  He was an active member of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Northeastern Connecticut for a number of years.  Madden also remained involved with his fraternity brothers of Sigma Chi, Theta Zeta Chapter and the National Riflemen Association.   

In addition to spending time with his family, wife, Heather, children Michael and Jessica and his father William, Madden enjoyed spending time with friends at the Courthouse Restaurant in Putnam.  He could often be found at his favorite barstool enjoying a meal and beverage in the establishment of his friends James and Sheila Frost.

The memories of “Big Mike” Madden will be with me for many years despite the fact that we only enjoyed a 10-year friendship.  The office chats, the occasional beer, the rounds of golf and seeing him drive through town in his pickup truck will serve as my constant reminders of the man who cared for family and friends.  Rest in peace, Mike.

Robert “Bobby” Ellsworth…

As a young high school athlete I was asked along others to play on a summer league softball team comprised of teachers who were about 15 years older than we were.  That’s when I first met Bobby Ellsworth.  It was a meeting that would last until the time of his death, well over 50 years.

Ellsworth was one hell of a good ballplayer.  Whatever position he was asked to play he excelled.  As I found out over time Bobby was a great high school athlete at Putnam where he stood out as a football and baseball player.  His athletic prowess carried over on the golf course as he aged.  At his wake there were a number of individuals who were part of an annual golf outing to Bretwood Country Club in New Hampshire that Ellsworth was integrally involved in organizing.

Always friendly, Ellsworth had a welcoming, smiling face that translated to an immediate connection with strangers and the many students he came in contact with during his many years as a physical education teacher and as a school administrator.  His years in the Army Air Corps were also times that he was very proud of as a member of American Legion Post #13 in Putnam.

In addition to his loving wife Emma, he enjoyed family time and hours on the links with his sons Rob, John and Glenn.  Active in the Pomfret Lions, he was the mainstay in many of the group’s fund-raising activities, where he was always part of the good natured ribbing and chiding that went on in the Club.

Bobby Ellsworth is now gone physically, but his presence in family, community and athletics will live on whenever people gather to discuss the ‘good old days.’  So long Bobby from the young man who met you on the softball diamond.  Rest in peace.

Happy Anniversary…

Family and friends gathered on Friday evening, September 16 at The Mansion at Bald Hill in Woodstock to honor on one of northeastern Connecticut’s finest couples, Phil and Claire Durand.  The occasion was the celebration of the pair’s 50th wedding anniversary.

Active in the community as the owners of CT Tool Co. in Putnam, the Durands are generous individuals who in a very quiet way support so many of the good causes in the area.  They are a devoted couple that cares deeply about family and their church, St. Mary of the Visitation in Putnam. 

Mr. Durand is a graduate of Putnam High School where he starred as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball for coach Jim Greenhalgh.  Mrs. Durand is a graduate of the former Putnam Catholic Academy.

The evening was orchestrated by the couple’s three sons, Steve, Michael and Dan, who were also outstanding athletes at Putnam High School.

Hoopsters Drawing Attention…

In the next few weeks Putnam may be seeing some faces in town that are often seen on television during the winter months.  It won’t be a mirage.  The basketball team at Putnam Science Academy is drawing nationwide attention and attracting some of the big name NCAA Division I coaches to its Maple St. campus.

UConn coach Kevin Ollie, who worked this summer as a coach for Team USA U-18 team with the Mustangs Hamidou Diallo, was in town recently for a full evening observing the players workout.  Other schools that have been in town include Kentucky, Indiana, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Iona, Long Island University, Southern Connecticut State University and Post University.

In addition to Diallo, other Mustangs attracting attention include Eric Ayala, Jaheam Cornwall, Darnell Brodie, Brandon Hurst, Akok Akok and Tanahj Pettway.  Newcomers attracting attention are big men Isaac Kante, Malik Ondigo and Lapri McCray Pace.

Local products, Dan Porcic, who comes over from Putnam High School and Liam Jacobs, who graduated from Plainfield High School, are also getting the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of Division II and III coaches as well as the big name coaches.

All of these players will have the opportunity to compete for playing time in the upcoming season, as Putnam Science Academy and coach Tom Espinosa will feature two complete teams this year.  It should be an interesting winter for local basketball fans as the Mustangs will face some of the best teams and players in their quest for a National Prep School title.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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M. Philip Gratton,

Army Reserves

EASTFORD — M. Philip Gratton, known to his family and friends as Phil, 82, of Eastford Rd., died Sept. 16, 2016, at home. Born in 1934 in Ellington, he was the son of the late Albert and Rose Laurance (Leduc) Gratton.

Phil Gratton was brought up and attended schools in Pomfret and Thompson and made his home in Eastford for most of his adult life.  Phil served in the Army/Army Reserves from 1954-1962.  He was employed as a truck driver and mechanic for Charles S. Bowen Trucking of Eastford and later retired in 1995 from Republic Oil in Willimantic.

Phil was a communicant of St. Philip the Apostle Church and recently Most Holy Trinity Church.  He was a member of the Teamsters and the American Legion, Rockville Post.  He had served as a constable for the Town of Eastford, treasurer of the Eastford Republican Town Committee, and president of the Eastford Trail Thumpers Snowmobile Club.  Phil enjoyed spending time with family and friends at his cabin in Maine, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling and anything that had to do with being outdoors. Another of his favorite interests was watching NASCAR races.  Phil owned and built stock cars with help from friends that raced at the Thompson Speedway and Stafford Speedway from 1965-1972.  

He loved spending time and traveling with his devoted friend and companion Deborah Noble. 

Phil will be remembered most for his fun-loving spirit, and his witty sense of humor.   

He leaves two sons Brian Gratton of Eastford and Martin Gratton of Florida; four daughters Debra Reynolds (Russell) of Eastford, Audrey Giorgi (Kenneth) of CaliforniA, Arlene Goodwin (Bruce) of Ashford, and Mistie Hagenhoff (Nicolas) of Texas; 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by two brothers, Roger and Paul Gratton.

The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 in St. Philip Church, Pompey Hollow Road, Ashford, with burial in the parish cemetery. 

Donations: Hospice and Palliative Care of NE CT, P.O. Box 632 Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Rita Trudeau

CHARLTON — Rita (Savaria) Trudeau, 98, of Masonic Home Rd, died Sept. 17,2016, in Overlook Masonic Health Center in Charlton. She was the wife of the late “Ray” Orian R. Trudeau. 

She was born in 1918 in Southbridge, daughter of the late Joseph and Marie Antoinette (Desaulniers) Savaria. 

She was predeceased by her sister Jeanette Savaria.

For most of her married life, Rita lived on Floral Ave in N. Grosvenordale.

 Mrs. Trudeau was a chief optical inspector for the American Optical Company of Southbridge. 

Upon her retirement, after 42 years, she and Ray moved to S. Dennis, Mass. In 1985, they picked up roots again and settled in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Ten years ago, Rita made the move to the Overlook of Charlton. 

She was  an active member of the Southbridge Women’s Club.

She leaves her sister, Claude C. Dumas of Southbridge; her nieces Jeanne Bridgeo of Southbridge, and Loretta Para of Webster; nephew Edward Dumas of Venice, Fla.; great-nephews Ben Bridgeo and Joseph Dumas; great-nieces Danielle (Bridgeo) Phillips and Sarah Dumas and her great-grandniece Ava Phillips. 

The Mass of Christian Burial is at 1 p.m. Sept. 24 in St Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. 

Valade Funeral Home and Crematory, 23 Main St, N. Grosvenordale. 

 

Kathleen M. Meisler

THOMPSON – Kathleen M. (Makara) Meisler, 56, died Sept. 14, 2016, at home.

She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of the late Bernard Makara. She lived in Thompson for 10 years before moving to N. Grosvenordale last year. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1978 where she was a member of the cheerleading team.  She attended Southern Mass. University in Dartmouth and received her associate’s degree from Becker Junior College in Worcester.

Kathleen was a medical assistant at Dr. Paul Harrington’s office in Charlton for 10 years. She then was a phlebotomist at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam for several years, retiring in 2015 due to illness.

She was a member of St. Louis Church in Webster. She volunteered at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford. She enjoyed going to the beach.

She leaves two children, Makara L. Newkirk (Matthew) of N. Grosvenordale and Alan B. Meisler of Bangor, Maine; three grandchildren, Logan Preston, Emma Newkirk and Gracie Newkirk; her mother, Dorothy M. (Pizzetti) Makara of Webster; a sister, Karen Matyczynski (Steven) of Dudley; and a nephew, Kaven Matyczynski. She was predeceased by her brother Kevin Makara.

The Funeral Mass was Sept. 19 in St. Louis Church, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, 565 Ashford Center Road, Ashford, CT  06278. Scanlon Funeral Service, Webster.

 

William Moriarty Jr.,

U.S. Army vet

PUTNAM — William T. Moriarty Jr., of Putnam, died Sept. 8, 2016.

William was born June 30, 1933, to Dr. and Mrs. William T. Moriarty Sr. and Marguerite (Conley), in Boston.  William graduated Williston Prep. School in North Hampton, Mass., in 1952 and served as class president for four years.  William went on to graduate Colgate University in 1956 with a degree in education.  In 1956, William enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the 25th Military Intelligence Detachment, honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1959.  

William went on to Framingham State University for a master’s degree in education, with further studies at Dartmouth Medical School for the studies of addiction.  William taught English in conjunction with being head of guidance in the Medway, Mass., school system. William went on to work as hospital administrator of Riverdale Hospital, Oradell, N.J.  William’s later career became focused on counseling families and individuals impacted by addiction.  William was CEO of Eagle Hill at Sandy Hook, and Seafield Pines, Keene, N.H. Rehab. facilities.  At the end of William’s career, he served as counselor at Spectrum Addiction Services and MSPCC.

He leaves his wife of 37 years, Janice (Marrier) Moriarty, and grandson Brian Sullivan, who he was very close to; three three children, Paul, Pamela and Megan; six stepchildren, Louis Boneski Jr. (Kim), Mark Boneski, Matthew Boneski (Katherine), Timothy Boneski (Kristen), Elizabeth Sullivan and Linda Boneski; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Donations: Salvation Army.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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Seniors

entertain

seniors

POMFRET — On their first weekend back after summer break, the Pomfret School Senior Class threw a County Dinner Dance for local seniors. The dance took place at the Pomfret Senior Center, decorated with fall decorations.  The menu included hot cider, appetizers, soups, corn bread and a variety of delicious desserts. Country music played in the background as seniors from both the school and the area engaged in lively conversation.

All decorations and food were provided by the Pomfret School Senior Class who worked hard to raise money through various school fund-raisers.  This is not the first time the Pomfret School has been involved with the Senior Center.  Last year’s seniors came to clean up the yard and do plantings in the spring, the community service group came each Wednesday to do crafts and engage in activities, and the members of the Grifftones, the schools A Capella group came to entertain.

The Pomfret Senior Center is overseen by TEEG and is open to all local seniors. Schedules of events and the monthly newsletter can be found on the town website. The Senior Center is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  For more information you can contact the Senior Center at  860-928-7459 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or you may contact the TEEG office at 860-923-3458.