By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School standout athlete and Vietnam veteran Bob Bernier. Following a career with the State of Connecticut Bernier retired to a position at Connecticut National Golf Club. He’s an avid fan of the Mohegan Sun WNBA team.
This year on the golf course will be memorable for Danielson resident and former Plainfield High School three-sport star Kevin Marcoux. Marcoux, who heads up the Guidance Department and coaches the golf team at Killingly High School, has been involved in a number of championships on the links in 2016.
In June his Redmen golfers captured a State title after picking up their fourth Eastern Connecticut Conference crown in four years. Now Marcoux can add another gem on his tiara as he was crowned the 2016 Quinnatisset Country Club champion. This is a familiar position for Marcoux as he was the Club’s champion in 2009.
The championship was a 36-hole two-day event that took place on July 9 and 10 at the Thompson course. Marcoux ran away from the 82-man field, firing a two-day total of 145 over the par 72 layout. He won by a comfortable five stroke margin over another former champion Dave Marshall who carded a 150.
Legendary David McNally and former Woodstock Academy linkster Greg Pike tied in third place at 152. They were followed by Paul Butkevich and Andy Grzyb who posted scores of 153. The remainder of the Top-10 included Jim Colucci (154), Luke Spahl (155), Steve Keller and Joe Helnarski (156).
Perennial champion Anne Kelly was once again crowned the Ladies Club Champion. She coasted to victory with a score of 172. Kelly was followed in second place by Cathy Cohen.
An indication that the ‘apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” young Nolan Marcoux, son of the club champ, won the Junior title. He posted a score of 184. The Senior title went to Dan Navarro (154) who beat second-place finisher Roger Dionne and Charlie Panteleakos who came in third.
The First Flight belonged to Mike Reno (159), followed by Paul Hoar and Roland Scheck. Second Flight winner was Randy Morse (156) trailed by Tim Williams and Bill Duke. “The Legend,” John McCormac with a score of 165 was the 3rd Flight winner, followed by Gene Blain, and the trio of Mike Baker, Brian Litke and Larry Lippiello who tied for third. Steve Giamundo (187) was the 4th Flight champ. He was trailed by Tom Auclair and Nate Ploughman. The 5th Flight title went to Paul Allain (187), trailed by Robert Viens and Rapo Vasil.
Visitor in Town…
A former Putnam High School lineman who graduated in 1959 has been in his old hometown for an extended vacation. John Sherman, who starred for the late coach Jim Greenhalgh and the 7-1 Clippers in his senior year, is visiting from his home of Port Aransas, Texas.
Sherman, who scaled in at more than 200 pounds in high school, is retired from a career in the Connecticut National Guard. While in Putnam he vacations at his daughter Debbie Heath’s home. Later in the summer he’ll visit his son John Sherman Jr., who is the associate athletic director at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.
Diarra Update…
The Hartford Courant recently ran a large article authored by Dom Amore on former Putnam Science Academy big man Mamadou Diarra. Now a freshman at UConn and prepping for the upcoming basketball season under coach Kevin Ollie, Diarra is on the Storrs campus taking courses, working on his game, and honing his physical condition.
Diarra is part of a group of five freshmen, Alterique Gilbert, Juwan Durham, Vance Jackson and Christian Vital who have dubbed themselves the “Top 5.” The 6-foot, 8-inch Diarra feels he has an opportunity to see plenty of action because of his ability to rebound. In the classroom he’s deciding on his major, which might be business, psychology or communications.
Later this summer, Diarra, who hails from Queens, will return to New York and participate in summer basketball.
Back in Town…
Kristen Willis, who played on a Woodstock Academy State Championship softball team, has returned to the area, assuming the position of director of Development at Day Kimball Hospital. Willis, who was a three-sport star during her days at the Academy, is looking forward to a star-studded career in Development at Day Kimball.
Willis brings a strong background to her new position. Previously she served as Woodstock Academy’s Development and Public Relations Officer. Most recently she worked on the staff of the UConn Development program.
August Golf Tourney…
The 13th annual Burke Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament is gearing up for play, which is scheduled for Monday, August 15 at Quinnatisset Country Club. The tourney registration begins at 9 a.m. Tee time is promptly at 10 a.m. for the scramble style event. Entry fee is a reasonable $110 per golfer.
The proceeds of the tournament benefit scholarships in memory of the late Kevin “Spyder” Burke who died in 2001 and the late Liz Burke who passed in 2003. The funds have also assisted in establishing the Guari Children Scholarship Fund and The Christopher M. Guari Memorial Service Award Scholarship in memory of Christopher M. Guari. Guari died on March 2, 2013.
The Liz Burke Scholarship is awarded to Killingly High School graduating senior and a student at Quinebaug Valley Community College. Recent recipients were Kayla Zmayefski and Bernice Boateng. The scholarship also presents $1000 to the St. James School Education Fund. The Kevin “Spyder” Burke Memorial Scholarship is presented to a Killingly High School graduate entering the field of criminal justice. Since the initiation of the tournament and scholarships, more than $58,000 has been awarded.
Anyone interested in more information or registering a foursome should contact Kelley L. Rochefort, 82 Laurel Drive, Dayville, CT 06241. Rochefort can also be reached at 860.208.0141. Calls may also be directed to Jack Burke 860.377.3654 or Michael Burke 774.259.9103 or Colleen Guari 860.234.0970. Checks should be made payable to Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.” Archibald Rutledge
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Alfred Knorr,
WWII vet
N. GROSVENORDALE — Alfred Knorr, 96, formerly of Main Street, died July 14, 2016, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of the late Agnes (Varieur) Knorr. Born in 1920 in France, he was the son of the late Henry and Louise (Mueller) Knorr.
Mr. Knorr was a machine operator for Jacobs Rubber. He also worked as a cook for Idlewild Farms for many years. He served in the French Navy during WWII serving on a French submarine for six years. He was a member of The French Club and The American Legion.
He leaves his daughter, Diane Wagher (Albert) of N. Grosvenordale; his son, Maurice Knorr (Janice); his sister-in-law, Lucille Knorr of France; three grandchildren, Brian Wagher (Hillary), Danielle Race and Christopher Knorr; four great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
The Funeral was private. Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes & Crematory.
Bernice M. Swenson
DAYVILLE — Bernice (Comeau) Swenson, 91, of Ware Rd., formerly of Putnam and Brooklyn, died July 13, 2016, in Westview Health Care Center. She was the wife of 44 years to the late William M. Swenson. Born in 1925 in Stamford, she was the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Margaret (Mallett) Comeau.
Mrs. Swenson was a 1943 graduate of Greenwich High School. She worked as a marketing office manager for U.S. Tobacco Corp. She was a member of the Holy Rosary Society, the Women’s Guild, and was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader for many years. She taught sewing at St. Catherine’s School and ran a state licensed day care. She enjoyed cross stitching, crocheting, sewing and baking.
She leaves her sons, Robert Swenson (Laurie) of Putnam, and Phillip Swenson (Susan) of Brooklyn; her daughter, Margaret Jaffer of Bonita Springs, Fla.; her brothers, Lawrence Comeau (Dorothy) of W. Brookfield, Mass., and Roy Comeau (Bev) of Arizona; her grandchildren, Jennifer, Renee, Tara, Nathan, Katelyn, Sebastian and Max; great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Michael Swenson; and her sisters, Theresa Rinella and Fran Joudray.
Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Greenwich, was July 17. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Joseph H. Gaucher
N. GROSVENORDALE — Joseph H. Gaucher, 73, died July 16, 2016, at Day Kimball Hospital.
He was born in Worcester, son of the late Frederick and Lorraine (Beaulac) Gaucher, and lived here all his life.
He worked at Pratt & Whitney for 33 years as a machinist.
He was a former member of Community Fire Department and was a member of the Knights of Columbus in N. Grosvenordale. He enjoyed flea markets, antiques, yard sales and collecting.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Agnes T. (Grenier) Gaucher; his son Joseph E. Gaucher of Woodstock; two daughters, Judith M. Gaucher of Webster and Joanne J. Gaucher of N. Grosvenordale; a grandson, Matthew T. Lubomirski of N. Grosvenordale; a brother, Frederick Gaucher of N. Grosvenordale; two sisters, Alice Benoit of Brooklyn, and Carole Caissie of Spencer, Mass. He was predeceased by two brothers, Eugene of Enfield and Dennis.
The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. July 21 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in the parish cemetery. Donations: St. Joseph School. Main Street, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
Charlotte L. Galvin
THOMPSON — Charlotte L. (Cyr) Galvin, 84, died July 8, 2016, in UMass/Memorial University Campus.
Her husband of 14 years, James P. Galvin, died in 1998.
She was born, a daughter of Henry and Stasia (Taberski) Cyr.
She lived in Thompson for 55 years. Mrs. Galvin was a machine operator at Cranston Print Works Company in Webster for more than 50 years before retiring.
She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in N. Grosvenordale.
She was an active member and former treasurer of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, a member and former vice-president of the PACC and a member of the PNA, all in Webster.
She leaves her son, Brian R. Paquette (Bernice), with whom she lived; four grandchildren, Joshua Fusco Sr., Nicholaus Paquette (Sarah), Kyle Paquette (Penny), and Joseph Paquette; four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by five brothers and four sisters. The Funeral Mass was July 13 in St. Joseph’s Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial will in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Donations: St. Joseph School, 26 Main Street, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster.
Mary A. Jaskolski
DUDLEY— Mary A. “Marion” (Betley) Jaskolski, 86, died July 8, 2016, in UMass/Memorial Healthcare, Worcester. Her husband of 49 years, Joseph E. Jaskolski, died in 2004.
She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of Michael and Nellie (Wojcik) Betley.
Mrs. Jaskolski worked as a machine operator, making covered key cases for American Optical Company in Southbridge for 36 years, retiring in 1992.
She was a member of St. Andrew Bobola Church and a member of St. Joseph Basilica’s Sacred Heart and St. Anne Societies. She enjoyed cooking, baking, entertaining and having fun.
She leaves five nephews, Michael J. Betley (Tina), Stephen F. Betley (Tina), Edward A. Jaskolski (Kristina), Lionel Lavallee and Laurence Lavallee; five nieces, Paula Jean Lamoureux (Theodore), Christine Cobain (Samuel), Caroline Crawford (Henry), Charlene Kimball (Daniel), and Cathleen Haggerty; a brother-in-law, Antoni Jaskolski of Dudley; a sister-in-law, Bernice Lavallee of Woodstock.
The Funeral Mass was July 14 in St. Andrew Bobola Church, with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster.
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Honored
BANGOR, Maine — Putnam resident, Austin Beaupre has been named to Husson University’s Honors List for the Spring 2016 semester. Beaupre is a freshman who is currently enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program.
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Honored
The Connecticut Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, honored three local community leaders recently. Left to right: Gene Michael Deary, State Rep Danny Rovero, Betty Hale and Jeffrey Rawson. Courtesy photo.
PUTNAM — Several local community members were honored at the Connecticut Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, Evening of Champions Fundraising Recognition Reception. The event was designed as a way for the Boy Scouts of America to recognize those community partners who are impact players in the Quiet Corner. The Boy Scouts seek to instill service, citizenship, and community involvement to its members, and with that in mind, recognizes others who do the same. The BSA presented three awards to organizations and individuals from the area.
Gene Michael Deary was recognized with the Outstanding Leadership Award for his dedication to local gymnastics, including coaching at Woodstock Academy, his service on several non-profit boards, and the Deary Memorial Cancer Fund. The award was presented by his son Gene Deary.
Rawson Materials, represented by Jeffery Rawson, was presented with the Community Service Award for significant contribution to the quality of life in northeastern Connecticut by supporting more than 60 local youth development groups. The award was presented by his father Alan Rawson.
The Newell D. Hale Foundation, represented by Betty Hale, received the Community Organization Award for continued support of the numerous youth groups and, in particular, significant support and efforts in establishing the Hale YMCA Youth & Family Center in Putnam. The award was presented by Dr. Mark Desrosiers.
The Master of Ceremonies of the evening was Pat Boyd of Pomfret, Director of the June Norcross Scout Reservation in Ashford.
“We are pleased and excited to have such a stellar group of honorees for our inaugural Evening of Champions event. The honorees truly are Champions of Youth who support the youth of our community, just as Scouting does,” said R. David Lee of Brooklyn, who serves as Chair of the Nipmuck District which serves 22 towns in the Northeast Corner.
Gene Michael Deary said, “I’m very honored to be recognized with this award. Having been involved in Scouting, among other activities, I see the value Scouting brings to the community.”