By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to nonagenarian Evelyn Russell of Putnam and Webster Lake.  On July 6 Mrs. Russell blew out another candle on the birthday cake.  In her spare time she occasionally continues to play the piano.  RPC sends along birthday wishes, Evelyn.

Joe Lindley, chief operating officer of the TriTown American Legion Baseball Committee, recently released the names of the first class of people who’ll enter the program’s Hall of Fame.  According to Lindley, the initial class will be inducted in a ceremony on Friday, July 22 at this year’s team awards banquet.  The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the VFW Post 1523 hall on Providence Street in Putnam.

The first group of inductees includes three former players, a coach and a contributor.  The players are Brian Murphy, Alan Leboeuf and Bob Auger.  The coach inductee is longtime legendary coach Tom Auclair, while Dr. Rene Desaulniers, who is attributed to being the founder of the program, will enter posthumously.

Desaulniers was an individual who cared about people and who loved Putnam.  Everything he did was done with 100 percent effort and energy.  He was an optometrist who practiced many years from his Grove St. office.  Out of the office Desaulnier had many interests, baseball ranking on the top.  He was an umpire for many years on the Eastern Board but it his impetus that created what is TriTown American Legion Baseball today.

Coach Auclair served as the American Legion coach from 1976 to 1997, a total of 21 dedicated seasons.  His 1984 and 1997 teams were among his best, advancing to the American Legion State Tournament.  He was also the coach of the Tourtellotte Tigers, for 24 seasons, amassing more than 350 victories.  Auclair, who played college baseball at Eastern Connecticut State University, is a 1965 Putnam High School graduate.

Murphy, who is a member of the Tourtellotte Athletic Hall of Fame, was an outstanding pitcher in the early ‘70s.  Murphy was arguably the best pitcher to ever wear a TriTown uniform.  He went on to an All-American career at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he was drafted by the New York Yankees.  He played two all-star seasons in the Yankees minor league system.  He later distinguished himself in corrections, serving as Commissioner of Corrections in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Leboeuf is also a member of the Tourtellotte Athletic Hall of Fame.  He distinguished himself as a hitter at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies.  A knee injury sidetracked his rise to the Major Leagues.  He’s arguably the best hitter to ever put on a TriTown uniform.  Today Leboeuf continues in organized baseball as a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system.

Auger, a 1968 graduate of Putnam High School, was a baseball phenom from the day he put on a uniform as a Little Leaguer.  As an 18 year old he distinguished himself by winning the Most Valuable Player award in the prestigious Hearst Baseball Games at Fenway Park.  He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and played two years of minor league baseball.  He later became athletic director at Bay Path Regional Vocational School in Massachusetts.  Although he never played for TriTown he starred on the combined Danielson – Putnam Legion team of the late 60’s.

Each inductee will be presented a commemorative plaque symbolizing their selection and their name will be placed on a permanent plaque that will be displayed at a location yet to be determined.

Happy Anniversary…

RPC extends congratulations and Happy Anniversary wishes to former Plainfield athlete Lenny King and his wife Joyce (Shaw) King.  The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary recently.  The Kings have two children, Jill and Jason, who was an outstanding football player for the Plainfield Panthers.  The Kings enjoy well-deserved summers on the beach in Newburyport and winter in Florida.  The Kings, who met at Kaman Aircraft, continue to enjoy life “hand in hand, heart to heart.”

Basketball Clinics on 

the Horizon…

Boys and girls ages 8 to 18 will have an opportunity to learn basketball skills first hand this summer from one of the area’s best basketball clinicians, Putnam Science Academy coach Tom Espinosa.  

The Putnam Science Academy 2016 Basketball Clinics are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 29 and 30 and Aug. 12 and 13.  The clinics will be held at Hyde School-Woodstock.  All sessions are 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.  The Drills and Skills Clinic will take place in July and the Shooting Clinic in August.

The clinic fee is $60 per player and includes Clinic T-shirt, fundamentals workshop and station work and contests.  Mustangs Kid’s Club members are entitled to a 20% discount.  Anyone desiring more information or registering should make checks payable to Putnam Science Academy and mail to PSA, Attn: Coach Tom Espinosa, 18 Maple St., Putnam, CT 06260.

Icelandic Experience…

Thompson residents Cosmo and Bernadette Quercia recently returned from a one week vacation to Reykjavik, Iceland.  While they were in the capital city they witnessed firsthand the excitement of the Icelanders for their international soccer team.

Iceland upset the United Kingdom and Austria before being vanquished by France.  According to Cosmo Quercia, during the victory over Austria, he witnessed a crowd of more than 3,000 people watching their team on a big screen in the town square as they beat Austria.  He noted that the experience was other worldly.

Note from the Connecticut Open…

The Connecticut Open Qualifier was held on Tuesday, July 5 at Lake of Isles Golf Club at Foxwood in North Stonington.  Fletcher Babcock, playing out of Connecticut National Golf Club was among the field of approximately 50 amateurs and professionals testing their skills on the Par-72, 6,783 yard layout.  He recorded a respectable 79, which was two strokes shy of the projected cut of 77.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.” Harvey Mackay

(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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By Ron P. Coderre

As the summer passes the 4th of July benchmark Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa continues to bring quality players to the Maple Street campus in preparation for the 2016-2017 hoop season.

Espinosa receneptly announced the addition of big man Isaiah Laurent from Brockton, Mass., and sophomore guard Chris Wright from Kingston, N.Y.  

The 6-foot, 7-inch Laurent spent three years at Brockton High School before moving on to New Mission High School in the Boston area.  Laurent, who goes by the nickname “Zeke”, is capable of being a difference maker inside on both offense and defense.  Last season he led New Mission to the Division 2 state championship, averaging 13 rebounds and four block shots per game.  On the offensive end of the court Laurent averaged 14 points per game.  He was named to the Boston City League First team for his outstanding season.

“Laurent is a high character kid who can defend four positions.  On offense he can play with his back to the basket and find the open man with his passing.  He’s a strong rebounder in traffic with the ability to score over bigger power forwards.  He should fit into our plans for this season very nicely,” said coach Espinosa.

This summer Laurent is playing AAU basketball for the Boston Warriors.

Wright, who could be a surprise package for the Mustangs, is a 6-1 guard who can shoot and handle the rock.  Last season at Kingston High School he averaged 15.8 points per game while dishing out four assists per contest.  As a sophomore he led his team to an 18-4 record and into the second round of the playoffs.

“I think Chris is going through the natural maturation process that all teenagers eventually go through.  Being under the guidance of the coaching staff at PSA, the sky can be the limit.  He’s young and willing to learn.  He’s just starting to scratch the surface of how good he can be,” said Bobby Rahn , Wrights AAU coach.

“Chris is a future Division I guard.  I believe he’ll surprise many people this season,” said Espinosa.

This summer Wright is playing AAU basketball for Early Risers and Coach Rahn. 

 

 

Peter W. Krawiec,

WWII vet

N. GROSVENORDALE —  Peter W. Krawiec, 90, of Buckley Hill Rd. died July 5, 2016, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the loving husband of 68 years to the late Theresa M. (Choquette) Krawiec.  Born in 1925 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Thomas and Anna (Gwizdala) Krawiec.

Mr. Krawiec proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII.  He worked as a chocolate mixer for Borden’s Candy Shop.  He was a past commander of the American Legion Post #67 of N. Grosvenordale, the VFW, and the Southern Massachusetts Police Association where he was named “Man of the Year” several times for his hard work. He was the deputy sheriff under Cliff Green, and an elected Thompson constable for more than 40 years.  Peter was also a member, past president, trustee, and life member of the Eastern CT Police Association.  He also worked security for the Thompson Speedway and Marianapolis Preparatory School. 

He leaves his daughter, Nancy Strouse (Robert) of Putnam; his sister, Mary Sergel of Dudley; grandchildren, Jennifer Pierce (Dennis), Louis Bunker (Erin), Bonnie Falke, Daniel Bunker, and Brian Falke (Ashle); his great-grandchildren, Jasmine Falke, Ariana Bunker, Emma Lyn Bunker, Zachary Bunker, Hannah Pierce, Alliea Falke, and Justin Falke; and his great-great granddaughter Amy Berti.  He was predeceased by his daughter, JoAnn Pavone; his brothers John, Stanley, Joseph, Thomas, Michael and Anthony Krawiec and his sisters Sophie Groszswicz, Nellie Pfieffer, and Stasia Dudek;

The Funeral was July 9 at Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale with burial with full military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Grosvenordale. Donations: St. Joseph School, 26 Main St. N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255.  

 

Sylvester Hryzan Jr.,

Korean war era vet

DUDLEY — Sylvester Hryzan Jr., 78, died July 3, 2016, at home . 

Sylvester was born  in N. Grosvenordale, one of 14 children  of the late Sylvester J and the late Michalean (Kachnowicz) Hryzan. 

He leaves one daughter: Donna Hryzan of Webster, and one son: Dean Hryzan of Boise, Idaho;   one sister: Theresa Zelazo of New Hampshire; a grandchild, one great-grandchild. His partner of 35 years, Mary Mozdzierz, died in January .

He served in the Army during the Korean war era . He worked at Cranston Print Works for 20 years retiring in 2000.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. July 16 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dudley Hill Rd., Dudley. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

Richard H. Smith,

Air Force vet

DANIELSON — Richard Harland Smith, 87, of Danielson, died unexpectedly July 5, 2016, at home. He was the husband of Barbara (Brown) Smith. They were married May 21, 1954. 

He was born March 11, 1929, in Beckley, W.Va., son of the late Orliffe and Julia (Stairs) Smith. 

He was a graduate of Beckley College, Concord College and received his master’s degree from Marshall University. Richard served in the U.S. Air Force, 1952 to 1956. He began his teaching career in West Virginia as a teacher and basketball coach. In 1961 he moved to Killingly and joined the Killingly School System as a teacher, he was the assistant football coach, 1961 to 1964, in 1965 he became the assistant principal of Killingly High School and the following year became the principal of Killingly High School. He served from 1967 to 1980. In 1981 he joined the teaching staff at the Killingly Junior High School and in 1987 was appointed assistant principal, until his retirement in 1989. He attended the Putnam Congregational Church for many years. 

He leaves, in addition to his wife Barbara of 62 years, his children, Lisa R. Pina (Earl) of Putnam, Richard H. Smith Jr. (Barbara) of Van Nuys, Calif.; grandchildren Vayda and Victor. He was predeceased by his daughter Cheryl Ann Smith.

Donations: Memorial Fund of the Putnam Congregational Church, PO Box 463, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

 

A. ‘Chuck’ Etchells

WOODSTOCK — Arthur “Chuck” Henry Etchells, 61, of Woodstock, died July 6, 2016. 

He was born Aug. 27, 1954, in Putnam, the son of the late Paul and Rita Etchells.

Chuck was the CEO of URG Graphics, Inc. in Putnam. In 2001 he retired from the NHRA racing circuit which he earned 13 NHRA Funny Car victories during his driving career. In 1993 he made NHRA history by becoming the first Funny Car driver to record a four-second elapsed time. Chuck enjoyed his yearly trips to Key West, Fla., golfing, fishing, reading and spending time with family and friends. 

Chuck leaves behind is daughter Erica Etchells of Stafford Springs; a sister Karen “Lily” Carrera and a brother Gary Etchells, both of Woodstock and his partner Shelley Etchells who lived with him till his passing. He also leaves a nephew Caleb Carrera, aunts and cousins. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was July 11 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial at Elmvale Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Dorothy Shippee

MOOSUP — Dorothy June (Auger) Shippee, 67, died July 5, 2016, after a battle with lung cancer. Born June 15, 1949, in Putnam, daughter of the late Lionel and Rita (Tetreault) Auger.     

She was a life member of the Putnam VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She retired from Connecticut Department of Correction.

She leaves her son Robert Shippee (Tammy); daughter Holly Gedney (Paul); grandchildren Ryan Shippee, Gavin Shippee, Hayden Gedney, Laurissa Gedney, sibling Arnold Auger, and her former husband Robert Shippee. She was predeceased by siblings Lionel Auger, Ruth Curran, Barbara Fortin and Elaine Ignasiak.

A Mass of Christian Burial was July 12 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Putnam VFW Ladies Auxiliary, c/o Putnam VFW, 207 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

 

Lillian D. Witkowski

STAFFORD SPRINGS — Lillian D. Witkowski, 93, formerly of Old Monson Rd., died July 4, 2016, in Johnson Memorial Medical Center.  She was the wife of the late Walter J. Witkowski who died on Jan. 5, 1992.  

Born in 1923 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Josephine (Taberski) Lada.

Mrs. Witkowski worked as a receptionist and switchboard operator at Cluett Peabody before becoming a stay-at-home mom.  She enjoyed reading, gardening, scrapbooking, photography and listening to Big Band music.

She leaves her son Stephen A. Witkowski (Sherry Abbate-Witkowski) of Woodstock Valley; a sister Johanna Lada of Putnam; a daughter-in-law Kelley Witkowski of Hobbs, Minn.; three grandchildren Jeffrey Allen Witkowski, Kimberley Jean Witkowski, and Evan William Witkowski; and two great-grandchildren, Ever Witkowski and Jack Witkowski. She was predeceased by two sons Anthony Albert and William Walter Witkowski.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to noon July 16 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale with a funeral service held at noon in the funeral home. Burial follows in St. Joseph Cemetery.  

 

Richard W. Fuller

WOODSTOCK — Richard W. Fuller, 66, died July 7, 2016, at Westview Healthcare in Dayville. 

The son of the late Allan and Marjorie (Macomber) Fuller, he was born March 31, 1950, in Bangor, Maine. He moved to Connecticut in 1952 and graduated from Manchester High School in 1969.  He later enrolled at A. I. Prince Tech in Hartford for advanced education in masonry.  During his apprenticeship, he won the Bricklayers Apprentice Contest Award from Local 1 of Hartford; and the Anthony D. Gregorio 1st Prize awarded by the Masons Contractors Association, before becoming a journeyman.

Richard began working in tobacco fields at 14.  As a young entrepreneur, he opened a cleaning business in the Hartford area.  He established R & F Mason Contractors in 1974, later incorporating with long-time friend, Walter Talaga in a partnership specializing in both masonry and carpentry.  He was registered as a Major Contractor in Connecticut and was a lifelong member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craft-workers Local No. 1.  After 45 years of self-employment, and until his retirement, he held a carpentry position with Associated Construction Company of Hartford.

 Richard was a New England Patriots and New York Yankees fan, was captain of a Putnam Senior’s baseball league, and also played basketball in a Putnam Senior league. He enjoyed skiing, deep sea fishing, golfing with friends, Bebop dancing, trips to Maine for Italian sandwiches, barbequing and trashcan turkey roasting, and he could party with the best.  To hear him sing was a real treat. He was an EMT, served on the Bungee Fire Department, was active with the Boy Scouts, a volunteer Senior-ranked National Ski Patroller & Winter Emergency Care Instructor for many years with Haystack Mountain and Mount Snow in Vermont; a past member of BPOE Elks and Fin, Fur, & Feather Club and, for 40 years, spent mid-Novembers hunting deer in Maine’s Allagash with friends & family.  He enjoyed working with his hands, being outdoors, and graciously gave 100% of his heart and mind to whatever he was passionate about. He cared for the people who mattered most to him, whether it was creating a product for a client with safety first in mind, patronizing local businesses, protecting a friend from undo harm, or providing for his family. With integrity and commitment he will be remembered as tenacious, hardworking, and fearless, with an eye for design & detail. His industrial and commercial work may be seen and admired in nearly every city/town in the state.  

He leaves his wife Mary Lou (Clark) Fuller; a son, Shawn G. Fuller (Jennifer) of Thompson;  a daughter, Kyle, (Jason LePino) of Thompson; a stepdaughter, Jessi, whom he raised as his own, and her fiancé, Daniel Dombrowski, of Sarasota, Fla.; grandchildren Jayden, Simon, Caleb and Sophia; and a Zuchon he named Bailey; four siblings: Diane Snow (Howard) of Payson, Ariz., Stephen Fuller of Westfield, Mass., Jane Amaral of Manchester; a half-sister Cheryl Valcourt  (Jacques) of Howland, Maine; step-siblings, Skip, Edward, Debbie, Sandy, and Fred; and four cousins comporting as siblings: Glory, Wesley, Gail and Doreen; two brothers-in-law, William Clark of Endicott, N.Y., and Robert (Janet) Clark of Westford; a mother-in-law, Martha Clark of Eastford; aunts Laura, Esther and Arlet. He was predeceased by his half-brother, Allan “Bill” Fuller; and four step brothers, Bobby, Larry, Dutch, and Jerry White.

Visitation is from 1 to 2 p.m. July 21 at Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a service in the funeral home at 2. Burial to follow at the Eastford Grove Cemetery. Donations: Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of DKH, P.O. Box  63, Putnam, CT 06260. 

 

Michael Szafarowicz

WOODSTOCK —  Michael A. Szafarowicz, 59, of Brickyard Rd., died July 10, 2016, at home.  He was the husband of the late Stephanie (Nedoroscik) Szafarowicz.  Born in 1956 in Worcester, he was the son of the late Eugene and Regina (Grudzinski) Szafarowicz.

Michael worked as a machinist for various local machine shops.  He loved model trains and was known for being a “Jack of all Trades,” was able to fix anything. 

He leaves his daughter, Kathryn Shead (Benjamin) of Thompson; his brothers, Eugene Szafarowicz of Japan, and William Szafarowicz of Wilbraham, Mass.; his sisters, Christine Biernat of Southington, Regina McFadden of Charlotte, N.C., and Theresa Mangano of Alaska; his grandchildren, Joshua, Isabelle, Zachary, Raya, Teagan, Samuel, Austin, Damion, and Alysha.  

In addition to his wife Stephanie, he was predeceased by his son, David Szafarowicz; and his best friend and dog “Teddy.” 

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. July 15 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. 

 

Michael Jon Gravel

ASHFORD —  Michael Jon Gravel, 57, of Ashford Center Rd, died June 11, 2016, at home. Born in 1959 in Putnam, he was the son of Joseph “Lucien” Gravel and Henriette (Demers) Smith of N. Grosvenordale.

Mr. Gravel worked various jobs throughout his lifetime. Mike enjoyed fishing, hunting, skiing, and playing baseball. He leaves his parents and a sister Debra Ann Huber of Putnam. 

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

 

John M. Rauert Jr.

WOODSTOCK — John M. Rauert Jr., 67, of New Sweden Rd., died July 9, 2016, at home after a lengthy illness.  He was the husband of Ronnell “Ronnie” (Sorber) Rauert.  Born in 1948 in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of the late John and Elizabeth (Ladson) Rauert.

John was united in marriage to the former Ronnell Sorber July 4, 1972, in Yonkers, N.Y.

Mr. Rauert worked for more than 15 years at International Paper as a machine operator retiring in 2010. John enjoyed reading

He leaves his wife of 44 years, Ronnie Rauert; a sister Carol Olsen of Ashford; nieces Ginger Olsen of New York, and Kyle Waterbury and Kristin Brown, both of Florida. 

The service was July 13 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Edwina Vaida

Edwina Vaida, 99,  died July 6, 2016, after a short illness. 

Edwina was born on April 3, 1917, in E. Lyme to John Paul Jezierski and Antonia Wolowicz Jezierski. 

She leaves her son Paul Kalman Vaida (Cecelia); daughter-in-law Patricia Vaida. Edwina was a grandmother to six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mrs. Vaida is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles H. Vaida, her brothers, William, Edward and Wesley Jezierski, and her son Charles T. Vaida.

Edwina graduated high school in E. Lyme. A woman before her time, with the support and encouragement of her father, she earned her bachelor’s degree from UConn in sociology. Edwina worked as a guard in a women’s correction facility. To support her country during WWII, she then took a position U.S. Navy Underwater Sound Lab, in New London working to detect submarines.  In 1956, Edwina met her husband, Charlie and moved to Phoenixville to work at the family-owned Vaida Dairy Farm. Edwina went back to school and earned her master’s degree in education from Eastern Connecticut State University. She taught in the Eastford Elementary and Killingly Middle Schools. 

Edwina was an adventurous woman who enjoyed playing Scrabble, ice skating, swimming, canoeing, and sledding with her grandchildren when they were young. She and her husband enjoyed traveling together. Family and friends were first and foremost for Edwina. She and Charlie hosted gatherings and spent endless hours sharing meals and conversations at their home. Edwina was a dedicated UConn women’s basketball fan. She loved animals, singing, reading, caring for her gardens, watching hummingbirds, and eating chocolate. Edwina was a woman with great dignity who lived everyday appreciating the many gifts of nature and life. 

Her memorial service will be private. Donations: Eastford Public Library or the Eastford Independent Fire Department. Gilman And Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam. 

 

Elizabeth D. Tuttle

BOXFORD, Mass. — Elizabeth D. Tuttle, 90, of Boxford, formerly of Saxtons River, Vt., and S. Woodstock, died July 1, 2016, at home.

Born Oct. 23, 1925, in Danielson, she was the daughter of Irving Wilder Davis and Dorothy Dorrance (Paine) Davis. She was educated at Northfield School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College. On June 16, 1948, she married Lawrence Emerson Tuttle of Millbrook, N.Y., with whom she shared 64 years of marriage before his death in 2012. A preschool educator, Mrs. Tuttle taught at Family Kindergarten in N. Andover, Mass. She loved animals, gardening.  She leaves her five children, Elizabeth Dorrance (Dorrie) Ellsworth, Lawrence E. (Emerson) Tuttle  Jr., Harriot (Hatsy) T. McGraw, Peter B. Tuttle, and Catherine T. DeSalvo and their spouses; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister, Martha Davis Zubretsky. Services will be private. Donations: Lawrence E. Tuttle Scholarship Fund, c/o Brooks School, 1160 Great Pond Road, North Andover, MA, 01845; or to the charity of your choice. Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich, Mass.

 

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