By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Army Sgt. Andrew Zamagni who recently returned from a tour in Iraq. The remembrance of Memorial Day is a reminder to say thank you to Zamagni and all the men and women who are serving and have served our nation in the military.
Doug Valentine, who died on Friday, May 20, was an enigma to those who knew him and loved him. He was a public person who enjoyed a long and successful career as banker, yet he was a very private person even with his closest friends.
Dougie V and I were very close friends for many years enjoying hours upon hours on the golf course, a few cigars and libations together, as well as sharing a few laughs over the years. The phone would rings and it was Doug wondering what time we would meet at Quinnatisset Country Club. Our rounds of golf were always enjoyable because his disposition on the links would never change whether he was playing well or poorly.
Let me tell you what I remember about the person whose death left everyone who knew Valentine shocked and in mourning.
Born in New Haven and residing in that vicinity until his career took him to northeastern Connecticut, he was the son of the late George and Marjorie, who is currently 97 years old. He was a faithful son, visiting his mother until recently when his health prohibited travel. One of the worst things in life is for a parent to outlive a child but fortunately for Mrs. Valentine despite her age she was able to see her son briefly before he died.
Valentine was a graduate of Quinnipiac University, which he was loyal to and supportive of his alma mater. He was a U.S. Army veteran, who like many others in his age group spent time in Vietnam. Although he seldom spoke of his time in Southeast Asia, where he earned a Purple Heart, when he did speak his story was admirable. He was wounded in an artillery attack that almost took his life.
He served in the Army from May 1968 to May 1970 and in Vietnam from October 1968 to March 1969. In addition to the Purple Heart, he was the recipient of the National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Expert and sharpshooter badge with the M16 and M14.
He admitted once about his injuries incurred in Vietnam, “They didn’t think I was going to make it. I was fortunate.”
Embarking on a banking career he was known and respected as one of the best commercial lenders in the area. His career led him to community involvement with the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, the Putnam Rotary Club and the Arc of Quinebaug. He spent 19 years as the financial officer for the Chamber and was honored as the recipient of a Gold Key Award. Active in the Rotary Club with its education program and golf tournament, he was the recipient of the organization’s highest recognition, the Paul Harris Award. The Arc always held a special place in his heart, where he worked to improve the lives of those individuals affected with developmental disability.
Despite being a private person, he reached out when it came to helping others.
In the last 15 years his life was graced with the presence of his partner Barbara Rasmussen. She was a faithful and loving companion who was by his side, holding his hand until his final breath.
Taken too early at age 68 from those who were his friends his presence will be deeply missed. The memories will live on. He was the only witness of the only hole-in-one in my golfing career. The golfing trips to Maine, Cape Cod, Florida and Shelter Harbor. The Fridays after work at J.D. Cooper’s and his Cosmos and Absolut Citron and tonics. The cigars enjoyed while relaxing and talking sports, politics, the economy or whatever.
When life got tough or touchy situations arose, Valentine was known to say “Oh well.” His way of rationalizing the situation. Though Doug Valentine is no longer with us in body, his soul and spirit will remain, wherever friends meet and his name is mentioned. Rest in Peace, good friend.
Tourtellotte Hall of Fame
Calls Another Athlete…
The 1987 yearbook photo of Chris Mayotte is one of a healthy, smiling teen who was comfortable in his skin. The fact of the matter is that Mayotte was also equally comfortable on the baseball diamond or the basketball hardwood for the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Tigers.
Mayotte enjoyed the privilege of playing for two legendary coaches, Jim Naum in basketball and Tom Auclair in baseball. The reward for playing under the guidance of these men resulted in championships in both sports.
In basketball Mayotte was part of the 1987 Connecticut State Basketball Champions, a team that is often favorably compared to the team immortalized in the movie, “Hoosiers.” During his high school hoop career Mayotte was a Quinebaug Valley Conference and Thompson Times all star. As captain of the team in his senior year, he led the team in assists and was the second highest scorer.
On the diamond Mayotte led the Tigers to QVC championships in 1985 and 1986. He was honored as an Observer Patriot, WINY and Journal Transcript all star. He graduated with a perfect 6-0 pitching record and a minuscule 0.93 earned run average.
Mayotte moved on to a college baseball career at Stonehill College where he played for four years. He was the team’s captain during his senior year. He also enjoyed an all star career with the TriTown American Legion baseball team.
The Tourtellotte Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2016 is scheduled to be inducted on Saturday, June 25 in a 2 p.m.in a ceremony at the Ryscavage Auditorium.
Happy Birthday to the Man
They Call Cos…
Family and friends gathered at Grille 37 in Pomfret on Friday, May 20 to celebrate the 70th birthday of Thompson resident Cosmo Quercia. Approximately 75 people were on hand to congratulate the man they refer to lovingly as Cos.
Cosmo Quercia, who is retired but enjoys his avocation as a photographer, was a talented athlete as a young man. He starred on the gridiron at Norwich Free Academy, where his play earned him the opportunity to continue his football career at Central Connecticut State University.
But on Friday night, Cos sat silently as his loving bride, Bernadette enjoyed the opportunity to roast her husband much to his chagrin and the enjoyment of the audience. The evening was coordinated by Quercia’s son Chris and daughter Kaleen Taft. Despite the chiding and poking, Quercia was still smiling the next day.
Running Note…
The long standing Wednesday 5K Summer Fun Runs at the West Thompson Dam, originally organized by Bobby Mayer, started last week but organizer Martin Fey reminds the serious and recreational runner that the FREE event is open to all. The runs will continue every Wednesday through mid-September. Participants should park and meet at the Ravenelle Road parking lot. Runners will walk to the starting line at 6 p.m. and the start of the run will begin promptly at 6:15 p.m.
For information contact Fey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 860.428.5979.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good action in others.” Plato
(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
In a light week of action as teams prepare for the CIAC Tournament, Putnam and Ellis Tech were involved in the Constitution State Conference Tournament and Plainfield was in action in the ECC Tournament.
Putnam ranked #5 was victorious in quarterfinal play but was eliminated in the semifinals. Plainfield seeded #8 was eliminated in a quarterfinal contest. Woodstock Academy was eliminated in a Qualifying Round contest.
Tourtellotte concluded its regular season schedule with a big win, while Ellis Tech fell hard in its CSC tourney game.
Conference Tourney Action
for Putnam and Plainfield
The Putnam High School girls’ softball team almost wore Cinderella’s glass slipper in the CSC Tournament but the Lady Clippers eventually lost in a semifinal heart breaker.
The Lady Clippers reached the semifinals with a 5-0 shutout of #4 ranked Kaynor Tech. The victory moved Putnam into the semifinals against #1 ranked Wilcox Tech, where it took eight innings for the final verdict to be determined. Unfortunately Putnam came up on the wrong end of a 6-5 score.
Despite a 17 strikeout performance by Mackenzie Livingston the Lady Clippers let a three-run seventh inning lead slip through their fingers, allowing Wilcox Tech new life. The Lady Techster took advantage of the situation in the extra frame. Livingston also had a big day at the plate driving in three Putnam runs.
In the quarterfinal contest Livingston struck out 15 Kaynor Tech batters in a route-going performance. Back-to-back home runs by Lindsay Roberts and Aliceya Labonte propelled Putnam to the win. The Lady Clippers are 13-9 as they prepare for the CIAC Tournament.
Wilcox Tech reached the semifinals by rolling past Ellis Tech 23-8 in a quarterfinal contest.
Plainfield closed out its regular season with a big 21-1 victory over Windham High School. Madison Kelley had a grand slam home run and a double and drove in five runs for the Lady Panthers, who also had a five-hit performance from Kayla Rojas.
In the ECC quarterfinals, Plainfield drew the #1 team in the conference and the State, the Fitch Lady Falcons. Fitch was the easy winner with a 15-0 shutout victory in a five-inning ‘mercy rule’ game. Plainfield is 10-11 as it enters the CIAC Tournament.
Tourtellotte closed out its regular season with a 21-1 win over the Lyman Lady Bulldogs. Emily Vincent and Christina Kopacz were the big offensive guns for the Lady Tigers. Tourtellotte enters the CIAC Tournament with a 13-7 record. They finished with a 6-4 mark in the ECC Small Division.
Woodstock Academy girls’ team took it on the chin in a Class M Qualifying Round game. The #15 ranked Lady Centaurs were beaten 14-2 by #18 ranked North Brookfield.
Stephen M. Tripp Jr.
PARKTON, N.C. — Stephen M. Tripp Jr., 77, formerly of Putnam, died May 19, 2016, in Parkton. He was the husband of the late Pauline (Levesque) Tripp. They were married, June 27, 1964. She died Jan. 13, 2001.
Born Jan. 30, 1939, in Putnam, he was the son of the late Stephen M. and Ellen (Corbin) Tripp Sr.
Stephen was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School in 1956 and Putnam Trade School in 1959, graduating as a draftsman. He worked for Electric Boat in Groton, and Tasc in Worcester.
He started fly fishing at 15, was past President of Trout Unlimited Natchaug (Thames) Chapter, where he loved to teach people how to fly fish. Stephen was a member of the Putnam and Pomfret fish and game clubs and various other sports groups. He moved to North Carolina in 2011. He had a passion for jazz music and enjoyed going to jazz festivals with his wife.
He leaves his children Norma M. Tripp and her significant other Donna L. Trump of Parkton, Allan D. Tripp and his significant other Denise Talbot of Tolland; a brother Russell H. Tripp of Medford, Mass.; grandchildren, Peter Fafard, Tara Black, Bryan Fafard, Michael Coraine Sr., Kyle Fafard and great-grandchildren, Michael Coraine Jr. and Owen Fafard.
Services were private. Donations: Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, PHWFF, PO Box 695, La Plata, MD 20646; or Alzheimer’s Organization, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27612 Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Charles F. Credit
PUTNAM — Charles Frederick Credit, 98, of Cheshire, formerly of Putnam and Thomaston, died May 21, 2016, at the Meriden Center. He was the husband of 61 years of the late Mildred “Muffie” Blanche (Gauthier) Credit.
He was born June 6, 1917, in Ballouville, a son of the late Frederick and Marion (LeValle) Credit.
He leaves his daughter and son-in-law, Victoria “Vicki” and Martin J. Thulin; his two grandchildren, Christine Maria Pogany (Michael) of Trumbull, and Seth Adam Thulin (Jenna) of Wallingford; his three great grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Pogany, Alexandra Hope Pogany and Michael Anton; his two sisters, Rose Bushey and Theresa Langlois. He was predeceased by his siblings, Lionel Credit, Emil Credit and Cecile Lambert
The Funeral was May 27 in the Yalesville United Methodist Church with interment in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam. Donations: American Heart Association, P O Box 417005, Boston MA 02241-7005; the Yalesville United Methodist Church, 8 New Place St., Yalesville, CT 06492; or the Meriden Center 845 Paddock Ave., Meriden, CT 06450. The Wallingford Funeral Home, Wallingford.
caption:
Graduates
Putnam Science Academy held its graduation May 14. Front to back – Jaheam Cornwall, Brandon Hurst, Tyreek Perkins, Saul Phiri, Kevin Smith. Courtesy photo.
Putnam
Science
Academy
conducts
historic
graduation
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
A former student and standout basketball player returned to Putnam Science Academy on May 14 to deliver the graduation speech for the 15th commencement ceremony in the history of the school. The graduation was historic, as it was the initial commencement under the auspices of the ownership and administration of Dr. Tieqiang Ding, who purchased the school in September.
Jordan Butler, a graduate of the Class of 2014, returned to his alma mater and delivered the commencement address. Butler, a Connecticut native from Hartford’s North End, will begin his junior year at Norfolk State University in September.
He’s the captain of the NSU basketball team and this past season was named the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference Player-of-the-Week three times. Butler is majoring in sociology at Norfolk.
“When I entered Putnam Science Academy I was a person trying to find my way in life. With the help of the teachers and the encouragement of coach Espinosa I was able to take the core courses I needed and improve my academic standing. Coming to PSA allowed me to receive a college scholarship,” said Butler.
Butler reminded the graduates to work hard and apply themselves in class and heed the advice of their teachers and coaches. He noted that they would look back on their time at Putnam Science Academy as a place they’ll always consider home.
Headmaster Donald Cushing encouraged the graduates to look forward to the future with great anticipation as they’ll be part of molding not only their lives but in helping others. He highlighted the many accomplishments of the Class of 2016, including their academic achievements, their community involvement and their outstanding basketball season.
The class featured seven graduates, Jaheam Cornwall, Yunus Demirkol, Hamidou Diallo, Brandon Hurst, Tyreek Perkins, Saul Phiri and Kevin Smith. Valedictorian Demirkol was unable to attend graduation as he was in his native Turkey, where he anticipates acceptance into Bosphorus and Istanbul Technical University, his country’s top university. He delivered his valedictory address to his classmates and the audience of approximately 100 via Skype.
“I’m very proud of my four years at Putnam Science Academy. It’s provided me with a great academic foundation and allowed me to grow in so many ways. College is only three months away and I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my life. I wish I could be in Putnam to celebrate with you,” said Demirkol from Istanbul.
“I will never forget you guys. I hope to see one of my teammates lifting the NCAA Championship trophy someday. I am sure there is a successful path on your way if you keep working hard,” he concluded.
The ceremony, which was organized by Assistant Headmaster Owen Quantick, opened with the singing of the National Anthem by Putnam native Maurice “Moe” Coderre. The welcoming address was presented by Ronald P. Coderre, an advisor to the administration.
“Remember, whether you realize it or not, you are models to others who are watching you and how you conduct yourselves. As you move on in life give back to society rather than thinking what the world can provide for you,” said Coderre.
The graduation featured a brief film produced by graduating student Saul Phiri, highlighting the students’ year at Putnam Science Academy. Phiri recently accepted a scholarship to play basketball at LaSalle University in Philadelphia.
The graduates participated in the traditional mortar board toss prior to the ceremonial graduation exit procession. The graduates, faculty and staff and parents and friends joined in a celebratory cookout following the graduation ceremony.