By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Jenn DeLeon of Victoria Station. She’s the friendly individual behind the counter always ready to assist a customer who’s standing in line. In her spare time, when not making lattes or other specialties, she’s busy as a cheerleading coach in the Killingly Youth Football program.
Throughout the long high school season Woodstock Academy high flying hockey forward Ryan Black has been the backbone of the success of the Centaur icemen. Black, who is a prolific scorer, has the knack of finding the back of the net or as some sports commentators say can “put the biscuit in the basket.”
Black was recently rewarded for his fine play this season by being named a First Team Division III All State selection by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. Black was the Division III leading scorer with 96 points on 55 goals and 41 assists. His 55 goals were the most in the Division. He led the team to a sparkling 19-5 record and a 7-1 log in the league.
Under coach Mike Starr, the Acads made it all the way to the Division III semifinals before falling 6-5 in overtime to Staples/Weston/Shelton. In that game, Black was immense with a second period “hat trick” to go along with an assist. The speedy and shifty junior also recorded a “hat trick” in a quarter final victory over Housatonic-Northwestern.
In the history of the Woodstock Academy hockey program, which has been playing at the varsity level for only three seasons, Black is the first player to be named an All State honoree. He was the lone Centaur to receive any Division III recognition.
In the Final Boys Hockey Ratings published by the Hartford Courant the Centaurs were left out of the Top 10. The Top 10 was composed of all schools from Division I with the exception Fairfield Warde and Ludlow, which was the only Division II team to make the listing all year.
In closing out its successful season, Woodstock Academy proved it could play hockey on a very competitive level. Reaching the Division III semifinals with a team composed primarily of underclassmen the Centaurs are poised to make noise in the Division again next season.
Army Buddies Reunited…
A recent visitor to Putnam was former North Grosvenordale resident George Dargati who currently lives in Tolland. Dargati was in town visiting and dining with his former Army buddy and Putnam resident Bob Guillot.
Dargati and Guillot were members of “B” Company, 4th Battalion, 8th Army, serving shortly after the end of the Korean conflict. The pair served together in Germany. While at lunch they shared numerous memories of their time in the military and mission they were on in Spain and other countries in Europe. In the Army Dargati was often deployed on temporary duty as a member of the 8th Army basketball and baseball teams, where he competed with and against many players who later played professionally.
Dargati is a member of the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame – Class of 2010. He was a 1950 All State basketball player and a member of the Tigers 1949 and 1950 championship hoop teams coached by the late Jim Canty. He’s a member of the school’s 1000-point club. Following high school he played one season at UConn and three years at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he’s a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2009 he was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
Guillot, who for many years was the owner of one of Putnam’s most successful businesses, Bob’s Upholstery, is currently retired. He is a “gentleman farmer” who raises championship registered Black Angus cows on his ponderosa on Hawkins Road in Putnam.
Local Officials Cited
For Outstanding Service…
Two local high school sports officials were recently cited for their longtime meritorious service to schoolboy sports. Peter Gerardi of Killingly was honored on Saturday, March 19 for his service to basketball and Gordie Mauer was recognized the following day for his service to football.
Gerardi, who was a longtime member of the Eastern Board #8 Basketball Officials, was cited for his more than 35 years officiating basketball. He currently serves as the commissioner of the newly created Board #35 Basketball Officials, serving Windham County. He was honored by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Committee (CIAC) prior to the recent boys and girls basketball championship games.
Mauer was inducted into the Connecticut Football Officials Association (CFOA) Hall of Fame in a ceremony in New Haven.
Plainfield Grad Reaches
Milestone…
After only five years of coaching baseball at Mitchell College in New London, Plainfield High School graduate Travis Beausoleil reached the 100-victory plateau in a game on Sunday, March 27. Beausoleil, who took over a floundering Mariners baseball program, has turned the school’s baseball team into one of the best not only in the Region but in the nation.
In picking up win Number 100, Beausoleil’s charges came from behind to post a 7-5 victory over cross-town rival Coast Guard Academy. The win boosted Mitchell’s early season record to 11-2. Last season Beausoleil and Mitchell posted a school record 32 victories and captured their second consecutive New England Collegiate Conference title. The Mariners also advanced to the NCAA Division III Regional for the second year in a row.
Beausoleil played his high school baseball under the legendary John Schiffner at Plainfield High School. He also played for another coaching legend, Roger Bidwell at Avery Point before closing out his college career at North Carolina Wesleyan College. At Avery Point he was named the New England Region 21 Player of the Year in 2007.
Florida Softball Update…
Pomfret resident John Smutnick, who is over 65 years old, continues to dominate Florida softball circuits. Playing for the Collier Classics, Smutnick led his mates to the championship of the Florida Half Century Softball Tournament 65 Division, which was held in Lakeland, Fla. He batted .875 and had four huge home runs for the winners.
Smutnick is continuing his softball tour where he’s playing for a National Tournament 65 Division team and also doubling up playing in another tourney “with the kids” in the Florida Half Century 50 Division.
Biking For Daily Bread…
Later this year Putnam’s Charlie Leach will fulfill a lifelong dream when he bicycles across America. When he starts pedaling, Leach will do it to benefit IHSP Daily Bread in Putnam. In order to make a substantial donation to his cause, Leach must raise at least $15,000. Currently he’s raised more than $6,500.
In order to add to his total, Leach is inviting his friends and anyone who wants to help his cause to join him at the Ninety Nine Restaurant in the Killingly Commons in Dayville in “Dining For A Cause.”
On Monday, April 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. anyone coming in with a voucher will have 15 percent of their guest check donated to IHSP Daily Bread in Leach’s name. Vouchers may be secured by contacting Leach at 860.821.8260.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Be modest – a lot was accomplished before you were born.
(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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TriTown American Legion
looking for coaches
In preparation for the upcoming American Legion Baseball season, TriTown American Legion is urging anyone interested in being considered for a staff coaching position for 2016 to contact the following individuals:
Ronald P. Coderre – TriTown Executive Committee Chairman
Joseph Lindley – TriTown Executive Committee Secretary
Prior coaching experience on high school level preferred but not required. Positions available on the Sr. and Jr. American Legion staff.
Little League
preparing for 65th
Opening Day
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
On Saturday, April 16 the Putnam Little League, under the direction of President Kyle Aldrich, will hold opening day ceremonies for the 65th time in the history of the program. Opening Day will have some similarities and many differences from the original day that took place on Father’s Day 1951.
In 1951 when the program was formed thanks to community leaders, the Little League boasted four teams and four minor league teams all composed of boys ages nine through 12. The day commenced with a parade through the pre-1955 Flood streets of Putnam, where hundreds of citizens lined the streets to cheer on their favorite teams.
The players, on teams then-named Red Sox, Braves, Yankees and Giants marched to the original Little League field that was on Providence Street approximately in the vicinity of right field on the softball field currently at Owen Tarr Field. The field on that day had an outfield fence, which was a snow fence that was rolled out and rolled in each season by the volunteer leaders of the program.
On that day, according to the archives of the former Putnam Patriot, the field, basked in sunshine perfect for baseball, was surrounded by more than 800 spectators.
Opening Day 2016 will once again feature a parade. The players, boys and girls, different than the all-male league in 1951, will gather at Rotary Park and march to the Little League field at Murphy Park. (Note – Rotary Park was created after the Flood of 1955. Houses occupied the Rotary Park space in 1955. The Murphy Park Little League complex came into existence in either 1953 or 1954.)
This year’s parade will include the 187 youngsters, boys and girls, participating on 20 teams ranging from T-ball (ages 4 to 6) through Senior League players (ages 14-16). They will be escorted by Putnam’s finest, the Police and Fire Departments, league officials and the mascots of the Norwich Tigers and the Hartford Yard Goats.
A brief speaking program and Opening Day ceremony is planned upon arrival at “Billo” Freniere Little League Field at Murphy Park. The National Anthem will be sung by Putnam resident Kiera Fontaine. Ronald P. Coderre, one of the original Little Leaguers from 1951, will speak and the first pitch will be thrown out by the mascots. A special attraction will be the arrival of the American flag flown in by a sky diver from Danielson Skydive.
“We have a great group of individuals working with the league and players this season. We’re all anxiously looking forward to getting the season off on a high note. Baseball has always been special in Putnam and we want to continue to grow the tradition,” said Aldrich.
Aldrich has lined up a group of enthusiastic people to assist with the Little League this season. Kevin House is the vice president; Sean Dempsey, player agent; Julie Carita, treasurer; Kristine Renege, secretary; Tim Reidy, vice president of T-ball and minor league; Randy Johnson, umpire-in-chief; and Sarah Aldrich, concessions director.
“Our directors and staff have been working hard all winter to make this Opening Day exciting. We want our players to enjoy the Little League experience. I hope that the community will turn out to recognize and honor the players and coaches,” said President Aldrich.
The Putnam Little League is the oldest continuously operating Little League in northeastern Connecticut.
Wayne Everest Correa
PUTNAM — Wayne Everest Correa, 65, of Putnam, died March 1, 2016, at Rhode Island Hospital.
Wayne was born in Fall River, Mass., and other than living in Hendersonville, N.C., for a brief 2 ½ years as a child, he spent all of his life in Putnam. He attended Saint Mary’s Catholic School and Putnam High School. He graduated from Eastern Connecticut State College with a bachelor degree in history and there got his certification to teach. He shared his passion of history over the years teaching at Putnam High School, Putnam Middle School, and Putnam Science Academy. He also worked at Windham Area Community Action Program, Belding Corticelli, and US Button Company in his earlier years and most recently, at Walmart.
Wayne was a good friend to so many in the town of Putnam and touched many lives in his own quiet way. He spent the better part of his life volunteering countless hours coaching baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, Little League and senior league. He was also an avid stamp collector.
He leaves his parents, Everest and Pauline Correa of Hendersonville; siblings, Brian Correa of Stillwater, Okla., Nancy Correa of Boone, N.C., and Laurie Elliott (John) of Hendersonville; six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Mark Alan Correa.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. April 10 at Connecticut National Golf Club on Chase Road, Putnam.
Leo Beausoleil,
Korean war vet
DANIELSON — Leo Beausoleil, 83, of Danielson died, peacefully on Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016, following a brief illness. Born Dec. 19, 1932, in Boston, son of the late Israel and Lydia (Lavoie) Beausoleil. He was predeceased last year by his wife, of 59 years, Barbara (Delliber) Beausoleil.
He attended St. James School in Danielson and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Munich, Germany, from September 1950 to July 1952. He was awarded the Army Overseas Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and German Occupation Medal.
Leo worked for many years at Glass Containers Corp. in Dayville and Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard. He loved the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots, eating seafood, corn on the cob and sitting in his rocking chair on the front porch with his little dog Princess.
He leaves six children Garry Beausoleil of Danielson, Donna Giebultowski of Brooklyn, Raymond Beausoleil of Danielson, Michelle Dudley-Downing of Danielson, Lori Civilinski of N. Attleboro, Mass., and Kim Nahas of Pawcatuck; two brothers Aimee of Brooklyn and Roger of Wauregan; 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Leo was predeceased by his brothers Joseph, Armand and Henry.
The Mass of Christian Burial was March 29 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial with military honors at Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations: St. James School, 120 Water St., Danielson, CT. 06239, which all six of his children attended. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Charles J. Sanga,
WWII vet
EASTFORD — Charles J. Sanga, 92, of Eastford, died Monday, March 21, 2016, at home. He was the husband of Grayce (Jobes) Sanga. They were married March 28, 1948.
He was born Jan. 7, 1924, in Hackensack, N.J., son of the late Charles and Anna (Trepal) Sanga.
Charles served as a Connecticut State trooper for 21 years, retiring in 1974. After retiring he took a position as an Investigator with Connecticut National Bank for 12 years.
Charles was a veteran of WWII serving with the U.S. Army as a private in the 13th Airborne Division as a paratrooper. He was an active member of the Eastford Congregational Church for many years, a member of the American Legion Post #203 Eastford.
Charles was the chairman of the annual Town of Eastford Memorial Day Parade for many years, retiring in 2000. He had a great love for the outdoors, hiking, walking and working in his yard. He built his family’s summer cottage in Charlestown, R.I., which he enjoyed for many years with his “Beach Family.”
He leaves his wife Grayce of 68 year; his children and their spouses, Charles and Kathleen Sanga, Ron and Martha Sanga, Janice and Walter Bradley, Jody and Patricia Sanga, Theresa and Dave Reynolds; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother and sister.
The Funeral was march 25 at the Eastford Congregational Church with burial in Grove Cemetery, Eastford, with military honors. Donations: Eastford Congregational Church; or The Eastford Independent Fire Company, PO 333, Eastford, CT 06242. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Joseph F. Toolen,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Joseph F. Toolen, 94, of Putnam, died Feb. 14, 2016, at the Westview Health Care, Dayville. He was born Jan. 28, 1922, son of the late Thomas A. and Deborah (Lynch) Toolen.
Joe was a longtime communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation and a lifelong resident of Putnam. He was a WWII veteran serving in the Army Air Force as a radio operator and a gunner on a B24.
He was a graduate of Putnam High School and Putnam Trade School. Joe was employed for more than 25 years as a machine operator at Winterburn Manufacturing Company in Putnam. He was a life member of the Putnam Lodge of Elks #574.
He was the last of his family, predeceased by his siblings, Thomas, Mary and Anna.
A Graveside Service will be at 11 a.m. March 30 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam with military honors. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Cynthia A. Field
DAYVILLE — Cynthia A. Field, 71, of Dayville, died March 19, 2016, at Mass General Hospital in Boston. She was the wife of Thomas Field. They were married on May 25, 1963, and spent 47 happy years together until his death in September 2011.
Born June 8, 1944, in Scituate, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mildred (Payne) Hume.
Cynthia graduated from Scituate High School in 1962. She earned an associate’s degree from QVCC and began working in the special education department at Killingly Central School where she worked for 10 years.
In 1988 Cyndy and Tom open the Chestnut Hill Herb Farm and were best known for their pepper jam and herbal flea collars. She and Tom enjoyed traveling to Cape May, N.J., and looked forward to their annual trip there in May to celebrate their anniversary. Her hobbies included cooking, gardening and knitting. She was the world’s greatest cook and could have fed and army with all that she made. She enjoyed knitting hats and mittens for local shelters, chemo caps for the oncology department at DKH and lap robes for the residents at Saint Antoine Residence.
She leaves her son Brian Field (Deb); daughter Jennifer (Field) Staton (Chris); grandchildren Brandon, Kaylee, Alyssa, Abigail, Luis and William; sisters Mignon Reece, Diane Hume and Wendy Setters; faithful companions, Lucy, Dolly and Molly. She was predeceased by her brother Jerome Hume.
Services were private. Donations: American Heart Association, P.O. 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Jean Charron
QUINEBAUG — Jean M. Charron, 89, formerly of Quinebaug, died March 22, 2016, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was the wife of the late Richard F. Charron. They were married Oct. 11, 1973. He died in 2015.
She was born in Putnam, April 5, 1926, daughter of late Isadore and Mina (Bazinet) DuBois.
She had worked many years at American Optical in Putnam and Southbridge, a communicant of St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale. She had made her home in Quinebaug most of her life.
She leaves her children Beverly Houle (Lawrence Jr.) of N. Grosvenordale; Richard Charron Jr. (Annette) of Scotland, David Charron (Lisa) of N. Grosvenordale; Cathy Marcoux (Michael) of Putnam, Patricia Charron of Southbridge; her sister Fabiola Cutler of Putnam; grandchildren Nicole Houle-Kalina (Jonathan), Criss; Karen, Nicholas, Jessica, Andrew. She was predeceased by her daughter Holly Beaudoin in 2015.
A Mass of Christian Burial was March 29 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Nicholas Mayo
PUTNAM — Nicholas “Nick” Nolan Mayo, 28, of School Street, Putnam, died unexpectedly March 21, 2016, in Putnam.
He was born Nov. 22, 1987, in Putnam, son of Sherry and stepfather Gordon Mayo and his father Todd Nolan Mayo.
He was a graduate of Killingly High School and had made his home in the Putnam and Killingly area.
He leaves in addition to his mother Sherry, stepfather Gordon and his father Todd, his daughter Brooke Mayo, age 4; siblings Chris, Rebecca, Gordon Jr., Jeffrey, Todd Jr., Jessica, Beth; grandmother Alma Mayo; uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation was March 26 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial at a later date in Abington Cemetery. Donations: to the benefit of his daughter Brooke Mayo, c/o Gordon Mayo, 85 Robertson Ave., Danielson, CT 06239.
Brian J. Tanny
WOONSOCKET — Brian J. Tanny, 58, of South Main St., died March 24, 2016, in Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester. He was the husband of the late Deborah Ann (Tulba) Tanny. Born in 1957 in Lowell, Mass., he was the son of Mary Lou (Leonard) Malencik of Nashua, N.H. and stepson to the late Raymond S. Malencik. Mr. Tanny was a self-employed Certified Public Accountant. He was very involved in Sacred Heart Parish. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #113 as a 3rd degree Knight and the Bellingham Lions. He was also a member of the A.I.C.P.A. and the Mass Society of C.P.A.’s. He enjoyed playing golf, gardening, woodworking, traveling, and working in his yard.
In addition to his mother, Brian he leaves his sister, Lou Anne Brady (Mark) of Tyngsborough, Mass.; nieces and nephews, Kyle Brady (Ashley), Matthew Brady, Lauren Brady, Philip Brady and Erin Brady. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Jay Tanny.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. April 2, in Sacred Heart Church, 415 Olo St., Woonsocket. Burial will be private. Donations: Sacred Heart Church, 415 Olo St., Woonsocket, RI, 02895. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
David Provencal
DANIELSON — David Provencal, 60, of Danielson, died March 21, 2016, from complications of pneumonia. He was born Aug. 28, 1955, in Putnam, son of the late Gilbert and Gabrielle (Trahan) Provencal.
David worked for many years at Sheltered Workshops in Windham County, including School Street Workshop, The Dempsey Center Flower Shop, Monas Café and Seabird. He was a very social being and enjoyed being part of his work team. David has a way about him that touched everyone. He was both kind and gentle. He was a man of few words, but could make people smile with just one.
He leaves his sister Rita DiMaio of N. Providence; a sister-in-law Janet Provencal of Sanbornville, N.H.; a brother-in-law Robert Hand of Sturbridge; nieces and nephews, and his special friend Carol. He was predeceased by his parents Gilbert and Gabrielle Provencal, brothers Gerald, Richard, and sister Doris Hand.
The funeral was private. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Bernice Moulton
DUDLEY — Bernice Lillian (Young) Moulton, 99, formerly of Dudley, died March 21, 2016, in Palm Bay, Fla.
She was born June 26, 1916, in Anson, Maine, one of Eugene and Cora Young’s seven children. She graduated from Anson Academy and had numerous occupations before marrying Fayette T. Moulton on Aug. 23, 1945. He died in 2005.
She leaves include a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly Moulton Prescott and Sam Prescott of Townsend, Tenn.; a daughter and her partner, Donna Moulton and Steve Slaff of Tucson, Ariz.; a son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Fay Moulton of Sebastian Fla., (formerly of Pomfret).
A graveside service and interment of Mr. and Mrs. Moulton’s ashes will be held at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Webster. Bartel Funeral Home, Dudley.
Bradley Beeler Service
POMFRET CENTER — Bradley J. Beeler, 70, died Feb. 12, 2016. Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. April 2, 2016, in South Cemetery, Pomfret with full military honors. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
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