By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Pomfret resident and former Putnam Clipper linebacker Gerry Clark.  Now retired and spending winters in Florida, Clark is proud of his three career holes-in-one.  A great raconteur and bon vivant he’s always good for a story from the “remember when” days.

Mamadou Diarra, the Putnam Science Academy basketball big man who is headed to UConn in September of 2016, was recently named captain of the 2015-2016 edition of the Mustangs.  He is only the third player in the illustrious history of the Putnam Science Academy basketball program, which dates back to 2006, to assume this role.

The only other individuals to have held this prestigious title were Halid Gul and Enes Ulukaya, who were co-captains of the 2008-2009 team.  The program then in its infancy finished the season with a 14-6 record.

In naming Diarra captain, coach Tom Espinosa said, “I just don’t give out captain awards.  A captain must be someone I believe in, trust and want to go to battle with on the court.”

“Mamadou has been an outstanding figure for our team and also for our school.  He’s been an upstanding citizen of our community in representing us in a respectful manner.  He’ll be a credit to our school when he gets to Storrs and is a UConn Husky,” said Espinosa.

The 6-foot, 8-inch Diarra, who hails from Queens, N.Y., returns to the Maple Street campus for his third season.  During his first two seasons as a Mustang he’s appeared in 49 games, posting outstanding numbers.  He’s scored 405 points, tying him with current Norfolk State University player Jordan Butler in 13th place on the PSA all-time scoring list.  He’s corralled 315 rebounds and blocked 85 shots.

At his current pace Diarra should surpass Orhan Sultanov for the most games played in Mustangs history.  Sultanov, the current leader played in 65 games during his time at the school.  He could also pass Rundell Mauge, the school’s all-time rebound leader, who posted 408 caroms during his career at the school.

Last season Putnam Science Academy, thanks in part to the play of Diarra, was invited to the National Prep School Championships, which were held at Albertus Magnus College, for the second consecutive year.  Diarra and the Mustangs are striving to repeat that journey again this season.

Becher Watch

Emily Becher, the former Woodstock Academy women’s soccer standout, continues to shine on the pitch for the Eastern Connecticut State University Lady Warriors.  In a recent 1-0 victory over Connecticut College, the sophomore standout tallied the only goal in the game on a header, assisted by Hailey Lehning and Kaley Pratt.  It was Becher’s sixth goal of the season.  She leads the 6-2-1 ECSU team in scoring.

Visitor From Taipei, Taiwan

On Tuesday, September 29 the Putnam Rotary Club enjoyed the presence of a visitor who is in northeastern Connecticut all the way from Taipei, Taiwan.  Leo Wong is in the U.S. as part of Rotary International’s Student Exchange program.

Wong is currently  attending classes at Woodstock Academy while he lives with his host family parents, Marc and Mary Archambault of Pomfret.  In addressing the Rotary Club, Wong noted that he had attended a Boston Red Sox game and had the opportunity to tour Boston.  He also stated that his favorite sport is basketball and he spends his free time playing the video game NBA.  His favorite class at the Academy is gym and he thinks highly of the Academy’s Head-of-School Christopher Sanford. 

Local Golfers Shine 

in Commonwealth Coast Conference

A pair of local golfers, competing at different colleges, is playing well in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.  The CCC is an NCAA Division III conference.

Senior Alec Foucault, a Putnam High School graduate, fired a seven over par 77 to help Wentworth Institute of Technology finish fourth in the Nighthawk Invitational.  The invitational, played at the William J. Devine Golf Course at Boston’s Franklin Park, was hosted by Newbury College.  The Leopards, paced by Foucault, recorded a team score of 318 behind the Tufts Jumbos who won the title with a score of 287.  Foucault finished in a tie for 14th in the field of 56 golfers.

In Springfield, former Woodstock Academy golfer Paul Butkevich playing for University of New England fired an eight over par 146 in the Husson Invitational.  Butkevich, a senior for the Nor’easters finished third overall in the individual competition.  UNE finished third in the team competition.  Butkevich was named Commonwealth Coast Conference golfer of the week for his effort.  This was the second time during the fall season that he’s earned golfer of the week honors.

Old Cape Cod

Can you imagine trying to get 12 adult golfers coordinated for a three-day golf excursion to Cape Cod?  After witnessing the attempt put together by organizers Nelson “Buzz” King and Pete Gaudette I’ve come to the conclusion it would be easier to organize a group of kindergarten students for a trip to Disneyland.

Thanks to Gaudette’s planning, the accommodations and golf courses were outstanding.  The entire dozen arrived safely and slept comfortably at the Irish Village in South Yarmouth.  Despite traveling in five different automobiles they also managed to get to Bass River, The Captain’s Golf Course and Dennis Pines and squeeze in 72-holes of golf.

Along for the trip was the late Roger Dion, who arrived on the Cape solo, and six holes late for the first round at Bass River.  Also on hand was Killingly High School Athletic Director Gene Blain, who had to leave early to make it back to Danielson for the Killingly versus Waterford football game.

The two elder citizens of the group Bud Kettle and Elmer Norton also vied diligently for the title of “class clown.”  Just behind the duo was Plainfield’s Henry Bennett who is still attempting to figure out what the acronym TMZ stands for.  The player with probably the highest handicap of the group, Kenny Mapp, amazed with his putting skills.  His acumen on the green was the talk of the three-day sojourn.

The three “A” men in the group, Cliff Aubin, Roger Beaudet and Fran Baranski are still scratching their collective heads wondering why they didn’t make more money at the end of each round.

After taking a few Valium for depression Gaudette and King for anxiety, the 12th man of the group, yours truly, is still amazed how everyone made it back in one piece.  Totaling up the winnings after each match and divvying up the bill after each meal was enough to give one a severe case of heartburn.  Thankfully Cape Cod is a relaxing environment.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: The worst sin of all is to be joyless.

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

 

..

 

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

The local high schools and prep schools were involved in only four games this week but squeezing in the contest amidst the rain and forecasts of a hurricane possibly approaching Southern New England kept those who saw action playing a guessing game.

Two of the high school teams enjoyed a bye week in the schedule.  Woodstock Academy, winless on the season probably enjoyed the break in the action.  It gave the Centaurs an opportunity to heal some injury wounds and regroup.

Killingly, coming off a big win over Waterford, used the time to prepare for the remainder of its rugged schedule.  The Redmen don’t have any patsies in their final seven games.

On Saturday Killingly is at undefeated Bacon Academy for a noon encounter with the Bobcats.  Woodstock has the unenviable task of entertaining the Windham Whippets who come to Woodstock sporting a perfect 4-0 record.

In action that was played, the Quinebaug Valley Pride traveled to Meriden and got back on the winning track with 22-6 victory over Wilcox Tech.  Plainfield playing in soggy conditions lost a home game to Windham 12-2 in a score that resembled baseball more than football.

The Hyde-Woodstock Wolfpack, playing only its second game of the season looks like they’re for real again this year.  The Sean Saucier-coached team won for the second week by an identical score of 40-7, this time the Holderness School was the victim.  Pomfret School, struggling to find a winning combination, lost for the second time in a row.  The Golden Griffins were beaten by Tabor Academy at home 33-14.

Pride Combines Air and Ground 

Attack in Win

The Quinebaug Valley Pride scored in every quarter as they as they picked up a 22-6 road win over Constitution State Conference opponent Wilcox Tech.  The pride got on the board in the first quarter when quarterback Chuckin’ Charlie Innes hit Saige Louis for a 64-yard pass-run play that set the tone for the evening.  Louis had three catches for 82 yards, while Kyle Loomis had one reception for 30 yards.

Innes enjoyed a good night hitting on 4-of-12 attempts in the air for 112 yards.  On the ground the game belonged to Jeremee “Buddha” Perez and Sebastian Ruiz.  Perez rushed for 116 yards on 18 carries.  He posted a four-yard touchdown run in the final quarter to go along with a 27-yard second period field goal and a point-after kick.  Ruiz toted the pigskin 13 times for 126 yards.  He enjoyed an electrifying 75-yard touchdown scamper in the third stanza.

The Pride defense was spearheaded by Jacob Anderson who had a key fumble recovery and a pass interception for the 3-1 Pride, who host CSC foe Cheney Tech on Friday in a 6:30 p.m. meeting under the arcs at the St. Marie-Greenhalgh Sports Complex in Putnam.

Plainfield Falls to 2-2

Windham fullback Seiji Arzuaga was too much to handle for Plainfield as the Panthers fell 12-2 to the Whippets in a game played under sloppy conditions.  Arzuaga, a rugged fullback built like a fire plug, was solid on the ground, racking up 185 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown.

The Panthers scored on a first period safety when Windham snapped the ball over the head of its punter and through the end zone.

The Panthers enjoy a bye week before resuming action on Friday, October 16.

Wolfpack on Offensive Rampage

Hyde-Woodstock’s Jordan Burney continued his offensive assault on opponents as he led the Wolfpack to a 40-7 victory over the Holderness School in a game played in Woodstock.  Burney amassed 203 yards on 21 carries and accounted for three of his team’s six touchdowns.

Burney opened the scoring in the first period with a 50-yard touchdown run.  He also opened the scoring in the second half with a 23-yard TD run and closed out his day in the final stanza with a seven-yard score.

The Wolfpack also had offensive touchdowns from Marcellius Piper (1-yard run) and Teddy St. Louis, who hooked up with quarterback Reese Norton on a 67-yard pass run touchdown in the third period.  

Daylon Wiggins was once again the defensive standout for Hyde-Woodstock.  He had a pair of interceptions, running one back 20 yards for a touchdown.  The victory gets the Wolfpack off to a 2-0 start after outscoring their opponents 80-14.

Pomfret Remains in Search of First Win

Pomfret School took a 14-13 lead to the locker room at intermission against visiting Tabor Academy but couldn’t sustain the momentum in the second half.  The Griffins lost for the second week in a row, falling 33-14 to the visitors.

The Griffs got first half scoring from Chris Rovero and Papa Sekeyre.  Rovero, who had 31 yards on 11 carries, tallied on a 44-yard punt return to start the second quarter.  Sekeyere, Pomfret’s leading rusher with 112 yards on 31 carries, scored prior to intermission on a 10-yard run.

 

Joseph N. Chattelle,

Army vet

WOODSTOCK — Joseph Normand Chattelle, 82, of Woodstock, went to join his wife Oct. 2, 2015.

He was the husband of Virginia (Larsen) Chattelle. She died March 8, 2006. 

He was born Feb. 23, 1933, in Plainfield, son of the Armand and Antoinette Moreau. 

He worked as a machine operator at General Cable. He made his home in Woodstock all of his life, was a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret, active with Boy Scout Troop 27, the Connecticut River Council for 40 years. He was also active with Cub Scouts and was a former baseball coach. He enjoyed farming and woodworking. Joseph was a missionary to Peru for five years. 

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. and was a member of the American Legion.

He leaves seven children, Toni Richie (Dennis) of Brooklyn, Loretta Chattelle (Gordon Hardy) of Greenfield, Mass.; David Chattelle (Cathy) of Terryville, Joanne Eichner (Steven) of Columbia, Michael Chattelle (Rosemary) of Woodstock, Barbara Kelleher (Jeffery) of Woodstock Valley, Thomas Chattelle of Vernon; two brothers Donald and Dennis and other siblings; grandchildren Brian, Kathleen, Jessica, Aiden, Christopher, Sarah, Jessica, Allison, Emma, Keegan, Mathieu, Samual; great-grandchildren, Julia, Jenny, Jared, Jacob, Macy; a dear friend and neighbor, Howard Edwards; pets Meow Meow and Honey. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Virginia. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 5 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in Elmvale Cemetery with military honors. Donations: Friends of Webster, c/o 72 Pink Row, Uncasville, CT 06382; or Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith and Walker Funeral Home 148, Grove St., Putnam.

 

Jean L. Fairfield

WOODSTOCK — Jean L. Fairfield, 85, of Woodstock, died Sept. 29, 2015, at Davis Place in Killingly. She was born Nov. 5, 1929, in Brockton, Mass., daughter of the late Robert and Jenny (Barrett) Lomasney. She was married to David W. Fairfield Sr. in 1954. He died in 1983. She was the mother of James A. Fairfield, he died in 2007 and David W. Fairfield Jr., he died in 2010.

Jean graduated from Boston University and Boston Teachers College M. ED. She taught in Woodstock Public Schools for 33 years. She also taught in England on a Fullbright Program. 

She was a life time member of The First Congregational Church of Woodstock. Jean belonged to North Woodstock Library Board, ACLU, Woodstock Cemetery, Common Cause, Woman’s Board of Day Kimball Hospital, Woodstock Historical Society, Woodstock Home Makers, and Woodstock Garden Club. Jean was a great friend to all. 

She enjoyed flower shows, opera, theaters, playing bridge and spending days with her sister Eileen Peterson. She was very generous with her donations throughout her life.

She leaves her sister, Eileen Peterson of Dorchester, Mass.; her sister-in-law, Janice Lomasney of Texas; her brother-in-law, Al Mitchell of Arizona; her nephew, Robert Rull (Christine)  and their children Joseph Rull and Kevin Rull who were her caregivers of Massachusetts; her nieces Elizabeth Runkal of Massachusetts; caregiver and Jean Grande of Massachusetts. Jean was predeceased by her siblings Marion Raymond, Robert Lomasney, Barbra Wagner, Lois Perkins and David M. Lomasney.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 10 at The First Congregational Church of Woodstock on Rt. 169, with burial at Woodstock Hill Cemetery. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Lillian C. Gregoire

PUTNAM — Lillian (Bonneville) Gregoire, 97, of Underwood Rd., died Oct. 2, 2015, in the Westview Nursing Home.  She was the wife of Leodore Gregoire who died in 1982.  Born in 1918 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Eva (Rickey) Bonneville.

Mrs. Gregoire worked as an assembler for the American Optical Company in Southbridge.  She was an avid oil painter and was a life member of the American Legion Woman’s Auxiliary.  

She leaves her son, Francis Gregoire (Susan) of Putnam; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her son, Paul Gregoire.  

The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 6 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam with burial in St. Mary Cemetery.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Joseph G.  Messier

PUTNAM — Joseph G. Messier, 51, of Putnam, died unexpectedly Sept. 29, 2015, in Putnam. He was born on March 27, 1963, in Putnam, son of Gerard and Barbara (Heath) Messier Sr. 

He spent the last several years taking care of his parents. He worked for Sanitary Dash in N. Grosvenordale for many years until their closing. Joseph loved to draw and made handmade cards for family members every year. He also loved to watch wrestling.

He leaves his mother and father Gerard and Barbara Messier Sr.; sisters Valerie Schrump (Donald) of Putnam, Elizabeth Messier of Putnam, Cheryl Piligian (Robert) of Dayville; a brother Gerard Messier Jr. (Tammy Jean) of Putnam; a best friend of many years Heidi Champagne; nieces and nephews Catherine Hebert (Bert) of Dayville, Heather Charron (Michael) of Putnam, Timothy Carlson of Putnam, Justin Mayo (Angela) of Dayville, Jared Carlson (Sarah) of Thompson, Thomas Fletcher (Amber) of Putnam.

A Graveside Service was Oct. 3 in South Cemetery in Brooklyn. Donations: American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005; or American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., I-91 Tech Ctr, Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Edita Gomes Lume

DANIELSON — Edita Gomes Lume died Oct. 1, 2015, at the Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. She was the wife of the late John Gomes Lume. She was born Sept. 10, 1936, in Madeira, Portugal, daughter of the late Antonio and Maria Paula (Freitas) Pestana.

She worked at Belding Heminway in Putnam as a machine operator.  She grew up in Madeira and later moved to Danielson where she made her home. She was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson and loved cooking and bringing food to other people’s homes. She loved to dance. She was an accomplished seamstress.

She leaves her daughter Luanda Lume LeSage (Robert) of Brooklyn; her brother Albert “Chico” Pestana of Danielson; two grandchildren Colin and Caitlin; niece Maurila Charron (Matthew) of Brooklyn; her nephew Robert Freitas of Danielson and four great-nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Angela Pestana Freitas.  

The funeral will be at noon Oct. 10 from the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. at St. James Church, Franklin St., Danielson. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 9.

 

Gerard G. Bernier

WEBSTER/THOMPSON — Gerard G. Bernier, 92, died Sept. 26, 2015, at St. Vincent Hospital Worcester.  He was the husband of the late Wanda C. (Rydzewski) Bernier. 

He was born in Danielson son of the late Harry and Delia (Chabot) Bernier and lived in Thompson for the past 50 years and Webster for the past 12.  He was retired from Guardian Industries in Webster where he was a carpenter.  He was a member of the Windham County Sheriff’s Assoc. and was a constable in Killingly for 47 years.  His great enjoyment was his trips to Disney World.

He leaves two sons Gerard and Maria Bernier Jr. of N. Grosvenordale, Kenneth and Jean Bernier of Brimfield, Mass.; four daughters Madeline and Edward Golembiewski of Thompson, Mary and Charles Bates of Dudley, Tina Panczyk of Woodstock and Geraldine and Rocky Krasnecky of Putnam; a brother Richard Bernier of Putnam; 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Theresa Doyle, a sister Theresa Bernier and a brother, Conrad Bernier..

A Mass of Christian burial was Oct. 2 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, and burial with military honors parish cemetery. Donations: St. Joseph’s Church or the food pantry.  The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Betty Misak

LEBANON — Betty M. ( Kelly) Misak, 86, died Oct 1, 2015, at Vanderman Place in Willimantic.  She was the wife of the late James Misak.  

Betty was born in Willimantic. She loved playing Bingo, listening to music, singing, and Elvis Presley.   She persevered through many hardships but always found ways to enjoy life.  Her tenacity and resilience were ever evident. 

She leaves two sons, Jimmy Misak of Willimantic, Jeff Misak, (Joanne) of Putnam; a daughter Jamie Slotnick (Lew) of Burlington;  six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by a son, Jed Misak. 

A graveside service was Oct. 7 in St. Joseph Cemetery, N. Windham. Donations: McSweeney Regional Senior Center, 47 Crescent St, Willimantic, CT 06226. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Anthony Napierata,

WWII vet

WEBSTER — Anthony J. Napierata, 87, died Sept. 28, 2015, at the Lifecare Center of West Bridgewater.  He was the husband of Beatrice (Nelson) Napierata who died in 1996.  He was born in Webster, son of the late Henry and Antonina (Kasprizak) Napierata and lived here all his life.  He was a WWII Army veteran.  He was a shift foreman for more than 35 years for General Electric and he then worked for the Post Office for several years.  He enjoyed holidays. He was bowler and enjoyed pitch, and the casino. He was a member of the American Legion, PAV and the PNA. 

He leaves two daughters, Diane M. Gale of Bridgewater and Cynthia Napierata of Brockton, Mass.; a stepson Richard Boss or N. Grosvenordale; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by a stepson, Ronald Boss. 

The Funeral Mass was Oct. 1 in St. Joseph Basilica, Webster and burial with military honors by the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council, in parish cemetery.  Donations: Caring for Kids /Brockton Visiting Nurse Assoc. 500 Belmont St., Brockton, MA 02301.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Allen A.B. Theodores

WEBSTER — Allen Adam Bruce Theodores, 49, of Danielson, died  Sept. 21, 2015, after a period of declining health at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass. Allen was born Sept. 29, 1965 in, Webster, graduated from Bartlett High School and received his bachelor’s degree from Boston College. Raised in Webster he enjoyed living in California before returning to the local area . Bruce had a great eye for the fine arts and dealing in antiques he and Tony would do shows throughout New England and New York. He enjoyed fast cars and the finer things in life.

He leaves his dear friend, Tony Dibonaventura of Danielson; biological father Bruce Kelly of Orlando, Fla.; one sister: Jacqueline Theodores of S. Woodstock and her children Tyler  and Haley; aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his parents  Louis and Jacqueline (Westberg) Theodores.  

A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Oct. 8 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Webster. Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.

 

..