By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sports shoutout is sent along to Tom Harney.  A physical therapist who provides excellent care to his patients, Harney also finds time to assist with many community agencies helping those in need.  In his spare time, Harney enjoys hitting long drives on the inviting golf courses in our area.

Doug Cutler was a man who is best be described as flying under the radar.  Although his name was often in the news, primarily due to his position as Putnam town administrator, Cutler preferred to be that person doing good deeds with little if any publicity.

On Monday, October 3, as the word of his death gradually spread throughout northeastern Connecticut and beyond, the realization hit many that Cutler was definitely a man who deserved more recognition and credit for the many good deeds and assists that he provided to wide ranging organizations in our area.

I had the pleasure of working with Cutler on numerous occasions in the 18 years he served the Putnam community.  Most recently we collaborated on the remembrance program recognizing the 15th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001.  Together we worked and reworked the program until we felt it accurately was a representation of that tragic day.  Although I was out of the country on that day, Cutler in his quiet but efficient fashion, saw to it that the program ran smoothly and without a hitch. 

Cutler was also most supportive of any activity involving veterans.  Whether it was Memorial Day, Wreaths Across America or a special event involving veterans, it was a certainty that he would do all in his power to take care of all the details.  During these activities, he was primarily on the sidelines while others stood at the podium in the spotlight.

Involved in a public service career as a professional for 42 years, Cutler was very concerned about the youngsters who would become the future leaders of our community, state and country.  A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., Cutler saw to it that graduating students of the Woodstock Middle School were personally escorted to the nation’s capital.  It was with pride that he assured that the trip would be a memorable learning experience for each youngster.

The mention of the word pride, conjures thoughts of Putnam P.R.I.D.E. an organization that he nurtured from its onset until the time of his death.  Along with many involved citizens Cutler developed the program to the point where it became recognized regionally for its work in the prevention of addiction.  His name will be synonymous with P.R.I.D.E. for years to come.

Although not known as an athlete, Cutler enjoyed hiking and skiing but it was once again on the sidelines that he shined.  He coached Little League and soccer in his home community of Woodstock.  He was proud of his alma mater’s basketball program and supported it as well as the Chelsea Football club.  When his sons Tim and James played for the TriTown American Legion Baseball Program Cutler and his wife Charlene were avid supporters of the program.  His support stretched beyond the stands as he became the team’s photographer and served as a general manager.  His love of baseball also came out when he spoke of his beloved Boston Red Sox.

One of Cutler’s biggest community achievements was assisting the Steering Committee of the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center through the months and years of governmental red tape necessary to see the project to completion.  He shepherded the project through all the stumbling blocks until they became the stepping stones of the magnificent facility that sits off of Kennedy Drive.  This was another sign of his ability to navigate difficult situations with little fanfare and always on an even keel.

Among his more public positions, Cutler served as the first selectman of Woodstock and most recently as the president of the Woodstock Lions Club.  He was an invaluable assistant to Senator Lowell Weicker for more than a decade.

All of these deeds constitute the fabric that made Doug Cutler one of the most accomplished individuals to ever grace the communities of northeastern Connecticut.  From the date of his birth and death, 1952-2016, the dash between the numbers speaks volumes of the works in the life of public service that is Douglas Munro Cutler.

Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Hoop Action Heating up on Maple Street…

Next Up Recruiting, the service that keeps basketball junkies up to date on the prep schools through social media, recently released its preseason ranking for the upcoming 2016-2017 hoop season.

In the initial poll coach Tom Espinosa’s Putnam Science Academy Mustangs are ranked 3rd nationally.  The two schools ahead of PSA are #1 Hargrave Military Academy of Virginia and #2  Northfield Mount Hermon of Massachusetts.

Many of the teams in the Top Ten are familiar opponents of the Mustangs, teams they’ve played in the past and some who will be on the schedule this season.  Fourth and fifth places belong to teams from New Hampshire.   Brewster Academy is fourth and New Hampton School is fifth.  Vermont Academy, St. Thomas More of Oakdale, South Kent, IMG Academy of Florida and Massachusetts Military Academy comprise the teams ranked six through ten.

If the Mustangs are to maintain their ranking they’ll have to get strong performances from the likes of Hamidou Diallo, Jaheam Cornwall and Eric Ayala as well as many of the newcomers who are currently on the Maple Street campus.

Local fans will have an opportunity to preview the 2016-2017-edition of the Mustangs on Saturday, November 5 at 6 p.m. in the PSA bandbox gym.  The team will hold its annual Mustang Madness and delight their faithful with a dunk contest, three-point shooting competition and a number of other specialty contests.  Kids in attendance will be eligible for giveaways, face painting and games with DJ Drew.  Mark the date for an exciting evening of basketball highlights.

Connecticut PGA Pro Championship…

The Connecticut Professional Golf Association conducted its Championship last week at Bull’s Bridge Golf Club in South Kent.  The par 72 layout measured 6,743 yards for the final day of play for the two-day event.

The northeastern Connecticut region was represented by former Killingly High School golfer Jantzen Vargas who plays out of Lake of Isles at Foxwood.  Vargas represented himself well firing a two-day total 73-75-148, nine strokes off the winning pace.  He finished seventh overall in the field of 45 professional golfers. 

Adam Rainaud of Black Hall Club, who’s been one of Connecticut’s hottest golfers this summer, captured the crown with a score of 139 on rounds of 69 and 70.  He beat second-place finisher Ian Marshall of Watertown by the comfortable margin of three strokes.

High School Gridiron Stats…

Most high school teams, with the exception of Plainfield and Woodstock Academy, enjoyed an off week from the gridiron last week.  After four games, quarterbacks Jared Bouten of Woodstock Academy and Kyle Derosier of Killingly have the most touchdown tosses.  Bouten has seven and Derosier six.

Bouten also has six rushing touchdowns as does his teammate runningback Kameron Janice.  Bret Long of Killingly is the area’s top receiver with three touchdowns by receiving.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Why is the third hand on the watch called the second hand?

(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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Doug Cutler,

Town administrator

WOODSTOCK — Douglas Munro Cutler, 64, of Old Hall Road, Woodstock, died Oct. 3, 2016. 

Doug was born Feb. 12, 1952, in Putnam, the son of Gloria L. and the late Donald Cutler Sr. He graduated from Woodstock Academy in 1970. He went on to earn a degree in political science at American University in Washington, D.C., where he also managed the basketball team. Upon graduation he launched a 42-year career in public service. He worked for Senator Lowell Weicker from 1971 to 1988, in both Washington, D.C. and Hartford, while volunteering on numerous town committees in his hometown of Woodstock. Doug was elected first selectman of Woodstock in 1989.  He served in the administration of Governor Weicker as the undersecretary for Intergovernmental Relations at the Office of Policy and Management for four years. Doug was the town manager in West Haven from 1995-1998 before accepting the position of town administrator for Putnam, where he served for 18 years.  

Doug was a member of the Woodstock Lions Club for more than 30 years, recently serving as president. He was also a member of the Trustees of Roseland Park.  He coached Little League baseball and NECONN soccer for many years. Doug has planned and guided the Woodstock Middle School 8th Grade Class Trip to Washington, D.C. for the past six years because he wanted each student to learn about the Nation’s capital and enjoy it as he did. Doug was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock.

An avid hiker and cross country skier, Doug explored the state parks and forests in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, often with the company of his sons or the family’s Labrador retriever. He supported the Chelsea Football Club, the American University Eagles basketball team, and he was passionate about the Boston Red Sox. He enjoyed traveling, reading, music, bagpipes, and time spent with family and friends. 

He leaves his wife of 24 years, Charlene; two sons Timothy and James; his mother, Gloria Cutler of Woodstock; siblings Donald Cutler Jr. of Windsor, Gail Carlisle of Clinton, and Brian Cutler of Dunstable, Mass.

A Memorial Service was Oct. 8 at the First Congregational Church of Woodstock. Donations: Roseland Park, P.O. Box 152, South Woodstock, CT 06267. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

 

Joyce T. Aicher

PROVIDENCE — Joyce Thompson Aicher died Sept. 28, 2016, in Providence after a brief illness. She was 87.

Joyce was born April 17, 1929, at home in Wyomissing, Penn., the youngest of Jesse and Eda Thompson’s three children. She fondly recalled her childhood, despite the Depression and the loss of her brother James in WWII. She attended Albright College in Reading, Penn., on scholarship, commuting across town by bus and trolley.

In 1950 Joyce married local boy Paul Aicher, a marriage ended only by Paul’s death 52 years later. Together they became active in social justice movements and began a life-long affiliation with the Unitarian church. Paul’s jobs took them to Northampton, Rochester, Chicago, back to Reading with their four children, then north to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In 1977, with the children out of the house, they moved to the country, settling at Topsfield in Pomfret. It was here that Joyce blossomed as a cook, decorator, and gardener, creating a lovely and welcoming home cherished by family and friends. Their annual Christmas party was a special treat, with guests invited to cut their own trees on the property after fortifying themselves at the punch bowl.

In addition to riding herd on her four children, Joyce was proud of her job history that began in high school, when she was cashier and receptionist. Particularly memorable for her were her college summers waitressing in Ocean City, N.J. Upon marriage but before kids, she was a payroll clerk at Carpenter Steel and taught at an Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County. While her children were in school she taught Spanish at Northeast Junior High in Reading. In Pomfret she started Thompson Antiques and volunteered at the town library and on the local board promoting affordable housing for the elderly.

Joyce had a quick wit and a laugh that could fill a Pennsylvania barn and that often kept her children awake when she gathered with old friends. She was a voracious reader, and all her homes had at least a portion of a room designated as the library. She loved to travel, hike, and ski, and often accompanied Paul on birding trips throughout the lower 48. The chief tragedy of her life was the loss of her youngest child Sarah in the Lockerbie bombing.

She leaves her daughter Kate Aicher Slawson of New Jersey; her son Peter Aicher of Maine; and grandchildren Nicholas, Sarah, Jesse, Toby, and Ben. Her son Mark survived her by five days. Husband Paul and daughter Sarah predeceased her, as did her sister Margaret Henry.

A Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at Redwood Chapel in Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd. in Providence.

 

Richard A. LaPointe

PASCOAG — Richard A. LaPointe, 73, died Oct. 8, 2016, at Bayberry Commons, Pascoag. Born in 1943 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Henry and Cecile (Alarie) LaPointe.

He graduated from Putnam High School and Eastern Connecticut State College, receiving a bachelor’s degree. As a draftsman for Fenton Keyes at Providence, he made a career change going to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, where he started as an orderly and advanced to the position of desk clerk, retiring after 34 years. A kind and compassionate person, he was always caring for others. He loved traveling, and his artistic hobbies included sculpture, painting and etching.

He leaves a brother, Gerald A LaPointe (Roberta) of Putnam; nephews Stephen LaPointe (Donna) of Pomfret, and John LaPointe of Putnam. He was predeceased by his nephew Michael LaPointe.

The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 12 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Bertha Rydzewski

PUTNAM — Bertha Delia (Smith) Basinet Rydzewski, 99, of Putnam died, Oct. 3, 2016, at Lanessa Extended Care in Webster. Born May 18, 1917, in Putnam, daughter of the late Herbert Newton and Delia Marie (Lacas) Smith. She was the paternal granddaughter to Lyman Spooner Smith and Josephine Ella (Pratt) Smith Bigwood and the maternal granddaughter to Sophranie Gauthier and Jean Babtiste Lacas. 

She was married in May of 1936 in Webster to Eugene A. Basinet. He died in 1962. Bertha then married Anthony Rydzewski in May 1973 in Webster.

She attended Putnam schools.  In the 1960s, she worked at Belding and a shoe shop in Webster. She lived her entire life in Putnam and Thompson until she moved to Lanessa a few years ago. 

She leaves her children Patricia A. Pelkey of Putnam, wife of the late Robert Pelkey; and Carolyn J. Rogers of Thompson, wife of the late Donald R. Rogers; six grandchildren; six great-grandsons and a great-great-granddaughter; nieces and extended family. She was predeceased by her siblings Raymond C. Smith, Dorothy (Harry) Bernabucci, Helen (David) Parent and Robert D. Smith; aunts and uncles, including her father’s older sister whom she was named after, Fanny Bertha Smith Stevens (Bertha was in her 90s when she learned the origin of her name, giving it a new, special meaning).

Bertha was the heart of her family, always hosting holiday dinners and family get-togethers. She had a love for the outdoors, her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. She loved working in her yard and maintaining her home. She was an animal lover, always having a companion dog or cat by her side.  She enjoyed nature, walking in the woods, or speed walking on her treadmill at home. She wasn’t afraid to try new things, going on ocean fishing charter boats, riding amusement park rides, repairing her own roof when she was in her 90s, chopping cords of wood, raising chickens, going to the ocean, playing baseball or purchasing her own moped to ride all over, when she was in her late 70s. She spent time listening to music, reading and watching classic TV.  Bertha had a fun, witty sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Later in life, she enjoyed genealogy and learning her family history, tracing back to the Mayflower and to many very prominent founding families of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

A Funeral Service was Oct. 8 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: P.A.W.S  cat and kitten rescue in Woodstock, CT  http://www.woodstockcats.org/Donate.html

 

Elizabeth Simmons

DAYVILLE — Elizabeth A. “Betsy” Simmons, 74, of Pineville Road, Dayville, died Oct. 2, 2016, after a battle with cancer. Betsy was the companion of William “Bill” O’Brien for 23 years.  

She was the second eldest of seven children born to Aloysius and Anna (Witkowski) Cierpich, both of whom predeceased her. 

Betsy was born Sept. 18, 1942, in Webster, and lived in Putnam for the majority of her life. She was a graduate of Bartlett High School, Webster, in June 1960.

Betsy had several occupations throughout her life, her most rewarding as a secretary for many years at Commerce, Insurance prior to her retirement.  Betsy loved to travel and did so often and was an avid supporter of many charitable endeavors.  She loved the arts and was particularly fond of attending plays and concerts with her family.  She was also a proactive parishioner of Our Lady of LaSalette Church in Brooklyn.

Betsy was predeceased by her son, William A. “Billy” Simmons. She leaves two sons, Roy J. Simmons (Kimberley) of Putnam and Robert J. Simmons (Patricia) of Roanoke, Texas; five grandchildren, Nicole (Simmons) Olson, Joelle Simmons, Geena Simmons, William “Will” Simmons, and Andrew Simmons; six siblings, Robert Cierpich, Maryann (Cierpich) Duncan, Anna (Cierpich) Bembenek, Sharon (Cierpich) Marchan, and Frederick Cierpich.

Per Betsy’s wishes there will be a Mass at Our Lady of LaSalette Church within the next few weeks. Sons Roy and Robert will provide family, friends, and loved ones of the date once it is finalized.  Additionally, a celebration of Betsy’s life will occur in late spring, 2017. Donations: Your favorite charitable organizations. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Joanne Benoit

N. GROSVENORDALE — Joanne E. (Daigle) Benoit, 67, died Oct. 9, 2016, at Davis Place in Killingly.  She was the wife of the late Ronald R. Benoit who died Jan. 15, 2016. 

She was born in Putnam, daughter of the late Armand and Elizabeth (Maloney) Daigle and lived in the area all her life.  She was formerly employed at the American Optical.

She leaves two sisters; nieces and nephews.  

Services were private. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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