By Ron P. Coderre
The enigma of Woodstock Academy sports programs has apparently reached its peak. The Centaurs, who excel in sports such as gymnastics and women’s golf, have had a difficult time competing in major sports such as football and baseball.
Listed as a member of the Large Division in the Eastern Connecticut Conference, Woodstock football and baseball have struggled causing administrators to wonder what direction they should take to make the teams competitive. Recent hirings appear to demonstrate that Woodstock means business as it attempts to shift the fortunes of their major sports.
Excitement Reigns as Murphy
Named Baseball Coach
The hiring of Brian Murphy as Woodstock Academy baseball coach has brought instant excitement to Centaur Nation and baseball season is a full eight months away. Murphy brings a strong baseball mentality and a wealth of experience to the position. There’s no doubt that he was a much sought after commodity as it was strongly rumored that Killingly High School was also in the chase for the former New York Yankees farmhand.
Murphy is a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School and Eastern Connecticut State University, where he carved out outstanding careers at both institutions. He’s a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame at both schools.
“It’s not very often that you get an opportunity to bring in a coach at the high school level of the caliber of Brian Murphy. Coach Murphy is a ‘Baseball Guy’ from his days playing in Thompson to his days pitching in the New York Yankee organization,” said Academy Athletic Director Aaron Patterson in a news release.
“We’re excited that coach Murphy will bring ‘the Yankee Way’ to Woodstock Academy to create the ‘Woodstock Way’ on and off the baseball field,” Patterson added.
Murphy was a three-sport star at Tourtellotte, excelling on the baseball diamond as an All State performer under coach Tom Auclair. Under coach Bill Holowaty, Murphy became an All American pitcher posting an overall 18-2 record for the Warriors. He spent two all star season in the New York minor league system.
Murphy is retired from a distinguished career in corrections where he was Connecticut Commissioner of Corrections. He replaces Bill Carpenter, who resigned last year. Woodstock was 7-13 in 2016.
Former Hawaii Quarterback
Joins Football Staff
In an effort to turn a losing football program into a winner Woodstock Academy hired former Central Connecticut State University assistant coach Daryl Daleen to turn the gridiron program around. Daleen has been at Woodstock for only a couple months and the football spirit appears to be gaining momentum.
In a recent announcement by Daleen, who also doubles as assistant athletic director, Greg Alexander, a former University of Hawaii quarterback, was introduced as the Centaurs assistant football coach. Alexander comes across the country from Santa Rosa Junior College in California where he was a quarterback coach and adjunct professor.
Alexander played two seasons at Santa Rosa Junior College prior to attending the University of Hawaii. At Hawaii he started 11 games, throwing 23 touchdown passes and completing 64 percent of his passes for 3,328 yards.
“Greg Alexander brings the kind of experience and resume that people should come to expect from Woodstock Academy football. His hiring is another display of the commitment the Academy to get the best experience for its students,” said coach Daleen in a news release.
The trio of Murphy, Daleen and Alexander appears to be a winning combination. The results will only be known as the Woodstock athletes assemble for football and baseball. The proof in the pudding will be not only the wins and losses but the response of the players to the new coaches and the intended ‘Woodstock Way.’
James C. Rapp,
Army vet
PUTNAM — James “Jim” C. Rapp of Putnam died, July 20, 2016, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. He was born Nov. 15, 1937, in North Bergen, N.J., son of the late James and Catherine (Krick) Rapp. He was the husband of Loni (Means) Rapp.
James was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of High Pointe Church, the Putnam Lions Club and the Republican Town Committee. He worked for the Killingly Highway Department and retired on Dec. 3, 2003. He was an avid gardener and his favorite place was his patio.
He leaves his wife Loni Rapp of Putnam; his son John Hardell (Lynn) of Canterbury, his brothers Vincent Palladino (Pat) of S. Killingly and Joe Serino (Sheryl) of Budd Lake, N.J., his grandsons John, Luke; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by eight sisters and three brothers.
Visitation is at noon Aug. 3 with a Memorial Service at 1 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. Military Honors will follow at the Funeral Home. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Debra Lajoie
PUTNAM — Debra Lajoie, 45, of Chestnut St., died July 13, 2016, in UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester. Born in 1970 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Shirley (Theriaque) Lajoie and the late Ward Lajoie.
Debra worked as a sales clerk for JCPenney, Beit Brothers, and a manager for Dunkin’ Donuts. She enjoyed, shopping, bingo, and especially spending time and spoiling her nieces and nephews.
In addition to her mother, she leaves her brothers Robert Rush of Woodstock, Bruce Rush of Putnam, and Mark Lajoie of Putnam; her sisters, Rhonda Lajoie of Putnam, and Tammy Lajoie of Danielson.
A Graveside Service was July 25 at St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. Donations: N.E.C.T. Cancer Fund of DKH, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
Harriett M. Perreault
KILLINGLY — Harriett May Perreault, 93, of Killingly died, July 14, 2016, at Westview Nursing Home in Dayville. She was born on Feb. 24, 1923, in Moosup, daughter of the late Fabin and May (Allen) Zercie.
She was married on Feb. 8, 1943, to Edward Perreault. He died July 26, 1961.
She leaves her daughter Karin Page of Dayville; grandchildren Wendy Page (Mark Haynes) of Brooklyn, Lance Page (Laura) of Enfield; great-grandchildren Alex Page of Hooksett, N.H., Olivia Haynes of Brooklyn, Alton Page of Enfield, and Haskell Page of Enfield; brother Vincent Zercie of Norwich; a niece Jane Durga of Woodstock; nephew Alfred Dion of Noank. She was predeceased by her husband Edward Perreault; a son Ronald Perreault, Life Companion Harold Chandler; sisters Mary Levesque and Margret Pietras; brothers Fabin Zercie Jr. and Alfred Zercie.
A graveside service will be 11 a.m. July 28 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Sr. Thérèse Massé
PUTNAM — Sr. Thérèse Massé, 96, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died July 18, 2016, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, where she had been in residence since June 24.
Born July 17, 1920, Thérèse Marie Massé in Jewett City, she was the daughter of Louis and Léontine (Roy) Massé
Sr. Thérèse entered religious life in 1941 and made her religious profession in 1945 at the Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam. She was then known as Sr. Louis Daniel.
Sr. Thérèse earned a bachelor’s from Diocesan Sisters’ College in 1968 with a major in education and was a teacher for most of her religious life including St. Anne School in Waterbury, St. Anne School in Swanton, Vt., and St. Edmond School in Greenfield Park, Canada.
She served as submistress at the novitiate of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Putnam from 1957-1964 at which time she resumed her teaching career at Putnam Catholic Academy from 1964-1966. In 1970 she was assigned to Fairfield as Superior, followed by three years at St. Joseph School in Burlington, Vt., and 16 years at All Hallows School in Moosup. Her last assignment was that of CCD teacher at All Hallows Parish in Moosup until her retirement in 1991.
She leaves nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial was July 22 at the Provincial House Chapel, Donations: DHS Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Ruth Bayer Elliott
THOMPSON — Ruth Bayer Elliott, died July 17, 2016, at Day Kimball Hospital. A lifelong resident of Thompson, her early family church was the East Thompson Baptist Church. She was born the youngest child of Emil and Luella Bayer. Of six siblings, (Roger, Raymond, Lawrence, Louise, Richard, and Luella), Ruth leaves only one sister, Luella Sarah (Sally) Bayer Newcombe.
During wartime she trained at Rhode Island Hospital while her beloved Harry served in the Army Air Force. Ruth was a nurse at Day Kimball Hospital and later was a private duty nurse active in elder care. Ruth was very compassionate, and generous with her time for family, church, community concert choir and 4-H.
Married for 69 years, she and Harry raised their own family in the Thompson Congregational Church. Ruth taught Sunday School, served on many committees, rand always sang in the choir. She passionately led the project of restoring the church’s Johnson tracker pipe organ after its near destruction in a church fire.
She leaves three children and their families: son Brian Elliott (Marlys) of Thompson and their children, Luther, Noah, and Jordan; daughter Diane Elliott Glass (Peter) of Bridgewater, Mass., and their children, Austin and Elliott Glass; and son Paul Elliott (Mildred) of Woodstock and their children, Jomica, Geon, Harryn, and Taquiyy Elliott; and 13 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. July 30 at Thompson Congregational Church, UCC, 347 Thompson Rd, Thompson. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Doris ‘Dodie’ Willis
POMFRET — Doris A. “Dodie” Willis, 83, of Deerfield Rd., died July 23, 2016, in Pierce Memorial Baptist Home. Born in 1933 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late James and Sarah (Cox) Ayers.
Mrs. Willis worked as an executive secretary for former Senator Seely Brown. She also worked for Linemaster Switch and P. Willis Construction. She graduated from Annhurst College and served as chairman of the Eastford Republican Committee. She enjoyed playing cards, reading and crossword puzzles.
She leaves her sons, Robert P. Willis Jr. (Kristen) of Eastford, and Phillip Willis (Stacey) of Eastford; her daughter, Cally Robbins (Edward) of Pomfret; seven grandchildren, Justin, Jordan, Angela, Jim, Blake, Ryan, and Abby; and five great-grandchildren, Lauren, Mallory, Evan, Ryan and Allen. She was predeceased by her brothers, Herbert Ayers, Charles Ayers, James Ayers, and John Ayers; and her sisters, Rosalie Cooley and Marion Duffy
The Funeral was private. Donations: Northeast Connecticut Cancer Fund of Day Kimball Healthcare, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Germaine Touchette
PUTNAM — Germaine (LeBeau) Touchette, 80, of Viens St., died July 21, 2016, in Westview Nursing Home. She was the wife of Alfred R. Touchette Sr. for 63 years. Born in 1936 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Armand and Rita (Bellrose) LeBeau.
Mrs. Touchette worked for 21 years as an aide for the Dempsey Regional Center. She also worked at the First Steps Day Care in Grosvenordale for seven years. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, ceramics and traveling to Las Vegas.
In addition to her husband Alfred, she leaves her sons, Fred Touchette Jr. of Thompson, and Joseph Touchette (Mindy) of Thompson; her daughters, Cheryl Desjardin (William) of Dayville, and Charlene Bennett (Raymond) of Danielson; her brothers, Robert LeBeau of Thompson, and Richard LeBeau of California; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers, Armand LeBeau; and her sister, Lorraine Miller.
The Funeral Service was July 26 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067.
Arlene F. Bowen
EASTFORD — Arlene F. Bowen “Peggy”, 88, of Eastford died July 15, 2016, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. She was the wife, for more than 60 years, of the late Charles S. Bowen Sr.
She was born Jan. 16, 1928, in Eastford, daughter of the late Clifford and Ruth (Dodge) French.
Arlene made her home in Eastford all her life. She was a life member of the Eastford Baptist Church. She helped her husband grow his Trucking Business. She was always cooking homemade meals for her family.
She leaves her children Pamela Desaulnier (Dennis) of Eastford, Christopher Bowen of Eastford, Richard Bowen (Amy) of Eastford, Charles Bowen Jr. (Pathumma) of Eastford; sisters Irene, Betty, Dorothy, Lorraine; grandchildren Derrick, Daniel, Kristin, Alyssa, Sarah, Benjamin, Jacob, Caleb, Aiyana; great-grandchildren Aisha, Hunter, Abigail, Phoenix, Macy, Scarlet. She was predeceased by a son David and brothers Russell and Ken.
A Celebration of Life was July 22 at the Eastford Baptist Church, with burial in Eastford Grove Cemetery. Donations: Eastford Independent Fire Company, PO Box 333, Eastford, CT 06242. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Marie L. Blake
DANIELSON — Marie L. Blake, 74, of Danielson, died July 13, 2016, at Davis Place in Danielson. Born on May 13, 1942, in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Simone (Richard) Beaudion. She was married on April 30, 1965, to Paul L. Blake Sr. in Dudley. He died in 2014.
Marie worked for the Danielson Town Police. Marie and Paul spent 17 summers in Mystic, where they were very active within the social clubs.
She leaves her children Gerald Blake of California, Paul L. Blake Jr. (Wendy) of Brazil, Paula Coutras of Danielson; grandchildren Jennifer, Jeffery, Paul Matthew, Gabriel, Heather, Angie, Christine, Nicole, Michael and Kaitlyn and three great-grandchildren; sisters Claire Mayo (James) and Theresa Herrick. She was predeceased by her husband, two sons Dale Blake, Timothy Blake and a brother Francis Beaudion.
The Mass of Christian Burial was July 21 St. James Church, Danielson, with burial Putnam Heights Cemetery, Putnam. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
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caption:
'Mary Poppins'
The Bradley Playhouse will present “Mary Poppins” starting Aug. 5. Back row: Greg Brock (Mr. Banks) and Alison Wiza (Mrs. Banks) Front, left to right: Johann Vennink (Michael Banks), Isabella Sorentino (Jane Banks). Photo by Christopher Atwood.
'Mary Poppins'
starts Aug. 5
PUTNAM — It’s summer – the days are warm and the children are out of school. If you need some excitement in your life, The Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse on Front Street presents its blockbuster summer musical, “Mary Poppins” on Aug. 5 and running for three weekends.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. Aug. 7, 14 and 21. Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 for seniors and students.
Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office, either before the performance or at the door.
The TNECT production is directed by Kathleen Atwood and Scott Guerin. Diane Pollard is the music director and Keri Danner is the choreographer. All your favorites are there – Mary Poppins is played by Tonya Brock and Joey Almonte appears as Bert. Mr. and Mrs. Banks are Greg Brock and Alison Wiza. Isabella Sorentino appears as Jane Banks and Johann Vennink plays Michael Banks. Jo-Ann Gallo is cast as the housekeeper, Mrs. Brill, and The Bird Woman.
This is the Broadway Musical version of Mary Poppins, based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film. Original music and lyrics are by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and the book is by Julian Fellows. New songs and additional music and lyrics are by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. It was co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.
All the songs you remember from the Disney film are there: Jolly Holiday, A Spoonful of Sugar, Feed the Birds, Chim Chim Cher-ee and more. You’ll be singing them for days afterwards.
The Banks family lives in a big house on Cherry Lane in London, but all is not well behind closed doors. Jane and Michael are out of control and another nanny has left. The children have their idea about the perfect nanny, but Mr. Banks wants someone strict who will straighten out his children. Mysteriously a “practically perfect” nanny named Mary Poppins appears and is an answer to all their prayers, but in a most peculiar way. With patience, kindness and a little bit of magic, Mary and her friend Bert help the family set things right – maybe more right than they’d ever been before.
Come and see why The Bradley Playhouse received Yankee Magazine’s 2016 Editor’s Choice Award for the best community theatre in New England.
Honored
Post #13 ‘Legionnaire of the Year’ Alan Joslin, left, is congratulated by Post commander Ronald P. Coderre on the announcement of his award. (Photo by Cosmo Quercia)
Joslin honored
as Legionnaire
of the Year
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
U.S. Navy veteran Alan Joslin was honored July 16 as the Mayotte Viens American Legion Post #13 ‘Legionnaire of the Year.’ The ceremony took place during the Post’s annual Installation of Officers ceremony.
Joslin, a Vietnam veteran, was seriously wounded on Sept. 7, 1969, four kilometers northwest of Cat Lai, Vietnam when the jeep he was driving was ambushed and hit with small arms fire or possibly blown up by a landmine. He received multiple fracture wounds during the incident.
After being evacuated by helicopter to the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon, he was later flown to a military hospital in Japan. He eventually completed his hospitalization at Newport Naval Hospital in Rhode Island. He spent 11 months in military hospitals. Joslin was honorably discharged in 1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his action in Vietnam.
Joslin, who serves as Post #13 Sr. Vice Commander, was honored for his meritorious service to the organization and community. Since becoming a member of Post #13 Joslin has served as a member of the Post’s Color Guard. He’s been instrumental in assisting the Post in increasing its membership to its current level of 131 members.
He was one of the members involved in the erection of 16 flags on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Pomfret Street. Joslin accepted the community assignment of repairing and displaying the American Flag at Jessica Tuesday’s Restaurant in Putnam. He serves as a Post liaison to the TriTown American Legion Baseball Committee. Joslin also accepted a leadership role on behalf of the Post in the recent Veterans Stand down that was held at Quinebaug Valley Community College.
“Alan Joslin is an example of a true American and a dedicated member of our Post. He’s willing to assist with the everyday duties it takes to make our Post successful and he goes above and beyond with the numerous activities we’re involved in as a veterans organization,” said Ronald P. Coderre, Post Commander.
“I was much honored to receive this distinguished award. Quite frankly I was very surprised,” said Joslin
Joslin is retired from the State of Connecticut following 30 years of service. He and his wife Jo-Anne are the parents of two adult daughters. They live in Putnam.
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