By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Dale Gardner.  The former Putnam Clipper big man is now more of a fan of sports than a participant.  Retired from a career with the State he also finds time to spend with friends at sporting activities.

The St. James Memorial Golf Tournament is generally the first scramble golf tournament of the year usually getting off the tee just prior to Memorial Day.  This year it will be business as usual with one exception.

This year’s tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25 but there will be one major difference.  Traditionally for the past 23 years the tourney has been organized and run by Sam Markley.  Following last year’s successful event Markley announced his retirement as chairman after raising approximately $500,000 during his tenure.

Markley’s spot in the chairman’s seat will be occupied by a capable replacement, Matt Desaulnier.  He comes to the table with some experience running golf tournaments.  Most recently he’s been the successful leader of the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament and previously had served on the Day Kimball Hospital Golf Tournament committee.

“I’m coming into this year’s tournament with my eyes wide open.  Sam Markley’s done a great job running this event.  This tournament means so much to the welfare of St. James School,” said Desaulnier.

Desaulnier’s assembled a strong committee to assist with the task.  The group has been working diligently to prepare for the big day since shortly after the first of the year.  In addition to Desaulnier, the members of the committee are Joe Beaudreault, Scott Derosier, Jay Long and Dana Whitely.  Following Markley’s blueprint they feel they will once again give the golfers a first class event.

The 18-hole scramble-style event will be played at Foster Country Club in Rhode Island.  The fee is the same as it was in the past, $125 per players but Desaulnier and his committee is hoping the golfers will take advantage of some tremendous sponsorship opportunities.

Tournament sponsorship, which includes exclusive signage and recognition as well as a foursome, is being offered at $5000.  Gold sponsors are available at $1000 and includes a foursome, major tee sign and tournament advertising.  Silver sponsorship is $750 and includes a foursome plus major tee sign.

Other sponsorship opportunities include the $250,000 Shootout at $650; cart sponsors at $500; Major Tee sponsors at $250; and Tee sponsors at $125.

Registration for the tourney is 9 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 10 a.m.  Following play at 3:30 p.m. four lucky golfers will have the chance of a lifetime by shooting for a hole-in-one.  Should someone record an ace it will be worth $250,000 – a quarter of a million dollars.

The dinner and awards program will begin at 4 p.m. with the top three foursomes awarded cash prizes.  The tourney offers the usual amenities, 18-holes with cart, green fees, lunch and dinner.  There will also be closest-to-the-pin contests on all par three holes, an automobile for a hole-in-one during play, longest drive contest and skins game.

“We’re billing this as a full-service tournament and laying out the red carpet for all our participants.  St. James School offers a great education to area youngsters and we want to do all we can to continue that tradition,” said Desaulnier.

St. James School was founded in 1889.  It’s been an integral part of the local education process to thousands of students.  The school continues to thrive and is a regional destination for Catholic school children throughout Northeastern Connecticut.  It enjoys a reputation for quality education in a loving and disciplined atmosphere.

“This is New England’s best tournament,” said Father John O’Neill, pastor of St. James Church.

 For more information contact one of the committee members: Joe Beaudreault 860.428.0277; Scott Derosier 860.208.8086; Matt Desaulnier 860.377.0212; Jay Long 860.428.7661; and Dana Whitely 401.864.6233.

Football Scholar Athletes…

The annual Southeast Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation dinner honoring area football scholar athletes had a definite Killingly flavor to it this year.  The event was held on Sunday, April 24 at the Mohegan Sun.  In addition to honoring individual scholar athletes, awards were presented to the Coach of the Year, Retired Coach and Special Recognition Awards.  

The 2016 Coach of the Year Award was presented to Killingly High School coach Chad Neal.  He led the Redmen to the CIAC Class M semifinals last fall.  After dropping its first game of the season to Griswold, Killingly ran off a regular season string of nine victories, capped by a big Thanksgiving Day victory over the Quinebaug Pride.  The team finished the season at 10-2. 

The Retired Coach Award was presented to Walt Sherwin of Montville.  A number of years ago Sherwin was the coach of the Killingly High School football team.

Austin Caffrey, the Redmen’s hard-charging running back and linebacker, was one of the honored scholar athletes.  Caffrey had a memorable season rushing for more than 1500 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.  He currently hasn’t selected a college to attend this fall and may end up going to prep school for one year.

Cahan Quinn, the captain of the Woodstock Academy football team was also among the honorees.  Quinn, who was a mainstay of the Centaurs defense from his linebacker slot, is headed to Norwich University in Vermont in September where he hopes to be a member of the Cadets football team.      

The other local player who was honored was Kyle Coady of Plainfield.

American Muscle Coming to Thompson…

A brand new muscle car driving experience is coming to Thompson Motorsports Park on May 20-21, May 27-28 and August 27.  According to Theresa Condit, director of Marketing at Thompson, the American Muscle Experience gives car enthusiasts the opportunity to get behind the wheel of either a 2015 Corvette Z06 or a Camaro 454 SS.

Drivers will get a taste of performance driving on a closed course with cones.  This course maximizes safety while still offering the thrill of being able to open up these powerful machines.  The next step is the Road Course Experience on the 1.7-mile road course, which offers a mix of straightaways and turns.  The 3000-foot front straight gives drivers plenty of opportunity to get up to speed.  It also offers a ride-a-long package with a professionally trained driver.

There’s something for everyone with the American Muscle Experience.  For more details and information visit www.thompsonspeedway.com/american-muscle-experience or call 888.314.6965.

65 Years Old and Going Strong…

Putnam Little League President Kyle Aldrich, along with other league administrators, held the 65th Opening Day ceremony at the Theodore “Billo” Freniere Little League Complex at Murphy Park.  For approximately 200 young players and their coaches it was the beginning of another summer of baseball and softball action.

A huge throng of parents and friends were on hand, surrounding the field in the third base and outfield bleachers as well as standing along the perimeter.  The teams and coaches started the festivities by marching from Rotary Park to Murphy Park.  Aldrich introduced Kita Fontaine, a member of the Putnam High School choir, who presented a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.  

Aldrich then introduced yours truly, RPC who was the Opening Day speaker.  The players and fans were regaled with the story of a 10-year old lefthanded pitcher who played in the very first Little League game in the history of the league.  In closing, the youngsters were urged to play like a champion on the field, study like a champion in the classroom and act like a champion at home and with their friends.  We also enjoyed the opportunity of throwing out the first pitch to Faith Johnson and Jack Lomax, members of the Putnam Middle School softball and baseball teams.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Little League baseball is a good thing ‘cause it keeps the parents off the streets and the kids out of the house!”  Yogi Berra

(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

As many of the local high school teams are approaching the midpoint of the baseball season, the standings are beginning to take shape.  Last week witnessed Plainfield and Tourtellotte making a statement about qualifying for the CIAC postseason tournament.

The Plainfield Panthers and Tourtellotte Tigers each picked up three victories in a perfect week.  Ellis Tech, long a doormat, is also positioning itself for the postseason with a 2-1 week. 

Putnam, perfect in the Constitution State Conference-East, was 2-1 on the week, while Killingly, which is struggling to post victories was 1-2 in three games.  Hardluck Woodstock Academy lost all four of its games, while Marianapolis’ two game winning streak was snapped by Providence Country Day.

Plainfield Panthers Making Noise in ECC Medium

Plainfield made a strategic move in the Eastern Connecticut Conference-Medium Division with a 2-1 decision over longtime power New London.  Jeff Nicolosi, who is establishing himself as one of the area’s top hurlers, threw a complete game 10-strikeout performance at the Whalers.  

The Panthers opened the week out-of-conference with an 8-5 win over Somers as Alex Fontaine and Izaiah Thompson were the hitting stars.  Thompson drove in three runs, while Fontaine scored twice.  The team closed out the week rolling over Wheeler High School 14-2 as Dylan Horn was the winning pitcher.  He fanned 10 Wheeler hitters. David Carpenter was 2-for-5 with four runs scored for the winners.  Plainfield is 6-2 on the season and 3-0 on the ECC-Medium.

Tourtellotte opened a perfect week with a 6-2 win over archrival Putnam.  Simon Silvia battled his way to victory on the mound for the Tigers allowing only two Putnam hits.  The key to the win came with the team’s knotted 2-2, when senior Alex Angelo walloped a long double driving in Silvia with the go-ahead run.  The Tigers, who are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2008, received a big lift from freshman Dylan Vincent who delivered a key pinch hit single in a sixth inning rally.

The Tigers picked up a solid 4-3 win in its next game against Ellis Tech.  Joe Bogoslofski was a key offensive operant for Tourtellotte with two hits and three RBI.  Angelo tossed an 8-0 shutout at Windham Tech to close out the week for Tourtellotte.  The Putnam twins, Noah and Logan, were the catalyst in the win.  Noah was 3-for-3 with three RBI and Logan was 2-for-2 with three runs and an RBI for the 3-3 Tigers.

Putnam rebounded with a pair of wins after falling to Tourtellotte.  The Clippers rolled past Grasso Tech 21-7 behind the tosses of winning pitcher Zach Cutler.  Mitchel Barylski had three hits and three RBI to pace the Putnam offense.

The Clippers picked up a key out-of-conference win with an 8-5 win over the Hale Ray Little Noises.  Nick Foucault was the show for Putnam, picking up the victory with nine K’s and going 3-for-3 at the bat with two RBI.  The Clippers are 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the CSC-East.

After falling at the hands of Tourtellotte, Ellis Tech rebounded with a two key wins as they raised their record to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the CSC-East.  It took the Golden Eagles eight innings to get by Griswold 3-2.  The winners pushed across two runs in the bottom of the eighth as Saige Louis and Caleb Deslauriers had two hits apiece for the Techsters.  Ellis Tech closed out the week with a CSC-East 12-3 win over Parish Hill.  Darius Devanny pitched four strong innings for the win.  Corey Golden and Seth Griggs each had two RBI for the Golden Eagles.

Killingly posted a 5-1 win over Woodstock Academy in a game played at Dodd Stadium.  Drew Daley had a route-going performance for the win.  He limited the Acads to four hits, while striking out eight.  In their other two games the Redmen were held scoreless.  They were shutout by Lyman 9-0 and 7-0 by Stonington.  Coach Dave Austin’s charges are 3-6 overall and 0-4 in the ECC-Medium.

After losing to Killingly, the Woodstock Centaurs continued to free fall, losing three more games.  They were shutout by Norwich Free Academy 6-0, beaten by a good Fitch team 5-1 and lost a thriller to Griswold 2-1.  The Centaurs are 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in the ECC-Large.

Marianapolis lost its first game of the season in a road game in the Ocean State, where they were beaten 6-3 by Providence Country Day.  The Golden Knights are 2-1.

 

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Normand Laroche,

WWII vet

PUTNAM —  Normand Laroche, 91, formerly of Melbourne, Fla., died April 20, 2016, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  He was the husband of Laura (Mike) Laroche for 63 years. Born in 1925 in Thompson, he was the son of the late Joseph and Rose (Martel) Laroche.

Mr. Laroche proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He worked as a machine operator for Pratt & Whitney. He enjoyed playing golf, bingo and volunteering with the Thompson Little League. He was a member of the American Legion. 

In addition to his wife, he leaves his grandchildren; Donna Faucher (Michael), Darlene Baker and her companion Robert Booth, and Kerri Price (John); great-grandchildren, Matthew Faucher (Jennifer), Thomas Faucher (Christine), Hannah Diaz (Damian), and Raymond Baker; great-great-grandchildren, Hailey, Emma, Bentley, Alexus, Chloe, and Brendan; son-in-law Ron Donovan.  He was predeceased by his daughter Paulette Donovan, and brothers; Roger, Herve, and Richard Laroche. 

The Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. May 2 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Mark A. Cristofori 

WOODSTOCK — Mark A. Cristofori, 55, of Tripp Rd., died April 19, 2016.  Born in 1960 in Putnam, he was the son of Mary Ellen (Chase) Morrarty of Pomfret and the late Boyd Cristofori.

Mr. Cristofori was a 1978 graduate of Woodstock Academy.  He was fondly remembered from his many years at Shaws’s Stationary and Aubuchon Hardware.  He enjoyed cookouts, dogs, motorcycle riding, antique tractors, and was a “Jack of all Trades.” He loved northeastern Connecticut and for many years placed the flags on veteran’s graves in Pomfret for Memorial Day.

In addition to his mother, he leaves his daughter, Nicole Cristofori of Pomfret; his son, Chase Van Noordwijk of the Netherlands; his girlfriend Chris Coe of Woodstock; his brothers, Sean Cristofori of Pomfret Center; his sisters, Susanne Cristofori of Florida, and Beth Cristofori Laney of Voluntown; his step brothers, Timothy Morrarty of Pomfret Center, and Thomas Morrarty of Manchester; three grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his stepfather, George Morrarty.   Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam

 

Madeline Lussier

PUTNAM — Madeline (Graziano) Lussier, 89, died April 3, 2016, after a brief illness.

She was born July 25, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y., daughter of Donato and Florence (Muskat) Graziano. This city girl spent summers in Putnam in her youth and is where she met her husband Theodore W. Lussier. She was widowed in 1969.

 Madeline had a varied working career at Montgomery Ward, the Town Hall, the Department of Motor Vehicles and lastly, the John N. Dempsey Center. Her position at the DMV was auspicious because if it wasn’t for her job she could not possibly have passed her driver’s test. (No NY city girl ever needed a license!) But her job at Dempsey was her favorite because it gave her the opportunity to donate time with special needs people and she spent many happy hours teaching them to dance.

She leaves three sons, Michael T. Lussier (Deborah) of Florida and Pomfret, Daniel J. Lussier (Celeste) of Putnam, and Paul R. Lussier (Sherri) of Pomfret; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother Joseph Graziano and a sister Evelyn Mier and an infant granddaughter Michelle S. Lussier.

The Mass of Christian Burial was April 21 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: The Arc Quinebaug Valley, 687 Cook Hill Rd, Danielson, CT 06239. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Louella A. Drea

PUTNAM —  Louella A. (Antonioli) Drea, 74, of Woodstock Ave., died April 10, 2016, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Edward H. Drea Jr. Born in 1942 in New London, she was the daughter of the late Bruno and Ruth (Frink) Antonioli.

Mrs. Drea was a school bus driver for the East Lyme Public Schools.  She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, antiques, oil painting and sculpting. She was a very talented and creative person. 

She leaves her son Daniel Drea of Jewett City; daughter Nichole Drea of Brooklyn.  

The services are private. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory.  

 

Evelyn M. Fairfield

DAYVILLE — Evelyn M. Fairfield, 91, of Dayville, formerly of Woodstock died April 17, 2016. Evelyn’s husband of 57 years, Thurston G. Eddy died on April 15, 2003. She married Elmer A. Fairfield on Nov. 1, 2003. He died June 13, 2011.

Evelyn was the daughter of Eric and Anne Johnson. Born in Philadelphia on July 8, 1924, she moved with her family to Woodstock in 1935. She graduated from Woodstock Academy in 1942 and went on to take a one-year secretarial course at Becker College in Worcester. 

Her first job was with the NY, NH & Albany RR at Union Station in Worcester as a bookkeeper and reservation clerk. Evelyn also worked at the American Optical Co. in Southbridge, from 1945 to 1947 in the foreign sales and billing dept. She worked as secretary to the principal of the Woodstock Elementary School from 1963-1971. Then from Sept. 1971 to 1986 she worked at the Woodstock town offices, becoming certified as an assistant town clerk in 1973.

Evelyn was an active member of the East Woodstock Congregational Church for more than 60 years. Over the years she served as treasurer to the Missions Committee and the Ladies Benevolent Society. She also cooked for the needy once a month along with a group of women from the church at the community kitchen of the Methodist Church in N. Grosvenordale.

She leaves her brother Walter Johnson (Doris (Davis)) of Daytona Beach, Fla.; a son, Ralph Eddy (Deborah (Rich)) of Avon; a son, Steven Eddy of Woodstock Valley; a daughter, Kathryn Eddy  Roth (Paul) of Bloomfield, Vt.; a step-daughter, Amber Fairfield Bierken (Dean) of Clinton; a step-daughter Heather Fairfield of Sedona, Ariz.;; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.

There will be a Committal Service at 11 a.m. April 29 at the Elmvale Cemetery in Woodstock. A Memorial Service will follow at noon at the E. Woodstock Congregational Church. Donations: E. Woodstock Congregational Church, PO Box 156, E Woodstock, CT 06244; or Westview Health Care Center Recreation Fund, PO Box 428, Dayville, CT 06241. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Anita C. Place

PUTNAM —  Anita C. Place, 85, formerly of W. Thompson., died April 25, 2016, in Westview Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late Charles W. Place.  Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Mary Rose (Depot) Picard. She was a graduate of St. Joseph High School in N. Grosvenordale.

Mrs. Place enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, and traveling and shopping with her daughter Cindy.  She worked at Belding Heminway for more than 30 years and prior to that she worked at Colts Plastics.  

She leaves her sons, Richard “Peter” Place (Audrey) of Putnam, Donald Place and his companion Kerri of Thompson, and David Place (Karen) of Thompson; daughters, Cynthia LaBonte of Putnam and Karen LaPalme (Lucien) of Thompson; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother, David Picard (Claudette) of Putnam; and two nieces Allison and Marcia. She was predeceased by a sister Alice Jewell.  

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. April 28 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. The Funeral is at 10 a.m. April 29 at the funeral home, followed by  burial in W. Thompson Cemetery.  Donations: Westview Health Care and Rehabilitation Center Activities Fund, 150 Ware Rd., Dayville, CT 06241.

 

Gary S. Rathbone

PUTNAM — Gary S. Rathbone, 55, of Green St., died April 17, 2016. Born in 1960 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Charles and Nancy (Emerson) Rathbone.

Mr. Rathbone was best known for his strong work ethic and kind heart. He was employed as a machine operator for Norampac for 20 years. You might have seen his friendly face when he worked as a inventory clerk at Stop and Shop for more than 20 years, or while working as a farmhand at Roxbury Farms for 30 years. He was a very social man who enjoyed hunting, muscle cars, watching westerns and especially loved animals.

He leaves his brother, Richard Rathbone (Kimberly) of Bow, N.H.; his sister, Sandra Hamilton (Keith) of Thompson; nieces and nephews including Aubree and Tanner Rathbone, Brandon and Hayden Hamilton, Menny Merchant and Felicia Brownlow. He was predeceased by his sister, Deborah Rathbone.

A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14 at Roxbury Farms, 169 Pulpit Rock Rd in Woodstock. Donations: Local SPCA. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Virginia Taylor

KILLINGLY —Virginia Dean Steele Taylor, 92, formerly a life-long resident of both Lake Forest and Winnetka, Ill., died April 6, 2016, in Killingly. 

She was the sole great granddaughter of the 1830’s Lake Forest Scottish pioneers Matthew Steele and Ellen Atteridge Steele, Virginia cherished her family’s long history as one of the first settlers in Lake Forest.  Virginia was predeceased by her son Stephen Lewis Taylor; her brothers Merritt and Lowell Steele; and her parents Robert G. Steele and Arvilla (Honey) Dean. She leaves daughters Laurie Taylor-Curby (Wm Curby), Leslie Jefferson (Tere North), and Louise Steele Taylor (Dawn Krasnecky).

She was born Nov. 5, 1923, and lived in Winnetka on school days and spent the weekends on the Lake Forest family farm. She met her future husband, Lewis Treat Taylor (deceased 1988), in middle school, and dated him while attending New Trier High School in Winnetka, both graduating in 1941. Virgie attended Lake Forest College, majoring in accounting and political science. 

She was also a foster mother and hosted exchange students from the college. She was active in the Glencoe Women’s Club, Lake Forest’s Church of the Holy Spirit, and the Winter Club, while also volunteering as a Cub Scout den mother and as the local Girl Scout Leader. She also worked as the bookkeeper for her husband’s Lake Forest insurance agency. She graduated from Lake Forest College in 1989. 

Starting yet a new life upon graduation at age 65, Virgie moved out East to live with both her daughter Laurie’s family in Hingham, Mass., and also her daughter Louise’s family in Thompson. Yet, she continued to spend all her summers in Illinois with her daughter Leslie’s family. Out East, she was an active participant raising her three grandchildren, Matthew Taylor-Curby in Massachusetts and Jack and Kelsey Rafferty in Connecticut. A life-long dressmaker with a flair for quiet fashion, Virgie continued creating clothing for herself and her girls, as well as intricate knitwear and many forms of needlepoint. She also continued to enjoy painting, home décor, gardening, and sports. She remained athletically active until age 89. Always serene, gentle, and beautiful within and without, Virgie lived by the Golden Rule and was admired for her gracious and loving composure throughout life.     

A celebration of life will be June 11 at First Presbyterian Church in Lake Forest with burial in the family site at the Lake Forest Cemetery.  Please contact Laurie Taylor-Curby at 781-749-7737 with any questions. Donations: Lake Forest College and the Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka, Ill. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Christopher Patnaude

PUTNAM — Christopher J. “Snakeman” Patnaude, 52, died April 16, 2016, two days shy of his 53rd birthday. 

Christopher was born in Putnam and lived in Putnam all his life.  He was known to many and affectionately referred to as “Snakeman” and could often be seen carrying his snake Cannabis throughout the Town of Putnam.  He was an avid outdoorsman and was skilled in carpentry, landscaping, masonry and demolition.  Christopher had a firm belief in God and a strong faith. 

Christopher leaves a son, Christopher J. Patnaude II of Stafford Springs; his father, Ralph R, Patnaude of Light House Point, Fla.; a brother, Ralph R. Patnaude II of Putnam and his companion Cindy Phillips of Canterbury; two sisters, Lisa M. Gannetta (Michael) of Lisbon, Laurie A. Patnaude of Putnam; two aunts, Lillian Carbone of Stoughton, Mass., and Jeannette Lespasio of Putnam. He was predeceased by his mother, Loretta (Jason) Patnaude in 2013. 

A Celebration of Life will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. April 29 at the Putnam Elks Club, Edmond Street, Putnam. Donations: Any animal charity.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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