Legal Notice
Town of Pomfret
Planning & Zoning Commission
At the July 20, 2016, Meeting of the Pomfret Planning & Zoning Commission, the following application was acted upon:
1. An application by Jamie Stately, 299 Hampton Road — Special permit for a Class II Home Occupation (tree service with commercial truck parking); APPROVED as presented. All commercial equipment will be stored in the fenced in area as shown on the plans prepared by Killingly Engineering Associates, revised 7/20/2016, sheets 1 of 2 and 2 of 2.
Dated at Pomfret,Connecticut
July 21, 2016
Lynn L. Krajewski,Clerk
Planning &Zoning Commission
July 27, 2016
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Cheryl Ann Carignan who serves as the “team mother” for the TriTown American Legion baseball program. In addition to her duties as wife and mother, Carignan is a Service Rep at Cargill Chevrolet, yet she finds time to devote to the TriTown team, caring for the small details that contribute to the team’s success.
We often hear the question today, “what’s wrong with young people?” The story that will unfold in the next few paragraphs will answer that question and give readers an idea about “what’s right with young people today.”
This is a true human interest story. If it doesn’t arouse some emotion in you, then it’s probably time to take a good look at yourself in the mirror.
The story begins at Ben Desaulnier Field at Owen Bell Park in Dayville. The field, which is in arguably the best overall condition that it’s been in since it was built, is where the Danielson American Legion team plays its games. The Danielson and TriTown Legion teams have an intense rivalry on the field. Off the field the young men have developed some long lasting friendships.
The Ben Desaulnier Field is named in memory of Ben Desaulnier, the son of Ed and Mary Lou Desaulnier, who was killed in a tragic automobile accident at a time in his life when he was preparing to enter his freshman year at Holy Cross College. Ben Desaulnier was a very good baseball player but more importantly he was an upstanding young man of character. His passing affected people young and old throughout northeastern Connecticut.
Fast forward to today where a young man by the name of Ben Desaulnier the namesake of his late uncle, plays for Danielson. Off the field he’s developed a friendship with Nicholas Foucault, a TriTown player of strong character and good sportsmanship.
Recent vandalism at Ben Desaulnier Field destroyed a tribute to the memorabilia honoring the memory of Ben Desaulnier. As the recent season ending series between TriTown and Danielson was about to get underway, Foucault and his teammates were made aware of the damage caused by the vandals.
Nicholas Foucault, on his own with the permission of his coach and father John Foucault, assembled his teammates and asked if they’d be interested in donating funds to assist with restoring the damage. The unanimous answer was “yes.” The players and coaches took up a collection and made a presentation to Ed and Mary Lou Desaulnier and Matt Desaulnier, brother of the late Ben Desaulnier. Needless to say the presentation was an emotional moment for the Desaulniers and everyone involved.
Nicholas Foucault’s action was infectious. When word reached the TriTown Executive Committee, its members added to the collection taken by the players and coaches. So I ask, “What’s wrong with young people today?” The answer is yours to make but it’s obvious that the friendship developed on the baseball diamond leads to the conclusion that in this case and probably others like this around the country demonstrates that there are still some great young people in this great country of ours.
An Ace To Remember…
When my wife, Donna and I play golf she often asks, “Honey, how come you never put my name in your column when I play good golf?” My answer of course is, “I don’t want the readers to think I play favorites.” But I must tell the story of my wife’s latest golf escapade.
On July 13 my wife and brother-in-law Rick Carnahan were playing a league make-up match at Harrisville Golf Course in Woodstock. On the par-3, 115-yard, 9th-hole Donna reached for her trusty King Cobra 7-wood. Assessing the hole, which she knew sloped to the left, she fired her shot just right of the hole and watched intently as the Pinnacle 1 golf ball rolled toward the hole.
“I thought, wow that ball might be close to the hole. Maybe I’ll have a chance for a birdie,” as she describes what she was witnessing. “As it got closer to the hole we watched the ball disappear for a hole-in-one.”
The shot caused such excitement that my brother-in-law’s right knee gave out, dropping him to the ground. He was taken to the Day Kimball Hospital Emergency Department, where he was diagnosed with a torn meniscus. Meanwhile, my wife was left to treat the players who were left at the course to an ice cold beer.
“I still can’t get over the thrill of getting a hole-in-one,” she said.
Rehabbing at Matulaitis…
Putnam resident Bob LeClair is probably best known around town as the Boston Celtics #1 fan. In fact, LeClair’s red Cadillac bears the license plate, Celt 86. Also years ago Boston Magazine cited LeClair in an article among New England’s Boston Celtics most ardent fans.
LeClair held Celtics season’s tickets for 14 consecutive years. He was noted for inviting many area professional basketball junkies to games as his guest. When he first purchased the tickets, he did so at the amazing price of $4 a ducat. After 14 seasons the price had risen to $20 per ticket. Imagine what those tickets must go for today.
The 1954 Putnam High School graduate, who still enjoys all sports, most recently incurred a medical setback, which sent him for a rehab stint to Matulaitis Nursing Home, where he’s currently comfortably resting in Room B-18. He’d love to see his friends and is encouraging visitors and cards to wish him well.
Once one of Putnam’s best City League basketball players LeClair is remembered for his ability to beat bigger opponents under the hoop with some fancy moves. He loves recollecting stories of those days and his memory for names and details is simply amazing.
Drop LeClair a line at Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Road, Putnam, CT 06260 or better yet, if you are unable to visit, call him at 860.963.9081. Get well soon, Bob. RPC is in your corner.
National Sports Figure Dies…
It was with heavy heart that northeastern Connecticut received the news of the death of Woodstock resident and Putnam business man Arthur “Chuck” Etchells. He died on peacefully on July 6. He was 61.
Etchells in his younger days was a nationally renowned member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), where he was a champion in the Funny Car Division. During his racing career he captured 13 NHRA Funny Car titles and was often highlighted on television on ESPN. In fact, he made Funny Car history by becoming the first driver in that category to post a record four-second elapsed time.
Etchells, who in later life enjoyed golfing and fishing as well as trips to Key West, Fla. was often spotted around town. He was a personable individual who was always willing to assist local organizations. He often donated autographed driving suits or other Funny Car related items to local sports auctions. Although RPC and Etchells weren’t close friends, we often met by chance at local eating establishments. The last time was approximately one month prior to his passing, a moment I’ll cherish.
Visitors to Putnam…
Recent visitors to our fair community of Putnam were former Plainfield High School noted girls’ basketball coach Jim Cotter and his wife Ellen. The Cotters were in town because they “enjoy the ambience and dining of Putnam.”
In his coaching days, Cotter led the Lady Panthers and their star player Cathy Bochain to numerous Quinebaug Valley Conference titles and to CIAC Tournaments. Cotter also coached baseball and softball at Plainfield in addition to his teaching duties.
The Cotters now live in Melbourne, Fla., where they are enjoying retirement. He does admit that coaching and teaching remain in his blood and he substitutes and assists with coaching in a school near his home. The Cotters’ son, Sean, is the varsity softball coach at NCAA Division II Florida Institute of Technology.
LaFrancois Redux…
Former Boston Red Sox catcher and Jewett City native Roger LaFrancois and his Single-A St. Louis Cardinals team, the State College Spikes were recently in Norwich for a three-game series. LaFrancois’ presence helped to draw good crowds to Dodd Stadium.
On July 13 the Spikes played an 11 a.m. get-away game against the Norwich Tigers. RPC traveled to Norwich with former Putnam resident John Sherman Sr. and Woodstock
resident Everett Shepard. It was a homecoming sort of event with many old standbys in the audience.
Spotted in the crowd were LaFrancois’ mother Lee and his good friends Jewett City Savings Bank President Kevin Merchant and his wife Lori and former UConn baseball coach Andy Baylock. Plainfield resident, Vernon Gray, who hosts three Norwich Tiger players, took time to chat with LaFrancois as did Dodd Stadium grounds keeper Ryan LeFler of Thompson. Radio personality from East Lyme Bill Donovan also stopped by to say hello.
Prior to the start of the Tuesday night game, LaFrancois arranged for NBA referees and former Board 8 officials Matt Boland and Josh Tiven to throw out the first pitch. More than 25 Board 8 officials were on hand as guests of LaFrancois.
The atmosphere was like the old days, when LaFrancois was a player.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” Mary Anne Radmacher
(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 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.
..
Subcategories
Past Issues
Past issues of the Putnam Town Crier
Current Issue
Current Issue of the Putnam Town Crier