WATERFORD — The Board of Directors of Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has appointed Joyce L. Gresh to serve on its Supervisory Committee.

Gresh is currently serving as the interim principal at Woodstock Elementary School and has nearly four decades of experience as both an educator and administrator in numerous school systems in eastern Connecticut.

Gresh’s professional experience includes teaching and administrative positions with school systems in Griswold, Plainfield, Preston and Woodstock.

In addition to her extensive education experience, Gresh also earned numerous educational certifications and has served as an acting principal at both Woodstock Elementary and Woodstock Middle schools.

Her community and civic experience includes serving as a member of the Jacques Cartier Club

Auxiliary as well as serving as Past President of the Griswold Booster Club, where she has been an active member for many years. 

In addition, Gresh is a volunteer with the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut where she volunteers in a variety of capacities, including volunteering at the agency’s Mobile

Food Pantry serving the Jewett City area. 

Gresh also was named Volunteer of the Year in 2015 by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. 

Her professional affiliations include membership on the Eastconn Language Arts Council, Eastconn Grants Council, Eastconn ELL Consortium, as well as the Woodstock Academy Graduation Requirement Committee, Connecticut Reading Association and the Woodstock Association of Teachers/Connecticut Association of Teachers.

She holds a bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master's  in education from Eastern Connecticut State University and has a Sixth Year Degree in Administration from Sacred Heart University.

 

 

By Ryan Rumrill

Town Crier Sportswriter

The Griswold Wolverines faced off against the Redgals Jan. 21 and came away with a win, 63-48. Skylar Hanley for the Wolverines was the hot shooter. She finished the game with 31 points and 13 rebounds, 10 of which were offensive also scored. That went along with the 18 points that Caitlyn Ellis scored while grabbing 14 rebounds, and the seven points that were scored by Kayla Wisniewski. Anna Walsh also grabbed 14 rebounds for Griswold (8-6). The Killingly girls were led by Kylee Mazzarella who scored a team-high 12 points; Morgan Harriott scored 11 points; and Reagan Morin contributed with nine points. Trinity Angel and Morgan LeSage both scored six points for Killingly (5-6).

 

Jan. 21

Stonington 56

Woodstock Academy 55

In a very close game that featured a combined total of 29 total free throws and no 3-pointers, the game was very close all the way to the final buzzer.  Stonington was led by Kate Johnson who scored a game-high 22 points. She also hit 10 free throws in the game while Kate Hall and Cameron Dreher each scored nine points for the Bears (9-4, 3-2). Woodstock was led in scoring by Ari Koivisto who finished with 16 points, and Jamie Woods scored 13 points. Madison Brennan finished the game with seven points while Heather Converse finished with six points for the Centaurs (7-5, 2-3). 

Pomfret 51

Cushing 35

Pomfret was led by Abby Stone who scored 12 points and Olivia Batastini-Pallister who finished with 11 points, who hit three three-pointers in the contest. Ali Narracci scored nine points and Corinne McPadden finished with eight points for the Griffins (5-5). Cushing Academy was paced by Ally Davis who had a game-high 18 points and Kate Montigny who scored three times for six points for the Bulldogs. 

 

Jan. 20

Putnam 47

Windham Tech 60

Coming into the game with a three-way tie for the Division lead, The Clippers faced off with Windham Tech, who Putnam defeated the first round of the Clipper Classic came back to play competitively.  Marissa Shirshac had a game-high 25 points to defeat Putnam, which is only Putnam’s second loss in the division. Putnam was led by the senior Maria Fredette who scored nine points and grabbed 14 rebounds, while Kayleigh Lyons scored eight points. Alyssa Frederick and Ashley Burke each scored six points, and Kira Clinkscale and Alyssa Espinosa scored five points with Olivia Braithwaite scoring four. Ashley Torres added 18 points for Windham Tech (8-4, 6-1). The Clippers now are (7-6, 5-2) and put them in second in the conference. 

Marianapolis 58

Pomfret 47

The Knights had 7 players in the scoring column and were led by senior Jordan Frye and junior Sophia Widmeyer, both scoring 13 points. S. Widmeyer also was a rebound shy from a double-double with 9 rebounds, and had three assists on the night. Sophomore guard Kara O’Neil contributed 10 points and some great defense in the game.  Olivia Summiel, Eva Widmeyer, and Saoirse Power-Cassidy all had 6 points each.  Summiel ripped down 6 rebounds and did a great job of controlling the paint. Power-Cassidy dished out 3 assists on the night as she helped to run the point with O’Neil and control the game down the stretch. The Golden Knights now move to (7-8) on the season. Pomfret was led by Deja Ross who scored a game-high 23 points, hitting three three-pointers in the game, and Abby Stone put up 11 points in the outing. The Griffins are now (4-5) on the season. 

 

Jan. 18

Parish Hill 55

Putnam 48

In the CSC East matchup, Hannah Vieira leads the Pirates passed the Clippers with her game-high 26 points and five rebounds. Haley Gagnon was her running mate scoring 13 points to help the Pirates record. Maria Fredette once again put her team on her back as she put up 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the very intense matchup.  Olivia Braithwaite contributes her own 12 points and six rebounds, while also getting great efforts from Kayleigh Lyons and Ashley Burke, who scored eight points, and seven points. The Clippers move to 7-5, 5-1 on the season. 

East Lyme 45

Woodstock Academy 41

The Vikings came into Woodstock thirsty for a win against the star-studded Centaurs, but East Lyme Edged it out behind the 16 points that Megan Bauman contributed to move to (9-5) on the season. The Centaurs were led by Ariana Koivisto who scored 11 points.

Pomfret 57

Suffield Academy 50

Abby Stone was the leading scorer for the Griffins with 17 points, and got great help from Ali Narracci who also scored double digits totaling 12 points. Deja Ross scored seven points, while Olivia Batastini Pallister and Issy Forti scored six points apiece for Pomfret (4-4). Bailey Hyland took charge for Suffield Academy finishing the game with 26 points scoring nine baskets and eight points from the charity strip.  Kasey Kaplan also put up 15 points in the game.

Hyde-Woodstock 31

Williams 39

D. Rojas paced the way for the Hyde-Woodstock girls with 14 points and six rebounds to go with Daisey Humsey who added seven points, although the game was close the whole game but wasn’t even to outlast the Williams school, which was led by Audrey Matson with 13 points, and Katia Bourganos’ 10 points, falling the game by eight points. 

Jan. 17

Plainfield 50

Tourtellotte 30 

The Plainfield Panthers came out strong and had three double-digit scorers with Madison Kelley leading the way with 15 points and Chloe LaPierre adds 12 points hitting three three-pointers.  Kayla Morey adds 10 points to go along with the six points that came for the Panthers (3-8).  Emily Vincent leads the Tigers in scoring with 14 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Ashley Morin scores eight points in the game hitting two three-pointers and a trip to the line converting both.

 

..

 

 

 

Richard Deslauriers,

Korean war vet

N. GROSVENORDALE — Richard Deslauriers, 84, of St. Petersburg, Fla., formerly of N. Grosvenordale, died Jan. 3, 2017. 

He was born July 5, 1932, in Newark, N.J.,, son of the late Raymond and Florestine (Manville) Deslauriers.

Richard was a veteran of the Korean war, serving with the U.S. Army. He was a supervisor in the textile industry for many years. He was a lifetime member of the VFW & Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and was an avid gardener.

He leaves his wife of 64 years, Dolores (Houle); three brothers Lucien, Edgar, Donald; 10 children Richard, John, Roger, Michael, Daniel, Babette, Roland, Arthur, Jacqueline, Jo-Anna; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild. He is predeceased by his brother Clarence.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 28 at St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale followed by burial with military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery. A gathering will follow at St. Joseph’s Church Hall. Donations: American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Archille Z. Bernier,

WWII vet

PUTNAM —  Archille “Archie” Bernier, 96, of 10 Thurber Road, died Jan. 18, 2017, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of the late Rolande (Turenne) Bernier for 48 years and the late Lilia Vera de Bernier for 22 years.

Born in 1921 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Joseph and Eva (Beaudreault) Bernier. 

Mr. Bernier was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during WWII and then with the National Guard. He worked for the State of Connecticut in the Department of Transportation for 25 years and after retiring he worked for the Putnam Post Office doing janitorial work for 17 years.  

Archie was an avid golfer, playing golf in Florida where he lived for 18 years and California.  He enjoyed “investing” in Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Casino’s, and in his earlier years he enjoyed collecting coins.  He was a member of the Putnam Elks prior to moving to Florida.

He leaves his son, Ron Bernier (Luz) of Putnam; his daughter, Irene Harns of Putnam; his daughter in-law, Karol Bernier of Garden Grove, Calif.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his son, Paul Bernier.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 21 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial with military honors in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: St. Mary Church, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Cyrus Lewis

BALTIC/KILLINGLY — Cyrus Lewis, 21, died Jan. 16, 2017, Yale-New Haven Hospital. He made his home in Killingly most of his life, moving to Baltic in June. 

He graduated from Killingly High School in 2013. 

He leaves his mother Jennifer (Lewis) Abrante; stepfather Mark McClintock; brother Caleb Lewis; and two stepsisters Kimberly Pepin and Brook Cyr; niece Annabelle Kennawi; godson Anthony Longo Jr.

He was employed at Walmart in Brooklyn since its opening. He always cared about his friends and when they had a bad day he would lift their spirits. 

Visitation was Jan. 21 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson. Cyrus gave the gift of life by being an organ donor. 

 

James 'Jim' Horner

ROGERS — James “Jim” Albert Horner, 59, of Rogers, died Jan. 15, 2017. 

Jim was born Aug. 15, 1957,  in Waterville, Vt., to the late Howard and Lucille (Provoncha) Horner. He attended Lamoille Union High School and graduated in 1975. This is where he developed a passion for machine shop and precision tool making. He went on to work for Ensinger of Putnam for the last 22 years as a toolmaker. Jim was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing, Patriots football, Yankees baseball, spending time with his family and friends and just being in the great outdoors.

He leaves his wife Dawn Horner of Rogers; sons James and Jacob Horner; daughter Linda Horner; brother Alan Horner; two sisters Joleen Horner and Lori Parks; in-laws Paulette and Paul Verette, Brenda Mazzarella, Susan and Danny Simpson and Todd Kincaid; niece Ashley Mazzarella and nephew Joshua Riendeau. Jim is predeceased by his son Shane Horner; siblings Connie Richard, Nancy Horner, Francis Ann Horner, and Edwin Horner; nieces Alberta Dashnaw and Sheila Dashnaw, brother in laws Paul (Skipper) Kincaid, and Jeffrey Kincaid Sr, and his long time best friend Kevin “Bird Dog” Bunn. 

As Jim would say “I love you, and to always remember never forget”.

Visitation was Jan. 20 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St.,  Danielson with burial in the spring at the Westfield Cemetery. Donations: American Heart Association. 

 

Ona Strimaitis

PUTNAM —  Ona Strimaitis, 103, of Liberty Highway formerly of Swampscott, Mass., died Jan. 22, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home.  She was the wife of Juozas Strimaitis.  Born in 1913 in Lithuania, she was the daughter of the late Vladas and Petronele (Bucyte) Bagdanavicius.

Mrs. Strimaitis was an associate member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Putnam for almost 30 years where she worked as a receptionist.

Ona Strimaitis, together with her husband and brother were named “Righteous Among the Nations,” an honor bestowed to non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination.

She leaves her daughter Jura L. Strimaitis (Judge David Kerman) of Swampscott; a son Jonas Strimaitis of Simsbury; two grandchildren David S. Strimaitis (Dani) and Caroline Strimaitis and two great-grandchildren Dillan and Chase Strimaitis, all of Lexington, Mass. She was predeceased by three brothers Rev. Vytautas J. Bagdanavicius, MIC, Stasys Bagdanavicius, and Dr. Branas J. Bagdas and a sister Elena Juska.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 25 in the Chapel at Matulaitis Nursing Home, followed by burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Donations: Immaculate Conception Convent, 600 Liberty Highway, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Dean R. Adamuska

WEBSTER — Dean R. Adamuska, 58, of Webster, died Jan. 22.

He was born in Webster, son of the late Frank and Lois Jean (Shippee) Adamuska and lived in N. Grosvenordale before moving to Webster in 2011.  

He enjoyed fishing, motorcycles, auto racing and cooking.

He leaves his wife of 34 years, Pamela M. (Butts) Adamuska; a son, Devin R. Adamuska of Woodstock; a daughter, Ryan M. Adamuska of Littleton, N.H.; a brother, David Adamuska of Lisbon, N.H.; two sisters, Deborah Butts of Webster and Donna Mahoney of Putnam; four grandchildren, Destiny, Celeste, Ally and Malakai.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 26 in Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

..