By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Marianapolis Prep outstanding coach Charles “Chuck” Bourgeois.  As coach of the Golden Knights, Bourgeois produced some of the best high school teams and players ever seen on the basketball courts of northeastern Connecticut.  Today Bourgeois continues to work diligently for Frontier telephone company.

The Woodstock Academy gymnastics program, initially under the guidance of coach Robin Deary-Fillmore and more recently under her daughter and former gymnast Kasey Fillmore, has brought much recognition to Centaur Nation in recent years.

The Academy gymnasts have been a dominant force in the State of Connecticut.  Despite being hidden away in the Quiet Corner the Centaur gymnasts have turned heads from Greenwich to Thompson and Litchfield County to New London.  They’ve not only been CIAC Class champions but have prevailed in the State Open and been a force in the New England Gymnastics Championships.

The recognition they’ve brought to the rural community will be paying dividends this coming 2017 gymnastics season.  The Don Friedman executive director of the New England Council, which oversees the New England Championships, announced that Woodstock Academy has agreed to host the 2017 competition.

Although Woodstock is tucked away in the northeastern section of Connecticut, it appears to be ideally located because of its proximity to Massachusetts and Rhode Island and only a couple hours from New Hampshire, the states that send gymnasts to the New England’s.

Although the Centaur gymnasts hold their competitions in Danielson at Deary’s Gymnastics, the championships will be held on the Academy campus.  The Woodstock Fieldhouse, which is capable of holding 700 plus spectators comfortably, has recently been refurbished.  It will be an opportunity for the school to show off its facilities and give its gymnasts a chance to perform for the first time on the campus.

The success of the Woodstock program can be directly attributed to the hard work and dedication of Deary-Fillmore, her daughter and her brother Gene Michael Deary.  The trio has toiled endlessly in developing and encouraging young high school gymnasts for the past six years in Woodstock.

Since the Deary name has been associated with Centaur gymnastics the team has been the Class M champion in 2011 and 2012 and the Class S titlists from 2013 through 2016.  More impressive is the fact that Woodstock Academy gymnasts have won the Connecticut State Open for five consecutive years from 2012 through 2016.

In agreeing to host the 2017 championships Friedman is keeping his fingers crossed that Woodstock will become part of a four-year site rotation, ensuring that this won’t be the only time the competition will come to the Quiet Corner.  It could also eliminate the uncertainty of where the annual event will be held.

The New England Championships in Woodstock will also provide the school and opportunity to showcase its all-state gymnasts, seniors Paige Stuyniski and Grace Logan as well as sophomore Lydia Taft.  Stuyniski will be heading to college in Texas in September, while Logan recently announced her intention to compete at Bowling Green University in Ohio, which is the alma mater of her coach Kasey Fillmore.

The move to bring the New England Championships to Woodstock is another indication that the Academy and its Head of School Christopher Sandford are solidly behind their student-athletes. 

Upchurch Steals the Spotlight…

The UConn basketball team unofficially opened its season on Sunday, October 30 in an exhibition contest at the XL Center in Hartford against Division II University of New Haven.  The game was billed as an opportunity to showcase the Huskies freshman class of five of the best recruits in the recent history of the program, including former Putnam Science Academy standout big man Mamadou Diarra.

One of the New Haven players was Danny Upchurch, a former teammate of Diarra’s.  Diarra scales in at 6-feet, 8-inches while Upchurch is a 5-8 guard.  Although Diarra, who played 10 minutes in the game shown well, it was tiny Upchurch who stole the show, despite his team being on the short end of an 83-68 score.

Upchurch, who transferred to New Haven from Division I Charleston Southern, demonstrated why he had Division I talent.  Upchurch played 38 minutes for coach Ted Hotaling.  Upchurch not only rewarded his coach but he also amazed the crowd of 5,826 on hand for the matinee by scoring 33 points.  His stats included an 11-22 shooting performance from the floor and 6-of-7 from the free throw line.  He added five assists and two rebounds to his stat sheet.

Upchurch’s performance put a smile on the face of Putnam Science Academy basketball Tom Espinosa, who was on hand with the members of this year’s Mustangs basketball team.

Umpire Rewarded…

Umpiring baseball or officiating any sport can be very trying at time and often not rewarding.  It takes a very special person with a thick skin and love of the sport to go out day after day, week after week, often in front of hostile crowds.  Once in a while all the hard work and devotion pays off with unexpected rewards.

Ray Faucher Jr., who’s been a member of the Eastern Board of Approved Baseball Officials for eight years, was recently honored by his fellow officials.  At the annual gathering of umpires at Dodd Stadium, Faucher was honored being named Umpire of the Year – 2016.

Faucher’s award comes on the heels of the award he received in 2015 when he was recognized as the Most Improved Umpire.  Faucher, who is a humble man who just goes out and does the job on the field, did break out with a smile following his most recent award.

Killingly on the Rise…

The latest CIAC Football Playoff Points rankings indicate that the Killingly Redmen of coach Chad Neal have moved up to fourth in the Class M standings.  The amazing part of Killingly’s position is that the team was 10th three weeks ago.  The following week they moved up to the 8th slot and last week were ranked 6th.  The steady rise can be attributed to the Redmen’s ability to win close games.       

Valley Regional/Old Lyme holds down the top spot for the second straight week with 117.14 points.  Killingly has 110.00 points.  St. Joseph’s (2nd) and Hillhouse (3rd) round out the top four teams.  The top eight teams in each class qualify for the postseason playoffs.

Woodstock Academy runningback Kameron Janice continues to dominate the Rushing Touchdown race.  Through seven games, Janice has 19 touchdowns on the ground.  He leads Killingly’s Spencer Lockwood who has nine rushing touchdowns.   Janice’s teammate, quarterback Jared Bouten, who has seven passing touchdowns, three behind the leader, Kyle Derosier of Killingly who has 10 aerial TDs to his credit.

All Stars… 

The Eastern Connecticut Conference released its all star selections for the recently concluded field hockey and volleyball seasons.  A number of northeastern Connecticut female athletes were among the honorees.

Alexis Smith of Killingly was a First Team selection as a midfielder on the field hockey team.  Honorable mention went to a pair of Woodstock Academy players, Natalie Cross and Hannah Reynolds.  Kayla Spooner of Killingly and Alexandra Matthews of Woodstock Academy received the Sportsmanship awards.  

The ECC Division II volleyball First Team selections included the trio of Ally Conde, Meridith Zamperini and Reilly Allen along with Maddy Gronski of Woodstock Academy.  Honorable Mention Awards went to Abby Laseter of Killingly and Caroline Eaton and Coleen Solitro of Woodstock Academy.  Laseter also collected the Sportsmanship Award for the Redgals while Clara Sarantopoulos was chosen from Woodstock Academy.  

Jaime Beauregard of Plainfield was a First Team selection in Division III.  Her teammate Sarah Jankowski was an Honorable Mention selection and Panther Heather Milliron won the Sportsmanship Award.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Man is made that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish.”  Jean de la Fontaine

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Richard Lewis Sr.,

Air Force vet

EASTFORD — Richard E. Lewis Sr., of Eastford, veteran of the Air Force, died Oct. 24, 2016. Born April 14, 1943, he was the son of the late Aldridge and Catherine (Ernest) Lewis, brother of the late Jeffrey A. Lewis Sr. and David C. Lewis Sr. 

He leaves his generosity and giving spirit of always being there at the drop of a hat for people whenever they needed it. He was a man who never saw negative in anything. He lived life as if it was a new day every day. He loved his fishing, trips to the casinos, his yearly ATV trips with his nephew and friends, his beer.

He leaves his three children, Robert E. Lewis, Richard E. Lewis Jr., Sherry L. Lewis; grandchildren, Kaitlin, Robert, Jr., Gabrielle, Ariel, and Maria; nephews and niece, David C. Lewis Jr., Jeffrey A. Lewis Jr. Julie E. Lewis, their spouses and great-nieces and nephew.

The Funeral was Nov. 5 at Grove Cemetery on Rt.. 198 in Eastford. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Donald A. Bigras,

Vietnam war vet

D’IBERVILLE, Miss. — MSgt. Donald A. Bigras, U.S. Army, Ret., 77, of D’Iberville, died Oct. 23, 2016. 

He was born and brought up in Putnam and graduated from Putnam High. He served in the U.S. Army, was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam war, and retired from military service after 27 years. He then worked as a teacher in civil service for 11 years. 

He was predeceased in death by his parents, Percy and Viola Bigras; and his brother, Percy E. Bigras Jr. 

He leaves his three children, “Doi” and David of Biloxi, Miss., Danny of Menomee, Wisc., their spouses, and five grandchildren; his sister, Shirley Bigras Ryan Harris and her husband, Robert, of Sun City Center, Fla.

A military funeral and burial was held at the Biloxi National Cemetery. 

 

Joseph W. Leonard,

Vietnam war vet

WOODSTOCK --- Joseph W. Leonard, 64, of Woodstock, died Nov. 4, 2016, at his home after a brief illness. He was the husband of Diana (Cramer) Leonard. They were married July 18, 1998, in Ashford. 

He was born Nov. 24, 1951, in Independence, La., son of Elmo and Geneva Leonard. 

Joseph was employed by International Paper in Putnam, for the last 13 years, working in the Shipping Department. He was a veteran of the Vietnam war serving with the U.S. Army. He has made his home in Woodstock since 1990, formerly of Danielson. He was a member of the Putnam VFW Post 1523. Joseph loved fishing and riding his motorcycle, and was a great cook. He also loved his dog Coco and his cat Bug.

He leaves his wife Diana; his stepdaughter Kerri Campbell of Georgia; his three grandchildren; his mother-in-law Cheryl Blackmer of Woodstock; his brother Billy Leonard of North Carolina. He was predeceased by his stepfather Mickey Fecher.  

Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, followed by a Memorial Service at 1 at the funeral home.  Burial with military honors follows in Union Cemetery, Moosup. Donations: PAWS, 240 Woodstock Ave., W, Woodstock, CT 06281. 

 

Inga L. Auer 

LITCHFIELD — Inga Auer, 93, of Litchfield died Nov. 1, 2016.

She was born Aug. 25, 1923, in Saffle, Varmland, Sweden to Victor and Hilda (Bengtson) Leonardson. Her family immigrated to America in 1925 and settled in Putnam, where they joined her uncle, Julius Carlson, on Walnut Street. Inga graduated from Putnam High School and Connecticut Institute of Hairdressing in Hartford, and studied education at Central Conn. College. She taught personal grooming at Chapman Tech High School in New London. She became a full-time mother in 1954 and eventually raised three children as a single parent, while working as department head at Oliver Wolcott State Technical School in Torrington.  As a teacher, Inga influenced, nurtured and befriended many young women who went on to careers in hairdressing and cosmetology. In 1974, she married Oscar Auer of Killingworth. They made a life together, enjoying travel and home life as they raised their nine children and their families.

Although from a distance, Inga seemed to float through life without difficulty, there were many challenges she worked to overcome. She was selfless, had tremendous strength of character, and forever kept her loved ones safe and well cared for. 

She leaves her husband of 42 years, Oscar Auer; her children Mark Wagner (Judy Kramer )of Cambridge, Mass., Dr. Christian Wagner (Dr. Christine Petersen) of Thompson, and Wendy Lupien of Pomfret; four grandchildren: Christopher and Leslie Lupien, Erik and Elaina Wagner; six stepchildren, and 13 stepgrandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Dr. Borje Orvar Leonardson and granddaughter, Lauren Lupien. 

Private services were held. Burial in her family lot in West Thompson Cemetery. Donations: The Community Soup Kitchen of Torrington, P.O. Box 852, Torrington, CT 06790. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Edward J. Devlin

PUTNAM —  Edward J. Devlin, 71, of David Circle, died Oct. 31, 2016, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He was the husband of Jo Ellen (Kelly) Devlin.  They were married Nov. 25, 1967, in St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Pittston, Penn.  Born in 1945 in Kingston, Penn., he was the son of the late Edward G. and Agnes (Brennan) Devlin.

Mr. Devlin earned his undergraduate degree in 1967 from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn.  In 1967 he became an English teacher for Tourtellotte Memorial High School and during that time he went on to earn his master’s degree and sixth-year Certificate from UConn.  He retired from teaching English in 2002 after 35 dedicated years. Ed was also an instructor for the Scotti School of Defensive Driving for more than 15 years.  He was a lector and commentator for St. Mary Church and donated his time to the CT Mobile Food Pantry for four years.  He was a lifelong fan and historian of Notre Dame and a follower of the Holy Cross Fathers. He attended Notre Dame football games since 1979. 

In addition to his wife Jo Ellen, he leaves his son, Sean Devlin (Andrea (Beausoleil)) Devlin of Putnam; his daughter, Jennifer Sack (Eric) of Owasso, OK; and his grandchildren, Evan Sack, Caitlin Sack, Megan Sack, Brady Devlin, and Nicholas Devlin.  

The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 5 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West Brookline, MA 02445-7226; or to Daily Bread, 53 Grove St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Marcel R. Beauregard

PUTNAM — Marcel R. Beauregard, 88, of Richmond Rd., died Nov. 3, 2016, in Matulaitis Nursing Home of Putnam.

He was born in 1928, son of the late Zoel Beauregard and Alma (Houle) Beauregard.

He leaves his wife Gloria (Lavallee) Beauregard, whom he married on Jan. 21, 1950, at Sacred Heart Church in Webster. 

At the age of 17 Marcel became the owner and operator of Beauregard Furniture and Appliances in N. Grosvenordale. He ran the store from 1946 until its closing in 1982. He then spent several years as a machinist at Kaman Aerospace in Moosup. 

Marcel was an active community member, which included being a 63-year Charter Member of the Thompson Lions Club where he served as one of its early “King Lions”. He also was a life time member of the Elks Post #574 and a member of the Knights of Columbus of Putnam Cargill Council. He shared his love of singing as a long-time member of the St. Joseph Choir and served on the Community Fire Department. Marcel and Gloria enjoyed volunteering at Day Kimball Hospital, which Marcel did for 21 years. 

In his early years Marcel held a private pilot license and later enjoyed attending air shows throughout the country. He and his wife Gloria along with their children were avid campers. Marcel prided himself with keeping apprised of all current events and was always willing to start a conversation about the latest news. 

In addition to his wife Gloria, he leaves his daughters Vivian Cardinal of Plympton, Mass., Pauline DeLuca of Apex, N.C., Anne Briere (Ron) of Raleigh, N.C., Diane St. Onge and companion Phil Green of Wells, Maine; sons Roger Beauregard (Lucie) of Grafton, Mass., and Robert Beauregard of Kissimmee, Fla.; 12 grandchildren: Jason, Daniel, Christian, Jonathan, Angela, Sara, Mathieu, Thomas, Christina, Michael, Kevin and David and 10 great-grandchildren: Ian, Zachary, Greta, Zoelle, Alexander, Parker, Dominic, Brayden, Addison and Arlo. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased a daughter Susan Klaucke and sister Claire Beauregard.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Nov. 9 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; St. Joseph Church, P.O. Box 897, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255; or to Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Rd., Putnam, CT 06260.  Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenor Dale.

 

Susan Benoit

 PUTNAM — Susan (Young) Benoit died June 28, 2016 at  Hartford Hospital after a short illness. 

 She was born June 15, 1940 in S. Kingston, R.I.

 After moving to Putnam she began working at the Holy Spirit Provincial House where she was employed for more than 27 years and made many friends there. 

 Susan had a very generous nature and loved animals, birdwatching, gardening and country and polka music. She had brilliant blue eyes and an infectious laugh which brought smiles to the people around her. She touched the lives of many people with her acts of kindness and thoughtfulness and generosity.

A service was held at the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and she was buried  at St Mary’s cemetery next to her husband Albert Benoit. Donations: P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 191, Eastford, CT 06242.

 

Andrew P. Carchidi

DANIELSON — Andrew P. Carchidi, 83, of Danielson, died Oct. 31, 2016. He was born Dec. 8, 1932, in Willimantic, son of Cesari and Alice (Baril) Carchidi. He married Margaret (Campbell) Carchidi, March 14, 1953. They have been married 63 years.

He was a member of the Local Union 478 of Operating Engineers. His past times were going to Florida for the winters, going to Colorado, spending time with his daughters and grandchildren. He will always be remembered for making pizza on Sunday nights, which was enjoyed by family and friends. He is off with a cigar in his mouth riding his lawn mower. 

In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughters, Marie Burrows and Andrea Carchidi both of Colorado; son-in-law Randy Burrows, grandchildren Josh Burrows of Colorado, Sierra Subiono of Hawaii, great-grandson Camden of Colorado; his sister Elizabeth Hooper of Willimantic. 

Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Eleanor Racette, 

Putnam’s ‘Wallpaper Lady’

PUTNAM — Eleanor Racette, known to generations as Putnam’s “Wallpaper Lady,” died Oct. 29, 2016, at Day Kimball Hospital.

She proudly served as a Navy WAVE during WWII.

In her 95th year, at the time of her passing, she was perhaps the most senior member of Putnam’s business community, still active in the family wallpaper business. Eleanor always pursued study in nature, her favorite subject.

Born Eleanor Virginia Kaminski in Toledo, Ohio, in 1921, she was a 1941 retail selling graduate at the Harriet Whitney Vocational High School. Enlisting shortly after Pearl Harbor Day, she attended the Naval Training School, in Boston, where she studied business at Bryant & Stratton. Following additional training at Manhattan’s Hunter College, she served for the remainder of WWII as a Navy WAVE in the Stores Department at Great Lakes Naval Training School in Cleveland, Ohio.  

Upon her Honorable Discharge in 1946 she received a letter from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal stating that “No other Navy at any time has done so much.  For your part in these achievements you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The Nation which you served at a time of crisis will remember you with gratitude.”

Following her marriage, Eleanor settled in Putnam, working directly with Byron Bugbee, founder of the legendary Bugbee’s Department Store (now the Antiques Marketplace building). 

For over five decades Mrs. Racette was prominent as northeastern Connecticut’s foremost retailer of wallpaper, continuing the family business that was started after the Putnam Flood of 1955 by her entrepreneurial father-in-law, Pete Racette.  What was originally planned as a source to supply landlords who were forced to do budget renovations of tenements following that disaster soon evolved into a shop that represented such prestigious wallpaper and fabric manufacturers as F. Schumacher, Waverly, Greeff, Laura Ashley, Ralph Lauren, Richard Thibaut, Katzenbach & Warren, Old Stone Mill, Thomas Strahan, Waterhouse Wallhangings, and Zuber. 

Developing a specialty of historic reproduction wallpapers, her shop supplied materials for many significant private homes and important museums throughout Southern New England. Local clients included the Prudence Crandall Museum in Canterbury, the 1841 Old Town House in Pomfret, the 1846 Roseland Collage in Woodstock, the 1829 Deshon-Allyn Mansion in New London, plus the 1791 Putnam Elms Homestead and the 1800 Daniel Putnam Tyler Law Office, both in Brooklyn.  Wallcoverings she supplied for the restoration of playwright Eugene O’Neill’s boyhood home, the 1888 Monte Cristo Cottage were featured in Architectural Digest. A recent project was the 1797 Rider Tavern in Charlton. 

For more than 25 years Mrs. Racette sponsored an annual award for graduates at Plainfield High School. As an online entity, the family business continues to market wallpapers worldwide.

During her final decades, she enjoyed taking classes with the Learning in Retirement program at Quinebaug Valley Community College, where she made many friends. In addition, Eleanor always looked forward to breakfasting at Pomfret’s Vanilla Bean Café.

She leaves her son Frank and daughter and son-in-law Spring and William Price. 

There will be no services. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

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caption, page 12:

 

Visits

Author, artist and puppeteer Caroll Spinney and his wife Debra visited Westview recently. Left to right: David T. Panteleakos, Westview administrator; Lucille McKay, Westview resident; and Caroll and Debra Spinney. Courtesy photo.

 

 

DAYVILLE — Author, artist and puppeteer, Caroll Spinney and his wife, Debra, joined residents, patients, employees and family members at Westview Health Care Center recently for a special viewing of the documentary, I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story. Temporarily transforming the facility’s formal dining room into a movie theater, the movie was projected upon a movie screen for the capacity crowd. 

The documentary chronicles the life of Woodstock resident, Caroll Spinney, a man who, since 1969, has lent his body, voice and heart to the two iconic Sesame Street characters: Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Using an abundance of personal family footage and interviews with Mr. Spinney’s family, friends and coworkers, the movie beautifully captures the heartwarming story of his 47 year journey as a performer, husband and father. 

Following the Spinneys continued to delight the captivated audience with a question and answer session as well as a very special guest appearance by Oscar the Grouch. “We can’t thank Mr. Spinney and his lovely wife Deb enough for sharing their amazing story and their time with all of us here at Westview” said David T. Panteleakos, administrator. “Caroll Spinney is truly an American treasure. His performance as Big Bird and Oscar over the past 47 years continues to transcend generations and cultures around the world.” 

Caroll Spinney said, “We are thrilled to bring our story to everyone here at Westview. This event deeply resonated with us and we truly enjoyed experiencing the wonderful reactions.” “Although this marked our 23rd time watching the film, I found myself a little more emotional being surrounded by so many loving and caring people.” Mrs. Spinney added. “Caroll and I try to live our lives in constant appreciation and gratitude. As expressed in the movie:  “You have this life and every day is precious.”