Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier
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Honored
Aaron Auclair was honored for his heroic service. He is holding the large gold plaque. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC column is dedicated to long time Putnam resident Donald Steinbrick. A graduate of Putnam High School, Steinbrick is very involved in the community helping others in need, especially veterans. He’s a member of American Legion Post #13, where he serves as the organization’s chaplain. Steinbrick recently celebrated a birthday but he’s not revealing what number of candles was on the cake.
It seems that every time we pick up a newspaper these days there are stories of shootings involving police and individuals often depicted as victims. These types of stories are unfortunate in that police have a duty to carry out and often it involves split second decision making. When someone is killed in an incident, the story often escalates in the media.
Without being judgmental, the recent stories in Ferguson, Missouri, Cleveland, Ohio and New York City have created not only tense situations for the citizens of those communities but have put police officers in a position of defending their actions.
In August 2014, a former Putnam resident and current New Jersey State Police Officer, Aaron Auclair was involved in a harrowing and life-threatening situation. Despite suffering long-term debilitating injuries from his action, the ending to Auclair’s story is one where the bad guy was arrested and charged.
Auclair, a former three-sport star at Putnam High School and baseball player at Western Connecticut State University, currently works undercover in New Jersey. He’s involved with crimes relating to drugs and carjackings, which are numerous in the New York - New Jersey region.
Last year Auclair came upon an individual attempting to steal an automobile from an Alamo rental center in Newark, N.J. After the carjacker slammed the stolen vehicle into a jersey barrier, he tried to escape on foot. The carjacker then ran into the street and jumped into a car stopped for a red light, throwing the stunned driver from his vehicle.
While this was going on, Auclair in his undercover SUV, approached and jumped into the stolen car and attempted to subdue the carjacker. With Auclair partially in the vehicle, the carjacker threw the car into reverse, pinning Auclair between the automobile and his SUV. At this point, Auclair unloaded his service revolver, firing 11 shot into the hijacked car.
The carjacker then drove off and was able to escape in the stolen vehicle, leaving Auclair with serious bodily injuries, especially to his back. Seven months later, Auclair continues to go to therapy, while recovering from his injuries.
In an episode, where the good guy wins, the carjacker was later captured when he went to a hospital in Queens, N.Y., suffering from gunshot wounds. He was arrested and has been charged with attempted murder.
For his heroic action, Auclair was selected as the “New Jersey State Trooper of the Year.” In February he was presented his award by the Commandant of the New Jersey State Police at a ceremony recognizing his heroic action.
Officer Auclair and his wife live in Denville, N.J. They are the parents of two young children. Auclair is the son of Tom and Jan Auclair of Putnam and Avon Park, Fla.
Demystifying ‘Deflate Gate’
This year’s Super Bowl XLIX was surrounded by the controversy of the alleged deflated footballs used by the New England Patriots in their victory over Indianapolis in the AFC Championship game. You read it here, in RPC; there were no deflated footballs in that game. How do I know? Here’s the real story.
On Super Bowl Sunday, my wife, Donna and I hosted a small group of friends and relatives for a Super Bowl gathering. In preparing for the gathering, Donna purchased two inflated Mylar footballs with the words “Go Patriots” just to add atmosphere to the man cave.
Those footballs, attached to ribbon are still flying proudly, nearly six weeks after the event. They’re still filled to capacity with little or no sign of deflating any time soon. This certainly is a sign from some higher power that there was no truth to the allegations posed by those attempting to make our beloved Patriots look like cheaters. Whatever way you cut it, put “Deflate Gate” to bed. The New England Patriots are the NFL and World Champions.
Spring Training and Baseball
Although our New England countryside, blanketed in snow, isn’t an indication that spring is right around the corner. The sound of wooden bats against the baseballs at spring training is certainly an indicator that we’re headed in the correct direction.
Reports from Florida indicate that the young men from Eastern Connecticut who are on Major League teams are in the mix of the action. Two Norwich Free Academy grads have already seen live game action. Eric Campbell, the utility player with the New York Mets, doubled and drove in two runs for the Metropolitans in their opening 8-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
Dominic Leone, also an NFA grad, who is with the Seattle Mariners, pitched one inning in a 4-3 win. He allowed one unearned run during his stint on the mound.
Matt Harvey, the much ballyhooed pitcher for the Mets, who’s returning from Tommy John surgery, had two impressive innings in a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. His former teammate at Fitch High School, Jesse Hahn, who pitches for the Oakland Athletics, tossed one inning in a 9-2 victory. He allowed three hits and two runs.
In the Red Sox camp, former Thompson little leaguer Brian LaHair, is a long shot to land a job in Boston. The much-travelled LaHair will likely end up in Pawtucket, where he’ll see duty as a designated hitter and backup first baseman. LaHair, who is probably the most powerful hitter to come out of the Thompson Little League, has had Major League stops with the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs.
And what would spring training be if Roger LaFrancois wasn’t involved? LaFrancois is in Jupiter, Fla., working with the St. Louis Cardinals as a coach. This summer he’ll be the hitting coach with the short season team in College Park, Penn.
In Search of the PGA Tour
Tom Auclair reports from Florida that he ran into local golfing prodigies Matt Smith and Cody Semmelrock this winter. The duo was participating in a qualifying event for what Auclair describes as the Latino Tour. The pair was very competitive during the first three days of the event but their scores ballooned on the final day. Pomfret resident and Quinnatisset Country Club member Earl Semmelrock was at the event carrying the bag for his son Cody.
Basketball Shorts
Former Marianapolis big man Ousmane Drame ended his personal collegiate career on a high note at Quinnipiac University. Despite the Bobcats being eliminated in the MAAC Tournament 80-74 by Marist College, the 6-foot, 9-inch Drame posted 27 points in the loss. Quinnipiac closes the books on the 2014-2015-season with a 15-15 log.
Putnam Elks Hoop Shoot produced three young shooters who did well in recent competition. Nick Renshaw finished second in the boys 8-9 age bracket; Alex Hutchins also finished second in the girls 10-11 age bracket. Kayleigh Lyons was the lone Putnam participant to finish first. She captured the crown in the girls’ 12-13 age category.
RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
(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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Donald A. Spaeth,
Army vet
WOODSTOCK — Donald A. Spaeth, 67, of Joy Rd., died March 13, 2015. He was the husband of Pamela (Barry) Spaeth.
Born in 1947 in Jamaica, N.Y., he was the son of the late Edward Allison Spaeth and Helen Muriel (Schneider) Spaeth.
Donald attended the Canterbury School in New Milford and graduated from Williams College with the Class of 1969. He served as a first lieutenant in the Army 82nd Airborne Division; 1971-1973. He was an English teacher for both the Hyde School and Woodstock Academy. A lifelong musician, he later went on to open String Tinkers, an artisanal music store in Putnam.
In addition to his wife, Donald leaves his son, Thomas Allison Barry Spaeth of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Spaeth of Portland, Ore.; his brothers, Peter Edward Spaeth of Mineola, N.Y., and Edward Gregory Spaeth of Stony Brook, N.Y.; and his niece Corinne Helen Spaeth of Mineola.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Donald’s family from 6 to 8 p.m. March 19 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Robert Choiniere Jr.,
Vietnam war vet
NORTH WATERBORO, Maine — Robert G. Choiniere Jr., 66, Lazybrook Ln., died March 9, 2015, in Casa Grande, Ariz. He was the husband of Mary (Bigos) Choiniere. Born in 1948 in Putnam, he was the son of the late Robert and Lorretta (Deotte) Choiniere Sr.
Mr. Choiniere was a U.S. Marine who proudly served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. He worked as a machinist for John M. Dean. He was a member of the Gold Prospectors of America and enjoyed panning for gold. He also enjoyed fishing, beer brewing, and sports, especially the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, Jeremy Choiniere of N. Waterboro; his daughter, Jill Smith (Sam) of Leeds, Maine; his sister, Sandra Chubbuck (Wade) of S. Killingly; grandchildren Kayla and Gabrielle.
Visitation is from 3 to 5 p.m. March 21 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam followed by a funeral service at 5 p.m. in the funeral home
Florence ‘Siddy’ Davis
N. GROSVENORDALE — Florence C. (Anderson) Davis, 77, of Riverside Dr., died March 7, 2015, in Harrington TCU Center, Webster. She was the wife of the late Albin Davis. Born in 1937 in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Hilmer and Florence (Butler) Anderson.
Florence attended Leicester, Mass., schools, was a homemaker, and lived in N. Grosvenordale for many years.
She leaves two sons, Carl Davis, and Timothy Davis and his husband Rick Van Vleet-Davis; her daughters, Edye and Kathleen Davis, Kris Bolduc, Marlene Stuart, and Mary Bredefeld; five brothers, Lawrence, Leonard, Dennis, Robert and Thomas Anderson; two sisters, Margaret Elkind, and Eileen Fitzgerald; several grandchildren; her very good friend and neighbor Ellie. In addition to her husband, Florence is predeceased by her son Peter Parzek.
The Mass of Christian Burial was March 14 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tribute Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
Jean M. Fitzback
THOMPSON — Jean M. Fitzback, 82, formerly of Thompson, died Feb. 24, 2015, at Crystal Bay Senior Living in Destin, Fla., after an illness. Her husband of 49 years, Albert L. Fitzback, died in 2003.
She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of Louis and Vera (Kirkconnell) Copp and lived in Thompson most of her life. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1950, where she was selected as the recipient of the Good Citizenship Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution. After living in Thompson, she moved to Maryland and then to Florida in 2013.
Mrs. Fitzback worked as a secretary for her husband’s business, Albert L. Fitzback Land Surveying for many years before retiring in 1997.
She was a member of the Glee Club at Crystal Bay Senior Living. She enjoyed bowling in leagues at Mohegan Bowl-A-Drome, camping, reading, completing puzzles, painting and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of St. Joseph Church in N. Grosvenordale.
She leaves four children, Bruce Fitzback of Putnam, Sharon Briggs (Steven) of Oxford, Mass., Susan Julian (Paul) of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., and Sheila Bembenek (Lance) of Woodstock; seven grandchildren, Sean and Kyle Briggs, Sara Julian, Lisa Guyot, Jessica Griffin, Mikaela and Kaitlyn Bembenek; a sister, Natalie Morgan of Stonington.
A funeral will be held March 28, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. March 28, in the funeral home. Donations: Emerald Coast Hospice Foundation, 340 Beal Pkwy NW #C, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; or to Crystal Bay Senor Living, either to the Activities Department or a gift to the Associate Appreciation Fund at 2400 Crystal Cove Lane, Destin, FL 32550.
Alphonse Kolat,
WWII vet
PUTNAM — Alphonse H. “Chela” Kolat, 89, of Putnam, died March 11, 2015, at Hartford Hospital. Alphonse was affectionately known as Chela. He was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Putnam, son of the late Joseph and Carolina (Dzioba) Kolat. On Nov. 22, 1947, at St. James Church in Danielson, he married the love of his life Evelyn A. Szmist. They made their home in Putnam.
Chela was a communicant of St. Mary Church in Putnam and lived his life in Putnam. He attended Israel Putnam School and Putnam High School.
He joined the U.S. Navy on Sept. 30, 1942, after high school. As a WWII Navy combat veteran, he served aboard the ships; the USS Anticline and the destroyer the USS Saterlee, as a third class petty officer gunner’s mate. He participated in four major actions in the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater, the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, Anzio and Southern France earning the American-European Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars.
Chela worked for 38 years with American Optical in Putnam and Southbridge. He was the superintendent of the shipping department. He ended his working career at Belding-Corticelli Mfg. in Putnam after 10 years. He was a life member of the; Putnam Elks, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans and Eagles of Southbridge. He was a Charter Member of the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.
His passion was his garden, in which he loved growing vegetables and mostly gave away to family and friends that wanted fresh vegetables. He loved and fed all the birds and cats who came to get breakfast at the Kolat’s house every morning. He made sure that bird seed and cat food was on the shopping list every week.
He leaves his wife of 67 years, Evelyn Kolat of Putnam; a sister-in-law, Edna Szmist Lavallee of Danielson; uncle Daniel Dzioba of Ledyard; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Emeryk Kolat and Frederick Kolat; his sisters, Helen Lulli, Julie Kowalski and Flora Kempain-O’Neil of Worcester.
A Mass of Christian Burial was March 16 at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery in the spring. Donations: NECCOG, P.O. Box 759, Dayville, CT. 06241. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Lorraine Marion
PUTNAM — Lorraine Marion of Putnam, died March 12, 2015. She was the wife of the Norman Marion. He died Dec. 10, 1992. She was born in 1923 daughter of Eugene and Georgianna Dery.
She spent many of her work years employed by Belding Heminway and retired from day Kimball Hospital. She enjoyed square dancing, camping and winters in Florida.
She leaves her children: Constance Child, Lea Levesque, Mary Miller, Rene Marion; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her sister Germaine Dery.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the spring at St. Joseph’s Church, Dayville. Donations: Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Metabeth Balta
DUDLEY — Metabeth (Qualls) Balta, 104, formerly of Schofield Avenue, died March 12 ,2015, in Brookside Rehab & Healthcare, Webster. Her husband of 49 years, Stephen Balta, died in 1979
She was born in Hanson, Ky., the daughter of the late Richard and the late Fannie (Haywood) Qualls .
She graduated from Hanson High School. She settled in Dudley in 1930. She worked the looms of Packard Mills in Dudley and was an inspector at the American Optical Company in Southbridge retiring in 1972
Metabeth's pastime was spent crocheting, knitting, rug braiding, rug hooking, and sewing all of her life and traveling in her retirement.
She leaves her two daughters: Betty Latour (Raymond) of Southbridge, Linda Smalarz (Paul) of E. Thompson; nine grandchildren: Paula Champagne of Maine, Deborah Deary of Dudley, Omer Gadoury of Winchendon, Mass., Pamela Belanger of Webster, Robert Latour of Dudley, Paul Latour of Webster, Karen Smalarz of Woodstock, JaneEllen Romprey of E. Thompson and Jeffrey Smalarz of Thompson; 16 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter Barbara Gadoury and an infant daughter Ilona Balta an infant granddaughter Kathryn Smalarz and her sister Lucille Buchanan.
Burial will be at a later date in St. Joseph Garden of Peace Webster . Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley.
M. Racine-Williams
DAYVILLE — Marilyn L. “Mary Lou” Racine-Williams, 79, of Dayville, died March 6, 2015, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. Marilyn was born Oct. 19,1935, at her childhood home in Woodstock. She was the daughter of the late Fredrick and Addie (Daniels) Racine.
Marilyn grew up in Woodstock, CT, where she attended school. She worked for Idle Wilde Farms in Pomfret Center for 25 years and then retired. Mary Lou enjoyed her retirement and filled her time with her grandchildren, dancing, being “Nana” to many, making good conversation and enjoying her coffee with family and friends.
Marilyn leaves her twin sons, Robert Williams of Dayville and Richard Williams of Dayville; daughters, Carol Laliberty of Putnam, Donna Bidwell (Raymond) of New Hampshire; a brother Gerald Racine (Susie) of Woodstock; a sister Natalie Freeman (Arthur) of Maine; grandchildren, Melinda Spenard, Melissa Spenard, Samantha Bidwell, Justin Laliberty, Katie Spenard and Daniel Elie; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, JJ, Kyle and Julianna; her bird, Noah; her dearest friend Cathy B. She was predeceased by her brothers, James Perry, Robert Perry, Fredrick “Junior” Racine and Charlie Racine, her sister Jacqueline Plante and also her grandson Seth Williams.
Donations: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or to your local food bank in your area. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Lucille J. Viens
PUTNAM — Lucille J. Viens, 78, of River Rd., died March 13, 2015, in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late Bernard Viens.
Born in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Leroy and Edouila (Benoit) Bernier.
Mrs. Viens was a clerk for retail for Bugbees Department Store, W. T. Grant and Kmart. She also worked as an assistant for Portraits by Nan. She enjoyed knitting and spending time with her family. She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation.
She leaves a son, Michael Viens (Nanette) of Putnam; her grandson, Christopher Viens of Putnam; nieces & nephews.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 19 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, with a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Providence St. Donations: Putnam Fire Department Scholarship Fund, 189 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260; or to Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260.
Doris Demarest
EASTFORD — Doris B. Demarest, 87 of Eastford, died Feb. 11, 2015, at home.
She was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Waterbury to the late Arthur E. and Eunice (Moore) Bloss. Doris grew up in Bethlehem. She received her master’s degree in mathematics from UConn. She taught math at Coventry High School for many years until her retirement.
Doris married William G. Molnar in 1952 and moved to Ashford. William died unexpectedly in 1960. She later married Milton W. Demarest and moved to Eastford. Milton died in 2001.
She leaves her children: Tracey M. Borovicka (Steven), Beverly M. Mazzarella (Philip), George W. Molnar (Wendi), Nancy M. Beaudoin (Joseph), Sheryl E. Priest, Lorraine E. Demarest, Jennifer Werner, Charles Demarest (Lisa), Jeffrey Demarest, and Daniel Demarest; 14 grandchildren, 5 (+ 2) great grandchildren; four sister in-laws and 1 bother in-law.
A Memorial Service celebrating Doris’ life will be held at 2 p.m. May 30 at the South Woodstock Baptist Church on Roseland Park Road, Woodstock. Burial will be private. Donations: Eastford Independent Fire Company # 1, PO Box 333 Eastford CT. 06242.
Phyllis Kuper
WOODSTOCK — Phyllis R. (Racine) Kuper, 90, of Woodstock died March 12, 2015. She was the wife for 70 years of the late Arthur Kuper who died Nov. 27, 2013.
She was born in Putnam, on St. Patrick’s Day, which she was very proud of. She was the daughter of the late, Augustus and Lillian (Milligan) Racine and lived in Woodstock all her life. She was a member of the Woodstock Historical Society and Ladies Aide of the North Woodstock Congregational Church. She was the go-to person, when you needed a volunteer for any project. She loved animals especially horses. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and being outdoors.
She leaves two sons, Daniel R. Kuper (Margaret) of Woodstock and Kenneth A. Kuper of Woodstock; two daughters, Lorraine Daniels (William) of Webster and Karen Martin of Worcester; four grandchildren: Jason Kuper , Sarah Gilbert, Shelly Matte and Richard Kuper; four great-grandchildren and a great-grandson. She was predeceased by two brothers Russell and Lloyd Racine, two sisters, Priscilla Olds and Elizabeth Saltonstall and a grandson, Aaron A. Kuper. Donations: Humane Society or Dog Pound. Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.
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O'Putnam captions, clockwise from top left:
Alivia Gagne, 3, post race
Mackenzie Baker and her dog Ajax of Canterbury.
Michelle Murray and her daughter Sadie Murray of Scotland, post race.
Michael Stadolnik of Plainfield, left, took first with a time of 17:49 and Elizabeth Edwards of Thompson, above, won the women's division with a time of 20:04.
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One Book project
coming April 15
PUTNAM — What if everyone read the same book and then joined together to talk about it? That’s the idea behind the One Book project. Quiet Corner Reads began a yearly One Book project six years ago, and the collaboration of local libraries, is still working together to encourage literacy, library support, and community development. Members include libraries in the towns of Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Mansfield, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Thompson, Union and Woodstock. The One Book project each year encourages residents of northeast Connecticut to read the same book at the same time, bringing people together to discuss ideas and to broaden their appreciation of reading.
The sixth annual Quiet Corner Reads launch event will be held at 10:30 a.m. April 15 at the Thompson Public Library and the announcement of the 2015 One Book selection and information will be made. The chosen author will speak at 7 p.m June 16 at the Pomfret School in Pomfret and limited tickets will be sold at local libraries. The author visit is being sponsored by The Beagary Trust and local Friends of the Libraries. For more information, visit QCReads on Facebook and at the quietcornerreads.org website.
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Summer arts
PUTNAM — The Summer Arts Academy is accepting online applications and scheduling auditions for its fine arts day camp for upper middle school and high school students, held July 26 through Aug. 1. Offers instruction in acting, creative writing, dance, chorus, drawing/painting, and photography. Every accepted student automatically receives a full scholarship to the program, worth over $1,500. Deadline is May 15. Go to www.summerartsacademy.com for more information.