Past Issues of the Putnam Town Crier
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caption:
At Dodd Stadium
The TriTown team poses for a team photo at Dodd Stadium. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to Thompson Tax Collector Rene Morin. A graduate of the former St. Joseph’s High School in N. Grosvenordale, Morin starred on the basketball and baseball teams for the Saints. Today he enjoys rooting for the Red Sox and playing an occasional round of golf at Quinnatisset Country Club.
Baseball is America’s pastime. In years gone by kids played the game in city streets, schoolyards, cow pastures and empty fields. The advent of Little League in 1939 changed the face of the game to a more organized format. Today youngsters enjoy playing games on finely manicured fields that were never envisioned many years ago.
On Monday, June 23 the TriTown American Legion Senior and Junior teams, who play their home games at Tourtellotte Memorial High School and the Bentley Athletic Complex in Woodstock respectively, enjoyed a special baseball treat. Thanks to the efforts of the program’s Executive Committee both teams had the opportunity to play at Dodd Stadium in Norwich.
Dodd Stadium personnel headed by General Manager Eric Knighton and special events manager Jack Kasten rolled out the red carpet for the Towners and their opponents Jewett City. The players had the use of the visitors’ clubhouse prior to the game. After both games all the players enjoyed hot dogs, Gatorade and chips in the clubhouse as part of the “Big League” package.
During the opening ceremony for each game the Mayotte-Viens American Legion Post #13 Honor Guard of Putnam presented the colors. The Honor Guard was led by Air Force veteran Marc Coderre along with Air Force veteran Donald Steinbrick, Navy vet and Vietnam veteran Alan Joslin and Marine Corps veteran David Smutnick. The National Anthem was sung by another Air Force veteran, Maurice “Moe” Coderre, who also sings the Anthem at all Putnam High School boys’ and girls’ home basketball games.
Thanks to the generosity of the Byrnes Agency of Dayville, Woodstock and Norwich, the teams were able to enjoy the extra niceties that were provided both teams. Every player was also presented with a backpack compliment of the Byrnes Agency.
Although the stadium, which seats about 7,000, appeared empty, a crowd estimated at approximately 250 was on hand. The crowd was primarily composed of parents, extended family, friends and a number of veterans who were on hand.
Tourtellotte Inducts New Hall of Fame Class
The Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame, probably the premier program of its type in the area and the envy of others, inducted its Class of 2014 on Saturday, June 14 in the school’s auditorium. Prior to the start of the festivities a moment of silence was held in memory of the late Jim Naum, a member of the Hall and a founding member of the program.
One of the 2014 inductees was Louis Thomas of the Class of 1985, starring on the soccer pitch and baseball diamond. During his four years on the Tourtellotte campus “Sweet Lou” dominated the two sports.
As a baseball player Thomas was a catcher for coach Tom Auclair’s Tigers, leading the team to a pair of Quinebaug Valley Conference Championships in 1983 and 1985. Small in stature but big of heart, Thomas was a natural leader behind the plate. His talent led to many personal awards.
He was the Tigers 1985 MVP and was selected Observer Patriot/Journal Transcript all star in 1983, 1984 and 1985, as well as a QVC All Star. As a senior he was named All-State by the Hartford Courant and selected to play in the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Senior Baseball All Star game.
In soccer he was the team’s MVP in 1984 and 1985 and garnered Observer Patriot/Journal Transcript all star recognition. As a member of the 1985 Zenon Sosnowski Memorial Soccer Challenge Cup Championship team, Thomas was selected MVP in 1984 and 1985.
Recognized as a student he was honored in 1985 with the James P. Canty Good Citizenship Award and the Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award. Thomas later went on to Springfield College, where he was a member of the baseball team. He currently holds a management position at the Kochek Co. in Putnam.
Hyde School Honors Local Athlete
A Pomfret Center young man was recently honored by Hyde School-Woodstock for his play on the lacrosse field. Charlie Levine, a junior, was named the Wolfpack boys’ junior varsity lacrosse Most Improved Player based on his performance and achievement during the spring trimester at the independent character-based school.
“Levine and the other award winners embody what it means to show grit, character and leadership. Each player demonstrated a high level of skill, as well as dedication and personal growth,” said Hyde-Woodstock Head of School Bob Felt.
Levine is the son of Charles and Melissa Levine.
Spotted in the Crowd
Among the people in the crowd at Dodd Stadium for the American Legion baseball game between TirTown and Jewett City was former Norwich Free Academy Hall of Fame coach John Iovino. Seated by himself far behind home plate, Iovino, who is an astute student of the game, was enjoying the contest and probably making some mental scouting notes.
Although no longer an active coach, Iovino, who is currently in administration at NFA, always has a keen eye out for talented baseball players. He’s very proud of the fact that two of his former Wildcat players are in the Major Leagues. Eric Campbell is with the New York Mets where he’s been pinch hitting and playing in the infield and outfield for Manager Terry Collins. Dominick Leone is a relief pitcher with the Seattle Mariners, where he possesses an Earned Run Average of less than 2.00. Another player, Andrew Carignan is a relief pitcher at AAA Phoenix for the San Francisco Giants. Carignan once was in the Majors with the Oakland A’s prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Around baseball John Iovino is a proud papa of the young men he nurtured when he was coaching and building character in his players.
RPC’s Closing thought For The Day: Celebrate the 4th of July safely and remember what the day means. It celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and is a National holiday.
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Samuel R. Peckham,
U.S. Navy vet
PUTNAM — Samuel R. Peckham died June 2, 2014, at home, after a battle with cancer. He was born June 6, 1939, in Putnam, the son of the late Adelbert V. and Bernice L. (Sheldon) Peckham.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 – 1962 and was a Machinist Mate Second Class, assigned to the USS Maloy (DE-791), based out of New London. He was an Operating Engineer for more than 50 years (Local 478) and had a talent for operating all types of heavy equipment. He worked primarily on highway construction in Connecticut, and during the mid 1970s he spent a year in Saudi Arabia while working for the L.G. De Felice Construction Company. During the span of his career, he also worked for Arute Brothers, O & G, and Balf/Savin Construction Company from which he retired in 2001.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, being outdoors, watching the native wildlife, golf, and visiting with friends in his shop.
He leaves his wife of 54 years, Amanda L. (Cournoyer); his children: JoAnn (Arthur) Currier, Roxanne (Robert) Sheldon, Samuel (Lorraine) Peckham; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his sister, Lillian M. Newth; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by eight siblings.
A celebration of his life was private. Donations: Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut, c/o Day Kimball Development Office, P. O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Henry Driscoll,
Air Force vet
CAYMAN BRAC — Henry Douglas Driscoll died June 1, 2014, after a struggle with esophageal cancer in Cayman Brac, his home for almost 30 years.
Henry was born in Washington, D.C. in 1942 to James D. and Loretta (Haggerty) Driscoll. He grew up in North Tarrytown and Pleasantville, N.Y. He graduated from Pleasantville High School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He loved to tinker with cars and loved to provide hospitality.
He and Susan Dahlgren Driscoll, who predeceased him, lived in Chappaqua before moving to Putnam, and then Cayman Brac.
He leaves his children: Jessica Lecolst, Katherine and her husband Steven Schultz, Henry and his wife Heidi Driscoll; his grandchildren: Brooke, Ashley, Olivia, Blake, Samantha, Erica, Duncan, Cameron, and Abigail who live in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire; his brother John and his wife Gina Driscoll of Cromwell, his wife Diana Scott in Cayman Brac; as well as two great-grandchildren, two nephews and one niece. He also leaves his Fitzgerald cousins and many friends in the Putnam area especially Bill Altmeier.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Evelyn D. Hicks
MEDWAY, Mass. — Evelyn (Duquette) Hicks, 76, formerly of N. Grosvenordale, Woodstock, and Putnam, died June 29, 2014, in Medway Country Manor Nursing Home, Medway.
Born in 1937 in Webster, she was the daughter of the late Arsene and Lovina (Laflamme) Duquette.
Evelyn was a homemaker who enjoyed dancing, shopping, walking, and going to Foxwoods. Having very strong faith, she loved going to Mass at St. Joseph Church and St. Mary Church of the Visitation. She particularly enjoyed travel.
She leaves her sons, Gary Hicks (Cathy) of Loveland, Colo., Donald Hicks of Centennial, Colo., and Stephen Hicks (Sabrina) of Hooksett, N.H.; her daughter, Susan Marrano (Jim) of Charlestown, Mass.; her sisters, Lorraine LaBonte of Fabyan, and Alice Danis of N. Grosvenordale; five grandchildren, Holly Hicks Dirks of Cheyenne, Wy., James Marrano Jr. of Charlestown, Sam Hicks of Boulder, Colo., Daniel Marrano of Brighton, Mass., and Erica Marrano of Waltham, Mass.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. July 3 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Gloria Stockdale
PUTNAM — Gloria Constance Stockdale, 91 of Putnam, died June 26, 2014 at home.
Constance was born April 1, 1923, on Easter, the daughter of Wilfrid and Aldora (Coderre) Richard. She grew up in Southbridge, and graduated from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing.
In 1949, for her honeymoon, she and her husband, William Stockdale and their boxer dog, Taj Mahal, walked 3525 miles “across America afoot”, from Putnam to Los Angeles. That was the start of a lifetime of travel. She and her husband visited more than 65 countries on six continents. Travel was her passion; she loved visiting new countries and making friends in far off places. In addition to working as a Registered Nurse at Day Kimball Hospital, she managed her husband’s travel lecture business, and raised seven children while cooking every meal from scratch. Somehow she also managed to walk every day and could be seen like clockwork walking the “4-mile loop” over Putnam Heights. She was an avid reader. She also enjoyed music, gardening and most of all, her family. Her glass always full, she will be remembered for her positive outlook, encouraging words and everlasting wisdom.
She leaves her son, Richard and wife Susan; daughter Rebecca and husband Stephen Woolley; son Christopher; daughter Heather and husband Thomas Perilstein; daughter Cynthia and husband Jeffrey Freeland; son Joshua and his wife Kim; grandchildren Jacob and Seth Stockdale-Woolley, Austin Perilstein, Charlotte and Eleanor Freeland, and Korinne and Camden Stockdale. She was predeceased by her husband William in 2009 and her son Robin in 1998.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. July 13 at the United Methodist Church, 51 Grove St., Putnam, CT. Donations: Daily Bread, PO Box 281, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Patricia L. Murphy
DANIELSON — Patricia L. Murphy, 77, of Danielson formally of Southbridge, and Thompson, died June 27, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1937, she was the daughter of the late Victor and Josephine (Metowski) Talabac.
Patricia worked as a nurse’s assistant for several local nursing homes. She had also worked for Old Sturbridge Village. She enjoyed bingo, crocheting, watching the Yankee and Giants, and vacationing on Cape Cod.
She leaves her sons; Brian Murphy (Tara) of Woodstock and Michael Murphy (Nicole) of Southbridge; grandchildren, Kaylee, Kody, Kassidy, Kyla, Lexi and Kaden; her niece, Joann Talabac of Jupiter, Fla.; her nephews, Richard and Scott Talabac of Jupiter; former husband Arthur Murphy of N. Grosvenordale. Visitation is at 10 a.m. July 2 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with her Funeral Service at 11 in the funeral home. Burial will follow in W. Thompson Cemetery.
Margaret Koerner
WOODSTOCK — Peg Koerner, a Woodstock resident of 47 years, died June 22, 2014, in Worcester. She had celebrated her 90th birthday in March.
Peg grew up in Brockton, Mass., the fourth of six children of the late Margaret Ayers Eaton and Louis Franklin Eaton. She was a member of the Mayflower Society.
She married the late Dr. Theodor (Ted) Cooper Koerner in 1950, celebrating 50 years of marriage before his death in 2001. Together, they raised five children – Christopher, Allan, Jeffrey, Mark and Susan. Carrying on her father’s tradition of writing to the family every week, Peg wrote 2,027 weekly letters to her family with updates on family events, the most recent being last Friday morning after speaking with her five children. The letters started as carbon copies mailed through the U.S. Postal Service in 1975. Twelve years ago, she began sending the letters by email, including extended family in the distribution. She graduated from Walnut Hill School and Skidmore College with a degree in chemistry. She taught at Rogers Hall School in Lowell and was a medical chemist at several hospitals. Peg recently retired as the second-longest serving volunteer at Day Kimball Hospital after a 42 years as a volunteer, accumulating over 4,000 hours. She was a member of Christ Church in Pomfret for more than 40 years and volunteered in the church office every Monday. She also held various leadership positions in the Episcopal Church Women. An avid gardener, Peg served as chairperson of the Woodstock Beautification Committee.
Peg took part in an array of sports and games either as a participant or a spectator; she swam regularly even at the age of 90; was a member of two bridge groups. She and Ted often won the local Couples Bridge Club Championship. She played golf at Quinnatisset and more recently at Harrisville; and was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the UConn women’s basketball team. She was known for her blueberry muffins and pies, her addiction to jigsaw puzzles and her skill at knitting sweaters.
She leaves four sons: Christopher Eaton Koerner of Oakton, Va; Allan Wade Koerner of Farmington, Jeffrey Ayers Koerner of Glastonbury, and Mark Cooper Koerner of Marion, Mass.; one daughter, Susan Koerner of Westminster, Colo.; daughters-in-law Ingrid (Allan), Jo-Anne Leventhal (Jeffrey) and Meredith (Mark); and a son-in-law Scott Hirst (Susan); six grandchildren - Melissa (and Jason) Reeve of Marlton, N.J.; Andrew Koerner of San Francisco, Mara Koerner of Boston, Olivia Koerner of Farmington, Emily Koerner of Marion, and Rebecca Koerner of Marion; three great-grandchildren: Cooper Theodor; Morrison Alice; and Carter Jeffrey Reeve, all of Marlton; a brother, David Ayers Eaton of N. Sandwich, N.H., and a sister Mary Abigail Mott of Topsham, Maine. She was predeceased by her brothers Louis Franklin Eaton Jr , Robert Ayers Eaton, and Allan Ayers Eaton.
A memorial service was June 26 at Christ Church, Pomfret. Donations: Christ Church Koerner Scholarship Fund, 512 Pomfret St, Pomfret CT 06258; or Day Kimball Hospital, 320 Pomfret St, Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Jeanne Kruzel
N. GROSVENORDALE — Jeanne (Gaumond) Kruzel, 85, of Pasay St., died June 26, 2014, in Hubbard Hospital Transitional Care Unit. She was the wife of the late Anthony J. Kruzel Jr. Born in 1929 in Wilsonville, she was the daughter of the late Amedee and Marie Ange (St. Germaine) Gaumond.
Mrs. Kruzel worked as a bookkeeper for her husband’s business Tri State Paving for many years prior to becoming a clerk at International Paper. Mrs. Kruzel enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and was an expert speller competing in the spelling bees held at The Lodge at Eddy Pond. She was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella.
She leaves her daughter in-law Tamara (Godzik) Kruzel of Woodstock; her grandchildren, Tyler Kruzel and Alexandra Kruzel; a sister Dolores Hubert of N. Grosvenordale, a brother Richard Gaumond of Danielson. She was predeceased by her son, Thomas Kruzel who died in 2005; two brothers Laurent, Bernard, and Leonard Gaumond, and two sister Doris Duquette and Alice Benway.
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 30 in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Dudley, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Hubbard TCU, 340 Thompson Rd., Webster, MA 01570 Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
John E. Mahon Jr.
THOMPSON — John E. Mahon Jr., 51, of Seastrand Rd., died June 24, 2014, at home. He was the husband of Johanne (Grenier) Mahon. Born in1963 in Putnam, he was the son of Lillian (Mailloux) Mahon of N. Grosvenordale and the late John E. Mahon Sr.
Mr. Mahon worked as the zoning enforcement officer for the Town of Thompson. He was a Justice of the Peace for Windham County. He enjoyed doing yard work, watching boxing on television, and playing on-line games. He was an avid Beatles fan, especially enjoying Paul McCartney. He will be missed by his German Shepherd dog, “Ritz.”
In addition to his mother and wife, John leaves his sons, John E. Mahon III of N. Grosvenordale, and Jordan P. Mahon of N. Grosvenordale; and his brother, Phillip Mahon of Grosvenordale.
The funeral was June28 with a graveside at St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: The American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492. 28 Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.
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PUTNAM — The Putnam Middle School fourth-marking period honor roll includes:
Principal’s List
Grade 6: Mirabelle Bates, Haley Cutler, Camryn Gaucher, Molly McKeon, Janete Morente Uz, Ellie Morissette, Andrea Prochowski, Jillian Romagnano, Anthony Sonner
Grade 7: Emma Ciquera, Maggie McKeon, Lydia Taft, Jenna Tatro, Mariah Travisano
Grade 8: Jason Becker, Lauren Carita, Scott Davagian, Doria Daviau, Morgan Foucault, Sophia Glaude, Victor Krivosheev, Allison Lafortune, Sophia LeDuc, Brianna Long, Brenden Picard, Erica Rumsey, Benjamin Smith
First Honors
Grade 6: Coby Babbitt, Zoey Beaudreault, Autumn Bocash, Matthew Chzaszcz, Maxwell Dionne, Jordan Dolbey, Nathaniel Dolbey, Rachel Farnsworth, Jaden Garcia, Jillian Gray, Zoe Hetrick, Michael Ionkin, Faith Johnson, Hayley Kuhn, Emily Langlois, Christa Lord-Pinkston, Kayleigh Lyons, Ryan Metivier, Chloe Newton, Jordyn Poole, Joshua Porter, Hannah Smith, Jacob Tatro, Jennifer Tilley, Noah Tomkins, Caleb Wells
Grade 7: Kayla Anderson, Trinity Bailey, Morgan Blackmar, Montana Cook, Emily Cournoyer, Victoria Dias, Seyla Dodge, Jewelia England, Elizabeth Foss, Ezra George, Olivia Golbranson, Kira Horan, Kylye-Annmarie Kupiec, Andrew Kustov, Logan LeBlanc, Sierra Mainville, Katy Maryanov, Thomas Masso, Mya Meadows, Chelsea Minaya-Torres, Simon Morente Uz, Pari Patel, Miranda Pechie, Jeffrey Reed, Katia Ruelas-Santana, Megan Shippee, Madison Toutant, Aislin Tracey, Jane Vongvirath, Christian Yorz
Grade 8: Mitchel Barylski, Jaclyn Burdzel, Aidan Ciquera, Kira Clinkscale, Kerri Fulton, Dekoda Gray, Justin Haynes, Connor Holloman, Rachel Hultzman, Savannah Kruger, Colin LaCasse, Tyler LaCasse, Zachary Lavoie, Jasmin Montpelier, Alyson Morris, Ericka Olsen, Isabel Olsen, Mickenzie Olsen, Connor Pellitier, Stephanie Penrod, Christopher Plante, Daniel Porcic, Hannah Prestas, Keely Purdon, Nicole Steinbrick, Courtney Stott, Samantha Tilley
Second Honors
Grade 6: Joe Andujar, Samantha Barylski, Ariana Bianchi-Bisson, Tanner Clark, Malaki Fitzgerald, Reece Gardiner Sydney Grilo, Shayla Haggerty, Kyle Haynes, Carter LeBlanc, Daytona MacDonald, Steven Merritt, Jade Montpelier, Jasmine Neal, Charlotte Nichols, Jarah Phaiah, Violet Provencal, Hunter Roberts, Kobie Saddler, Justin St. Martin
Grade 7: Kobie Bates, Spencer Benoit, Lauren Blackmar, Mackenzie Blackwell, Paige Brennan, Julz Burdzel, Shelby Charbonneau, Jacob Clinkscale, Delaney Cross, Cole Davagian, Troy Davis, Lauren Deery, Michael DiColella, Dawnielle Dowd, Kayleigh Gauvin, Angelina Gould, Julia Loomis, Kayla MacDonald, Michael Mard, Tavia Orvos, Jenna Pontrelli, Sebastian Ramos, Kyle Riddick, Megan Sessums, Alexa Steinbrick, Alexander Strom, Hunter Touchette, Jacob Tremblay, Jillian Williams
Grade 8: Tara Auger, Hayden Belliveau, Gage Benoit, Hailey Bocash, Hailie Brytowski, Ashley Burke, Brandon Cacciapuoti, Kaylee Fowler, Jaidyn Gillette, Natalie Ionkin, Chandon Lamoureux, Nathan Sarachick, Isiah Sarsfield, Louis Thorstenson, Kayla Vanasse.
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Citizens National
Bank honored
PUTNAM — The Citizens National Bank has been selected for the 2013 Connecticut Excellence Award amongst all its peers and competitors by the US Trade & Commerce Institute (USTCRI).
Each year the USTCRI conducts business surveys and industry research to identify companies that have achieved demonstrable success in their local business environment and industry category. They are recognized as having enhanced the commitment and contribution of small businesses through service to their customers and community. Small businesses of this caliber enhance the consumer driven stature that Connecticut is renowned for. The Citizens National Bank has consistently demonstrated a high regard for upholding business ethics and company values. This recognition by USTCRI marks a significant achievement as an emerging leader within various competitors and is setting benchmarks that the industry should follow. As part of the industry research and business surveys, various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the selected companies in each category. This research is part of an exhaustive process that encapsulates a year-long immersion in the business climate of Connecticut.