PUTNAM — Students from the New England, New York and Pennsylvania came together to compete in the New England Tang Soo Do championships in Old Saybrook. Here are the results from the Quest Martial Arts Competition team.
Alexis Elkinson – 2nd in Sparring
Alie Wesler- 2nd in Weapons
David May- 1st in Weapons, 3rd in Sparring
Jennifer Frechette- 1st in Sparring, 4th in Weapons
Aris Roane 1st in Weapons, Forms and Sparring
Anthony Buckner  1st in Sparring, 2nd in Forms , 2nd in Weapons
Ricky Grendell – 3rd in Forms
Emma Chryzanowski-2nd sparring, 4th weapons, 4th forms
Lilian Frechette- 1st in Forms, 3rd in Sparring
Maddie Frechette- 2nd in Sparring, 2nd in Weapons
Alisa Libby- 2nd in Sparring
Vincenzo  Dimiglio -2nd in Forms
Kai Teed- 1st in Forms
Brian Card – 2nd in Weapons, 1st in Forms, 1st in Sparring
Ian Stone- 1st in Sparring

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PUTNAM — Amanda Morales, hired last week as the new head coach of the Putnam Science Academy girls’ prep basketball team, is up for the challenge.
Athletic Director Tom Espinosa said Morales stood out in the interview process for her ability to recruit talented kids and her knowledge of NEPSAC Schools. She joins a team with a 45-16 2 year run under previous coach Derek Marchione.
Morales, the former Watkinson School coach, saw success quickly going 19-4 in her first year while helping Watkinson qualify for the Class C NEPSAC Tournament for the first time in school history. She then notably qualified for the tournament the following two seasons including last year’s 18-6 record that took the team to the Class C Semi-Finals.
Morales said she had “fantastic” years while at Watkinson School but also was excited about taking the next step at Putnam Science Academy. “I really look forward to developing good relationships with these kids. I’m going to be teaching math as well so the kids will see me during school and parents will know they have a coach who is invested in their child’s future.”
Morales will take on a roster with five returnees from last year’s team in Lucie Castagne, Damoni Tucker, Aaliyah Brittan, Nasserine Williams and Niya Fields, the lone starter remaining from the Mustangs team that took home third place in the Independent School National Championship tourney.
Fields, an excellent defender for PSA, will be called upon to take on more of a leadership role with Fatima Lee and Ariana Koivisto graduating this past year. But multiple recruits are still planning on attending PSA even with a new coach at the helm. Delainey Haines, a post-grad from Maine, is still committed to Putnam Science along with “several others” as coach Morales still aims to bring in around “five to eight girls to help with depth.”
Morales brings a “very straight forward” attitude to her new position while also “not sweating the small stuff” when it comes to the job. “I’m excited for the season to be here and get these ladies out on the court. We are going to surprise some people with our play … getting up and down the court and playing tough basketball.”  She said: “It’s so important and that’s what we are looking for… All for one and one for all attitude where girls can give it their all and know that whoever comes off the bench will do the same.”
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy

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Giancarlo ‘John’ Peluso,
U.S. Army vet
KANSAS — Giancarlo (John) Peluso, 90, died May 12, 2019, at The Atriums.
He was born Aug. 3, 1928, in Putnam, the son of Nicholas and Louise (Truppa) Peluso.
Growing up he earned money setting duck pins in the local bowling alleys. This job later turned into a passion for 10-pin bowling, leading him to become an avid competitive bowler in the Kansas City area.
In 1946 he joined the Army where he proudly served in the 2nd Infantry Division and 15th Field Artillery Battalion. During his service he used his high school trumpet training and served in both the Division and Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps.
After the Army, he continued his education at an automotive school in Kansas City in 1949 under the GI Bill.
He worked at BPU for several years before retiring. John was a passionate NY Yankees fan from the Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle eras to the current Baby Bombers.
Returning to his Connecticut roots, he became a serious follower of both men’s and women’s basketball teams at UConn.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Wanda (Rollo) Peluso; brother and sister-in-law Stephen and Betitina Peluso; caretaker and niece and nephew, Ron and Marty Ward; niece Susan Saunders; nephew Donald Baxter.
A graveside service was held May 16 in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, Kan.

Armand A. Provost,
WWII vet
THOMPSON — Armand “Normand” A. Provost, 94, died June 29, 2019, at Westview Healthcare Center, Dayville. Normand was born on Nov. 18, 1924, in Putnam, son of the late Frank and Leona (Garceau) Provost.
Normand attended St. Mary’s and Putnam High School. His first job was as an usher at the Bradley Playhouse where he met his future wife Julienne.
He was drafted into the Army in August 1943 to the 119th Infantry. He served as a rifleman in Italy, where he fought in Rome - Arno, Northern Apennines, and the Po Valley. Normand’s awards included the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with three Bronze Battle Stars, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. He also served with the Military Police towards the end of the war.
Upon returning home, he wed Julienne Mandeville on Sept. 3, 1945.
Normand always enjoyed holiday gatherings and family events. He had many hobbies including fishing, raising tropical fish, woodworking, CB radio, and golfing; but his passion was beekeeping, which he did for more than 40 years. He was a lifelong member of the Worcester Beekeepers Association where he received multiple awards. Staying true to his do-it-yourself nature, he built the family house in 1956. Norman was a foreman at Webster Spring for the majority of his work career. Normand was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.
He leaves his wife, Julienne (Mandeville) Provost; three sons, Paul Provost of Thompson, Wayne Provost (Jane) of Oxford, Mass., Craig Provost (Annette) of Ashford; two daughters, Darlene Tretheway of N. Grosvenordale, and Joyce Biernacki (Bob) of N. Grosvenordale; 12 grandchildren, Tammy Brissette (Scott) of Thompson, Brian Provost (Jody) of Webster, Holly Provost of Charlton, David Provost of Oxford, Kevin Provost of Webster, Amy Provost of Utica, N.Y., Sarah Tretheway of N. Grosvenordale, Nathan Tretheway of N. Grosvenordale, Joel Tretheway (Akanksha) of Putnam, Jesse Tretheway (Amber) of Dayville, Lauren Biernacki of Ann Arbor, Mich., Ryan Biernacki (Shawna) of Moosup; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; one brother-in-law, Norman Mandeville of Hendersonville, N.C.; two sisters-in-law, Henriette (Mandeville) Cartier of Riverside, Calif., and Lorraine (Mandeville) Beausoleil (Romeo) of N. Grosvenordale. He was predeceased by a son, Sgt. David Provost, a son-in-law, David Tretheway, a daughter-in-law, Deborah Provost, two sisters and brothers-in-law, Jeanne and Edward Semensky, and Theresa and Bill Richer. 
A Mass of Christian Burial was July 2 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial with military honors in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: St. Joseph Church.  Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main Street, N. Grosvenordale.

Marilyn (Morris) Blake
THOMPSON — Marilyn L. (Morris) Blake, 92, formerly of Thompson, died June 23, 2019.
Marilyn was born Jan.25, 1927, in Cumberland, R.I., a daughter of the late Arthur and Mary (Hunter) Morris. She was a longtime resident of Thompson where she lived with her husband of 60 years, John R. Blake, who died in 2008.
She enjoyed square dancing, lawn care and gardening, and taking many memorable cruises around the globe. Marilyn was loyal to her friends and family; selfless and kind by nature, she could warm you with her loving heart and take charge of a situation.
She leaves her daughter-in-law Charlene (Gion) Blake of Guilford;  two grandchildren: Bryan Blake (Abby) of Newton, Mass., and Elizabeth (Blake) Galvin (Dustin) of Branford; four great-grandchildren; two nieces: Beverly McDermott and MaryEllen Pontbriant; and nephew Brian Morris. She was predeceased by brothers Francis R. Morris and A. Clinton Morris and son Dr. Robert F. Blake.
The Funeral Service was June 29 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with interment at E. Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Thompson Hill Fire Department, 70 Chase Road, Thompson, CT 06277.

Ricky J. Caron
PUTNAM — Ricky J. Caron, 60, of Putnam, died unexpectedly June 25, 2019, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam.
Born Dec. 16, 1958, in Putnam, son of the late Leo Caron and Rita (Rumrill) Fruno. He was the husband of Kathy (Jodoin) Caron. They were married on Aug. 2, 1987, at Whipple’s Chapel in Dayville.
Ricky was hard worker — painting, lawn care and doing odd jobs. Ricky worked maintenance for Xtramart and Walmart and also worked as a prep cook at Vernon Stiles in Thompson and KFC in Putnam. He also worked as a spinner at the Matson Mill in Thompson. Ricky was a fan of the Red Sox and Patriots.
He leaves his wife Kathy Caron of Putnam; sons Joseph Caron of Brooklyn and John Caron of Putnam; brother Steven Caron of Putnam; sister Christina LaFlash of Putnam; nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Tammy Caron of Putnam and brother-in-law Brian LaFlash of Putnam.
A Memorial Service will be at 3 p.m. July 13 at Smith and Walker Funeral Home. 148 Grove St., Putnam. Visitation is from 2 to 3 p.m. Donations: To his family to assist with funeral expenses, 95 Laconia Ave., Putnam, CT 06260.

George J. Foley Jr.
THOMPSON —June 27, 2019, George J. Foley Jr. formerly from E. Weymouth, Mass., died at age of 84.  He was born in 1935.
George worked for Grossmans in Doors & Windows for 30 years. He enjoyed teasing his grandchildren which earned him his nickname “Grumpy.” Other hobbies were golfing, playing poker and cribbage, meeting his buddies at the casino for “lunch” and a few minutes of slots, puzzles, reading, yearly vacations on Sanibel Island, Fla., old time country music. One of his favorite things to do to sit on his farmer’s porch that he built at his Weymouth home overseeing the happenings of the neighborhood. He recently retired on Quaddick Lake in Thompson where he would spend his mornings drinking his coffee and enjoying the calmness of the lake.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Jean M. Foley; children, Stephen (Elizabeth) Foley of Pembroke, Mass., Glenn (Renee) Foley of Abington, Mass., Marlene (Paul) Genereux of Clermont, Fla., Lisa (Paul) Cournoyer of Woodstock; his grandchildren, Shawn and Krysta Foley, Leah and Zachary Foley, Nicole Genereux, Jon-Luc and Sydney Cournoyer; his great-grandchildren, Landon Foley and Jacob Shatto; his brothers and sisters, Gertrude Luce of New Hampshire, Edith Foley of Massachusetts, James Foley of Connecticut, Janet Allen of Hawaii, Daniel Foley of Connecticut, Joan Bartlett of Connecticut. He was predeceased by his brothers, Paul Foley, John Foley and Norman Foley.
A Celebration of George’s Life will be July 27 at Blue Hill Cemetery, 700 W. St., Braintree, MA [meet at office at 11:15 a.m. for procession to burial site] followed by reception from 1 to 5 p.m. at Rockland Golf Club, 276 Plain St., Rockland. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. Donations: Charity of donor’s choice.


Charles Currier III
BROOKLYN — Charles “Charlie” Currier, III, 47, of Wauregan Rd., died June 23, 2019, in his home.  Born in 1971 in Putnam, he was the son of Charles R. Currier Jr. and Norma (Cady) Currier of Apache Junction, Ariz.
Charlie worked as a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time in New Hampshire.
In addition to his parents, he leaves his son, Jack C. Beebe of Niantic; his sister, Cathy Erskine of Kent, Wash.; and two nieces, Valerie and Julie.
A Celebration of Charlie’s Life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. July 7 at the Elks Lodge, Edmonds St., Putnam. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

Richard Fournier
WOODSTOCK — Richard “Rich” Fournier, 68, of Joy Rd., died June 24, 2019.  He was married to the love of his life, Jeannine (Auger) Fournier, for 43 years.
Born in 1951 in Worcester, he was the son of the late Roger and Angela (Lorkiewicz) Fournier.
A long-time resident of northeastern Connecticut, Richard started his career at Day Kimball Hospital as a radiological technologist in 1971, and later served as administrative director of Diagnostics until his retirement in 2008. During his tenure as director, Richard’s commitment to people and quality care made a lasting impact to the community.
Richard was a member of the Pomfret Rod and Gun Club, where he spent many hours target and skeet shooting.  A lifelong outdoorsman and lover of nature, he was an accomplished deer hunter with both bow and firearms, as well as an avid freshwater and saltwater fisherman.  He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren the finer points of his hobbies, which also included woodworking and building quality furniture.
In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons, Gregory P. Fournier and Kevin T. Fournier (Katie); his daughter, Danielle M. Long (Patrick); his brother Paul J. Fournier (Patricia); and five grandchildren:  Connor and Caitlin Long, and Owen, Annabella and Cecelia Fournier.
The Mass of Christian Burial was June 28 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in Center Cemetery, Woodstock. Donations: Wyndham Land Trust, P.O. Box 302, Pomfret Center, CT, 06259. Gilman Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.


Betty M. Whipple
N. GROSVENORDALE — Betty M. Whipple, 77, of Holmes St., died June 23, 2019, at Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1942 in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Calvin and Emily (Conley) Greenlaw. Robert Whipple Sr., her husband, died Feb. 19, 2019.
Mrs. Whipple was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, crocheting, macramé and was a NASCAR fan.
She leaves her sons, William Whipple (Jennifer) of Eastford, and Robert Whipple Jr. (Jordan) of Winsted; her daughters, Sharon Kalis (Robert) of St. Augustine, Fla., Georgia Pollard and Roberta Guadarrama (Victor Albino) of N. Grosvenordale, and Jackie Waldron and her fiancé Kevin House of Beaver Dams, N.Y.; her sisters, Ruth Greenlaw and Nancy Chalis; 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.  She is predeceased by her brother, Raymond Greenlaw; her sisters, Lela Braccy June, and June Bournazian; and a grandson. 
A Celebration of Life will be held later. Donations: Whipple family c/o The Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St, Putnam.

David B. Berry,
Army Reserve vet
THOMPSON — David B Berry, 70, of Thompson, died unexpectedly June 25, 2019.
David was born on Oct.r 6, 1948, in Worcester, son of his parents, Linwood Exley and Esther Marrion Berry. 
David graduated from Worcester Vocational High School and became a member of Worcester Carpenters Union Local 107. 
He was a very talented woodworker.  He served in the Army Reserves and was a volunteer firefighter in Auburn.
David had a love of classic cars, drag racing and spent many hours working on his vintage finds.  In previous years he enjoyed coaching his daughters’ middle and high school sports teams.  He spent summers down the Cape with his family and had a deep love of boats and the ocean.
He enjoyed watching the Boston Bruins.
He leaves his wife of 29 years Dottie Berry; daughters Nicole Berry and Haley Berry of Thompson; his brother, Donald Berry (Linnea) of Dudley; brother-in-law Jeff Canfield and sisters-in-law Lisa Canfield and Susan Douglas Precobb.
A Memorial Service was July 1 at Bartel Funeral Home & Chapel, Dudley, with burial at Hillside Cemetery, Auburn. Donations: Hidden Battles Foundation 100 Merrimack St., Suite 202 Lowell, MA 01852.

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