Excerpts from the Hartford Courant, Sunday,
December 22, 2002
Jim Kuhlmann, who died in 1994 at the age of 58, was a
standout soccer player at Manchester High School in the 1950s and then at
the University of Bridgeport, where he was a three-time All-New England
section and captain of the soccer and track teams. He coached 24 years at
Fairfield University, and was inducted into the school's athletic Hall of
Fame in 1995. He also was instrumental in coaching youth soccer in Westport.
Prior to Jim's passing he was inducted into the University of Bridgeport's
Hall of Fame and in 1999 into the Manchester Sports Hall of
Fame. Jim was married to our own Joan Barre-Kuhlmann. Joan will accept
Jim's forth Hall of Fame award.
For those of you who have an interest in what in the world Gerry can be up
to living in the Big Apple you might visit the following link:
Visit Gerry's page on this Web site.
Laurence B. Perry
Laurence B. Perry, 78, of
Naples, FL,
formerly of Manchester, passed away at home on Friday (November 8, 2002).
Born in Pepperell, MA, he moved to Manchester during his teens where he
lived until his retirement in 1979. He served in the infantry during World
War II and
Korea
and was highly decorated receiving two Bronze Stars and the highest medal
that could be given by the Korean military. He was the first non-Korean to
be awarded this medal. He graduated from
Trinity
College and earned his Masters degree in education. He retired from the Army
National Guard with the rank of Major. He was a chemistry teacher at
Manchester High School for 22 years retiring as head of the science
department. He was also the Golf coach at Manchester High School in the
1960's and helped bring many records to the school including the longest
unbroken streak of winning matches. After retirement, he traveled the North
American continent extensively along with his wife Grace Ann. His love of
music was well known and he was a skilled guitar player and performer.
Performing with his wife as a duet, they were known as "Country Tradition."
They performed everywhere that they traveled and returned each winter to
Naples, FL where they also performed in local establishments. Larry was
predeceased by his wife, Grace Ann Perry; and his daughter, Lynda Jean
Perry. He is survived by his son, Laurence B. Perry, Jr.; his
daughter-in-law, Margaret Perry; granddaughters, Shannon Rae Perry, Taylor
Liane Perry, all of Manchester and Elise Perry; and a great granddaughter,
Sarah Jean, both of Manchester, NH. Larry was a very special individual, a
true war hero and terrific teacher. He will be greatly missed by all his
friends and family. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, November 14, 4-4:30
p.m., Fuller Funeral Home, 4735 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL where a
memorial service will take place at 4:30 p.m. Services in Manchester will be
announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of
Naples,
1095 Whippoorwill Lane,
Naples, FL 34105 or to the World War II Memorial Fund, American Battle
Monuments Commission, P.O. Box 96074, Washington, DC 20090-6074.
Published in the
Hartford
Courant on
11/12/2002.
He Made Manchester A
Soccer Town
Earl Yost, March 26, 2002
Richard Danielson, who died Friday at age 79, was a legendary coach at Manchester High School, the most honored in the school's history.
Major awards, invariably downplayed by the low-key Danielson, included recognition on local, state, regional and national levels, all attributable to the success of his soccer teams.
Danielson was selected as Connecticut's soccer coach of the year in 1964 and as national soccer coach in the Northeast in 1979, and was inducted into the Connecticut Coaches' Hall of Fame in 1981. He was inducted into the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and a year ago was enshrined in the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame.
Danielson had a 33-year career in Manchester and in 1981 received the Gold Key Award from the Connecticut Sportswriter Alliance, the highest recognition a state athletic figure can achieve.
A graduate of Putnam
High School and Trinity College in Hartford, Danielson was an instant
success as a soccer coach when he assumed that position in 1947, two years
after he joined the high school faculty as a math teacher.
Hugh Greer, later a successful men's basketball coach at the University of
Connecticut, had gotten soccer at Manchester High off the ground in 1933.
Danielson guided his teams to 307 victories, 112 defeats and 38 ties while winning CIAC Class LL state championships in 1956, 1958, 1962 and 1979.
Danielson played baseball and basketball in both high school and college, but made his mark in soccer.
Before retiring in 1979 after guiding his last championship squad, he served as the school's director of athletics.
Manchester High's soccer field was named the Richard Danielson Field on Aug. 21, 1988. A large plaque is in place at the entrance to the sports complex, high on the box office building. The plaque also honors Pete Wigren and Tom Kelley for their coaching careers in track and baseball.
"I tried to follow the coaching style of Pete Wigren," Danielson once said. The legendary Charles "Pete" Wigren turned out many championship track and cross-country teams at Manchester High. He was responsible for Manchester being labeled a track town. During Danielson's coaching tenure, the town was known as a soccer town.
Top Award
When Danielson was inducted into the Manchester Sports Hall of Fame, he said: "I receive this plaque tonight not for what I have done, but what 1,200 young people have done for me.
"My philosophy as a coach was different than that of many other coaches I encountered in my career, where winning was the only thing. I wanted my boys to have fun, win, lose or draw.
"Soccer is in wonderful hands in Manchester. I accept this award, but I would like to see 1,200 other names on it."
The sport was certainly left in good hands when Danielson's assistant, Bill McCarthy, moved up as head coach. Manchester teams continued with much success for the next 23 seasons, with McCarthy retiring after last fall's schedule.
Danielson, gravely ill prior to his death, asked that no mention of his condition or whereabouts be published. "Don't write about me, but write about my players and my teams," he often told this writer.
Doug Pearson, one of Danielson's players, said, "Mr. Danielson was the most respected man in my life, next to my father. He was always so low-key and successful. He was one of a kind and made an impact on everyone. He was a sports legend in Manchester.
"He taught me all
about coaching. He had a demanding philosophy about coaching," Pearson said.
Pearson has been a winning basketball coach for 20 years, first at
Manchester High and now at Western New England College.
When Danielson received the Hall of Fame award in 2001, 60 of his former players were in attendance.
A service celebrating Danielson's life is scheduled at the North United Methodist Church, 300 Parker St., Manchester, on Friday at 4 p.m. Memorial donations may be sent to the Richard Danielson Memorial Scholarship Fund, 30 Hartford Road, Manchester, CT 06040.
Former players are planning a special soccer memorial award.
Allan Cone, Teacher Hollister Street School
Allan L. Cone, age 79 of Seaside Ave, Saco, ME died Tuesday, (September 23, 2003) at his home after a long valiant battle with Cancer. Born in Manchester, CT. August 21, 1924 the son of Leon and Elsie (Lydall) Cone, he received his Bachelor's and Masters degree from the University of Connecticut and completed his sixth year at the University of Hartford. Al, a veteran of World War II, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. Al was a teacher and principal of the Manchester school system for 35 years. At his retirement celebration, the Bennet Junior High School gymnasium in Manchester was renamed for him. A member of the Saco Valley Land Trust, he worked to create a heightened environmental and land preservation awareness. His chief concern was to prevent the over development of Saco's Land. Al was active in many varied committees. Among them were First Parish Congregational Church, Conservation Commission, Saco Valley Land Trust and Land for Saco's Future. Although Al loved gardening, carving Santa's for friend and family, biking, golf and traveling, nothing was as important to him as his beloved family. He is survived by his wife Natalie (Woodman) Cone of 56 years of marriage; two sons, Steven Cone and his wife, Kathie, Thomas Cone and his wife, Toby; three daughters, Debbie Connelly and her husband, Tim, Cathy Cone-Sabo and her husband, Doug, and Patty Henshaw and her husband, Dan. He had 11 grandchildren, Tracy, Jessie, Matthew, Jamie, Paige, Shane, Jacqueline, Maggie, Sawyer and Tommy; five step grandchildren, Hollie, Chelsea, Taylor, Tiffany and Patrick. Al is predeceased by a daughter, Cynthia Cone who died in 1955. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 60 Schools St, Saco, Rev. David Pierson of the First Parish Congregational Church of Saco, UCC will officiate. Bennett, Craig & Pate, 365 Main St, Saco is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be at West Auburn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the First Parish Congregational Church Building Fund PO Box 738, Saco, Maine 04072
