Reunion #15

AUGUST 2, 2015 – GODDARD STATE PARK

Reunion Headquarters, once again, was at the Hampton Inn on Post Rd. In Warwick, RI. Sadly, the Bower Bus did not roll in this year for the first time since 2007. This adversity was overcome beginning with the a festive Meet and Greet. Buster Clegg and Tom McDonough got things started with welcome remarks. Buster proudly spoke of the growth of the Society. Bill Connell took the mic around the room to let the players tell some of their favorite stories. Most of them got many laughs.

The Saturday night Dinner-Dance was held at Chelo’s, once again, just down the street from the Hampton. Dinner was delicious and the Barleyhoppers got everyone hoppin’. Four awards were presented during the evening. PC Coach Nate Leaman, whose team had just won the Men’s NCAA championship and BU Coach David Quinn were presented the Sage Family Foundation Special Service Awards. Recipients of this year’s Native-Born Rhode Islander Awards were RI’s first US Olympic star, Ralph Warburton, and NY Islander’s coach, Jack Capuano.

The Sunday Reunion had 250+ attendees. Tom Mc Donough served as the emcee once again and introduced the 25 players that took the stage. Morin Caterers again provided a great buffet. Dave Goucher, was the guest speaker. Dave had been the radio voice of the P-Bruins before moving up to Boston to take what he called his “dream job” with the Boston Bruins.

It was a special day in that Zellio Toppazzini, the Reds “Player of the Century”, had his #15 jersey retired at our 15^th Reunion. In addition, copies of the first-ever Zellio Toppazzini trading card was unveiled and distributed to attendees.

This year’s Tops Award was awarded posthumously to Tom Eccleston, Jr. and was accepted by sons, Tom III and Bill. The Fan of the Year award was awarded to Ida Reniere, mother of former board member, Dick Reniere, who was raised across from the Auditorium and whose mother, Ida, took in many Reds players as boarders, including Ray Ross, Bob Robertson and Serge Boudreault.