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 forthcoming 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.

Published in the Hartford Courant on 11/12/2002.

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.

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.

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.

Webmaster's Note: The following emails about Mr. Danielson were sent by Manchester High School graduates of the 1950s to writer, photographer, historical researcher, and former webmaster Dick Jenkins, and are presented here with the writers' permission.

• from Joan Barre Kuhlmann, widow of Jim Kuhlmann -- Jim was head coach at Fairfield University and holds many honors.

Hi Dick,

Dick Danielson was the catalyst that set Jim and me on our course. He helped Jim get a soccer scholarship to the University of Bridgeport two years after high school graduation. Along with that, I was given a position in charge of a dormitory. And, as they say, the rest is history. All because of Dick Danielson's thoughtfulness and caring. Had that not happened, I don't know what direction our lives would have taken.

I also had him for Algebra and thought he was a very effective teacher.

There are a very few special people in our lives. Dick Danielson was one. In a roundabout way, Mr. Danielson came back into my life much later. He volunteered for meals-on-wheels and delivered meals to my mother. Just another way for in which he helped others.

Best regards,
Joan

• from Al Churilla �57:

Dick:

I played for Coach Danielson, as you know, on MHS varsity soccer team, 1953-1956. Dick was a quiet and almost shy man. He was also very serious, demanding excellence in one's behavior. He would sit you on the bench to teach you a lesson and lose the game if need be. Both mattered to him, but respect was more important than winning.

I never heard him swear. He would get angry, disappointed, even hurt; but he wouldn't take it out on any player. He would play the best players unless someone didn't follow his strict rules of behavior.

In my Junior year, I was kicked in the eye early in the season, and lost 90% of my right eye's vision. Because of this, I was not allowed to play the rest of the year. The following year Dick told me he didn't think it was a good idea for me to play again: He was afraid of me getting hurt and maybe lose the vision in my other eye. I had my parents sign a document saying they gave me permission to play and they would not hold the school or anyone else responsible should anything happen. He didn't start me in the first game. I sat on the bench until the second quarter, and I quickly scored two goals. Eventually we won the CCIL Championship and went on to win MHS first State Soccer Championship in 1956.

He gave the University of Bridgeport Varsity Coach a very nice recommendation on my behalf. (UB was a soccer powerhouse in Division I at that time). At UB, our soccer team won the Silver Metal in the first Division I Championship in 1959 and the Bronze Medal in the third Championship in 1961. Both of the these teams are in the UB Athletic Hall of Fame. In this coming October, UB will induct me and my 1961 soccer teammates into UB Athletic Hall of Fame.

I learned more about how to be a gentleman then I did about soccer. Coach Danielson knew a good player when he saw one but seldom taught the fundamentals of the game. Dick never played soccer himself. He never got close to his players, but he was always there for them. In his own quiet way, he would try to guide you to do the right thing.

I never had him as a classroom teacher but heard he was a "hard teacher" but fair. I guess that meant he expected you to learn this stuff or fail.

Al

• from Bob Johnson, '54:

Dick:

Dick Danielson was my soccer coach for 4 years, my tennis coach for 2 years, and my math teacher for one year.

Danny was very hard working, serious, somewhat distant, but extremely fair and kind to his students and team members. He could be critical of mistakes but never of a players shortcomings. He did not try to be a "buddy" to his players and students but was always available if you had a problem. In many ways he was like a Pete Wigren who I also got to know pretty well.

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

Reproduced 2011 from www.mhs1955.com with permission of its webmaster Dick Jenkins.
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