Hockey Team At Windsor Private School Aids Commercial Fishermen

WINDSOR, CT — Honoring the memory of the father of one of its former players, a hockey team at a private secondary/post-graduate school in Connecticut donated the proceeds of its recent annual charity game to a non-profit serving commercial fishermen and their family members.

The boys’ varsity hockey squad at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor raised more than $2,000 for Fishing Partnership Support Services during a hard-fought match with the Hotchkiss School team of Lakeville. Proceeds came from the sale of food and refreshments, T-shirts and other Loomis Chaffee apparel.

This traditional contest for charity has come to be known as the “annual lobster game” because it honors the late Joseph Birarelli of Beverly, Mass., a professional lobster fisherman and father of Tim Birarelli, a star goalie and member of the Loomis Chaffee Class of 2016. Mr. Birarelli died of cancer in the summer of 2014 at age 45.

After the untimely death of his father, Tim turned down an opportunity to attend and play hockey for Boston University, whose team has been nationally ranked for decades, in order to keep his father’s lobster business going. He continues to work full-time as a lobsterman.

The Loomis Chaffee team’s unofficial mascot, “Larry the Lobster,” once again made a spirited appearance at the charity game, helping to cheer the home team onto an exciting, come-from-behind, 5-3 victory in the final period.

This was the first year that the Loomis Chaffee team, known as the Pelicans, directed its charity game donation to Fishing Partnership Support Services, which is headquartered in Massachusetts and provides programs to fishermen from New York to Maine. It came about because of research by Reilly Connors of Madison, the hockey team captain.

“I discovered the Fishing Partnership when I was searching the Internet for organizations that help fishermen,” said Connors. “They really stood out for the kinds of programs and services they offer and for how their mission extends throughout the region.”

Providing additional context, Connors cited the positive influence on him and his teammates of Loomis Chaffee’s Norton Family Center for the Common Good, which nurtures “an active approach to citizenship in our global society” among all students.

Andra Athos, vice president of Fishing Partnership Support Services, attended the game and found it to be “an incredible experience.”

“It was a great game!" Athos said. "The arena was overflowing with team spirit and enthusiasm. The coaches, the players on both teams, the parents and other fans were tremendous. We are very grateful to the Loomis Chaffee School. They have something truly special.”

A few days before the game, Athos discovered that her organization has provided information and assistance through the years to members of the Birarelli family at its Gloucester, Mass., office, and particularly through the efforts of one of the Partnership Cape Ann-based navigators, Nina Groppo.

“It was so nice to know that we have a direct connection to the Birarellis,” Athos said.

Story and photos courtesy of Preti Flaherty

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