Charles “Buddy” Montelius<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rarely has there been an individual who completed so much and attempted even more.\u00a0 In the late 1930\u2019s and early 1940\u2019s, Branford was graced with such an individual as a classmate, an athlete, and as a serviceman in the form of 2002 Branford Sports Hall of Fame inductee Charles \u201cBuddy\u201d Montelius.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Born on February 16, 1925 in New Haven, \u201cBuddy\u201d, as he was nicknamed in high school, attended Branford schools and was a two-sport athlete in high school as a forward on the basketball team and as a first baseman on the baseball team.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 1940-41 Hornets\u2019 basketball team finished the most successful seasons in several years, being victors in the Housatonic League conference, winning 18 out of 22 games and reaching the finals in the state Class \u201cB\u201d tournament.\u00a0 This team had several Hall of Famers on it, including Stan Petela (\u201989), Robert M. Owens (\u201996), Tony Hynovich (\u201997), William Fortune (\u201997), and was coached by Johnny Knecht Jr. (1988).\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The following year, during his senior season, Buddy led the Hornets to a second place standing in the Housatonic League, ending with nine victories and five defeats (14-7 overall).\u00a0 However, more importantly, the Hornets claimed the Class B State Championship, defeating\u00a0 Woodrow Wilson, by a score of 41-35, ending its opponent\u2019s undefeated streak. Tonight\u2019s inductee was nominated for All-State honors following the crowning as champions.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The baseball team enjoyed a tremendous season in 1941 with Buddy as its first baseman. Following two early season defeats, the Hornets went on to win five consecutive games, defeating Wallingford (8-7), Derby (7-5), Milford (9-7), Seymour (8-7), and Shelton (14-2), giving the team hopes for even a better showing the following season.\u00a0 As a tri-captain in his senior season, \u201cBuddy\u201d led Branford to a respectable 4-2 record, with wins over East Haven (6-5), Milford (4-3), Seymour (11-6), and Shelton.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Off the playing field, tonight\u2019s inductee gave of himself to numerous organizations and committees including the Junior Red Cross, the Student Council, the Graduation Committee, the Boys Glee Club, and the Hornet Board.\u00a0 He was Class Treasurer and football manager as well.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Buddy was voted Most Athletic Male and Class Heartbreaker by his peers.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Following graduation, he went to Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven , where he played football, in addition to basketball and baseball.\u00a0 He received his \u201cH\u201d Award at Hopkins for his athletic prowess.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When he became 18, Buddy enlisted in the United States Navy and received his boot training at Newport, Rhode Island.\u00a0 From that base he went to Virginia to a Diesel School and then to his commissioned ship.\u00a0 As a Motor Machinist\u2019s Mate 3-c, Buddy died tragically in the service on December 21, 1945.\u00a0 He is survived by his sister, Doris Witkowsky.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":771,"template":"","acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/branfordsportshalloffame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/inductee\/770"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/branfordsportshalloffame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/inductee"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/branfordsportshalloffame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/inductee"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/branfordsportshalloffame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/branfordsportshalloffame.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}