> Citizen of the Year Award
Citizen of the Year Award
Award Criteria:
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2022 - Liz & Jim Burke
Liz Burke retired a year ago from a 48-year career as a Speech-Language Pathologist. When moving to Connecticut in 2000, she worked for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in their Hospital School and then the University of Connecticut for eleven years, where she had the pleasure of working with and training graduate students to become future Speech-Language Pathologists. Leaving UConn in 2015, she subsequently opened a private practice. Liz has been a Board Member of the Windsor Education Foundation, ALP for adult learners and the Windsor Historical Society and has volunteered at the Historical Society for both school field trips and tours there. She has also volunteered as a tutor at the Wilson Branch Library, and with Jim, has volunteered at the Windsor Arts Center. Last fall she worked on the Windsor Historical Society’s Centennial events and is co-chairing its upcoming house tour. Jim Burke recently retired as Windsor’s Economic Development Director after 21 years of service to the community. During Jim’s tenure, Windsor grew in importance as a regional employment center capitalizing on its strategic location between Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA as well as proximity to Bradley International Airport. Jim facilitated projects that created over 7,000 new jobs and resulted in approximately $900 million in economic activity. Millions of square feet of additional office and industrial building space have been constructed in key industries including financial services, precision manufacturing, logistics, data management and hospitality. These efforts have helped keep Windsor’s tax rates competitive. Jim was instrumental in the redevelopment of key properties in Windsor Center benefiting from the Hartford Line regional commuter rail service which began in 2018. These include a mill conversion into the 50-unit First Town Square condo project, as well as the Windsor Station Apartments containing 130 market-rate units directly across from the passenger rail station. During his tenure, Jim led the town’s Community Development efforts including the housing rehabilitation loan program, small business loan program and numerous infrastructure projects. He also served as staff liaison to the Human Relations Commission, Economic Development Commission, Wilson Deerfield Advisory Commission, Redevelopment Agency, and Fair Rent Commission. Jim has also been a regular volunteer for projects with the Chamber of Commerce, First Town Downtown, Windsor Historical Society and Windsor Arts Center. Liz and Jim live in the Town Center and have enjoyed many of the events on the town green and being part of such a wonderful, vital and active community. They have two sons and three grandchildren. |
2020-2021 - Art Miller
Mr. Miller was arrested and jailed during the summer of 1963 as he sat in silent protest over the sustained use of racial bigotry to separate black Americans from the imbued rights of all Americans. A nationally known preacher, he has traveled throughout the country raising the need of conversion to “Radical Love.” Here in Windsor, he has spoken at, facilitated, or just listened to countless community conversations. At public forums, houses of worship, schools and universities across the country, Deacon Miller addresses issues of social injustice. With firsthand knowledge he speaks to his audiences from the perspective of an African American who grew up on the South Side of Chicago in the 1940s and 1950s. Deacon Miller was 10 years old in 1955 when his schoolmate Emmett Till, age 14, was brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman—an incident that energized the nascent Civil Rights Movement. His recently released book “The Journey to Chatham”, details the historic events seen through the eyes of Emmett’s friends. Deacon Miller is a certified trainer in Dr. King’s nonviolence philosophy and to this day addresses 21st-century examples of the societal tendency to embrace violence. Echoing the thoughts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he believes that as part of the great human experience, no one can sit idly tolerant of the great injustices that happen anywhere in the world. “If God were to give us an 11th commandment,” Deacon Miller proposes, “I believe it would read: Thou shall not be a bystander.” |
2019 - Jane Garibay
Her recent volunteer activities include serving as President and co-founder of the Windsor Education Foundation, President of the Windsor Food and Fuel Bank, past President of Windsor Community Television and co-chair of Windsor’s Schools to Business Partnership. In 2011 she was elected to the Board of Directors of the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and served for many years, being elected President in 2018. She is also a part of the Family-Community Partnership, member of the Nutmeg Senior Rides Advisory Council and chairs Project Santa providing happy holidays for more than 350 children each year. Jane has received many awards from area organizations including the Windsor Rotary Club's Vocational Service Award in 2007, The Elks' Distinguished Citizen Award in 2009, the Town of Windsor Human Relations Commission's Bridge Builders Award in 2013, the Connecticut Association of Town Clerks Appreciation Award, the New England Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives' Exemplary Executive Award in 2014, and Windsor Community Television's Leadership Award in 2016. Jane lives in Windsor with her husband Bernardo, niece Jennie, and a dachshund named Otto. They have three children: Jose, Andrew, and Cate, and a grandson Faolan. |
2018 - William Harris
He and his wife were married in 1975 and like to tell the story that we didn’t meet until sophomore English class in high school but had both been born at Johns Hopkins Hospital ten days apart. Given the standard practice of that era, it seems likely that her mother was being wheeled out of the door as his mother was being wheeled in. Charlene and Bill had some choices for residency training and decided on central CT because they liked the area after traveling frequently between Boston and New Haven during college. They had the tacit understanding that they were likely to spend their careers and raise their children (a son 1982 and a daughter 1985) wherever they decided on our further training. That is what happened. Previous local “GPs” in Windsor (going back to Hezekiah Chaffee) had spent their whole careers here and they expected to do the same. Windsor has been a lovely place to live and work. It always seemed like a small town to them although having a population of 30,000. They moved to Bloomfield initially while in training at Farmington and Mount Sinai Hospital. They decided in 1980 to “hang out a shingle” (that is now mostly a historical phenomenon). They settled on Windsor after no more extensive research than finding an ad in the Sunday paper for office space in the Center. No regrets ever since. Since retirement in 2005 after practicing in town for 25 years has spent his time with nonprofit groups and various other volunteer activities, some medical but most not. All of us have dozens of opportunities in Windsor. His have included the Windsor Historical Society, Friends of Northwest Park, Windsor Art Center, Windsor Library Association, Oliver Ellsworth Homestead and various other smaller gigs as the need arose -- such as refugee resettlement and tutoring first-graders. Other “stuff”. Whatever the need was. Bill thinks we all do whatever we have to do to support both our town and our brothers and sisters. It’s been a nice ride so far. The greatest joy of retirement is no longer being late for his patients… |
2017 - Carol Engelmann and William (Bill) Lewis
Carol Engelmann Carol Engelmann has a long history of doing things for others. Since she was a child, Carol always thought of others first. From always hanging with the local kids to being a friend to all kids at school. Carol was a Volunteer at Mansfield Training School while she was attending School. She studied Psychology and was involved in providing social programs for individuals. Her spirit of community service grew stronger when she went to work for the Dillons. Karen Dillon took her under her wing teaching her Catering and Community involvement.. As Careers changed she kept the desire to keep helping did not. Carol always looked around her to see who was in need of help. She would always look to see who was in need and who was willing to join her in help her in making the situation better. For years, Carol helped various community service organizations such as WILA, with their annual WILA Dance fundraiser, Karen Dillon and Sharon Rispoli introduced her to WILA and it was some of the best years of her life she is quoted to say. The Smiles on faces as individuals are dancing and having such a great night. Their night! She’s also worked with the Chamber on the Annual Dinner, Windsor Chamber Cares Auction, Ambassadors, and more. Her volunteerism has gifted the Chamber with tons of hours over the years to help us achieve our goals. She has also worked with First Town Downtown, being an integral part of their newest fundraiser, the Hoe Down last fall, which has become a major fundraiser for the organization. She has also assisted them with other fundraisers like the Taste of Windsor, the Farmers Market and the Heritage Brick program. She serves on the Membership committee and produced the Business of the Week social media segments for FTDT. Other service projects over the years have included Project Santa, WEF’s Farms to Fork dinner, Windsor Summer Meals, and the Back pack program. All of this Carol does, year after year, on her own time, for the good of the community, without any direct benefit to herself or for any business promotional purposes. She does good work for the simple reason that she wants to help people and loves Windsor. She is a soul who fights injustice and actively tries to make our world a better place. Bill Lewis William Lewis (although he prefers Bill) is Windsor born and raised. He is married to the love of his life, Rita, and has three grown children: Erin, Lori and Teresa. While growing up, Bill knew he wanted to do something for his community and had many friends who were volunteer firefighters so he joined the Wilson Volunteer Fire Company in 1970. His desire to serve and protect the community extended beyond the volunteer position and he became a CT State Trooper. During his time as a trooper he was promoted to sergeant, served as a resident trooper for the town of East Granby and in the latter part of his career joined the Office of the State Fire Marshal as an investigator. Bill has had a long and passionately committed career in the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department. He quickly moved through the officer ranks of the fire company to Chief of the Wilson VFC. During this time the four fire companies in town were being combined into one department, Bill was actively involved with this process. He spent many nights and weekends attending meetings to ensure the new Wilson Firehouse would meet and exceed the needs of the citizens and firefighters of Windsor. After the completion of the firehouse and delivery of the new ladder truck, Bill’s term as Chief of the Wilson Fire Company was over. He took a few years off as an officer but this did not last long. In 2000, Bill was appointed Chief of Windsor Volunteer Fire Department. During his 17 years as Chief, he has continued to ensure the department is adequately staffed as an all-volunteer department, facilitated the replacement of many older fire vehicles, rebuilt the Hayden Station Firehouse and re-organized the fire officers of the department. This biography would not be complete without mentioning Bill’s love of his family and the Red Sox. Whenever he can, Bill visits Boston with his family to go to a game and enjoy the day. His family supports his love of the game and has gone as far as having a baseball-themed wedding for one of his daughters. |
2016 - William (Bill) Schoner
With three sons Bill almost immediately became involved in Little League. He served as player agent and board member for the Windsor International League from 1974 through 1984 and, along with others from the Poquonock area, cleared land and built new ball fields at what is now Welch Park. Bill and Diana served as co-chairs of the 1977 Windsor Shad Derby. Bill also served for many years on the Shad Fest Bureau and as its president. He is a founding member of The Friends of Northwest Park and has served on the Board from 1981 to the present. He was also a member of Windsor Kiwanis and served as its President from 1987-1989. Bill and Diana are active members of St Joseph's parish. Bill was also a member of the Board of the Connecticut Society of CPAs from 1979-1982. Bill is a CPA and was a Partner with Haskins & Sells (now Deloitte & Touche). He has also been CFO for several large manufacturing firms including CT based O.F.Mossberg & Sons and, more recently, as EVP/CFO of a company in Houston. He has also spent many years as a consultant focusing on manufacturing systems, inventory control, strategy development, and process improvement. |
2015 - Dennis Guay and Kevin Searles
Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern CT State University with a major in Psychology and received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Haven. In 1975 he started his career in law enforcement as a police officer in Plainville Connecticut coming to Windsor in 1982. After 5 years he was promoted to the position of Police Chief. He has resided in Windsor since 1985 with his wife Nancy. They have six children and ten grandchildren. Kevin enjoys a variety of leisure activities and volunteer work – especially working with children both through community agencies and church. Dennis C. Guay Dennis graduated from Eli Whitney High School in Hamden and entered the US Navy reserve program. Dennis transferred to the US Marine Corp and was assigned to HMH 363 Heavy Helicopter Squadron. Dennis was transferred to Japan and then South Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam, he was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base in support of the Commandant of the Marine Corps and Marine Officers from the Pentagon. Dennis left active duty in 1979 and returned to Connecticut. In 1980 he received his heating, cooling and refrigeration license and worked for the Marriott until being hired by United Technologies in 1984 where he worked as an Environmental, Health and Safety Manager until his retirement from United Technologies in 2005. In 1995, while working for UTC, Dennis joined the Connecticut Air National Guard. He deployed many times to assist with drug interdiction and enforcement efforts in Colombia and Texas. In 1991 he volunteered as one of the first chemical detection team members to be deployed to Saudi Arabia. Upon returning, Dennis continued taking classes from Homeland Security/FEMA and became an instructor in terrorism prevention for both public and emergency services. He was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Marine Corp Good Conduct (2), Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, National Defense Service Medal (2), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal(2), Air Force Longevity Service Award (4), Air Force Reserve Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon and the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal. Dennis continued to assist the country and his community by serving as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Dennis served for more than 10 years with the Windsor Fire Department, rising to the rank of Captain. He has been recognized as the Exchange Club's Firefighter of the Year, Member of the Year and Officer of the Year. Dennis left the fire department to volunteer with the Windsor Volunteer Ambulance where he continues today as the chief operating officer (CEO). While volunteering with the ambulance, he still finds time to be a member of the Windsor/Windsor Locks Rotary and is the incoming president for 2015-2016. Dennis, Sally, his wife of 38 years, and their two daughters have lived in Windsor since 2001. His family has been n a great support to him over these many years. Dennis' motto is “Don't say you can't do something unless you have tried and have given it your all” |
2014 - Francis M. and Marian J. Murphy
Fran is Past President of Civitan Club of Windsor, and was named the 1999 Civitan Man of the Year. He helped build the 350th Celebration float and has built the Shad Derby Queen float for over 30 years. He was the Assistant Coach for the Windsor 6th Grade All-Star-Basketball Team and Past President of the Windsor International Little League. He has also officiated youth sports in soccer and basketball, and is currently the Director/Coach for the Windsor Civitan Challenge Baseball Team. Fran worked in Information Systems for Pratt & Whitney for 35 years and currently works part-time as a Professional Assistant for Carmon Funeral Homes. Marian is Past President of the St. Agnes Guild Home for Single Teen Mothers, recently featured in the Hartford Courant. She is active in various ministries in the Saint Joseph Church Parish. Marian has been a substitute nurse for the Windsor Public School System, and a Girl Scout leader. She previously volunteered for the Red Cross and veterans programs in local schools. Marian has worked at Saint Francis Hospital, Labor Department and is retired from the State of Connecticut, Department of Managed Care. Marian and Fran received the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation from the Archdiocese of Hartford. They were appointed Marshals of the Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade, representing Windsor. They are graduates of the Windsor Academy class gaining data about the Town of Windsor and the many services offered to residents. |
2013 - Anita Mips
Anita states it was "the best position I have ever held." referring to her role as administrative support clerk for Principal Larry Shea. She did the clerical work just fine, but her true gift was what she did for Windsor students. Experts in education today say that adults who make links with students are the force that gets students to learn. Anita knew that years ago. Anita's love of Windsor's history, "Of course Windsor is the First Town," ushered her into her political career. She has been a member of the Windsor Democratic Town Committee since 1973. She was elected secretary and served in that position from 1977 to 1984, and then again in 2007 to the present; was vice chairman from 1984 to 2006. Anita made her own history when she was the first woman appointed to the Town Planning and Zoning Commission in 1976. She has been its chairman since 1993. Anita was appointed Deputy Registrar of Voters in 1982. She was elected Democrat Registrar of Voters in 1997. Anita has been instrumental in helping the high school organize its program for getting students to register to vote. It's not surprising that Governor O'Neil appointed Anita to the Governor's Youth Action Program; she served from 1986-1990. Anita's belief that one should serve one's community plays out in reality as we note that she served on the Committee of 50 of the Windsor 350th Committee. She chaired the Plays and Publications Committee. She was the Editor of the Chronological History of Windsor that was produced for the 375th Anniversary of founding of Windsor. Anita was appointed to Windsor's Bicentennial Constitutional Commission. She was co chairman of special events and a member of the citizenship committee. You can always find Anita at Town Hall on Valentine's Day. As Justice of the Peace she marries romantic couples. Anita is a Notary Public and serves folks as they need her. Her volunteerism continues. She is a member of the Windsor Historical Society, she volunteers at the Windsor Art Center. She is a Board member of the Windsor Education Foundation. Her waking hours are Windsor hours. Her granddaughters, Erin Moriarty a Windsor High graduate, Amber Mips, a Windsor High student and Dominique Mips a student at Sage Park Middle School, also occupy some of her time. Anita gives beyond "great service to the community"; she gives Windsor her heart and soul. |
2012 - Jim and Marsha Mason
One of Jim's most stressful and happy assignments was managing the wonderful summer concert series on the grounds of CIGNA called Sunset Sounds. This series was co-sponsored by the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and Jim was very involved in that Chamber including a term as President. He was also involved for many years with the Windsor Democratic Town Committee. Jim was and is keenly interested in "big picture" issues: civil rights (he interviewed Malcolm X back in the day); world affairs; mass transit. He was a founding member of All-Aboard which is now called 1000 Friends of CT and the Bloomfield Education Foundation. He was a member of the Board of National Neighbors. He was a member of the Windsor African American Civic Association for many years and served on the scholarship committee. Jim was also a long time member of the Human Affairs Commission for the town of Windsor; served on the Board of CUW (citizens for a united Windsor) and was a proud recipient of the Windsor BridgeBuilder Award. In his retirement, Jim has been enjoying gardening, hiking and reading challenging books for a monthly book club. He and Marsha are world travelers and do a couple of big trips a year. Jim and Marsha are currently volunteers for the Windsor Art Center. Most days Jim can be seen walking from their home on Clubhouse Road downtown to the center-always on Friday headed to lunch at the Union Street Tavern. Jim enjoys his three daughters and two granddaughters. He is keeping up the tradition of a serial story he tells the grandchildren-a story his father started with him 75 years ago. The hero of the story is a little boy names PeriPluckedTheMeanerEnus. Granddaughter Cade requests this story every day after preschool while having lunch with Nana and Papa. A True Gentleman-kind, wise, non-judgmental--Jim has been a wonderful asset to the town of Windsor-a place he loves dearly-and where the Masons have made their home for 37 years. Marsha was born in Bridgeport, received her undergrad degree from UConn and a master's in Psychology from Wesleyan. She came to Hartford to work for the Connecticut Child Welfare Association. Then she went on to the American Red Cross as assistant director of Service to Military Families. She and Jim were married in 1975. After Jessica and Peri were born she thought she would stay home but she missed work and went back part-time for the next 14 years, returning to full time once the girls were older. She worked for a number of Mental Health and social service programs-Legal Services; Center City Churches; The Regional Mental Health Board; Capital Region Mental Health Center; United Way of the Capital Area; and St. Francis Hospital's Hospice Program. She describes her most satisfying job as her 10 year position at United Way as director of The Nonprofit Resource & Training Center. In this capacity she trained hundreds of board members of area nonprofit organizations. "The skills learned in this job prepared me well for my role in fundraising, planning, and board development in my volunteer leadership capacity at Mary's Place". A lifelong volunteer, Marsha is currently a docent at the New Britain Museum of American Art where she conducts children's tours; and the board chair of Mary's Place, here in Windsor. She has served on the Mary's Place board for 8 years. Marsha was also a founder (1981) and early board chair of My Sister's Place in Hartford and a former committee and board member of the Windsor Historical Society where she still volunteers - occasionally in period costume. She also served for several years as a Hospice Volunteer with the Hartford VNA. Marsha's other claim to fame is as a "world class Nana"-spending time almost every day with Jessica's two girls, Cadence age 4 and Alexandra age 7. In addition to their travels together, Marsha and Jim love art, music; theater and movies. While Jim is hiking, Marsha throws her kayak into the Farmington River behind their home and paddles. |
2011 - Brian Griffin and Gary Dowgewicz
Brian Griffin graduated from Windsor High and was active in many sports as a player, coach and umpire. He attended St. Francis Xavier University in Canada where he received his B.A. in English, then Loyola University Law School in New Orleans. In 1980 Brian and his college sweetheart Mary Pembroke were married and relocated to Washington, DC where the Griffin spent the next four years as an Attorney Advisor to the U.S. Department of Labor's Benefits Review Board. In 1984 the Griffins moved to Connecticut and opened a solo law practice in Windsor Locks CT. Brian continues to operate this practice focusing on Probate, Estate Planning and Juvenile and Family Law. Brian became active in local politics including Windsor's Democratic Town Committee, the Board of Education, Town Council and then became Mayor. As Mayor, Griffin became active in Regional politics serving on the Board of Directors to the Capital Region Council of Governments, Transportation Committee, Capitol Area Substance Abuse Council and hosted a radio program on WKND. The Judge was a founding member of Windsor's Police Athletic League in 1987 and continues to serve on the Board. He is a 25 year member of the Windsor Locks Lions Club and has been the Chairman of Windsor's Local Emergency Planning Commission since 1989. Mr. Griffin was elected as Windsor's Probate Judge in 1994 and was recently elected by his fellow Judges to serve a second term on the Probate Assembly's Executive Committee. In November 2010 Griffin was elected as the first Probate Judge for the Greater Windsor Probate Court which serves Windsor, East Windsor and South Windsor. In early 2011 Judge Griffin was appointed as one of fifteen special assignment Judges for the State of Connecticut by Supreme Court Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers. Gary Dowgewicz Gary Dowgewicz is a longtime employee of the Town of Windsor is one of those people who is always there when you need something, almost anything. He has been a valuable resource for the Town of Windsor as well as the Chamber of Commerce through his volunteer efforts and expertise in sound and entertainment technology. Gary is a life-long resident of Windsor and graduate of Windsor High School and University of Hartford with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Programming and Mathematics. Gary has been employed by the Town of Windsor for 18 years and currently holds the position of Assistant Buildings & Facilities Manager. He also manages the 24-hour-a-day operation of WG-TV; the town’s government television station. Gary has been working in Sound & Lighting for decades including 26 years with Windsor Youth Theatre, 15 years with Northern Connecticut Ballet, 15 years with the Friends of Northwest Park for the Annual Country Fair and Coffeehouse Concert Series, 20 years with The Summer Concert Series on the Town Green, 10 years as Chamber of Commerce Windsor Feud fundraising game show chairperson, the Chamber of Commerce Auction and Annual Dinner, Win-TV’s Windsor’s Got Talent Production Committee, 12 years with the Chamber of Commerce Chili Challenge, 10 years with the Windsor Shad Derby Festival on the Green with 4 years as parade Master of Ceremonies, 6 years Torch Light Parade Town of Windsor float construction committee and 20 years broadcasting almost every Town Council, Town Planning & Zoning & Board of Education meeting since 1991 Gary has also devoted nearly 200 hours of volunteer time per year to Windsor civic groups and organizations including Windsor’s 375th Anniversary , Windsor League of Women Voters, Archer Memorial AME Zion Church, St. Joseph’s Church, First Town Downtown / Windsor Police Cadets, Windsor Palette & Brush Club and Windsor Art Center. Gary enjoys sound & lighting as a hobby along with boating and jet-skiing and also enjoys buying old school buses and driving them around for no apparent reason. |
2010 - Fran and Ann Dillon
Fran and Ann co-founded the Windsor Fife & Drum Corps in January 1985. The Corps has performed numerous times in Walt Disney World. In 1992 the Corps was asked to represent the state of Connecticut in Washington, DC, for our nation's birthday. It was the first time a drum corps was asked to represent a state. The Corps has performed in New Hampshire, Vermont, Mass., Rhode Island, New York, DC, Virginia, and Florida. Over the last 25 years we have seen close to a thousand kids go through the Corps. |
2009 - Ruth Fahrbach
A native of New York , I moved to Windsor in 1974. At that time, as a stay at home Mom of three children Donald, Donna and Danielle, I volunteered at Poquonock Elementary School in Windsor, served on a variety of school advisory committees and managed and coached little league softball teams. Because of my community involvement, I was asked to run for the Board of Education and eventually for the State Legislature. My work experience includes several years at a patent law firm in New York City , sales and bookkeeping at a local travel agency and marketing and design work for a local printing company. Although politics was never a path that I had desired or sought, I ran for both elected offices at the urging of and the encouragement of others and, because I knew that this was yet another way I could make a difference. My experiences in the community, with the Windsor school system and in the business world have helped me understand how our lives, our jobs, our children and our future are impacted by state government. In my spare time, I love to work in my garden where my husband Dave and I raise vegetables and graze sheep. I also enjoy reading, hiking, crossword puzzles and I must admit that I m becoming hooked on sudoku. Together Dave and I have five children and nine grandchildren. As a legislator, I have taken my responsibility very seriously and thank the voters of the 61st District for allowing me to serve as their State Representative |
2008 - Dr. Dan Mack
After leaving medical school as an honored graduate, the US army sent him to Vienna where he would attend army personnel and deliver babies. After two years he was discharged from the army as a Captain. Then he was off to Washington, DC for more training and to Jacksonville to acquire special training in cancer treatments. Finally at age 30 he was ready to practice medicine and try to conjure up enough money to pay off his student loans. Mack took a job in a coal mine clinic in Sipsy, Alabama. Early on, a mine shaft collapsed and several workers were trapped. Not knowing what to expect, Dr. Mack put on a hard hat and descended into the earth. Claustrophobic and frightened, Mack patched them up as best he could and then got them to the surface for further treatment. After a short stint as first assistant to the chief OBGYN at the Ford Foundation, he returned to Connecticut in 1954. Dr. D was associated with Hartford & St. Francis Hospitals and delivered 9,000 babies! At the University of CT Medical school he started as an assistant clinical instructor and graduated to assistant clinical professor over a period of 25 years at Hartford Hospital. In the mid 1960's the Connecticut cancer society selected Dr. D as the Doctor of the Year for his work in Connecticut schools. At 64 years of age Dr. D. experienced a mini-stroke and discontinued his operating and delivery room practice. Dr. Mack volunteered in many civic groups and the Windsor Community over many years. At 77, he left practice in Connecticut and moved his horse farm to Ocala Florida with his wife Margaret Lyndon McDermott. At 82, Dr. D picked up a paint brush and began to paint in a unique folk art style. His dear wife Margaret passed away in 2005, after 35 years of marriage. Six months later Dr. D. sold the horse farm and returned to Windsor where he continues to paint and is often called upon to tell his fascinating story including several seminars at the Windsor Historical Society. |
2007 - Ann Walsh & James Babb
Ann was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. She met and married her husband and best friend, Bill in 1960. Ann and Bill moved to Maryland where both worked for the Naval Propellant Plant. Their first son, Billy, was born in Washington, DC. The small family moved to Connecticut and bought their first home in Windsor in 1964. Seven of their children were born in Windsor and all remain in Connecticut raising Ann and Bill's 18 grandchildren. Ann ran daycare in their home for 25 years and worked at Scully Motors for nine years. Ann resumed daycare when her first granddaughter, Joscyln, was born and "retired" six years ago. Ann has been an active member of Saint Gabriel's School for 43 years, Windsor Woman's Club for 15 years, Mary's Place for 13 years, has recently been elected to the board of directors of WinTV and is secretary for the newly formed Social Service board. With all her volunteering, Ann is very busy, but always finds time for her family. Many around town know Ann as the face of Alex's Lemonade Stand, the pediatric cancer charity. Ann's little friend and neighbor, Alex Scott was Ann's hero. Before she saw Alex's struggles and incredible strength, Ann was a quiet, behind-the-scenes kind of person. That all changed when Ann heard of Alex's mission to find a cure "one cup at a time". Ann overcame her fear of public speaking to help the cause and is now comfortable fund-raising, public speaking, and doing whatever is necessary. Over the last six years, Ann motivated the Windsor Community to raise over $70,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stands! Ann supports education by working with Windsor Woman's Club to provide "Kind News", a newspaper full of positive topics, to 102 Windsor classrooms. Ann was a great advocate of the Partnership Program and though it no longer exists, she and others continue to mentor students at Windsor schools. James Babb Jim attended Harrison College, has certificates from Oxford & Cambridge Universities and has several certificates in the Airline Industry from London schools. Jim worked 13 years as Meteorologist with the British Air Ministry in charge of two reporting stations. He served 28 years as Senior Operations Officer for British Airways at JFK Airport, NY Freemason, Kt. Templar, Shriner Jim serves on the CRIS Radio board, Windsor Library Association, Windsor Education Foundation, served twice as President of Windsor Lions Club, Cabinet member of CT Lions Club District 23B. Jim is an affiliate member of East Windsor Lions Club, life member of Windsor Tobacco museum, Northwest Park and is on the Windsor Democratic Town Committee Jim's energy is very much centered on helping to make Windsor a better place for children and their education. He has three children (all professionals) and four grandchildren. One is completing his Doctorate, one his Masters in ancient studies and two are youngsters. He and his family are fortunate to have seen most of the world, being educated in several countries. |
2006 - Anthony (Joe) Cymerys
Active on the Board of Directors of the Immaculate Conception Shelter for many years, Joe is currently on the Development Committee. Joe manages the "Park Street Salon" which is by far the most lucrative of all his "little jobs". He is the official barber and father confessor to the shelter's guests since 1988. Payment is a "hug for a haircut". St. Gabriel church is fortunate to have Joe as Eucharistic Minister. He is very active and has coordinated blood drives at the Church since Desert Storm. Joe practices what he preaches and just gave his 595th donation. For over 18 years Joe has delivered Meals On Wheels for the Visiting Nurses Association. When not delivering meals Joe's car is an official "good will" depository where people leave groceries, clothes, and toiletries for the shelter & food bank. |
2005 - Leonard & Betty Hellerman
Len likes to contemplate the fact that he practiced in the town where Horace Hayden was born. Horace Hayden founded the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery of the University of Maryland, the oldest dental school in the world and the one from which he graduated. In 1990 Len was the chairman of a state-wide event for dentists, at the Windsor House, commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the founding of the school. Since he retired from dental practice he has been able to spend more time on his avocation photography the inspiration for which came at a very early age. Besides many photographic endeavors outside of Windsor, he has donated his documentary and artistic photography to many organizations within Windsor. He considered it a privilege to record, front and backstage, the performances of the many stars at Summerwind. The most recent issue of "There's A Lot To Do In Windsor" featured the twenty-six cover photographs that he has donated to the town publication. The Caring Connection, in Wilson, is decorated with his photographs, as well as the Hartford Hospital Clinic on Day Hill Road. In September, fifteen of his artistic photographs of the tobacco industry in town will be exhibited at the Windsor Historical Society, complementing a traveling exhibit of barns by the Smithsonian Institution. He has had to exhibits at the Huntington House Museum and in July two of his photographs will be included there in an invitational exhibition. Betty studied, for many years, at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and she earned a degree in music education from the University of Maryland. She taught sixth grade while Len was a dentist in the Navy and she began her volunteering career when Len entered private practice. She has been a Community Chest Drive chairman, a past chairmen of the Windsor Library Advisory Board, and she was first volunteer coordinator for Summerwind. For thirty years Betty was a volunteer at Mount Sinai Hospital and at present she serves on the board of the Women's Auxiliary of the Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Also, for the past twenty years she has served on the board of directors and was past president of the Auxiliary to the Jewish Association for Community Living. JCL is a non-sectarian organization that is committed to responding to the needs of persons with developmental disabilities. The Hellermans consider themselves very fortunate to be residents of Windsor. |
2004 - Michele (Mickey) Mattei
Mickey has been an energetic volunteer in every aspect of her life. As a parent she has volunteered for Girl Scouts of America, Loomis Chaffee Parents’ Association and hosted International Students in her home. In her spiritual life, she has taught CCD for St.Joseph’s Church and written grants for Family Life Ministries for Immaculate Conception Church. As a Windsor citizen, Mickey has served on the Windsor Heritage Tourism Board, Citizens for a United Windsor, Windsor Land Trust, First Town Downtown and Friends of Northwest Park, where she continues to chair the Country Fair. As Founding President and continuing Board member of SummerWind, Mickey is a stalwart supporter of the arts in our town. In addition to the Chamber’s Citizen of the year, other organizations have recognized Mickey for her dedication. She has been awarded Woman of the Year by the Windsor Junior Woman’s Club, the Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary Club of Windsor and David Gaither community Service Award by Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. Mickey is a UCONN graduate, former teacher and reporter. Mickey and her husband, Ernie, are parents of four children and residents of Windsor for 28 years. |
2003 - Florence Barlow & Vivian Cicero
Florence P. Barlow has been a resident of Windsor for 32 years. She has been married to James Barlow for 37 years and has a son Jimi and two grandchildren Julian 9 and Jada 15 months. Florence is a certified Dental Technician and is employed by Yankee Dental Arts in Wethersfield. She is the Superintendent of Sunday School at the River of Life Christian School and Chairperson of the Windsor Youth Commission. She is also on the Board of FTDT and Northwest Park and involved in the Shad Derby, League of Women Voters, Windsor-Afro-American Association and the Democratic Town Committee. If all this weren't enough, Florence also finds time to volunteer for the Huntington House Museum and the Windsor Historical Society. Vivian J. Cicero Vivian J. Cicero was born in Suffield, Ct. and has seven siblings. She was married for 42 years to Stanley L. Cicero. She has two sons, Tony and Troy, a daughter-in-law Tara and one grandson Terrell. She is a very active member of her church, St. Michael's of Hartford and on March 17th she was chosen to receive The St. Joseph Appreciation Medal presented by Archbishop Cronin at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. She is President of the Windsor Afro-American Civic Association, on the Board of Directors of the First Town Downtown, Shad Derby and Northwest Park, a member of the Windsor Democratic Town Committee, the Huntington House Museum and the Windsor Historical Society and on the Planning Committee of Conversations on Race. Vivian retired from the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing after thirty-seven years as Executive Secretary to the Director. She now works part-time as an Administrative Support Clerk for the Windsor Board of Education. |
2002 - Robert T. SillimanRobert T. SillimanA life-long resident of Windsor, Robert Silliman, is the quintessential community leader. Beginning his life of community service as a young man, Silliman enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps four months after Pearl Harbor. He was discharged in September 1945 with the rank of sergeant after serving three years and five months, half of his tour of duty being overseas. Robert, while employed by the Imperial Agricultural Corp./American Sumatra Tobacco Corp., served as the personnel director for over 20 years. He also owned and operated the Winding Brook Farms for close to 10 years. Bob's volunteer accomplishments include: Chairman of the Second School Society, Elm Grove Cemetery Committee for 41 years; President of the Windsor Historical Society, 1974 1983; Chairman of Windsor's town-wide 350th anniversary celebration in 1983; Director of the Windsor Historical Society from 1983 1999; President of the Connecticut League of Societies for three years; served on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Historical Society for five years; volunteer fireman for 20 years with the North End Volunteer Fire Co. in Poquonock; and Town of Windsor Plan & Zoning Commission from 1961- 1974, Chairman for 10 years. His current activities include volunteering weekly at the Windsor Historical Society; historian/archivist of the 57th Bomb Wing, 12th Air Force, WWII National Reunion Group and a Board Member of the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor, a genealogical society. Robert has been married to Priscilla Huntington for 56 years. They have three children. |
2001 - Libby Taylor & Lon PeltonElizabeth "Libby" TaylorLibby Taylor, originally from Boulder Colorado, has been a resident of Windsor for the past 46 years. She has a daughter Nancy Taylor who is a teacher at Roger Wolcott Early Childhood Center. Libby loved teaching in Colorado, Oregon, Iowa and Windsor. She also participated in the PTA (2 years as president), Domestic Travel Counselor for AAA, Girl Scout troop leader, Sunday School teacher, and has served on most boards of her church. Libby has also been involved with Northwest Park since its inception, served as President of Friends of Northwest Park and continues to serve on the Board of Trustees and the Executive Board and works tirelessly behind the scenes. During that time Libby has seen the completion of the Gordon Taylor Tobacco History Museum and other attractions that make Northwest Park so special. Libby is currently a real estate agent with DeWolfe Real estate and continues to be active in everything at Northwest Park and is an Executive Board Member of the Connecticut Valley Tobacco Historical Society. A donation in Libby's honor will be made to the Gordon Taylor Scholarship Fund. Lon C. Pelton Lon Pelton and his family have been a part of Windsor since its beginning in 1633. Lon was raised in Poquonock, graduated from Windsor High School in 1957, and went on to serve in the military. He is married to Jane Gordon Pelton and has three children and two grandchildren. In 1970, Lon began his own business, Pelton Excavation Company, which expanded to include Clearwood Building Corporation in 1984. Lon has always shared his abilities with Windsor residents and organizations including: Trustee for Friends of Northwest Park; Trustee for The First School Society; First Town Downtown; Stony Hill School; The CT Forum; Windsor Chamber of Commerce; Windsor Club; and Windsor Historical Society. More recently, Lon has been known for his scrap metal sculpture, arousing many thoughts and comments. Creations both artistic and political have been placed throughout Windsor and surrounding areas. Lon has also contributed pieces to fund raisers for the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Riverfront Recapture and local churches. Lon exemplifies a spirit, visible in all his efforts and achievements, and a commitment to contributing to Windsor his loyalty, enthusiasm and creativity. A donation will be made in Lon's honor to the "Animal Care Program" at Northwest Park. |
2000 - Linda N. Kollmorgen |
1999 - Albert Ilg |
1998 - Everett Dowe Jr. |