On July 7th, Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department (PBFD) firefighter and acting Captain Todd Williamson lost his fight with cancer.
It is said by many of his close friends that he always wanted to help people. At the age of 15 he became a Firefighter/EMT for North Stonington Volunteer Ambulance Association. After graduating Wheeler High School in 1998 he became a full-time employee with the Groton Ambulance Association. Todd kept advancing with his training and added to his experience at numerous other departments such as North Stonington Volunteer Fire Department, Mohegan Tribal Fire Department, and Town of Preston Fire and Emergency Services. He also graduated from Three Rivers Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and Technology.
Todd was a key factor in improving the local public education fire safety programs. These programs provided insight and education in fire safety for all schools, day cares, and senior centers in the Groton District. In addition, he also taught CPR to the town of Preston, making them a more heart safe community.
“He was well-loved by the kids. They always called him Fireman Todd. He took great pride in being a firefighter and helping his community” said fellow PBFD Firefighter Bryan Quilter.
Early this year, Todd received the Meritorious Citation Award for his role in providing quality public education to the members of the community. The Meritorious Citation Award is given to individuals within a department to commend their personal sacrifice to make the community a safer place from fire and the tragedies of human suffering.
“He had a positive outlook on life no matter what the circumstances. He was determined to beat the illness and was more worried for the people around him being worried about him. He was a kind and considerate young man and a tremendous firefighter” said Fire Chief Todd Paige of PBFD.
Deputy Chief Curt Floyd of PBFD added “He was taken too soon. He was destined to do more. He was always respectful amongst his brother firefighters. Despite all of his awards and qualifications he never had an ego and was always open to learning and improving on skills.”
Todd is gone but he survives through the memories and the positive impact that he had on the community. He is survived by his wife Cait-Len Merritt Williamson, daughter Lilly Renee and ten month old son Tyler Mathew. Many local fundraisers helped with Todd’s medical bills and his family.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 15 at St. Joseph Church, New London. For information regarding donations to his family, visit the official union website of Firefighter Todd Williamson www.pbfd2704.com
William B. Stanley, local historian & journalist, died Sunday, April 18th at the age of 80.
by Tyler Williams
William B. Stanley, 80, died Sunday, April 18th at Hartford Hospital. His illustrious life will be remembered and honored by his involvement as an author and Norwich’s own historian
Bill is survived by his wife, Margaret Stanley, his son William A. Stanley and his daughters Carol Little and Mary Stanley.
Bill’s ability to bring Norwich’s past to the community brought people together and grew an unwavering strength in the community. Bill always had a knack for making local history come alive; he was the spirit of Norwich and he will be greatly missed.
In a statement released to the Resident, Senator Chris Dodd said, “Bill Stanley was a great friend to my family, and to generations of residents in Norwich who were touched by his generosity, his humor, and his kindness. No one was a bigger cheerleader for the city of Norwich than Bill, and his contributions to our state will continue be felt for years to come. I join all those in Norwich and across Connecticut in mourning Bill’s passing, and I will miss him dearly.”
Bill’s legacy will be remembered by the combination of his outspokenness and his ability to put it into writing. His weekly newspaper columns will be remembered not only for his signature “Once Upon a Time” but for his capacity to grab the reader. He also published many books, some of them being a collection of his columns. His largest book chronicled the area’s history and his final book was a gift to Norwich schoolchildren, in which he donated 5,000 books to the school system.
In a statement released to the Resident, Senator Joe Lieberman said, “I was deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Stanley, a statesman, a principled patriot, and a scholar. Bill Stanley loved history, taught history, and made history. I knew Bill for many years, and I am grateful for all of the wisdom he offered me personally. Mostly though, I treasure the example he set in his career of devoted service to this country in the United States Marine Corps, Connecticut’s State Senate, and through the many important causes that he championed in the city of Norwich and throughout our state. Our state and this nation are blessed to have people like Bill Stanley who truly enrich our communities. We, his readers and his students, were particularly blessed with the opportunity to have learned from Bill Stanley, who illuminated our hearts and minds with his weekly columns for the Norwich Bulletin. Bill’s brilliant mind, generous spirit, and unforgettable stories will never fade from our memory.”
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Posted
on April 28th, 2010
| category: In Memoriam
Governor M. Jodi Rell ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of Marine Lance Corporal Tyler Owen Griffin of Voluntown. Tyler, 19, a 2008 graduate of Griswold High School, had served for 30 days in Afghanistan when he was killed by improvised explosive device.
“All of Connecticut mourns a brave and patriotic young man who has given his life for his country and our freedom,” Governor Rell said. “We cannot help but be inspired by the example Lance Corporal Griffin set, even as we join his family and friends in grieving for him. His service will never be forgotten.”
Flags will remain at half-staff until sundown on the day of Lance Corporal Griffin’s burial, which has not been set yet. There are three days of services scheduled. On Monday, April 12, there will be a procession, accompanied by a state police and Patriot Guard escort, along Rt. 165 in Voluntown as Lance Corporal Griffin’s remains are brought to the Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, Jewett City, where private services will be held. The public is invited to stand along Rt. 165 as the motorcade passes between 6:00 and 6:30pm on Monday evening. There will be a public wake at the funeral home on Tuesday night, and a public reception at Constitution Field, Voluntown, on Wednesday.
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Posted
on April 14th, 2010
| category: In Memoriam
Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, interview, Wilma P. Mankiller, first female Chief of the Cherokee Tribal Nation, when she presented her book, Every Day is a Good Day, at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum Research Library on October 23, 2004.
by Alexis Ann
With a sad heart, I learned of Wilma P. Mankiller, 64, passing on Tuesday, April 6th after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Ms. Wilma is survived by her husband, Charlie Soap, and her two daughters, Felicia and Gina Olaya.
I had the honor to meet and interview Ms. Wilma, former Chief of the Cherokee Tribal Nation (1985-1995), and 1998 Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, when she presented her new book, Every Day is a Good Day, at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center on October 23, 2004.
The first woman in modern times to serve as a Native American Tribal chief, her programs based on activism, advocacy, and practical-solution methodology of local empowerment advanced many community projects such as the Cherokee Community Development Department, the Bell Community Project, and Cherokee Gardens horticultural venture. In our interview, Ms. Mankiller said that she believes in a positive future for Native American women, and for all humanity.
Ms. Mankiller held several honorary doctoral degrees: from Yale University, Smith College, and Dartmouth College. Ms. Magazine honored her as Woman of the Year in 1987, and she received other similar awards including induction into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame in 1986 and National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993.
At the opening of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, in 1993, Ms. Wilma said, “Our ancestors can no longer speak for themselves. It is up to us to speak for them… If they could speak today, they would say, ‘Look at this museum. They have not forgotten us. We have survived.’”
To that I say, Ms. Wilma, you will not be forgotten. Your books tell your story and through them, you will survive. Thank you!
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Posted
on April 14th, 2010
| category: In Memoriam
(l-r) State Representative Christopher Coutu with his uncle Edward J. Coutu. Edward passed away on March 20.
April 24, 1918 – March 20, 2010
Edward J. Coutu, 91, formerly of Taftville died Saturday, March 20 at the Norwichtown Rehab & Care Center. Edward was employed for 28 years as an Electrician for the State of CT DOT retiring many years ago. He was a WWII Army veteran having enlisted in the Army in 1941 and was honorably discharged in1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Taftville. He was a Past Commander of the V.F.W. Post 2212, Taftville, was a life member of the Sprague Rod & Gun Club and a life member of the Taftville Fire Dept. Edward was married to Marguerite (Maynard) Coutu, who died in 2004. Survivors include sister Juliette Dupuis and her husband Arthur, Taftville, his sister-in-law Dorothy (Maynard) Osga, Jewett City, and numerous nieces and nephews.
