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Citizen of the Year AwardThe Citizen of the Year Award is presented to a citizen who has provided outstanding service to our community. We express our appreciation for the dedication and contributions that have been put forth by these individuals. The 2011 recipients of the Citizen of the Year award are Brian Griffin and Gary Dowgewicz.
Award Criteria:
Windsor resident
Of service to the Windsor community
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2011 - Brian Griffin and Gary Dowgewicz |  | |
Brian Griffin
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 (Uricchio) Dillon grew up in Windsor and attended Windsor schools. They are members of St Gabriel's Church. They have been married for 45 years, have 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren. Fran's father was Bart of Bart's Drive-In. Ann's father, Tony Uricchio, was chief of the Windsor Fire Dept.
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 |  | |
I have had the honor and privilege of serving the towns of East Granby, Windsor and Suffield for 28 years as the State Representative for the 61st District.
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 |  | |
Dan (Dr. D) Mack was one of seven boys and two girls that blessed the home of Ed and Faye Mack in Windsor. Dr. D. is a graduate of Windsor High School class of 1939 and an accelerated program at Harvard. Two days after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the US army medical corps. Placed on active duty he was sent to New York University school of Medicine at Syracuse. During the war many young doctors were called up, creating vacancies in the civilian community. Medical students were encouraged to accept and serve in charitable areas. Dr Mack went to St. Vincent DePaul's Orphanage and Maternity Hospital for night and emergency services. Dr. D. never had an unfavorable outcome in those three early years of service and almost 200 babies!
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.
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2007 - Ann Walsh & James Babb |  | |
Ann M. Walsh
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.
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2006 - Anthony (Joe) Cymerys |  | |
Joe has been with the Windsor Community Service Council for over 15 years where the Food Bank is a major part of the council. The Council serves as many as 168 households a month. Weekly Joe picks up almost a ton of groceries from generous Windsor Businesses.
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.
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2005 - Leonard & Betty Hellerman |  | |
Leonard & Betty Hellerman
Betty and Len Hellerman have been in Windsor since 1956 when Len was discharged from the Navy and he started his dental practice as the first tenant in the new Windsor Federal Savings bank building overlooking the town green. Len has been a member of the Lions Club, the Jaycees, and he was a founding member of the Freddie Chartier School.
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.
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2004 - Michele (Mickey) Mattei
The Windsor Chamber of Commerce's "Citizen of the Year" committee is pleased to announce this year's recipient of the "Citizen of the Year Award", Leonard and Betty Hellerman. This is the eigth year the Windsor Chamber of Commerce has presented the Citizen of the Year Award. This award is presented to a citizen who has provided outstanding service to our community. We express our appreciation for the dedication and contributions that have been put forth by these individuals.
The presentation of this award will be given at the Chamber's 56th Annual Dinner and Installation Banquet to be held at the Hartford/Windsor Marriott on June 17th.. Entertainment will be provided by Dyn-o-myte Disco Review. Anyone wishing to attend the Windsor Chamber of Commerce Dinner should call the Chamber Office at 688-5165.
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2003 - Florence Barlow & Vivian CiceroFlorence P. Barlow
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. Silliman
A 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.
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2001 - Libby Taylor & Lon PeltonElizabeth "Libby" Taylor
Libby 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.
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2000 - Linda N. Kollmorgen |
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