In Memory of 3 Dedicated Rotarians lost this past week

Posted on 03/25/2014 by rickbassett

Jim, Hugh and Jianny are enduring examples of Service Above Self

These Rotarians are enduring examples of Service Above Self

We are saddened by the news that three of our District 7980 Rotary Clubs (The Stoningtons, Derby-Shelton and Newtown) lost long-time dedicated Rotarians this past week.

Rotary was an integral part in the lives of each of these gentlemen as they truly embodied “Service above Self”, each of them was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow from their Clubs for their outstanding contributions. In reading about Les, Howie and Paul it is easy to feel that you have known them your entire life, even if you didn’t experience the pleasure of meeting them in person.

Please take a moment out to reflect on the robust, generous lives that each of these three Rotarians have led.

Les Duncklee – President-elect The Stoningtons Rotary

President-elect Lester “Les” H. Duncklee of the Stoningtons Rotary Club passed away suddenly on March 21, 2014. Les was born in New London, on April 23, 1941 and lived in Colchester.

Les just attended NE PETS at the beginning of the month and was looking forward to becoming Club President. He joined Rotary in 1990 and is a Paul Harris Fellow.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at the Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, 51 Williams Ave., Mystic. Donations may be made to the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Stonington, 32 Water St., Stonington, CT 06378.

Les’s full Obituary can be read by clicking here

Howard Russell – Derby-Shelton Rotarian since 1954

We lost Howard ‘Howie’ Russell, age 86, of the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club on March 15, 2014.

Howie joined Rotary in 1954 and is a Paul Harris Fellow.

His family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Rotary Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 224, Shelton CT 06484.

Howie’s full full Obituary can be read by by clicking here

Paul Lux – Past President Newtown Rotary

Paul Stephen Lux, 64, of The Newtown Rotary Club, passed away Tuesday evening, March 18, 2014, He was born January 18, 1950.

Paul was past president of the Newtown Rotary Club in 2005-06, a member of the Newtown Rotary Foundation Board of Directors and he was a Paul Harris Recipient.

A memorial service will take place April 26.

Additional information on Paul can be read by clicking here

Derby-Shelton Rotary inducts 3 new members (9 for the year)

Posted on 02/22/2014 by rickbassett

: New members Dave, Fred and George

: Sponsor Pin given to Pat and Bill (we owe one to Linda)

: AG Ann pins Pat and Bill with Sponsor Pins

: 12/5/13 Members: Eunice, Cathy and Kate

: Linda introducing Dave

: 9/26/13 New Members – Porter, Kelly and Shaye

: Bill Miller presented a check to Shaye Roscoe and the Boys & Girls Club

: Jay Carlucci from the Dew Drop along with Laureen Price Kazzi and Bill Miller

The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club has made membership one of their top priorities this year as they inducted their 9th new member of the 2013-14 year this past Thursday.

The Club welcomed 3 new members. Dave Jones, Fred Serra and George Howe bookended by DG Rick Bassett and President Bill Miller.

Bill Miller presented a check to Shaye Roscoe and the Boys & Girls Club to support the Teen Center at the Club for the next three months.

Jay Carlucci from the Dew Drop Inn stopped by to get his award for the best wings at last year’s wildly successful Hoptoberfest. His wings were the best, and he was incredibly supportive in making the whole thing work.

The 26th Annual Norman K. Parsells Award Luncheon

Posted on 12/09/2013 by rickbassett

The Fairfield Rotary Club hosted the 26th Annual Norman K. Parsells Award Luncheon today at the Gaelic-American Club.

The Norman K. Parsells Award, is presented annually to honor the memory and spirit of Norm Parsells. He was a dedicated Rotarian who served his community and Rotary, demonstrating Rotary’s ideal of “Service Above Self”. The recipients of the Award are being recognized as Rotarians who personifies the same spirit and dedication to their community and Rotary that Norm represented during his lifetime.

Because of their outstanding service to their Rotary Clubs, their communities and to Rotary International, the 2013 recipients of the Norman King Parsells Award are:

: Black Rock – Charles Priddle

: Bridgeport – George Shawah, Jr.

: Derby-Shelton –Anthony F. DellaMonica

: Devon – Mark Krom

: Fairfield – Peter A. Penczer

: Monroe – Bill Florin

: Milford – Mitchell I. Quintner DMD

: Orange – Paul Grimmer

: Stratford – Diane Puterski

: Trumbull – Byron Campbell

Norm was an attorney, a majority leader in the House of Representative and a very active member of his community.

Areas four and five of District 7980 honor the memory and spirit of Norm Parsells, a dedicated Rotarian who served his community well. Norm’s dedicated service to the community demonstrated Rotary’s ideal of “service above self”.

There 10 Rotary Clubs in Areas four and five are: Milford, Devon, Stratford, Bridgeport, Black Rock, Fairfield, Orange, Derby-Shelton, Monroe and Trumbull.

Although Fairfield was his “home” club, he visited and worked with other clubs where many lasting friendships have been made. It is, then, quite fitting that each club in these areas join to honor him by issuing the Norman King Parsells Award.

Read more about Norm Parsells and the previous recipients: Norm Parsells Luncheon Program

Congratulations to these outstanding Rotarians!!

Here are many photos from today’s luncheon

: Everyone Smiling

: PRIVP Abe Gordon and DG Rick Bassett

Ledyard Rotary & Derby-Shelton Rotary each induct 3 new members today!

Posted on 12/05/2013 by rickbassett

The membership in Rotary District 7980 grew by 6 as The Ledyard Rotary Club & The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club each induct 3 new members today.

Ledyard President Carol Christiansen and Derby-Shelton President Bill Miller have been keenly focused on membership retention and attraction since the new year kicked off back in July.

Ledyard new members:

Ellen Swercewski – involved in the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation in Procurement and Walk Director.
Larry Erhart – Numismatist.╩ Rare coin expert, trade shows, gold, silver estate buying, convention marketing, specializing in rare bank notes, obsolete notes, large currency and U.S. domestic coinage.
Ed Lynch – Presently working as an Engineering consultant in the bio/pharmaceutical business.

LEDYARD PHOTOS