The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘Mrs. Portland’ epitomized being a public servant
Former Town Clerk Bernie Dillon’s portrait hangs in City Hall
PORTLAND — Residents and town officials have taken the opportunity to recognize “a very, very special person.”
She has been a mainstay in the town for decades. But, she has been seen too infrequently of late.
Which made the celebration of former Town Clerk Bernie Dillon that much more of a treat.
Dillon served as town clerk for 38 years until she stepped away from the post on Jan. 1, 2015, to care for her then-ailing husband.
Her daughter, Mary Dickerson, served out the remaining year of Dillon’s term.
Dillon’s two predecessors in the position, David Carlson (who served as clerk from 1920-59) and Leonard Markham (1960-77), each have portraits hanging in the clerk’s office in the basement of Town Hall.
So it was only natural that a portrait of Dillon be commissioned as well.
With the painting completed, a celebration was held at the Portland West Golf Course recently to unveil the portrait and for her friends to share some “quality time” with Mrs. Dillon.
First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield began the program by saying Dillon was so involved in town activities, she fairly can be called “Mrs. Portland.”
While she herself is a Democrat, Dillon did not allow politics to affect her office, Bransfield said.
“She was a person who, as town clerk, it didn’t matter who you were — everyone was treated the same.”
“She epitomized what it means to be a public servant,” Bransfield said.
As one measure of affection in which Dillon is held,
state Rep. Christie Carpino, a Republican, stepped away from the budget wars in Hartford to attend the event.
“So. It turns out you’re a Democrat,” she told Dillon. “I wouldn’t have known.”
All joking aside, Dillon “always conducted herself with grace and dignity,” Carpino said.
“Everyone was treated the same,” no matter who came through the door of the clerk’s office, be they Republican, Democrat or unaffiliated, Carpino said.
“Hat’s off to you, and thank you for all you’ve done,” Carpino said.
The incumbent clerk, Ryan J. Curley, also was on hand, acknowledging, “Being town clerk after Bernie is no easy thing.”
“Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, especially since I know I wouldn’t be able to march in the Memorial Day parade in high heels.”
“Oh, try it!” one wit in the audience called out, provoking much laughter.
Curley said he had just returned from a regional clerk’s conference.
“You were a mentor to so many of the clerks, and they haven’t forgotten you at all,” he told Dillon.
Dillion was a wife and mother in addition to being clerk.
She and her husband, John, had three children, Mary and two boys, John and Joseph.
Even now, “She’s quicker than I am,” John said.
He recalled growing up with people coming to the family home at 3 a.m. on the first day of fishing season to get their licenses.
Bernie was ready when they came: she had made coffer, so the would-be anglers “got their licenses — and they got their coffee, too.” John said.
Then it was Mrs. Dillon’s turn to speak. She thanked the many and varied people who attended the event, even as she acknowledged the one person who was missing and who meant so much to her, her late husband.
“He was my coach. He gave me all the encouragement” to seek the clerk’s position.
John Dillon’s legacy includes “leaving me with my three wonderful children,” she continued, adding her thanks to them, their respective spouses, and the seven Dillon and Dickerson grandchildren.
Being clerk “was a labor of love,” she said. But, “There was never any politics in my office. I wouldn’t allow it.”
She closed by saying, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“I love you all and I thank you all for coming.”
As the approximately 100 people in attendance rose to applaud Mrs. Dillon, there was a cry of “Bernie in ’20.”
The portrait, which shows a vibrant and smiling Mrs. Dillon, now hangs in the clerk’s office.