The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Mourning loss of Cromwell Concrete owner
MIDDLETOWN — It is hard to believe, but July comes to an end this week in Middlesex County and throughout our great nation. However, make no mistake, the chamber calendar is still hot with events and activities.
On the business development front, I joined Mayor Ben Florsheim and other local dignitaries Monday for a ceremony at 211 So. Main St. to formally recognize the building as the Michael F. Dowley Building. This is a well-deserved honor for a man who did so much for Middletown.
Mike Dowley was an excellent local attorney for over 40 years who was trusted by members of local boards and commissions and other key stakeholders on very important matters dealing with economic development, land use, zoning and more. He was also a true family man.
I thank Rocky Kempenaar not only for recognizing Mike and his contributions to this city, but for doing a great job with this important building located in a key commercial corridor.
On Tuesday evening, I will head to Madison for the retirement celebration of Greg Shook, president and CEO of Essex Savings Bank after 22 years at the helm. Greg Shook is one of those individuals who has made a tremendous impact in business and in our community. He has led Essex Savings Bank, a true community bank, with the utmost professionalism, and has been a huge supporter of our chamber every step of the way.
We were honored to present him with our Distinguished Citizen Award in 2011, and will always be grateful for his membership on our Board of Directors and Executive Committee including service as chamber Chairman in 2016-2017. We wish him nothing but the best in his well-deserved retirement, and thank him for his longtime support and friendship.
After the event in Madison, we will jump onto Zoom for the Side Street to Main Street “Business Know-How” Class 10 certificate presentation at 6:15 p.m. This is an intensive, four-session entrepreneurial program which provides practical knowledge for starting and building a small business. This is the second time that this important chamber initiative will take place through an online portal.
I thank Eversource for its sponsorship of this important economic community development program, and chamber Staff Liaison Jennifer De Kine for her great work since the program’s inception.
I also look forward to the grand opening celebration of MARC Community Resources’ new facility at 25 Industrial Park Road in Middletown. MARC continues to do extremely important work in our community, and we congratulate them as they christen their new building right here in town. I wish departing President Linda Iovanna all the best as she transitions out of MARC and into a new phase in her professional career. She has done a great job with MARC through a challenging period, and we certainly thank her for her efforts and wish her well.
I am afraid I must pass along a sad note after the recent passing of Raymond (Ray) Libera at 73. Ray owned and was the former president of Cromwell Concrete Products, a local supplier of contractors, towns and the state of Connecticut for over 85 years. Amazingly, he worked at the company for over 60 years.
Ray was a great guy and strong supporter of our chamber, and many other community-based initiatives along the way. He was a staple in the, from his high school days as a standout athlete, to this business career, and more. Ray was well-known in the community and of course, very well-liked.
I was fortunate to attend a wonderful celebration of life for Ray, held last Monday, at the Middletown Elks Lodge. It was a fitting tribute for a man who did so much for so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ray’s wife of 56 years, Mary Ann, his children, Tara, Lisa and Jason, his grandchildren, and their entire network of devoted family and friends. Ray Libera will be missed by many.
I ask members and other interested parties to support two upcoming chamber events in August.
There will be a virtual luncheon featuring U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney, whose district includes many of the down-county towns within the chamber’s service area. His remarks will touch on the important issues he is working on as he represents his constituents in Washington, D.C., including COVID recovery, infrastructure, American Rescue Plan Funds, manufacturing and the defense sector in Connecticut, and much more.
This important virtual event is sponsored by Tower Laboratories.
On Aug. 18, we will welcome UConn Head Football Coach Randy Edsall to an in-person member breakfast meeting at the Sheraton Hartford South in Rocky Hill. Sponsored by People’s United Bank, this event will feature an update from the coach on the upcoming season of Husky football, along with some thoughts on leadership and character development. Visit middlesexchamber.com for more information.