For nearly twenty years Art Groux has been taking care of Suffield. A paramedic, he began serving the town as a volunteer on Martin Luther King Day in 2000. With a bachelor’s degree in emergency management services, Art became Chief of Services at the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association.
At the SVAA he supervised a staff of nine paid, part-time workers and 80-90 volunteers.
Art remained so positioned, meanwhile taking direction of Enfield’s volunteer emergency services from 2005 until 2009.
Early this September of 2019, on the ninth of the month to be exact, Art informed the SVAA Board of Directors and members that he would be leaving Suffield.
When his Suffield replacement is found, Art said, “…he will become Chief of Services at the Bennington Vermont Rescue Squad.” Like Suffield’s SVAA, Bennington’s Squad is a non-profit organization but larger.
For those who had hoped or assumed Art Groux would take care of us forever, this was a real come-uppance. How could this extremely able, gifted, and handsome young man leave us? Truth be told, we were blessed to have Art as long as we did.
Many changes have occurred in the last twenty years. Art and Carolyn Groux’s children grew up and moved on; the youngest now a college junior; the next married in July, and the eldest is planning a 2020 wedding.
Art said he and Carolyn have found themselves with a new and exciting future! He had not been looking to move, and happily Art will remain with the SVAA as a volunteer. Carolyn’s mother lives in the area and they will visit often.
Residents who have valued and benefited from Art Groux’s exceptional abilities for years feel he is irreplaceable, but Art’s leadership has attracted great talent and commitment to the Suffield Ambulance Association, and inspired by his example they may apply for Art’s position. Suffield’s support of its Volunteer Ambulance Association’s fine reputation and service record in the region may also attract applicants.
Art Groux has served unstintingly for years, leading and managing SVAA in- service training and team growth. Suffield residents appreciate his outstanding public service. They wish him and Carolyn great happiness and success in their new and exciting future!