The Suffield Observer (https://thesuffieldobserver.com/category/peoplebusiness/page/41/)
On a rainy Sunday in the crowded Sportsmen’s cabin during the annual picnic for Cpl. Steve Bixler, USMC, Kevin Goff and his grandchild, along with an unidentified youngster, examine some of the display material about Steve’s short, heroic career.
The caption of a photo in last month’s Observer reported that completion of the new Broad Brook Brewery (BBB) being constructed on South Street had been delayed. It turns out that the delay was prompted by a stop work order issued on March 28 by Suffield Building Inspector Ted Flanders. The underlying matters are complicated. Excavation for the 12,000-square-foot building on a small parcel in Mach One Industrial Park began in August or early September, and the foundation footings were poured later in September. A ceremonial “groundbreaking” was held on September 28, with Suffield officials and company officers happily celebrating the new business coming to town.
Joseph Greco, President and Chief Executive Officer of The First National Bank of Suffield, announced on March 8 that James Cormier has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking. “In the eleven years that Mr. Cormier has been with the bank, he has consistently displayed skills and personal qualities that have allowed us to grow our commercial lending business,” said Mr. Greco. “Those same qualities have resulted in steady career growth for Mr. Cormier, who has responded to his increasing responsibilities with aplomb. I am both happy to acknowledge his promotion and eager to see what comes next.”
Mr. Cormier began his career at the Bank in 2007 as a Commercial Credit Analyst, became an officer of the Bank in 2011 and was promoted to Vice President of Commercial Lending in 2015. He earned a BS degree in Finance from the University of Massachusetts in 2003 and in 2017 completed the American Bankers Association’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking and Wharton Leadership program.
A Suffield entrepreneur who moved his family from one end of Halladay Avenue to the other recently is now planning to move his business from Southwick to a warehouse he will build on South Street. Jeff Wasilewski intends to move his third-party Amazon retailer business from Southwick, with eight employees now and plans for more. He had hoped to have broken ground by now, but a Suffield administrative snag interfered. He expects the delay to be brief. The planned 14,600-square foot warehouse will also accommodate Wasilewski’s Artisan Owl business, identified in his website as a multi-faceted business specializing in toys, housewares, books, games, jewelry and more.
From her apartment at Suffield by the River, Odette Makari looks toward the garden where a handcrafted tile reads, “In loving memory of Jack Makari.” Odette’s late husband died in May 2013. The tile was made by Celia Moffie’s daughter, Hannah Donnelly. Dr. Makari was a medical researcher. He and Odette came as newlyweds from their native Lebanon to Texas where he was appointed director of immunology at the Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Later established in New Jersey, the doctor developed the Makari Intradermal Skin test that detected cancer before it became clinically observable.
Want to reduce stress and maximize the sale of your home? Come hear from experts in the field during this short presention on Wednesday, June 6 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the First National Bank of Suffield at 30 Bridge Street. Light refreshments will be served. Space is limited but all are welcome. Kindly reserve your seat by calling Toni at 914-420-1656.
At a recent Rotary meeting I was listening to the achievements already accomplished by our SHS Student of the Month. It left me with confidence that the young lady would proceed to accomplish “big things” in life. A friend who attended suggested that it was too bad that we so often lose track of many successes achieved by the people who often go on to achieve major successes in their chosen fields. The friend noted that perhaps the Observer could provide information about the many people whose stories and accomplishments would either bring pride with the thought that “I knew that kid was going to make it”, or perhaps a “wow” recognition when you utter out loud “I didn’t know our neighbor did that.”
At the editorial board meeting people were excited about such an endeavor but aware that it was not an undertaking we could do on our own. Limiting such a series to those whose accomplishments the editors were aware of would inevitably but unfairly leave out the stories of many with equal or even more impressive successes.
Windsor Federal Savings is proud to announce the promotion of Maureen Sullivan to Vice-President – Retail Operations. “Maureen’s extensive retail banking experience has allowed her to successfully take on additional responsibilities”, George Hermann, President and CEO of Windsor Federal Savings stated. Joining Windsor Federal Savings with over 10 years of prior retail banking experience, Maureen rapidly advanced within her career from part time Teller to Branch Manager by taking advantage of bank educational opportunities and receiving recognition for her outstanding customer service capabilities. In July 2017, she was promoted to Assistant Vice-President.
May 4 is quickly approaching. It will be 12 years since CPL Stephen R. Bixler gave his life for our country. At times it seems like it was yesterday and other times a lifetime ago. Then there are the times that it feels like it really hasn’t happened and we are waiting for Steve to come home. The community of Suffield is coming together once again to honor and remember Stephen, at his Annual Memorial Picnic.
Steve and Jenny Gilbertson enjoyed walking their dog Bill on the lanes at beautiful Suffield by the River. They recently moved into a Villa here where Bill enjoys tethered exercise and plenty of fresh air with Kameron, the Gilbertsons’ black cat. A six–year–old springer spaniel, Bill, symbolizes much of Steve Gilbertson’s life. The pet represents the career Steve has had as veterinarian and pathologist researching cancer in canines. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathology (ACVP) and member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AVMA), in 1983, Steve compiled and edited studies by four pathologists proposing canines as a scientific model for human mammary cancer.