Annual Gator Parade Set

WINSTED — In search of a way to unite townspeople and spread some holiday cheer, the late Gaeton "Gator" Gangi, longtime member of the Winsted Fire Department, along with several community members, came up with an idea to have a parade that would travel throughout town and feature fire trucks and town trucks, decorated with holiday lights. This parade would be different, because it would travel past many of the residences in town, rather than just down Main Street.

The first holiday parade was scheduled for Dec. 23, 2004, and would have featured all the town’s vehicles, decorated with lights, and traveled on as many streets as possible in town. Even Santa planned on being there.

But on Dec. 22, Gator Gangi suffered a fatal heart attack and did not live to see the parade come to life. Wanting to do right by their friend, the Winsted Fire Department decided to hold the parade as scheduled and dedicated it in his honor.

"It was [Gator’s] idea to do it," said Geoff Bleiler, Winsted Fire Department captain and parade coordinator. "We made it in his memory because he passed away the day before the parade. This year is the anniversary of his death on the 22nd."

The fourth annual Gator Parade will be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 22, and, if the weather agrees, will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end around 8 p.m.

Last year the parade route included Winchester Center. However, with poor road conditions, some of the fire apparatus had a difficult time navigating the course. After much deliberation, the parade will not travel to the center this year, but several other never-before traveled roads have been added to the route.

"Each year we try to do things a little different," Bleiler. "We try to hit as many different roads in town each year."

Knowing that it is impossible to travel every road in town, Bleiler said the committee planning the route tries to pass as many of the houses in town as possible, from year to year, while maintaining a realistic time schedule.

"This is about celebrating the holiday and giving people something to look forward to, but also about the memory of a dear friend of the fire department."

Included in the parade lineup, as of Tuesday, will be Torringford, Norfolk, Colebrook, Winchester Center and Winsted Fire Departments, public works and the senior center. Engine 4 will lead the parade, the company of which Gangi was a long-time member and Santa will be "bringing up the rear."

Special guests at the parade this year will be Gangi’s sons, Thomas and Robert.

Gaeton E. "Gator" Gangi was born on May 6, 1944, in Torrington. For more than 30 years, he was a member of the Winsted Fire Department Engine Company No. 4, the Knights of Columbus and BPOE No. 844.

Gangi is survived by his wife, Rita, two sons, Thomas and Robert Gangi, additional family and many friends.