Businesses, residents help crossing guard

WINSTED — Local businesses and their customers have teamed up to help an elderly Winsted man and his wife who have served as crossing guards in town for years and don’t have enough money to pay for wheelchair and scooter supplies.

People throughout town are familiar with George Tisserand, a Laurel City resident for more than 40 years, who works as a crossing guard at the corner of North Main Street and Holabird Avenue. Tisserand acknowledged Wednesday that he usually uses a scooter to get around, but the vehicle needed new tires recently. The problem was Tisserand didn’t have the money to pay for the new tires, which will cost about $150 in parts and labor from Doyle’s Medical Supply in Torrington.

Tisserand does regular business with Doyle’s and has gotten behind on previous bills, according to company owner Mike Patterson, who said Wednesday that Tisserand has two payments left on an old bill of $231 before Doyle’s can proceed with work on the scooter.

“We deal with a lot of people who don’t have funds,� Patterson said. “Times are tough and we accept payment schedules, even if it’s $10 a month.� Patterson said he knows Tisserand personally and he is eager to help all customers, including those who are short on cash.

In the meantime, Tisserand, who lives at 37 Baker St. and travels back and forth to his crossing guard position twice a day, is without a scooter.

In addition, Doyle’s wife, Sharon, is in need of a motorized wheelchair, as both her legs were amputated last year due to complications from diabetes.

“We don’t have any insurance,� Tisserand said. “She’s in an ordinary wheelchair now, but it’s hard to get around. With an electric wheelchair she could get out of the house and get some fresh air.�

When local residents heard about the Tisserands’ plight, a couple of business owners decided to start a fundraising campaign to get George Tisserand’s scooter repaired and back on the sidewalk. Roger Moreau, owner of Railroad Model & Hobby Supply, started a collection at his business, as did Tim McGrane, owner of McGrane’s on the Green.

In the past couple of weeks, customers at both locations have donated generously to the Tisserand cause, and McGrane said he thinks both stores may have raised enough to pay off the old bill and buy new tires for the scooter. “Everybody knows George, and we all want to help him,� McGrane said.

Tisserand, who was out at his regular post on the corner of Holabird and North Main Wednesday morning, said he was surprised by the outpouring of kindness. “I don’t know who started it. I just saw a big jar at the diner with my name on it. I had to ask what was going on.�

Tisserand moved to Winsted in 1968 and met and married his sweetheart, Sharon, that same year. The couple has lived here ever since, and both have worked many years as crossing guards in town. “I started on this corner and then my wife worked here for a while, then her legs went bad,� Tisserand said. “So now I’m back.�