Honoring Leroy Riva and his contributions

NORTH CANAAN — What was intended as a celebration of the life of the late Leroy Riva turned into a celebration of all that makes North Canaan a wonderful community. The event was a presentation by the nonprofit Canaan Foundation of this year’s grant awards to organizations that are in town and that support town residents. Twenty-five grants were announced, totaling $31,300 (bringing the total awarded since 2000 to about $250,000).

The presentation was made at the former law offices of Catherine Roraback, now home to the Canaan History Center, on Wednesday evening, May 20. 

Residents of North Canaan and other area towns wandered through the center, admiring the books of history and the historic books, photos and archival documents. They munched on hors d’oeuvres provided by Theresa Freund of Freund’s Farm Market in East Canaan.

Everyone was upbeat, and Canaan Foundation board member Eileen Fox glowed with pleasure as she shook hands, introduced people and encouraged everyone to sign the guest book and get a name tag. 

“Isn’t this a wonderful building?” she commented. “It’s a perfect reflection of the vibrancy of our town. It says, ‘Don’t Count Us Out!’”

The evening had been billed as a reception to honor Leroy Riva, who died last December at the age of 84. Two of his sons, Bob and Buddy, were at the event.

“He loved this organization,” Bob Riva said. “He and Catherine Roraback were two of the founding members, so it’s very appropriate to have this reception here. 

“My father loved doing things for the community, and he loved to see how much this organization gave back to the town he loved. He’d be very pleased tonight.”

When Roraback died in 2007, she bequeathed her law office on Main Street to the Canaan Foundation, which she had cofounded with Leroy Riva and with the support of other civic-minded town residents such as Wheaton Byers and Frank Perotti.

The foundation sold the building to the town of North Canaan in 2010 for $150,000. Those funds now generate the money that is granted to area organizations that improve life for North Canaan residents.

North Canaan native Tom Zetterstrom was there, and after the award recipients were announced, he stood up to recall that, “Leroy Riva was a staunch Republican, Catherine Roraback was a staunch Democrat, and they came together to create this wonderful organization.”

There were cheers from the 50 or so people in the audience.

Town Historian Kathryn Boughton also stood up to say a few words about the history center, and about ongoing work being done there. In particular, she made a plea to area residents to share photos of people going about their everyday lives. 

“We have tons of photos of Canaan,” she said, “but not many photos of people doing things.”

The center is open on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon but, she said, “I live nearby, give me a call and I can come meet you.”

She mentioned the monthly history gatherings being held at Geer. 

“We’re having a great time meeting and talking about Northwest Corner history.”

Everyone is invited. The next session is June 13 in the Hollenbeck Room at Geer. For the time and further information (and to share photos), call 860-824-5257.

Organizations that received funds this year are: Canaan Child Care Center, Canaan Fire Company, Canaan Fire Company Juniors, Chore Service, Connecticut Railroad Historic Association, Couch Pipa Post 6851 Ladies Auxiliary, Canaan Community Trust, Douglas Library, Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, Geer Adult Day Care Center, Greenwoods Counseling Referrals, Habitat for Humanity, Housatonic Youth Service Bureau, Lost Art Workshops, North Canaan Beatification Committee, North Canaan Boy Scouts: Pack 22, North Canaan Elementary A.H.A., North Canaan Housing Authority/ Wangum Village, North Canaan Recreation Commission, North Canaan Social Services, North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance, Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, Time Out Foundation, YMCA of Western Connecticut at Geer.