Thanks and kudos to two living treasures

There are times and events that bring all the powerful strains of history together in one place, making it clear how events went, but could have gone very differently. Such was the simple dedication of a Bur Oak tree in the Housatonic Valley Regional High School parking lot to Sharon’s Edward M. Kirby on Sunday, Sept. 20. (See story, Page A10.) Kirby was honored by his Class of 1945 with the tree planting, and there are few, if any, who would be as deserving. He is a retired teacher, athletic director, assistant superintendent and principal, as well as an alumnus, of the high school. His service has been decades-long, happening not only during his working years but continuing after his retirement to the present. It has also been deeply meaningful to multiple generations.

Kirby is one of those who are commonly called The Greatest Generation, who rallied in World War II to achieve victory for the Allies. His description of living as a teenager through the war years, having entered Housatonic Valley Regional High School as a freshman in 1941, was vivid and enlightening for all his listeners on a sunny, late summer Sunday afternoon in 2015. His words brought that era to life in a way that only someone as eloquent as he could do. He even sang a war song for the more than 30 people in attendance, showing how strong his own memories of that time are, and there were those in the group around him who joined in. 

This is a man who can only be seen as a treasure for northwest Connecticut, who served in education for so many years, and in retirement has been a historian, clarifying and promoting the heritage of this area as few others have done. For any who are not familiar with all he has done, stop in at the Sharon Historical Society and catch up on his writings. It will be time well spent. 

Thank you, Ed Kirby, for caring so deeply about this unique region and for acting on your passion for so many facets of life to enrich the lives of all around you.

The person who presented Kirby with his proclamation at the tree dedication, state Rep. Roberta Willis (D-64), is another treasure, albeit of another, younger, generation, whom her constituents should not take for granted. She is now serving her seventh term for nine northwest Connecticut towns in the state Legislature, during extremely challenging times for the state. If you would like to see a range of the awards she has won during that time for her work as a legislator, too numerous to list here, go to www.housedems.ct.gov/willis/bio064.asp and be impressed.

Last week, Hartford Courant columnist Colin McEnroe wrote about the state’s higher education fiasco with a Gov. Dannel Malloy insider serving as interim director of the colleges and universities board. He wrote about Willis as well, describing her as a “tough cookie” and noting her long and hard work as the chair of the higher education committee in the House of Representatives. He referred to her description of maddening challenges as being capable of making one’s head explode. Willis is so generally calm, profoundly knowledgeable and professional in the work she does for her constituents that it’s hard to reconcile that visual with her style. Yet it’s easy to empathize with the sentiment. 

Thanks to Willis as well for the work she had done and continues to do to improve the lives of all in her district.