Dedication pays off for new Eagle Scout

Contributed

BSA Troop 33 would like to congratulate Coginchaug High School senior Sully McCoy for earning the rank of Eagle Scout at his Board of Review in April.

Sully’s Eagle Scout Service Project was completed in December when he built and installed a 12-foot wash station for the Giving Garden at the Middlefield Community Center. This station includes a double basin sink and counter space for washing and prepping produce. The volunteer-run Giving Garden grows fresh, organic fruits and vegetable for people in need, and Sully’s project was intended to help assist this great work.

To complete the project, Sully had to apply for a building permit with the Planning & Zoning Committee, fundraise for the materials and coordinate volunteers to help build and install the final product.

As much of this build took place during an inflationary economic period, and amid supply chain issues, one of the biggest challenges faced was the rising cost and availability of materials. Sully ended up raising more than $1,100 through his Go Fund Me page, which is more than double what he anticipated he would need.

With the help of friends, family and fellow Scouters, it took almost 85 hours to complete the Giving Garden project.

A resident of Rockfall, Sully joined Cub Scout Pack 33 in first grade and continued his scouting journey by crossing over to BSA Troop 33 when he was in fifth grade. He served as Troop Webmaster for several years, and attended National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) his freshman year of high school. Also, he spent two years serving as the Troop’s Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, putting his training to good use.

Sully’s most favorite Scout activities include attending summer camp including ATV riding, and earning cooking and scuba diving merit badges.

Earning the Eagle Scout rank is really a wonderful accomplishment after many years of dedication.

Sully is excited to graduate from CRHS this spring and will be attending Johnson & Wales University in Providence, where he plans to major in Food Innovation and Technology with an emphasis on Culinary Science and Product Development.

Congratulations Sully on this amazing achievement, and best of luck.

DURHAM - Esther

Frances “Fran” Parmelee Thody of Durham, died Wednesday, April 12th at Wadsworth Glen. Frances was born January 11, 1936 in Middletown. She was the daughter of the late Willis E. and Helen {Chiszewsky) Parmelee. She was one of the last Parmelees still living in Durham, one of the founding families of Durham. Fran grew up on the Lower Parmelee Dairy Farm on Route 17 in Durham. She had many fond memories growing up on the farm and being around her family and neighbors.

She graduated from the Durham High School as Valedictorian of her class in 1954 and received a scholarship from a Massachusetts College, but chose to remain near her family.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Robert E. Thody, Sr., of Durham. Her four children; Robert, Jr. {Karin) of Durham, Charles (Sharon) of New Hampshire, Elizabeth of Durham, and Christina (Dan) of California. Her grandchildren: Dave (Mary) of Durham, Kim (Chris) of Durham, Tim (Hannah) of Vermont, Kara (Dom) of Vermont, Brandon (Courtney) of Vermont, Jonathan (Zipporah) of Missouri, and Michael and Sydney of California. Her great-grandchildren: Kelsie, Riley, Magnus, Lena, Richard, Maximillian and Baby-to-be Hemming. She is survived

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by three sisters; Helen Peacos of Wallingford, Claire Parmelee of South Windsor and Wilma Svelnys of Manchester and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was an active member of the Church of Epiphany serving on the Vestry, as a Sunday School teacher and always helping with church events and fundraisers.

Prior to her retirement she was employed at Cooper Thermometer, then the American Heart Association’s office Middletown as their Office Manager, and then employed by the State of Connecticut at Vinal Regional Technical School working in the cafeteria for over 20 years until retirement. She enjoyed this job while working in the cafeteria serving the students and staff.

For over 30 years, she traveled to Chelsea, VT, to spend time at their second home that she and Bob owned and renovated. Many great memories were made there with her children, neighbors, and visiting family and friends. Fran enjoyed walking down to the local drugstore to get an ice cream cone (Chocolate/ mint her favorite), attending the annual Chelsea Flea Market in July or going for walks around the town greens and local sites. Once retired, she and Bob traveled the U.S. with their RV going from Maine to Alaska while only missing two states (Michigan and Hawaii). They spent many years traveling to California, Utah and snowmobiling in Wyoming and Vermont.

She was a fabulous knitter and made many beautiful bed sized afghans. She taught her children and her daughter-in-law how to can the vegetables of their gardens. She taught her daughters the skills of crewel, embroidery, cross stitch and baking. She taught her family how important sit down Sunday dinners and homemade meals were. Every Sunday night was spent visiting with Gramma and Grampa Willie. Mom loved family gatherings be it at her own home, the Parmelee farm in Vermont, or with her family for Christmas, New Year’s or Thanksgiving. She was very proud of her family farm, the Durham Fair, and her family. A special thank you goes to the staff at Wadsworth Glen and Donna, her Hospice nurse.

Services: Friday, May 5th there will becalling hours 5-7 P.M., at Biega’s Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, CT and on Saturday, May 6th at 10 A.M., there will be a graveside service at Mica Hill Cemetery, Mica Hill Rd., Durham. Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in memory of Frances may send it to The Durham Fair Farm Museum Expansion Fund c/o The Durham Fair Foundation, P.O. Box 642, Durham, CT 06422. To share memories or condolences online please visit www. biegafuneralhome.com before 7 p.m. The department also has an Explorer program for youth age 14 to 18.