By Clark Judge
(May 18, 2024) — Before Killingworth First Selectman Eric Couture read a proclamation on May 15, 2024, applauding Joan Gay as Killingworth’s 2024 Citizen of the Year, he apologized to his audience. If he had to stop to catch his breath, he told listeners, there was a reason … but it had nothing to do with Couture and everything to do with Gay’s resume.
“There is so much there,” Couture said, half-laughing.
He wasn’t kidding.
Couture (above photo right, with Gay center, Karen Vecchitto, left) started by reciting how Gay, a Killingworth resident since 1968, had been involved in a litany of volunteer work dating back to 1972. Then he began to work his way down the check-list, and, please, don’t be ashamed if you, too, must stop to catch your breath. It’s long.
Among her accomplishments are the following:
- Member of the Board of Finance.
- Member of the Conservation Commission.
- Member of the Charter Committee.
- Alternate for the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Member of two iterations of the Charter Revision Committee.
- Justice of the Peace.
- Member of the Police Department’s Cost and Operations Study Committee.
- Member of the Advisory Council on cable television.
- Member of the Refugee Resettlement Committee.
- Killingworth Library volunteer.
- Member of the Killingworth Ambulance Association (KAA) board.
- Vice-Chairperson of the 9 Town Transit Board of Directors.
- Chairperson of the Committee on Aging.
- Secretary of the Killingworth Women’s Organization.
- Volunteer for the Killingworth Food Pantry.
When Couture finished, he was reminded that he forgot another line item: She also was involved with the Killingworth Community Fund. Small wonder that Gay has been described as a “professional volunteer,” a description that Karen Vecchitto, president of the Killingworth Lions Club, said suits Gay.
“If something is going on,” she said, “Joan is going to be involved.”
It was Vecchitto (above, left, with Couture, center, Gay, right) who introduced Gay as Killingworth’s Citizen of the Year at the Lions’ Annual Night of Giving ceremony at Parmelee Farm on May 15th. Gay, accompanied by daughter Helena, son David, and a grandson, seemed surprised, but she shouldn’t have been. She’s been involved in Nights and Days of Giving for decades.
“She just gives so much of her time to people of this community,” said Vecchitto. “I don’t know her personally, but I can’t tell you how many events I’ve been at where she’s been there. She just emulates a wonderful caring spirit and almost always has a smile on her face. I think anyone who has given that much of themselves is deserving of this award.”
Her audience agreed. When Gay’s name was announced, she was given a standing ovation by an enthusiastic crowd – including some Lions who were with her only hours before … and, as you might have guessed, that’s a story worthy of retelling – which Gay did Wednesday night.
As she returned home that afternoon from an appointment in Old Saybrook, she said, she ran into unexpected car trouble on Route 80. It happened just short of the town rotary when … well, let her recount what happened next.
“All of a sudden,” she said, “my car stopped. I put my foot on the gas, and it wouldn’t move. So I pulled over to the side. Smoke was coming throughout the car, so I got out. Somebody stopped and said to call 911. So I did. But then, lo and behold, my car exploded. It was on fire.”
True story.
At least three fire trucks responded. So did the Killingworth Ambulance Association. Gay’s car was engulfed in flames, with at least one of the responders taking photographs as proof. Fortunately, Gay wasn’t hurt and walked away from the scene. But her Nissan Rogue? Not so lucky. All that remained was the charred skeleton of a vehicle.
“I thank the Killingworth Ambulance Association for coming to see if I needed help,” Gay said. “I didn’t, but thank you. And the Volunteer Fire Company? They’re just beyond amazing. It’s another organization that epitomizes what Killingworth is all about. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
As she spoke, she placed her right hand over her heart and looked out at her audience. Among those in attendance were several responders who answered the emergency call, including KAA president and EMT Dan O’Sullivan. He not only is a Lions member; he and wife Jan were co-winners of the 2023 Killingworth Citizen of the Year.
“Needless to say,” said Gay of the award, “I am beyond speechless, and I know a lot you will say that will never happen to Joan Gay. But I am speechless. And I’m deeply honored. I thank everybody from the Lions Club for bestowing on me this amazing honor. It’s beyond words. It truly is.”
Gay is the latest female recipient of Killingworth’s Citizen of the Year award. Over the past nine years, there have been six, including former First Selectwoman Cathy Iino. Asked how important the award is to someone whose life has been devoted largely to others, Gay had no trouble answering.
“It’s beyond meaningful,” she said. “It’s such an honor and privilege. Killingworth is the best town ever, and this is a huge deal.”
Photos by Clark Judge
