Bench Dedicated to Music and Somers Legend Gene Pitney Sits High Atop Vernon Park

VERNON, CT — The soul of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gene Pitney now has the best view of any former or current north central Connecticut resident.

Late last month, a marble bench was dedicated to the memory of Pitney by parks and recreation officials and members of the Gene Pitney Commemorative Committee has donated to the Town Of Vernon.

It sits high atop Fox Hill in Vernon's Henry Park.

He became of Hall of Famer in 2002.

Pitney died on April 5, 2006 while on tour in the United Kingdom. A commemorative display was put up at Vernon Town Hall shortly after the singer's death. There is also commemorative display in the town clerk's office as part of Vernon's permanent records.

A biography on the committee's Web site,www.genepitney.org, points out that Pitney was born in Hartford on Feb. 17, 1940 and lived on Hammond Street in Vernon. He received his nickname "The Rockville Rocket" at Rockville High School.

He later made his home in Somers.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel