Farmington Assisted Living Center's Handy Man Has Stories To Share

Middlewoods of Farmington

FARMINGTON, CT — Middlewoods of Farmington maintenance associate Paul Gebbia fulfills maintenance requests daily for residents.

But what he receives in return is much more than he ever expected.

Gebbia is well known around the community for fixing things — watches, earrings, TV remotes, and countless other items.

But he also has another talent that he recently unveiled to residents.

Regarding his day job, he said a “simple fix,” as he calls it, means the world to a resident.

“When someone thinks their favorite clock is broken and I’m able to fix it, they are overwhelmed with joy," said Gebbia. “That’s the best feeling.”

“Paul is a person you can trust and count on to help you with many things,” said resident Paula Martin. “He is not only a great worker, but a friendly person you can rely on. He goes out of his way to make sure you are satisfied with his work.”

Recently, Gebbia's other talent came alive for folks at Middlewoods.

After learning about Gebbia’s decade-long past as a lead singer of a rock band, Middlewoods Director of Community Relations Ginny Brown approached him to ask if he would be interested in performing for residents.

Gebbia never imagined himself singing for an audience of elders, but after joining the Middlewoods team, he found it hard to say no.

A longtime musician and songwriter, he toured with rock band, CSM for 10 years, playing shows all over New York City, Rockland County, and festivals throughout the U.K. in Coventry, Bermingham, Stratford, and London.

Unsure if the residents would appreciate the concert experience at Middlewoods, he put aside his hesitation, drew on his rock and roll roots, and agreed to sing Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive” at a recent community gathering.

Residents were thrilled to see Gebbia dressed in a suit, holding the microphone, singing to the music, and engaging the crowd - with the lights down low and everyone singing along.

Middlewoods staff created an authentic concert ambience and even distributed lights for residents to wave in the air and flowers to throw at Gebbia’s feet for the finale.

“In a community of adults mostly age 75 or older, classic rock may not be a preferred genre, so I didn’t know what to expect,” said Gebbia. “The most shocking part was that residents enjoyed it. It was like we all became young again, smiling, laughing, dancing. It was a unique and memorable moment.”

Gebbia joined the team at Middlewoods of Farmington after owning his own plumbing business and retiring from a 17-year career in law enforcement with the NYPD.

In September 2023, Gebbia shared personal memories with residents of his time as a police sergeant in the NYPD South Bronx precincts in 2001, giving a first-hand report from his experience of 9/11 and the months that followed.

Resident, Julie Shwartz, was in awe of the presentation and thankful to Gebbia for sharing such difficult memories.

“The opportunity to be with others, to listen to Paul speak, and to sing ‘God Bless America’ together with tears falling from many, many eyes, was an experience I will never forget. I am so grateful to Paul and to Middlewoods for making such a coming-together possible.”

Gebbia will admit that sharing his stories with others has helped him through some tough times.

He has made many connections with residents at Middlewoods, including several retired police officers and veterans with whom he exchanges memories with regularly.

“We always chat about the military and how everything has changed over the years,” said Gebbia. “It’s great to be able to relate to each other’s life experiences.

“Every day, I have the privilege to work in a community full of people with incredible life experiences, who have survived and overcome great difficulties and adversity through the years. Being able to receive that kind of knowledge from them is priceless.”

Middlewoods of Farmington Independent and Assisted Living Community is affiliated with UConn Health and is located at 509 Middle Road in Farmington. It is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a not-for-profit, mission-based organization in Shelton. For more information about senior living at Middlewoods, contact Ginny Brown at 860-284-5700 or visit
www.middlewoodsoffarmington.org.