Ad Booklet Honors Bill O'Brien's Sterling House Retirement

Sterling House will honor one of its own on March 4 at Vazzano's restaurant - including a special ad book- in tribute to Bill O'Brien, who retired from the local agency and community center after four decades of affiliation that includes among other duties serving as a volunteer youth sports coach and paid staff positions: athletics program director, summer camp director and the overseer of facilities and vehicles.

Indeed, even after his retirement took effect late last Fall, Sterling House Executive Director Amanda Meeson noted that Bill is "not really leaving us, but will retain a visible presence as our community 'Ambassador,'" a designation that O'Brien himself as embraced and run with.

O'Brien's saga at Sterling House began more than 40 years ago when - despite admittedly knowing very little about the sport of soccer - took on the task of coaching his own children's Sterling House soccer team. He would also coach youth basketball - a sport in which he was more familiar - for many years, even extending beyond his own kids' participation.

An avid golfer and New York Yankees fan, the former U.S. Marine served aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown during the Vietnam era including the recovery in the Pacific Ocean of the Apollo 11 spacecraft - the first to circle the moon - and has also been heavily involved in civic and charitable activities and organizations. These include his long-time membership in the Stratford Rotary Club and the Stratford Old Timers Athletic Association, as well as his leading role nearly 20 years to bring recycling to the Town.

A measurement of the overall respect O'Brien has earned in the greater Stratford community is the fact that in 2017 he was asked to run for a Town Council seat in the ninth district by Mayor Laura Hoydick, and won his seat that year garnering 1,057 votes - because no one would oppose him. Up for re-election in the Fall of 2019, Councilman O'Brien again ran unopposed and garnered 865 votes - again the most of any Council candidate town-wide.

In his position as Athletic Director at Sterling House, O'Brien has stressed learning the fundamentals of team sports play and especially good sportsmanship - both on the field and for those spectators on the sidelines. His work earned him kudos locally and an award from the Positive Coaching Alliance group, an award that O'Brien accepted at a ceremony held at Stanford University in California.

To celebrate Bill O'Brien, his life, accomplishments and legacy, Sterling House is hosting a special event on March 4 at Vazzano's restaurant. Special guest "roast" speakers include Mayor Laura and Paul Hoydick, Jeff Krause, Tom Sheridan and Roger Salls, among others. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at Sterling House, 2283 Main St., Stratford, or online at: O'Brien Party.

Tickets and retirement ad book reservations can also be ordered over the phone or by email. For more information, 203-378-2606, ext 106 (Chris Carroll / ccarroll@sterlinghousecc.org), or ext 107 (Patty Calabrese).