Chamber Founder Remembered As Someone Who 'Believed In Stratford'

STRATFORD, CT — The Stratford business community lost one of its defining voices when Stratford Chamber of Commerce founder Neil Sherman died earlier this week.

"Neil was always in the forefront of important and meaningful efforts to promote bringing our community together," Mayor Laura Hoydick said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Sherman, 67, of Stratford, died Sunday at Bridgeport Hospital after a long illness, according to his obituary.

Sherman established the Stratford chamber and then went on to be its executive director, according to Hoydick. He worked for the organization from 1989 to 2000, according to LinkedIn.

Hoydick described Sherman as "a dedicated professional who believed in Stratford and gave tremendously of himself over many years to make this town the best it can be," and noted his work on Stratford's Economic Development Commission and as the organizer of the Downtown Market.

Sherman was also president of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, and taught writing at Quinnipiac University and the University of New Haven, according to LinkedIn.

Sherman was born in Philadelphia, the son of the late Martin Prizant and Ruth Sherman. He is survived by his wife, Marianna Vieira, son Benjamin Vieira-Sherman and wife Renee Vieira, sister Laura Worchell and nephew Logan Worchell. He was predeceased by his adoptive father, Perry Sherman, and brother-in-law Larry Worchell.

A graveside service was held Wednesday at Adath Israel Cemetery in Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, a tree may be planted in Israel in Sherman's memory by visiting www.jnf.org. For more information or to leave an online condolence, visit www.greensfuneralhome.com.