Gene Pitney Bench Removed in Vernon Because of Damage

VERNON, CT — A bench atop Fox Hill dedicated to the memory of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gene Pitney has been temporarily removed due to damage.

Vernon parks and recreation officials said it is unlikely that vandalism was the cause. The Gene Pitney Commemorative Committee is working with the manufacturer to determine exactly what damaged it and how it can be replaced, officials said.

A number of factors could have caused the back of the marble bench to crack, including weather and a defect, parks and recreation officials said. The bench was dedicated in November of 2016 and it normally sits high atop Fox Hill in Vernon's Henry Park.

An empty slab is there now because the bench had to be removed, municipal officials said.

Pitney 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