Eversource Sends Unique Tribute To Family Of Fallen Line Worker

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The son of a line worker who died on the job about three decades ago years ago recently received a unique tribute from an Eversource staff member.

Tony Gasper’s father, Francis "Frank" Gasper, was killed in an accident while restoring power after a storm in 1989. Tony Gasper said his family recently received metal tags that had been attached to a utility pole in West Hartford, where the accident happened.

The tags read:

"At this pole on August 22, 1989, Francis Gasper died while restoring power after a violent storm. He was a good lineman and a friend. God bless him."

When the utility pole had to be replaced, the workers taking it down removed the tags and sent them to the Gasper family. Tony Gasper had no idea someone put the tags up in his dad's memory, but when he received them, he mounted them to a piece of a wooden pole and created a small memorial in his garden for his father.

"They are a treasured memento to me and my family," Tony Gasper said.

A few months later, while working in his office as Superintendent of the Wolcott public school system, Tony Gasper had an unexpected visitor — Jim Kennedy, a senior supervisor of electric operations for Eversource.

Kennedy was working at a job site nearby when someone mentioned that Frank Gasper's son was right down the street. Kennedy said he knew he had to meet him. He had worked as an apprentice lineman under Frank Gasper in the 1980s, and they had become friends.

"He was a good guy and a great line worker. I learned a lot from him," Kennedy said.

The two shared stories about Frank, his work ethic and dedication to his job. At one point, Tony Gasper mentioned the memorial tags in his garden.

"I told Tony that I was the one who put them there more than 30 years ago," Kennedy said. "I wanted to put something up that was a tribute to Frank — something that other linemen would find sometime in the future and appreciate."

Added Tony Gasper, "Not knowing who had put up the tags, and then the coincidence of having Jim walk into my office—it was definitely a goosebumps kind of moment. It makes the memento of having those tags just all that much more poignant."

Eversource line workers go through a rigorous five-year apprenticeship with an intense focus on safe work practices.

Tony Gasper said he has a deep appreciation for all line workers do, and thanks to Kennedy, he'll always have a very special and permanent reminder of his father.