Korea Veteran, Mr. Parade And Consummate Westporter Bill Vornkahl Passes At 93 Years Young
On Friday, January 26, Westport lost a man who exemplified what it means to be a stellar citizen, William F. Vornkahl III. Known as Bill, better known perhaps as Mr. Parade for all the years of devotion to Westport’s exceptional Memorial Day Parade, for as many years as most of us can remember.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.
Above, left: Bill riding in one of his many Memorial Day Parades. Center, Bill surrounded by the Malone (his daughter’s) family: Left with mask, grandson Brian, center, Bill’s daughter Diane, husband Joe, and Bill’s granddaughter Jamie. On right, Bill speaking with one of his many admirers after the post-parade Memorial ceremony.
Bill Vornkahl’s devotion to family was an attribute well known to everyone that was privileged to know him.
Bill’s son, Bill Vornkahl IV spoke to WestportLocalPress lovingly about his Dad and family:
My Dad's love for family and family gatherings is what I will always cherish.
He would always make a point of getting the family together when one of his grandchildren came in from out-of-state whether it was Virginia, Colorado or Ohio. If the visit was in the summer, it was at Compo Beach with sandwiches from Fortuna's.
When his beloved New York Football Giants made the Super Bowl for the first time in 1987 he got us all to come down to the house for a Super Bowl Party. That was the first of 34 straight years of Super Bowl Parties ending with 2020 due to the pandemic. After that first year it didn't make a difference who was in the Super Bowl it was a great excuse to get the family together in the middle of winter. He would cook sausage and peppers and hamburgers and would get a cake from a local bakery with his prediction of the final score. Eventually that score prediction was a part of the payoff in the football pool.
Bill’s obituary as published on Legacy.com by Harding Funeral Home:
William "Bill" Frederick Vornkahl III passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the age of 93. Bill was born in Norwalk, CT on August 14, 1930 to parents William F. Vornkahl, Jr. and Alice Gerrish. A lifelong Westporter, Bill remembered playing his trombone along the Post Road to celebrate the victory in Japan in August 1945. In 1948, he graduated from Staples High School and worked as a bank teller before joining the Army and serving as a high-speed radio operator in the 1st Cavalry Div., 13th Signal Corps from 1952–1954. During his service, Bill spent 14 months on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, where he wrote letters to Linnea, his future wife and the love of his life, who he met on a blind date just prior to his overseas service.
After returning to Westport, Bill married Linnea on May 15, 1954, and returned to work at Westport Bank and Trust. Bill worked in banking until he retired as a branch manager in 1987. After retiring from banking, Bill spent the next 30+ years, until Spring 2020, driving people to and from nearby airports. Bill spent countless hours serving Westport and the veteran community. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post 63 and VFW Post 399 for over 60 years. He was a Member/Treasurer of Westport's War Monument Committee from 1996–1999 and served on the Westport RTM. He was a Little League coach, coaching both boys baseball and girls softball, and a volunteer on the sideline crew for the Staples High School football team for over 20 years.
Bill was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Greens Farms Volunteer Fire Company since 1950, Vice President/Treasurer of the Saugatuck Hose Co. #4 since 1999, and was the president of Westport Volunteer Fire Company from 1973–1993. In commemoration of his services to veterans and the community, Bill was proudly inducted into the CT Veterans Hall of Fame in 2013. In Westport, Bill is best known for being the chairman of the Westport Memorial Day Parade since 1970. Westporters who attend the parade may remember him walking, and then riding, at the end of the parade, in addition to hosting the after parade services.
Bill also ran the Westport Italian Festival Parade, and was called whenever a parade occurred in Westport, earning him the nickname, "Mr. Parade". An avid traveler and parade goer, Bill and Linnea attended parades and visited national parks across the country. Bill's top highlights were attending the Rose Parade in California and visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, which he called the "most impressive" national park. Bill proudly visited all 50 states and liked to tell people how he had actually driven in 49 of those states, only missing Alaska. Also a big sports fan, you could always count on him to know the ins and outs of the Giants, Rangers, and Mets. Bill also enjoyed car racing and took his family to the Danbury Fair Racearena every Saturday night. Always a good humored jokester, Bill made friends everywhere he went and was beloved by his friends and family.
He is survived by his four children, William Vornkahl IV (Diane), Susan Meineke (Richard), Ed Vornkahl, and Diane Malone (Joe), and seven grandchildren, Allison, Kelly, Billy, Jennifer, Karalyn, Brian, and Jamie, who will always remember summers at Compo Beach, hamburgers on the grill, superbowl score prediction cakes, carving the Thanksgiving turkey, cats named Inky, and countless other loving memories. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Mary Linnea Vornkahl, sister, Margaret Troll, and brother, George Robert Vornkahl.
Calling hours will be on Thursday, February 1st from 4pm–8pm at Harding Funeral Home, in Westport. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 41 Easton Road, Westport, on Friday, February 2nd at 11 am. Interment will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of William, please Visit Our Tree Store By Clicking Here.
Voices Cafe Presents Crys Matthews On Saturday
Voices Cafe is pleased to present Crys Matthews on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 8pm.
Hailed as “the next Woodie Guthrie,” Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. The concert will be held at The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport located at 10 Lyons Plains Road. A portion of proceeds will benefit Trans Haven, a program of New Haven’s PeerPride, offering services, support and advocacy for Connecticut’s trans, questioning and non-binary community.
About Crys Matthews:
Crys Matthews is a powerful lyricist who blends Americana, blues, bluegrass, folk, funk and jazz. Her songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls “the poster-child for intersectionality.” EARMILK says Matthews offers a “passionate and powerful blend of infectious Americana melodies and folk instrumentation. [She] delivers her honest songwriting through a beautifully raw and unfiltered lens. Oozing soul, her voice bleeds emotion and gratitude, while simple piano melodies and upbeat percussion fill you with appreciation and love for the people around us who fight for change.”
“I believe in hope,” Matthews said. “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.”
Voices Cafe, Westport’s musical gem, brings the power of song to our local community while supporting social justice programs across the region.
Tickets and Information: Doors open at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm. Tickets and information are available at voicescafe.org.
Concert admission is $25 per adult and $15 for individuals under 21. A portion of the venue proceeds will benefit Trans Haven, a program of PeerPride in New Haven.
About Voices Cafe: Voices Cafe concerts offer a BYO setting with a choice of coffee-house style seating at tables or individual seating. Guests can bring their own beverages and snacks; coffee and sweet treats will also be available for purchase. Groups of four or more can reserve table space.
Voices Cafe’s mission is mission to inspire, connect and act influences Voices Cafe in bringing the power of song to social justice.
To learn more or For additional information, please leave a message for our volunteer team at Voices Cafe, 203-227-7205 ext 20 or contact us via email: VoicesCafeCT@gmail.com.
www.facebook.com/VoicesCafe www.instagram.com/voicescafewestport
Avoid Being A Victim: Westport PD Lt. Jillian Cabana Joins First Selectwoman Jen Tooker In Special Podcast
New Y’s Men Podcast Discusses Protecting Against Scams And Theft
Y’s Man John Brandt joins Jen and special guest Westport Police Department’s Lt. Jillian Cabana to discuss the growth of thievery through e-mail, telephone and direct engagement scams throughout Westport and the rest of the world.
Watch or listen now and learn how to protect yourself and your family from criminals who are trying to take what is yours.
Get You Dancin’ Boots On For The Unitarian Barn Dance Sunday
Wear your best dancin’ boots and come join the fun after the service on Sunday January 28th! We'll have Billy Fisher calling out the dances, with live music by Wry Bred between 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM.
This is a chance to be together, move to some rhythm and have a good time ... bring a friend, stay as long as you like.
Pizza and Cake Carousel is in the mix, too! Not eager to dance? Come anyway; tap your feet to the rhythms while sitting out and watching the dancers.
This is a multi-gen, feel good event. We look forward to seeing you there! Suggested donation for tickets: $5/person; $15/family BUT we'll be happy to see you and take whatever donation you can give!
Questions? Contact Cathy @ mcelroy.cathy@gmail.com
History Comes Alive At Westport Library’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
On Sunday the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum was standing room only for what may arguably be one of the best MLK Day celebrations Westport has seen to-date. The term “epic” may be quite over used but anyone who attended this event could hardly disagree. This achievement was made possible by a collaboration between the Library, TEAM Westport, the Westport Country Playhouse and Westport/Weston Interfaith Clergy and Council.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
The stellar line-up of speakers included U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Representative Richie Torres from the Bronx, New York’s 15th Congressional district, acclaimed novelist, playwright, and filmmaker Trey Ellis, TEAM Westport (Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism) Chair Harold Bailey and Westport Library Director Bill Harmer.
What place this event on a whole new level was the appearance of guest of honor civil rights icon Dr. Clarence B. Jones who served as legal counsel, strategic advisor, and draft speechwriter to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1960 until King’s assassination in 1968. Among his many accomplishments was his writing of the first seven paragraphs of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech which is one of the nation’s most well known and beloved addresses in recent history. The interview was conducted by Westport’s own Craig Melvin, noted NBC anchor, correspondent and host of the 3rd hour of the Today Show.
The event, which was Westport’s 18th celebration of MLK day, began with opening remarks by TEAM’s Harold Bailey who made mention of the visit by Dr. King to Westport’s Temple Israel on May 22nd, 1964 where he spoke before a crowd of more than 600 people. Bailey spoke about his and TEAM’s efforts to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion in the Town of Westport.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
The next speaker was U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who was called a “national treasure” by Bailey, a comment which clearly amused the Senator who said he had never been called that before, and quipped that he hoped that his wife Cynthia would take note of the accolade. Blumenthal thanked Melvin and Congressman Torres whom he called his heroes for being great advocates in the spirit of Martin Luther King. Blumenthal went on to praise Dr. Clarence Jones for the powerful support that he gave to King, including his contribution to King’s “I have a dream” speech. He stressed the need to recognize that troubled times we are in currently quoting King who said that “hate cannot drive out hate, only love can drive out hate” adding, “Where there is injustice anywhere, there is injustice everywhere.
Next was a brilliant performance of Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We Will All Be Free” by violinist Kersten Stevens, six-time winner of amateur night at the Apollo and Stratford native. Next, Westport’s Lisa Weitzman, co-founder of the “Spill The Honey Organization” which helps build Black-Jewish relations presented a pre-recorded very special conversation on the Forum’s giant screen with the guest of honor, Dr. Jones, who she then welcomed to the stage. Trey Ellis then introduced Craig Melvin who began what turned out to be an interview which captivated the audience for more than an hour.
What transpired during that time was the 93 year old Jones describing highlights of his life and regaled the audience with stories of his association with King and other civil right leaders with whom he worked closely, including the celebrated entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte and Andrew Young, former Ambassador to the United Nations and mayor of Atlanta who is credited with helping to draft the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which was instrumental in helping to secure the rights of African Americans.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
Dr. Jones was described as “bringing history to life” with his stories of his significant contributions to civil rights and gave insight to the inner workings of his part of the movement with Dr. King. He spoke of the time when Dr. King and many of his young supporters were arrested in April of 1960, spending 5 days in jail. He was contacted by Nelson and David Rockefeller, part of one of the wealthiest families in America who wanted to help with King and his supporter’s plight. He was called at the suggestion of Bellefonte to the Chase bank in New York, now called Chase Manhattan, where he met the Rockefellers and of which David was chairman and CEO. David then began counting out $100 bills until he reached a total of $100,000.00 which was to be given to Jones to aid in the bail for King and his supporters. He then described how he had to sign an on-demand promissory note as per banking regulations, which took him by surprise, telling he audience “ Oh my Lord, I better not tell my wife”. He called Bellefonte and complained that he had to sign the note, to which Bellefonte replied “better you than me” causing Jones to yell, “but you got more money than me.” Jones finished the story by speaking of the following Tuesday when a messenger arrived at his office bearing that promissory note which had been marked “Paid In Full”. He informed the audience that King’s most famous speech, the first paragraphs he wrote, was from that point on entirely extemporaneous. He described how famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson yelled to King “tell him about the dream”, and the rest was history. These stories held the rapt attention of the audience who would probably have listened to his stories for another hour.
Above, (left) Shonda Rhimes was in the audience and was given a shout-out by Dr. Jones who called her “his Goddaughter”.
Jones had answered Melvin’s questions mostly in normal tones, however when the topic of anti-semitism and the Gaza situation was raised, Dr. Jones became heated, defending Israel’s attempt to eliminate the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel. Jones had become very close to the Jewish community through the years having become close friends with Jewish students in college.
What followed was the appearance on stage of Congressman Torres who In 2013, at the age of 25, became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly LGBTQ person elected to office in the Bronx. Jones was clearly highly impressed with Torres, joking that he would become president of the United States one day. Dr. Jones then gave a shout out to entertainment mogul Shonda Rhimes who is a Westport resident, whom he called his “Goddaughter” and who was in the audience and who lovingly accepted Jones’ acknowledgement.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
Near the end of his appearance he discussed an intimate experience with King who had been having mental health issues and King’s personal physician who was attempting to have King see a psychiatrist. Jones pushed back telling the doctor that there was no way he would allow that fearing that “within thirty to sixty days that Martin King is under regular consultation of a psychiatrist the transcript of everything he said to the psychiatrist would be on J. Edgar Hoover’s desk”. Hoover was the very powerful head of the FBI who vehemently opposed the work of Dr. King and went to great lengths to destroy his career. At this point, Dr. Jones came to tears as he described his efforts to help and protect King to which the audience responded with tremendous applause as they heard this story, for many the first time they would hear of it. What follows was a standing ovation as Jones tearfully said “I wish that I could have done better, but I didn’t, I’m sorry, I did the best that I could.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
Mr. Melvin told WestportLocalPress, “It was an honor and privilege to spend time in conversation with Clarence Jones, a living piece of essential history. His stories, perspective, and humor were precisely what we needed to honor and celebrate his friend and our angel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I just sat there like a fly on the wall. I’d do it every weekend if asked. What a special afternoon.”
As we said earlier, history came alive at the Westport Library on Sunday.
To see this amazing and unforgettable presentation visit the Westport Library’s YouTube recording here: Westport Library MLK Celebration YouTube Video
After the conclusion of the event, Dr. Jones held a signing of his new book, Last of the Lions: An African American Journey in Memoir
Gloria Gouveia of Westport gets a moment to speak with Dr. Jones while he signs his new book after Sunday’s MLK event at the Westport Library.
Last of the Lions is two histories woven into one remarkable story. It's a personal history – the evocative life of Clarence B. Jones, from his depression- and segregation-era upbringing at the hands of caring Irish Catholic nuns through our current era (when America elected a President to follow the first black man to hold the office with a man dog-whistling to white supremacists for four years). And all the amazing moments in between – his Ivy League years, his unprecedented dual role as simultaneous military draftee and protester, his work as an entertainment lawyer, financial and media entrepreneur, and more. But it's also the coming-of-age story of this country, with the kind of intimate observations and thought-provoking perspective that unfurl in classics like Soul on Ice, On the Road, and The Feminine Mystique.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on any image to enlarge and open gallery.
First Selectwoman Tooker Looks At The Year Ahead In Westport What’s Happening Podcast
Long Lots Building Project To Be Discussed at Town Hall On Tuesday
In this podcast produced by Westport “Y’s Men, Jen looks at the year ahead and discusses objectives and updates on new and continuing projects and programs to giving us her vision for the coming year. This is a very informational podcast.
This podcast addresses the Long Lots Building Committee meeting taking place at Town Hall which had originally been scheduled for Tuesday January 9th at 6:00 PM.
That Committee meeting has been re-scheduled for Thursday, January 11, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.
Tooker has withdrawn the current plan before the Planning and Zoning Commission and said that she “expects to re-submit a potentially modified plan on the 22nd of January.”
To view the Podcast, click here: Westport… What’s Happening