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To the Editor:

I am Bob Farr’s wife, and I want to thank the West Hartford Republican Town Committee for establishing and awarding the Bob Farr Service Award at its annual Lincoln/Reagan dinner on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

Many members of the local Republican Party were in attendance. Chairman Shawn Daly opened the evening with remarks about the history of the dinner’s namesakes, Lincoln and Reagan.  Nancy Grassilli, who has served as Bob’s campaign manager for many years, introduced Mr. Farr with an overview of substantive events during his tenure, and funny events during his campaigns with the penny-farthing bike.

A standing ovation was given to Mr. Farr upon the presentation of the award to him for his statesman-like service over the last 40 years as an elected and an appointed official. Beginning in 1976, Bob was elected to the Town Council for five years. He was then elected to the Connecticut General Assembly as the Representative of the West Hartford 19th district in 1981. He was instrumental in many policy initiatives during his 26 years at the state Legislature. Thereafter, he was appointed by Governor Jodi Rell as the Chairman of the CT Board of Pardons and Paroles, and initiated a number of reforms while in that position.

Other speakers during the evening included Ben Proto, current statewide chair of the Connecticut GOP, as well as each of the Republican candidates for municipal election: Mary Fay, Alberto Cortes, Aaron Sarwar, and Mark Zydanowicz for Town Council, and Ethan Goldman and Kyle Zelazny for Board of Education.

The keynote speaker was the author Karol Markowicz, discussing her recent book, “Stolen Youth: How Radicals Are Erasing Innocence and Indoctrinating a Generation.”

This honor is greatly appreciated by Bob. He has found friendships and satisfaction during his service to the town and to the state. Thank you again WHRTC.

Diana MacPherson
West Hartford