Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 8; State Hospitalizations Down to 145 Patients
The State Department of Public Health reported 8 more cases in Westport over the weekend. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 2.81% while hospitalizations were down by 22 patients.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 3,855 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 35 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 2.81% [up from 2.22%]
State Hospitalizations: 145 patients [-22]
Peter Royce Cook, 65, Died; Avid Reader, Beloved “Papa”
Peter Royce Cook, of Westport, CT and Boothbay Harbor, ME, passed away suddenly at his home in Boothbay Harbor on March 2, 2022. He was 65 years old.
Peter was born in Portland, Maine on April 6, 1956 to Judith Miller Cook and Phil Cook. He attended Boothbay Region High School where he was a star athlete and excelled in both football and basketball. He then went on to attend the University of Maine at Orono where he played football for the Black Bears. After graduation Peter embarked on an accomplished career as a group insurance executive. He worked for Unum, The Hartford, Aetna and Guardian Life.
After retiring from his illustrious insurance career, he fulfilled lifelong dreams by pursuing positions within the Boothbay community. He worked at Hodgdon Yacht Services, combining his love for the water, boats, his community and its people. His friends called him an “aquatic transportation engineer.” In addition, he proudly served on the board of the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and had been responsible for building their capital campaign for the new library addition. His love of the library began when his mother took him to get his first library card. It continued as his children chose their summer reading at the library. An avid reader all his life, he instilled that love in his children.
Peter loved nothing better than spending time with his family at their compound on Appalachee Pond. Among his greatest joys were golfing, watching his children’s athletic accomplishments, spending time on the water on his boat, Heavenly Days, and playing with his grandchildren and grandnieces. He savored and boasted about his wife’s gourmet meals and decadent desserts. He was beloved by all.
If he wasn’t on the course at the Boothbay Harbor Country Club, Peter was most likely enjoying a cocktail on the dock or entertaining family and friends with a cookout at Appalachee. He enjoyed spinning at JoyRide Studio, practicing yoga, reading any historical book about Winston Churchill, and of course, smoking an occasional Churchill cigar!
Some of Peter’s finer talents were a true showcase of his zest for life and his ability to make those around him feel included, loved, seen and welcomed. He would frequently burst into a Frank Sinatra song, befitting of the moment, or quote his favorite movie, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life”.
Peter had a very determined outlook, some might say he was competitive, but it proved to be one of his best character traits as he doggedly overcame obstacles and constructed a very fulfilling life. He also had a beautiful ability to daydream about how he would spend his latter years with his family, what projects and house renovations he would undertake and where he would travel with his wife, children, and their children. He was the proudest and most affectionate grandfather, and favorite ‘Papa’, with his boisterous laugh and fun loving nature, turning any simple moment into a memorable one.
Peter is survived by his beloved wife Jacqueline, devoted children and grandchildren - daughter Julie Hoadley, her husband Ryan and son Quinn; son Matthew Cook and his wife Carlie; son Jason Cook and his wife Kayla and son Forrest. Peter is also survived by his siblings - Cathlene Parkhurst, Michael Cook, Mary Jane Tracy and their families.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 2 PM at Green’s Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road, Westport, Connecticut.
Donations in Peter’s name can be made to Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library at bbhlibrary.org/donate/
Ukrainian American Club Southport Rally to Support the People of Ukraine
Hundreds attended Ukrainian American Club rally on SaturdayHundreds of Ukrainian and American adults and children from all walks of life turned out on Saturday for a Stand With Ukraine rally at Southport’s 100 year old Ukrainian American Club (UAC) to express solidarity with the Ukrainian people and government as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukrainian cities continues.
The event was spearheaded and organized in six days by Stacy Lytwyn of Easton and her brother, Fairfield resident and former UAC president, Paul Lytwyn. They worked closely with Michael Gudzik, whose grandfather was one of the founders of the club, and his wife, Carol, along with many others. The rally was also in response to the numerous calls to the UAC from concerned citizens throughout the state who offered to help and join efforts to send an anti-war message, joining nations around the world in an unprecedented movement to protect the freedom and human rights of Ukrainian citizens.
Ukrainian Iryna Lonchyna of New Milford kicked off the program by singing a rousing rendition of what is known as the “State Anthem of Ukraine.’” The native title is “Shche ne vmerla Ukraina,” which translates into “Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished.”
Norwalk’s Jonathan Peters followed with the National Anthem that further stirred attendees.
From a carry-on utility trailer donated for the rally, Stacy Lytwyn introduced over a dozen speakers that included clergy and area leaders who also invigorated the crowd that waved signs and banners. Elected officials on the roster were Congressman Jim Himes, Fairfield’s First Selectwoman Brenda L. Kupchick and State Senator Tony Hwang.
Themes of freedom and human rights for Ukrainian war victims magnified the mission of the rally. In fact, through collective efforts, the UAC raised over $5,400 in donations that will provide humanitarian aid to the victims of war in Ukraine. The charity handling the funds is the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. (https://www.uuarc.org/). Certified by America’s Best Charities, “since its beginning in 1944, UUARC has fulfilled and is continuing to fulfill its mission of helping Ukrainians in need in Ukraine and throughout the world.”
Lytwyn ended the rally with the climactic words: “Putin: You have awakened a sleeping giant: FREEDOM! “
And then shouted, “De oppresso liber,” which is Latin for “to liberate the oppressed," and closed the program with the words "Slava Ukraini!" (Glory to Ukraine!)
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story By Stacy Lytwyn For WestportLocalPress.com
Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Showers likely, mainly after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming south 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers, mainly before 10pm. Low around 35. Southwest wind 11 to 17 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.