Presented By:
Supports overall illumination of the parks with stars.
Celestial Sponsors of:
Donahue Park
Pawcatuck, CT
Wilcox Park
Westerly, RI
Shooting Star Sponsors:
The beautiful shooting stars on display in the park were sponsored to honor loved ones who have passed. Please read below to learn about the extraordinary citizens who are being honored lovingly poignant display.
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Kelly & Mitchel Levcowich In honor of Angela & Arthur Smith
Arthur Smith was a master carpenter whose talents were proudly displayed in many of the beautiful Watch Hill homes. A gentle giant, Arthur was a kind and humble individual. Happy to live life in the supportive shadow of his wife Angie, Arthur gave of his time and skills to many of the same organizations that Angie was immersed with. In particular, he created the interior shelves at The Chamber of Commerce office, was the office "Mr. Fix It", and volunteered at the Virtu Art Festival each year by marking spaces for the artist's set-up. He attended many fundraisers and was always dressed "to the nines", usually in a dapper ensemble picked out by Angie, perfectly coordinated with whatever she was wearing. He was very active at the Westerly Yacht Club and enjoyed dancing and attending their events. He loved spending time in his beautiful yard. See the write up on Angela Smith below:
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Nicholas C & Allison M. Moore Fund In honor of Angela Smith
​Angie was a one-of-a-kind citizen of Westerly. She worked for many years as Administrator of Westerly Medical Center and she also was active with her real estate license. Her personality sparkled as brightly as her bedazzled clothing. She was a high-energy, outgoing, hard working and savvy businesswoman who spent three decades devoting her life to community service. She tried to pack as much activity as she could into every single day, including fitness, family, work and volunteerism. While generous with her time and funds to virtually every non-profit in the town of Westerly, she was particularly devoted to the Westerly Lions Club, the Dante Society and the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce. She achieved leadership roles within each of these groups and took on an incredible amount of committee work and fundraising responsibilities. She loved coordinating programs for the Westerly Yacht Club where she was undeniably considered the "Queen". She was inspiring to her huge circle of friends, and her family.
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First Financial Advisory Services/ Geraldine B. Cunningham Associates In honor of Alexander W. Cunningham
Alexander William Cunningham (1989-2021) was born and raised in San Francisco, and earned a chemical engineering degree from Villanova University in 2011. He moved to Westerly in 2013 and was grateful to be with his extended family here in RI & CT and the many friends he made while living and working in the area. He embarked on a career in 2015 that took him far and wide around the world, and he went on to see much, make countless friendships, and enjoy many personal and professional successes.
We acknowledge his passing with great sadness, but still receive solace as our memories of him bring even greater joy. To know Alexander was to know smiles and laughter, curiosity and light, physical strength and vigor, excitement and passion, loyalty and discipline, vitality and hope, lovingness without judgment, and – most of all – gratitude (or Vitamin G, as he referred to it). Like shooting stars that dance through our skies before fading hastily from view, Alex was fascinating and spectacular, despite being in our sight so very much less than his friends and family wanted.
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Lisa Konicki in honor of Joan Rushlow
Jeanne Fournier "Joan" Rushlow passed away on January 28, 2020 but her legacy lives on with our Chamber of Commerce. In 1986, she became the first President of the then Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce. She boldly grew the membership and performed a wide program of business and community work. She had an exemplary professional commitment and unwavering leadership strength. She also led efforts to establish the permanent home of the Chamber on Route 1, initiated the Santa's arrival, and other time honored community traditions, such as serving on the inaugural First Night Committee. Her efforts fostered a positive business environment and numerous life-long friendships. Joan will always be remembered for the many community traditions that she started and for a passion that continues to inspire the chamber staff today.
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Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce in honor of Chris DiPaola
Christopher Thomas DiPaola of Westerly, whose passion for local radio was equaled only by his love for his family and friends, passed away on Friday, Oct. 14th, 2022 at the age of 49.
Known by many as "the voice of Westerly," for his distinct voice on WBLQ, the local station he lived, breathed and loved, DiPaola was also a cheerleader for the Westerly-Pawcatuck-Chariho communities along with their residents and businesses. A member of the Rotary Club of Westerly, and the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, DiPaola was the recipient of many awards, including The Chamber’s prestigious Key Award in 2020. The award was earned in recognition of his support of small businesses and extraordinary dedication to The Chamber mission and selfless volunteerism and promotion of OCCC community events. Chris was often applauded for his steadfast community spirit and his efforts to connect people during times of need, as he did during the Flood of 2010, Superstorm Sandy and the recent coronavirus pandemic.
From his earliest years, Chris had a love of all things radio, and he was greatly influenced by listening to the now-defunct 66 WNBC in New York. He admired many of the station's on-air talent, and later came to know radio personality Dale Parsons. The WBLQ "Time Machine" program is modeled on Dale's original WNBC "Time Machine."
A devoted family man, Chris left his wife, Laina, two sons, Haidan and Stevie, and a stepson, Adrian. He also left a legacy of leadership and a legion of friends who will never forget how he touched their lives.
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Bruce & Jean Morrow in honor of Joan Morrow & Marge Kimball
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Drew & Janell Bruno in honor of James Joseph. Bruno, Jr.
Wonderful Husband, Father, Papa to the Children of our next Generation
Teacher known to go the extra mile.
Loving all those in need, with dignity and a smile,
always there when he was needed, in good times and good style.
Raising up the spirits of the hopeless and the sad.
You are always and forever my one and only Dad.
I think the Lord took you because he needed you more,
but I know you never left us, and you love and guide us to the heavens each day as you always did before.
Each Night I look into the darkness of the northern sky,
you send me shooting stars to comfort me, I know you are always with me,
Good souls are always with God, and Our Love will never die.
Dad You are my Wings and My Heart and Together we can fly.
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Mary, Kelsey & Dillon Manfredi in honor of Joe Manfredi
So Special, So Loved, So Missed.
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Frank Durante & Friends in honor of Dorothy Comingore
American film actress Dorothy Comingore is best remembered for starring as Susan Alexander Kane in what is considered the greatest movie ever made, Citizen Kane (1941). Before starring across film legend Orson Welles, she was discovered by Charlie Chaplin while performing on stage. She would later go on to act in over 30 Hollywood films throughout the 1930's, 40's and early 50's. Comingore was up and coming before her career abruptly ended when she was caught up in the Hollywood blacklist. She declined to answer questions when she was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1952. Having made an enemy of William Randoph Hearst, with her performance in Citizen Kane, Hearst's yellow ink would stain her reputation for the rest of her life. This not only destroyed her professional career but her personal life as well. Divorced from her family, disowned by the Hollywood community, she spent the last remaining years of her life at Lords Point in Stonington, Connecticut where she became a prominent member of the community. Known to many as a local celebrity, Dorothy was remembered for being a true neighbor. Dorothy devoted much of her time to several humanitarian efforts and was a philanthropist for the local arts and was known for sheltering lost and endangered animals throughout Stonington.
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Scientific Alloys in honor of James & Sally Rossi
In memory James & Sally Rossi, who were both born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, where they met, were married, and started their family prior to moving to Westerly in 1969. They founded their now third generation owned family business, Scientific Alloys, Inc., a specialty steel firm, in 1984. They were active communicants of Immaculate Conception Church, and parishioners of St. Clare's. Mrs. Rossi was one of the early pioneers in local Cable TV programming in Westerly and conducted a weekly cable show called, "Around the Town with Sally." Mr. Rossi earned a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and was a lifelong member of the American Society of Metals International. He was an avid scuba diver and long-time local dive instructor. The Rossi's found a deep love of the Town of Westerly, and enjoyed their later years walking to the beach in Weekapaug or enjoying evening swims in the ocean.
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The Morehouse & Toscano Families in Honor of Frank James Toscano
October 27, 1943 - August 27, 2022
A life well lived.
A man well loved.
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The Luzzi Family in honor of Giuseppe and Francesca Luzzi
In loving memory of Giuseppe and Francesca Luzzi who courageously immigrated to Westerly to give their next generations a better and more prosperous life.
They worked hard to take care of their family emphasizing the importance of family, faith, tradition, kindness and hard work along the way.
They have left an amazing legacy and countless memories.
Always in our hearts. Love and miss you always Mama and Papa.
Shooting Star -SOLD OUT!
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Sponsorship of one star in the Infinity Exhibit in Wilcox Park, in memory of a loved one who has passed. This can be a family member, friend, company founder or other significant person you wish to honor.
Prominent logo and hyperlink or family name recognition on Starry Lights website with photo of the loved one and maximum 100 word write up (optional).
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Specific social media post, with tag, recognizing your sponsorship and identifying the information about your special someone.
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Your star would be indicated on a map so that you can identify its location during the exhibit.
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Company logo or Family name recognition in press release and all pre-event marketing
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Verbal recognition during the program at the Starry Lights first illumination event
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Company logo or Family name on large sign at entrance to Wilcox Park or Donahue Park
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