Westport
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EverythingWestport.com
Friday,
May 22, 2015
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Wilfred’s Garage in Westport under
new ownership.
Westport will conduct Memorial Day 2015 Ceremonies
throughout the town.
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Wilfrid’s
Garage in Westport under new ownership. The full-service garage will retain the name of the founder who started
the iconic business in the mid-1950s. EverythingWestport.com Friday,
May 22, 2015 Wilfrid’s Garage in Westport is under new ownership. The papers were signed Friday and the keys passed over to new owners,
Christopher Cotta and Joan Lisa Steadman (far left in picture below) from
former owners Rick and Helene Anctil (far right.)
The Main Road service station, one of Westport’s oldest commercial
businesses, will continue operation as a full-service garage, retaining the
name of the founder who started the iconic business in the mid-1950s. “I had no one to
pass it onto,” said now former owner Rick Anctil.
“I put in too many hours, and I need to spend more time with my wife, Helene,
and grandchildren. After 31 years it was a good time to make this decision.” Rick’s father,
Wilfrid, started up the business as a one-stall garage on land his
father-in-law owned (Jim Hancock, Sr.) in the mid-1950s when Wilfred returned
from Korea. Rick started
working there as a mechanic in 1984; he took over the ownership of the
business in 1996. “We added the gas
pumps with Atlantic Richfield in 1989. We also added a second stall at about
the same time,” Rick said. The gas pumps are
now gone, a victim of the major petroleum companies takeover of the self-service
marketplace, but the personal care and attention of the new service garage personnel
will continue. But now it’s time
for the Anctils to bid farewell to a family
business that has spanned two generations, and has serviced more Westport
vehicles than you can shake a stick at. What will be
missed is the gathering place where many older regulars dropped in just to
engage in local and national politics, jawing with the sociable Anctil; the service station’s banter will now be just a
memory. But after 31
years repairing cars and trucks, Anctil was ready
to pass on the mantel.
The two new
owners, barely 30 years old, bring years of experience that belies their age,
honed during their tenure at Joel’s Garage over on Adamsville Road. “I’ve always
wanted to run my own business,” Chris Cotta said. “When Wilfrid’s went up for
sale I saw my chance.” “We’ll be open the
first of June,” partner Joan Lisa Steadman said. Right: the happy couple successfully transferred the repair license to their
new business at the May 4th Selectmen’s meeting, where they also were
licensed to have 17 cars on the property. The new Wilfrid’s
will offer general automotive repairs, both gas and diesel, fixing both
domestic and foreign-made vehicles (including Audi and Volkswagen), as well
as retail auto parts like batteries and headlights to mention a few. “We’ll also offer
quick oil changes as well as scheduled,” Joan added. The sale of the
business was brokered by Suzanne M. Alden of Alden Hill Real Estate, Inc. Westport will conduct Memorial Day 2015 Ceremonies throughout
the town. Parade kicks off at 10:00 a.m.
from Westport Town Hall; laying of wreaths begins at
8:00 a.m. EverythingWestport.com Saturday, May 23, 2015 “Never
again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” – Justin Latini
Last year Vietnam Veterans Chapter No. 207 President Justin Latini captured the essence of a solemn Memorial Day
ceremony with the words of a famous slogan: “All gave some, but some gave
all.” This Year Mr. Latini is coordinating the
ceremonies, as Westport’s newest Veterans Agent, Bradford Fish is out of town
with prior commitments. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the last Monday of May,
was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil
War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war.
Today we celebrate and honor all who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense
of their country. Westport Vice Chairman, R. Michael Sullivan will represent the Westport
Board of Selectmen and Justin Lattini will speak
for Westport’s veterans at Beech Grove Cemetery’s Memorial Day service which
begins at approximately 10:20 a.m. Please join Westport veterans in honoring and remembering those who
died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Wreath laying ceremonies. Note: A wreath
is also to be placed sometime early morning at Maple Grove Cemetery. The public is invited to attend this Memorial Day’s wreath laying
ceremonies at: 8:00 a.m. VFW W.A.&R
Ouellette Post #8502 located at 843 State Road.
8:20 a.m.
AL James Morris Post #145 located at 489 Sanford Road. 8:35 a.m. Latessa Square on Tickle Road in memory of
Andre Roland Latessa and all Westport residents
killed in Vietnam while serving. 9:10 a.m.
Fontaine Bridge, named after Spec. Normand Edward Fontaine, who was killed in the line
of duty during the Vietnam War. 9:20 a.m. Westport
Point on Main Road flower bouquet to honor those who perished at sea. Everyone will return to Town Hall, 856 Main
Road, Westport by 9:30 a.m. where the Parade Marshall will assemble the
parade. Westport, MA Memorial Day Parade step off is 10:00 a.m. Memorial day parade steps off
at 10 a.m.
The Parade proceeds to Beech Grove Cemetery, 947 Main Road and returns
to Town Hall after the Beech Grove ceremonies.
10:20 a.m. Beech Grove
Cemetery at Veterans Memoriam Plot to honor and remember those who died while
serving in the United States Armed Forces Memorial
Day Program Guide at Beech Grove Cemetery at Veterans Memoriam Plot to honor
and remember those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. §
Welcome introduction. §
National Anthem by Westport Middle School
Band. §
Pledge of Allegiance. §
Invocation by Retired Lieutenant United
States Navy Chaplin Emil Fuller. §
Reading of the Presidential Proclamation. §
Wreath Laying Beech at Grove Cemetery site
in memory of Michael A. Bono, Westport resident who served in the U.S. Army with
the 501st Airborne in Iraq and was stationed at Camp Merril
Dahlonega, GA §
Flower plants to place at the foot of the
flag. §
Remarks from selected speakers and
government representatives. §
Remarks from VFW Post #8502 W.A.&R. Ouellette Commander Joseph Aquilia. §
Master of Ceremonies Justin Latini was
raised in Quincy, Massachusetts and served in the U.S. Navy from 1971-1974
aboard nuclear submarines. After being Honorable Discharged, he attended
Massasoit Community College (1975-1977) and received an Associate’s degree in
Liberal Arts, he continued his education at
Bridgewater University (1977-1979) where he received a B.S. in
Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Medicine. He continued his
studies thru Winona (N.E.E.P.,) working on his Advance Studies in
Photographic Arts & Sciences (1997) Justin’s career took a turn from his
education background and he began working in the State Department of
Correction in 1981, eventually rising to the position of Director of Public
Affairs, he retired in 2009. He relocated to Westport in 2009 and married Kim
Grandmaison, a long time Westport resident and
became a member of the community, he joined the
American Legion, assuming the position of Finance officer for the last two
years. He also joined the Vietnam Veterans Chapter #207, quickly attained the
position of Vice President and Color Guard Commander. He was recently elected
President of the Chapter and on June 7th will be sworn in as the Secretary
for the State Vietnam Veterans Counsel. §
Firing Squad. §
Taps. 11:00 –
11:15 a.m. service at Town Hall 856 Main Road, WW I Memorial with a wreath laying
ceremony.
For information please contact the town Veterans’ Services Department
at 508.636.1028, cell: 774.226.0721 cell or by email: veterans@westport-ma.gov.
Above,
right: Westport cemetery
works polish up Beech Grove Cemetery on Friday for Monday’s ceremonies. Below:
Boy Scouts Troop 100 placed flags on all known Veterans graves at Beech Grove
and Maple Grove Cemeteries on Saturday, May 23rd.
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