Mayor Anita Dugatto has announced three new members of the Derby Hall of Fame just in time for Derby Day 2015.
The Derby Hall of Fame was established in 2007.
It includes Derby natives and residents who have helped to shape the course of history through their achievements at the local, state, national or international level.
Each of these individuals selected was either born in Derby or lived here at some point in his/her life.
The Class of 2015 includes Derby’s first permanent European settler, a seven term mayor and Derby’s first (and probably only) Olympian.
Edward Wooster was born in 1622, but he arrived in the area now known as Derby in 1651 when the area was still governed from New Haven.
George P. Sullivan was a plumber by trade who served seven terms as Mayor of Derby over the course of four different decades.
Donald Waldhaus is the third member of the Hall with an athletic background, but most will be surprised to find that he was a nationally recognized swordsman and member of the U.S. Olympic Fencing team in the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Mayor Dugatto said, “The additions to the Hall of Fame this year are impressive and show the strength and vision of the Valley forefathers that made it great!”
The Derby Hall of Fame is located by the National Humane Alliance Fountain at the Division Street entrance to the Derby Greenway. Each of the members is commemorated with a special brick surrounding the fountain engraved with some details of their achievements.
A more complete description of their achievements along with the listing of all 41 members can be found at http://electronicvalley.org/derby/HallofFame/index.htm.
