Thirteen years ago, former Derby Alderman Michael Kelleher led a group of concerned citizens to authorize the purchase of the former 144-acre Birmingham Water Company property.
It was dedicated as PFC Frank P. Witek Memorial Park, in honor of Derby’s late Congressional of Honor winner, and city native, PFC. Frank P. Witek, on May 29, 1999.
Michael Kelleher’s name was omitted as the catalyst that moved Derby voters to purchase the property, probably due to political indifference.
I feel that Michael Kelleher should be finally honored, for his efforts to create PFC Frank. P.Witek Memorial Park.
It’s time, perhaps, to name the two soccer fields, or the two beautiful ponds on the property, after Michael Kelleher.
Hopefully, Mayor Tony Staffieri and the Board of Aldermen, will finally honor Michael Kelleher, as the unofficial ​“Father of PFC Frank P. Witek Memorial Park.”
Stan Muzyk has been a Derby resident since 1936. He attended Derby and Shelton Schools. He is a former Derby Police Commissioner and served on the Derby Middle School Building Committee. He is currently on the Greenway Committee. He and his father, Stanley, Sr., both managed finance and food businesses in downtown Derby. He is a dedicated advocate for ​“what’s good for the City of Derby!”
Stan’s views are his own.
