Class of 2023

A 1983 graduate and lifelong resident of South Windsor where he has dedicated his life to the protection of his community and also the community where we gather tonight, Manchester, through his work as a firefighter. As a teenager, Kevin followed in his dad’s footsteps and joined the South Windsor Fire Department Explorer Post in 1979. Kevin graduated from the Explorer Post and became a full-fledged fire fighter with the South Windsor Fire Department in 1983. He worked his way thru the ranks and became the Chief of the 130 member fire department in 2012 and continues to serve in this position. Besides this service, Kevin also was a career firefighter for over 20 years with the Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS Department (IAFF Local 1579).

In South Windsor, Kevin has been involved with the Explorer program for many years. Kevin has been a mentor for these participants and many have gone on and joined the department as regular fire fighters. He is the former Commander of local Honor Guards with the South Windsor and Manchester Fire Departments. He is well known and highly respected for his long tenure of attending Line Of Duty Deaths services throughout New England, supporting the families and brothers and sisters of fallen firefighters. He holds numerous officer/instructor certifications from the CT Fire Academy and National Fire Academy and is also a certified Fire Marshall.

Chief Cooney is active with many fire service organizations. He is a past President of the CT Fire Chiefs Association, past Treasurer and Secretary of the CT Fire Instructors Association, a past Director and Deputy Coordinator of the Hartford County Fire Emergency plan. He serves on the CT Fallen Firefighters Memorial Committee and is on the advisory Committee and Board of Directors for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation along with being a member of the CT Fire Marshalls Association and other fire related groups.

Kevin serves on the Board of Directors for the South Windsor Chamber of Commerce along with being a member of the South Windsor Irish Committee that organizes town participation in the annual Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Kevin’s service to the South Windsor community as a dedicated and hardworking Fire Chief and volunteer is second to none. Kevin, his wife Christine and their daughters live in South Windsor.

A 1961 graduate of Bridgeport Central High School where he was a member of the Men’s Glee Club and winner of the Cervantes Spanish Award. He went on to Southern Connecticut State University where he earned a B.S. in Secondary Education. He later earned a M.S, in Guidance from Fairfield University and a Sixth-Year Certificate in Administration from UConn.

John began his career in 1965 as a 7th and 8th grade History and Geography teacher in his hometown of Bridgeport. In 1970 John came to South Windsor’s Timothy Edwards Middle School where he continued teaching Social Studies. In the fall of 1975 John moved to South Windsor High School in the Guidance Department where he served as a counselor and Department Chair until his retirement in 2000. During this time he was in charge of the school’s testing program while also serving as a senior class and NHS advisor. John also created and served as advisor to the South Windsor Ambassador Team in addition to coaching freshman football. The class of 1984 dedicated their yearbook to John and described him as “a paragon of excellence…he made our school years better by always being interested in us…he is never too busy to discuss our problems or exercise the skill of listening…throughout the years he has advised us and lightened our spirits…his guidance time and concern will always be remembered”.

In retirement John spent a number of years working as a test coordinator for the department of Education’s No Child Left Behind testing program. Besides chaperoning many field trips for South Windsor High School students, John and his wife Peggy enjoyed traveling to many places including Italy, Hawaii and Cape Cod. Of John a colleague said “John was the consummate professional, and the leading role model for the entire SWHS Guidance Department that he headed for many years. The decades of success attained by our students, and the reputation that our school now enjoys would have been far less likely had John Marchetti not performed his vital services so well and for so many”.

Linda graduated in 1977 where she participated in many activities including membership in the National Honor Society, Varsity Cheerleading, Vocal Ensemble and Music department Secretary and teaching assistant, Actress/Dancer in musicals and the American Field Service foreign exchange program. Her affinity for teaching started in high school as a Kindergarten teaching assistant, Sunday school teacher and Youth Fellowship advisor at Wapping Community Congregational Church.

She is the Owner and Artistic Director of Grossi Dance & Performing Arts Academy in Vernon, CT. and was the owner, director and administrator of Steppin’ Up! Dance Studio & Companies for 22 years where she developed dance and performing arts programs for special populations including Manchester Association for retarded Citizens (MARC), Elderhostel, Department of Child and Youth Services (DCYS), Senior Centers, Rehabilitation and Senior Residential Facilities and colleges, produced rehabilitative exercise videos with RSVP Video Productions, and directed and choreographed dozens of musicals and productions for high schools, colleges and community theater groups.

After leaving the studios she joined the staff at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, CT. as Senior Manager of Education, planning the award-winning PARTNERS® programs, community outreach efforts and new venture arts management initiatives. During that time, she was appointed Associate Producer where she contracted Broadway and non-Broadway programming, developed new producing efforts, coordinated casting for touring companies and Bushnell Productions, and organized master classes with Broadway cast members. She served as production manager for The Bushnell’s premiere producing effort of The Music Man - A 50th Anniversary Tribute in 2008 with Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy, Greater Tuna in 2009 and Warriors Don’t Cry in 2010. In 2007, 2008 and 2010 Linda produced and directed the Martin Luther King Celebration performances and coordinated casting for The Music Man, Greater Tuna, Whistle Down the Wind and High School Musical at The Bushnell.

Her experience as a professional dancer, choreographer and director led her to numerous theatrical and television performances, including her top favorites: A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, and Me and My Girl and choreographing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City for 11 years, and as consultant and choreographer for the Real Ambassadors Jazz Ensemble in the London Olympics in 2012.

Linda is a National Vice President and has served as a chapter vice president of Greater New England for the National Association of Dancers and Affiliated Artists (NADAA), competition judge for NADAA and several dance and talent competitions throughout the country as well as appearing many times in the role of guest faculty. She continues to conduct master classes and seminars and has been a lead consultant with Regal Productions Consulting to several dance companies, performing arts schools and theater organizations in the New England and New York areas. Linda was accepted into the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) for her achievements in the performing arts industry and as an accomplished contributor to the advancement of performing arts education and was awarded Woman of The Year by the NAPW.

Shane is a 1992 graduate where he was a three year varsity starter on the soccer and baseball teams and was named co-captain of both teams his senior year. Among the honors Shane received while playing for the Bobcats, he was an all CCC East selection in both soccer and baseball, he helped lead both teams into deep runs in the state tournaments and was selected to the All-state baseball team his Senior year. Shane’s athletic excellence was recognized by being awarded the Hugh Greer award as the top male athlete in his senior class. Outside of athletics, Shane was on the honor roll all 4 years, President of his Junior class, a member of the Prom committee, the Future Business Leaders of America and a Booster club volunteer.

Shane took his talents to Seton Hall University in New Jersey where his accomplishments on the baseball diamond continued. Shane was the first recruited walk-on player in Seton Hall history to be elected as a captain in his senior year. He earned a baseball scholarship and was a three year starter at third base where he led the Pirates to the Big East Tournament in his Sophomore and also Junior years, losing to UConn by a run in the championship game as a Junior. As a Senior Shane was twice the Newark Star-Ledger player of the week, hitting for the cycle against Lafayette and Providence Colleges in the same week and finishing his career with a 315 average, being selected as All-New Jersey third base and picked to play in a postseason showcase game.

The success Shane experienced at South Windsor High School and Seton Hall University has carried on to his business career. Over the past 27 years Shane has advanced up the company ladder at a number of firms. Among his accomplishments in the Marketing field, he grew Wireless Zone from 75 to 300 franchises. For Bob’s Stores he built partnership agreements with the Red Sox, Yankees, Patriots and UConn while negotiating for Bob’s to be the first brand placed on the Green Monster at Fenway Park. Becoming one of the youngest chief marketing officers in the country with revenue over 100 million dollars annually at Country Curtains in Lee MA. Perhaps it was just fate that took Shane from South Windsor, with a tobacco plant as the centerpiece of the town flag and the finest cigar leaf wrapper in the world, to Cigars international where as the head of marketing he was responsible for marketing 6 e- commerce brands with revenue of over a billion dollars.

Shane is now President and CEO of Shane Wirta Consulting where he provides complete and comprehensive marketing strategies and implementations. Shane, his wife Ali and their daughters Natalie and Elin reside in Pennsylvania.