Fred Cantor was a longtime Westporter. The 1971 Staples High School graduate still feels connected to this town — and our blog. Fred writes:
My wife Debbie and I are moving soon for health-related reasons from Oronoque Village, a senior community in Stratford, to a senior community in Southern California.
So we made a visit to Westport. We stopped by my childhood home on Easton Road — where Debbie and I got married in a small family ceremony in 1982 — and the home on Drumlin Road where we lived for 22 years.
Fred Cantor’s childhood home on Easton Road …
Both houses epitomized the era they were built: the 1950s. The Easton Road home was roughly 1,850 square feet. The Drumlin one was approximately 1050 square feet.
I am fortunate in that, in contrast to many childhood friends, stopping by my old stomping grounds feels almost like a step back in time. Neither home became a “Teardown of the Day.”
… and Drumlin Road, where he and Debbie lived for 22 years.
So being back there triggers a variety of memories.
But in going back, it’s not just the memories of family — many of whom are gone now — that make these places feel special.
I realize too what will always make Westport feel like my hometown are the wonderful neighbors and friends from the times I lived in these houses.
We sold our Drumlin home privately to a friend and former neighbor who was looking to return — and Debbie and I are so glad we did. Cheryl enjoys the home every bit as much as we did, and has put such loving care into the property.
When Debbie and I approached our former longtime home Cheryl, in her 60s, was out in the yard cutting the grass and mulching leaves with her very quiet electric mower. Gotta love that.
And seeing our former Drumlin neighbor, the beloved Staples teacher and administrator Gordon Hall, to wish him an early happy 98th birthday brought back memories of the various kind things he and his wife Dot — and several other Drumlin neighbors as well — did for us over the years.
This visit came not long after attending the boys soccer FCIAC championship match in Fairfield. I sat near my former Staples coach, Jeff Lea, former teammate Jim Bacharach, and other Staples soccer alums. This was accompanied by a flood of emails with former Staples teammates during the remarkable postseason run by the 2025 squad.
These combined experiences reinforced the feeling that there have indeed been a number of terrific friends and neighbors over the years who helped make Westport seem like I was living the story in “It’s A Wonderful Life.”
So here’s a farewell toast to all of those people who made me feel lucky to have lived for decades in such friendly and supportive small-town surroundings.
Fred Cantor and Debbie Silberstein wave goodbye. (Photo/Tracy McIntosh)
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A lovely goodbye post. Thank you and best of luck.
Best of luck Fred and Debbie!! Sorry to have missed you when you were back on the road! You will always be a part of Westport.
Westport will always be my hometown too. I lived on Drumlin Road ,#6, until I was 7. We moved to Harding Lane where we lived til I was 16 when my father was transferred to Calif. I returned to Westport and eventually raised my kids there. But now we split our time between Naples,Fl and Cape Elizabeth, Maine where our daughter’s family live. We miss Westport and think maybe we’ll move back one day! Best of luck to Fred and Debbie!
Fred is iconic to Westport, and…..Staples 71″. Fred and I have been friends for more than 60 years! Safe travels.
Once a Westporter, always a Westporter.
Mr. Hall saved my bacon (senior year at Staples). I have no doubt he is still the same guardian angel and is a big reason why Drumlin Rd has retained its character.
To my law classmates and friends, Fred and Debbie: Good health and best wishes. You have provided so much to this town, and I suspect we will hear from you on these pages!
Wishing you both best of luck in your upcoming move. I too visit Westport / Weston frequently and drive by my former home, but always with a fear that one day it won’t be there. It was great to see a picture of Gordan Hall. He was my Geometry teacher and he rekindled my interest in Mathematics after my less-than-great Algebra I teacher at Weston Junior High.
Hello, Bill—My father didn’t teach geometry and suspects that you’re thinking of Robert Hall.
You’re right – my bad.
“Mother knows for better clothes, it’s back to Robert Hall again.” That was a jingle from the old Robert Hall clothing store that went bankrupt in the mid 1970s
Love to you both Fred. Enjoy SoCal! Great article btw!
Fred & Debbie,
Thanks for the wonderful photos and the wonderful stories. Gordon was always the kindest man and mentor to so many of us at Staples. So glad you got be at the 2025 CIAC LL Soccer State Championship with the folks you mentioned. Wishing you All the Best!!
Tom
What a lovely essay, Fred. I wish you well in your new home on the Other Coast and your quest for better health.
Bye Fred. Wishing you and Debbie much happiness in your new home.
Dan, thanks for publishing this—and thanks for the kind words and good wishes from “06880” readers.
If your Southern California home is in the Desert area and you want to meet another Westport couple my husband Peter and I live in Palm Desert.
Robin, what a nice offer and thanks. But we’re going to be pretty far from there, near Laguna Beach, and my health issues limit my ability to travel.
Great story, I printed this out and mailed it to the Hall’s since they don’t have Email. I’m sure they’ll appreciate the kind words. Mrs. Hall was my second grade teacher at the ‘real’ Saugatuck Elementary School.
You two will always be a part of this town. You guys look great I’m sure you’ll be happy campers in So Cal. All the best.. Mary
Great little story and best wishes to the Cantors. May you find good health and happiness in California, along with good reception of the Knick games.
Over the years I have appreciated Fred’s frequent contributions to these pages. He lives by the creed that “If you can’t say something positive or constructive, don’t say anything.”
So keep em coming, Fred!
Fred, my best to you and Debbie! Love this nostalgic look back as you once again move forward. You’ve always appreciated the gifts of Westport and you definitely gave back. Will miss your presence but will stay in touch for sure. Thanks for your friendship and insight. Your pal, Muggs