John Edward “Ed” Backus — a lifelong Westport resident, Staples High School Football Wall of Fame member, noted youth coach, Marine Corps Honor Guard member for 2 presidents, YMCA board member, and well-known neighbor and friend — died peacefully on Sunday at Norwalk Hospital, surrounded by his 2 sons. He was 94.
At Staples, Ed was a multi-talented athlete. A 2-time All-Conference football player, he was inducted into the Football Wall of Fame in 2003.
His athletic achievements continued at the University of Bridgeport, where he was a standout on the first-ever football team, formed in 1948.
He anchored the semi-pro Westport Advertisers’ offensive line from 1949 to 1951, serving as co-captain in 1951 before the team dissolved due to the Korean War. During this time, he also worked as a Compo Beach lifeguard.
In 1952, Ed enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He served with the Presidential Honor Guard for Presidents Truman and Eisenhower in Washington.
His love for sports endured throughout his life, whether playing football, basketball, softball, squash, or racquetball; lifting or skeet shooting, or cheering on his sons and grandchildren’s various teams.
He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys.
Ed Backus
Ed coached Westport Police Athletic League football teams for 10 years. In 1989 he was honored with the Sportsmen of Westport Achievement Award.
He also served as a board director and first vice president of the Westport YMCA, and was a member of its building committee.
Professionally, Ed worked for magazines including Seventeen, Popular Science, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life, from which he retired as advertising director in 1995.
He then worked as a consultant for many years.
In retirement, Ed cherished weekly breakfast gatherings at Jr’s Deli & Grille. with friends Charlie Duffy, Mike Zeoli, Joe Saponare, Jerry Waldron, Pete Johnson and others. He shared quality time at the barbershop with his longtime friend Bill Gault.
Ed was married to Carole Mailand, who died in 1992. They raised 2 sons: John Edward Backus, Jr, (Jeb) of Westport, and Jared of Ithaca, New York. Ed is also survived by five grandchildren John Edward Backus III (Tripp), Jillian Elizabeth-Anne, Garrett Edward, Grace Carole; and Gavin; his daughter-in-law Amanda Backus, and long-time sweetheart, Mary Snyder.
Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral on Tuesday November 26 (Assumption Church, 10:30 a.m.). Click here to leave online condolences.
The Westport Police Department’s latest donation of excess used equipment — including communication devices, and much-needed hats — has been delivered to their counterparts in our sister city of Lyman, Ukraine.
It is much needed, as the war grinds on and heads into a second winter.
NOTE: Donations to Lyman are always welcome. Click here; then click the “I want to support” box; then select “Support for the City of Lyman.” Scroll down on that page for other donation options (mail, wire transfer and Venmo.)
Lyman police officer, with a Westport Police walkie-talkie — and hat.
The town of Westport has hired a human resources director.
Candice Holley’s appointment is effective immediately.
She has over 20 years’ experience in human capital and human resources implementation, with a strong background in talent acquisition, recruitment and retention.
Most recently, Holley served as an independent HR consultant. Previous positions include vice president, people and operations, for the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, and global director, human resources, with Barnes Group.
She graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in social and behavioral Sciences. She also attended the University of Mississippi to earn a degree in Psychology, and the University of Cincinnati for political science.
Candice Holley
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One of Westport’s favorite holiday toy drives — the Westport Police Department’s, in partnership with the Police Benevolent Association and Police Athletic League — is open for donations.
Toys will be provided to children in need throughout Fairfield County, and at area hospitals.
Officers will accept new, unopened and unwrapped toys — and cash donations — in the ASF Sports & Outdoors parking lot (1560 Post Road East), between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., on the next 2 weekends (Saturday and Sunday, December 2-3 and 9-10).
There will also be toy collection boxes at:
• Westport Police Department, 50 Jesup Road
• ASF Sports & Outdoors Store, 1560 Post Road East
• Awesome Toys & Gifts, 429 Post Road East
• The Toy Post , 180 Post Road East
Questions? Contact Craig Bergamo by phone at (203) 341-6000, or
email (cbergamo@westportct.gov).
More than a dozen teams — each including Staples students, and at least one Westport Police Department officer — battled last night, in the high school fieldhouse.
A portion of the large group of students and cops. (Photo/Dan Woog)
It was all in good fun. The annual “Dodge-a-Cop” event was a way for teenagers and cops to meet and bond — and for the Westport Youth Commission to raise funds for the Homes with Hope and Westport Woman’s Club food pantries.
Kevin Godburn, longtime Youth Commission member through the Department of Human Services (2nd from left) with (from left) members Jake Shufro, Cabry Lueker (president) and Anaam Olasewere (secretary, Dodge-a-Cop manager). (Photo/Dan Woog)
Gault Energy and Mitchells co-sponsored the evening, which included prizes, pizza and drinks.
And plenty of good, clean, cops-and-kids competition.
The winning Dodge-a-Cop team included Corporal (and Westport PAL president) Craig Bergamo (right). (Photo/Cabry Lueker)
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Club 203 — Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities — celebrates the holidays next week.
The party is set for MoCA, next Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It’s a “hoedown,” so Western-themed attire is suggested.
There’s square dancing, a Western photo area, food and giveaways. Parents are invited to stay and celebrate too.
Click here for reservations, and more information. Questions? Email club203ct@gmail.com
Westporter Rosie Jon — who paints with her toes better than nearly anyone can using hands — celebrates 10 years as an artist with her first-ever exhibition.
It’s set for the gallery at Green’s Farm’s Church, from December 1 to January 12.
Opening night begins at 6 p.m., and includes a chance to watch Rosie create her beautiful art, and a Q-and-A.
The Westport Library welcomed Norm Siegel last night.
The noted local artist discussed his new exhibit, “Visual Curiosities.” It’s on view through January 8.
Norm Siegel (far right) with (from left) admirers Nina Bentley, Miggs Burroughs and Lynn Untermeyer Miller, last night at the Westport Library. (Photo/Carole Erger-Fass)
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Today’s “Westport … Naturally” subject is getting ready for winter, at Winslow Park?
And finally … on this date more than 80 years apart, 2 key entertainment events happened.
In 1877, Thomas Edison announced his invention of the phonograph: a machine that can record and play sound.
In 1959, disc jockey Alan Freed, who popularized the term “rock and roll,” was fired from New York’s WABC radio over allegations he had participated in a payola scandal.
(Art, music, kids, Town Hall — it’s all here in the Roundup, just like every day. But all this stuff takes time and effort. “06880” relies on reader support. Please click here to help. Thank you!)
After a 2-year COVID-induced absence, Westport’s Independence Day fireworks — the biggest, best party in town — are back.
They’re a bit before the big day, though: June 30. That’s a Thursday. It’s a great way to blast off the holiday weekend. (July 4th is the following Monday.)
The event is a fundraiser for the Westport Police Athletic League. It’s run by our Parks & Recreation Department, with great help from the Westport Police and Fire Departments, and Emergency Medical Services.
The 2019 fireworks — the last time Westporters enjoyed the show. (Photo/David Squires)
Long time Westport residents Melissa and Doug Bernstein will once again sponsor and underwrite the fireworks. They say, “We’re beyond thrilled to partner again with PAL to bring this amazing celebration back to Westport. We can’t wait to see our incredible community celebrating together again at Compo Beach on June 30th!”
If you’ve been to the fireworks, you know what’s in store: thousands of people picnicking at Compo, and strolling from Soundview to South Beach; music, a marching band, and a “block party” with a great, neighborly vibe.
In a few hours, all those chairs will be filled with people. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
If you’ve never been: Be sure to get a ticket. That’s the only way to park at Compo.
Ticket sales begin tomorrow (Friday, June 3, at Police headquarters (50 Jesup Road) and the Parks & Rec office at Longshore (near the 1st tee). The cost is $40 per vehicle.
Tickets are limited, and first-come, first-served. When they sell out, shuttle passes will be available from Longshore.
Westport PAL president Craig Bergamo (2nd from left) presents fireworks ticket #1 to Doug and Melissa Bernstein. Also shown (from left): Police Chief Foti Koskinas, 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker, Parks & Recreation director Jennifer Fava, Deputy Police Chief Sam Arciola.
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