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PUTNAM — Lifelong Putnam resident Gerald J. Bibeault bequeathed $1.5 million of his estate to local non-profits in healthcare, education and community services, announced Thomas A. Borner, president and chief executive officer of Putnam Bank and estate attorney for Bibeault.
The donations were awarded to: Day Kimball Healthcare received $289,000; Williston Northampton School received $578,000,
Worcester Polytechnic Institute received $578,000, YMCA of Greater Hartford received $50,000, and St. Mary Church, Putnam, received $5,000.
Bibeault died on Sept. 21, 2011, at 95 years old.
“Gerry was a quiet, unassuming man passionate about the charities to which he left his estate,” said Borner. Bibeault accumulated his wealth working as an engineer in the aeronautics industry employed at Sikorsky Aircraft. He was a student at Williston Northampton School before graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1942 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering.
Pamela Watts, director of development at Day Kimball Healthcare, said that planned giving donations are a meaningful way for families and individuals to leave a legacy to their community. “Day Kimball is immensely grateful for Mr. Bibeault’s generosity, and we will be sure to honor him in a manner that allows his donation to be shared with a community he obviously cared about a great deal.”
The YMCA of Greater Hartford is applying the Bibeault estate donation to the capital campaign for the Regional YMCA being built in Putnam. The two schools and church are still determining how best to appropriate the funds to honor Bibeault.
“While Bibeault had no children, he believed in the importance of education and having a safe, nurturing environment for families and the positive outcomes these provide to our youth,” said Borner.