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5 alums
honored
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Accomplishments were heralded Oct. 29 at Putnam High School as five alumni were named to the Wall of Honor.
Peter Deary, Class of 1973: 42-year career at Sunnyside Farms, Inc. culminated in ownership of the company; under his leadership at Day Kimball Healthcare he launched a fund-raising campaign for an extensive renovation and expansion of the emergency department; received the George Racine Humanitarian Award; major supporter behind local efforts to provide medical care and supplies to residents of Haiti.
Jonathan Gradie, Class of 1969: Space-related scientist, educator and entrepreneur who founded three high-tech start-up companies to develop methods for spectral imaging for use in military and medical applications; Asteroid number 3253 gradie was named in his honor for contributions to astronomical research; holds patents for holographic imaging spectrometer and video search and rescue device; named Ernest and Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 Award finalist.
Laura Phipps, Class of 1976: Named county forensic medical examiner for adolescent & adult sexual assault and abuse in Seminole, Fla.; as medical trauma program director she collaborated to establish Kid’s House Children Advocacy Center in Florida; Rotary Club of Altamonte Springs created the Laura Phipps Legacy Award.
Robert Miller, Class of 1938: Putnam’s first municipal historian, he received the Community Volunteer Award from the state; the Putnam River Trail was dedicated in his honor; lifelong commitment to Boy Scouting led to receiving the silver Beaver Award; served as first selectman and chair of the Economic Development Commission and on the Governor’s Committee for historical restoration. (Posthumously)
Shawn Johnston, Class of 1977: Served as state representative of District 51 from 1995 to 2011; considered independent voice of reason and never compromised values while service his district; named Connecticut State Legislator of the Year by the Council of Small Towns; untiring efforts as president of Interfaith Human Services; founding member of the annual Turkey Day Plunge that raised funds for Muscular Dystrophy.
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