Seaport Association to honor Norwalk Native Jerry Toni @ Gala April 27

April 27, 2019, marks the highly anticipated annual Lightkeepers Gala  Masquerade Ball at the Norwalk Inn hosted by the Seaport Association.  This event always promises a "boat-load" of fun, fine food, and drinks, as well as the opportunity to honor this year's Beacon Award Winners, Jerry Toni and Dick Harris that have given so much to the organization in helping it to evolve and surpass their mission.

Jerry Toni has had a love of Long Island Sound, Sheffield Island and the Norwalk Islands for years.  "As a  young boy, I would fish, harvest clams and tend to our lobster pots around the Norwalk Islands with my father.  I remember that the east side of Sheffield Island was a favorite fishing spot among the rocks. A favorite activity of ours would be to dig for clams and drag a net on the west side of Sheffield Island to catch shiners for bait."

Jerry's love of the area came to fruition in 1988 with the Seaport's purchase of Sheffield Island. "Two years after the Island was bought, the Association asked me and my business partner, Pat Cutrone, also an avid fisherman to manage the Sheffield restoration project, we were delighted and couldn't wait to start."   The restoration process was massive and included re-pointing masonry, glass repairs in the tower, restoration of cast iron details in the tower, structural repairs to the tower, a new slate roof on the lighthouse, painting and other cosmetic improvements.  "The work was fulfilling for us because it was the first major effort by the Seaport Association to restore the lighthouse back to its original condition. Pat Cutrone said it best when he stated we didn’t consider this to be work, but rather an honor to be involved in the project and trusted with the restoration of this historic lighthouse."

Jerry's current involvement with the Seaport Association began after a  presentation in 2007 by the President, Carol Pote at an Exchange Club meeting. In 2008, Jerry became a Trustee for the Seaport Association and its' Treasurer 2011-2013. In addition to his duties as treasurer, Jerry assumed the role of Oyster Festival Chair for five years, 2009- 2013.

In 2014 Jerry and his business partner decided to retire and cease operations of Cutrone / Toni, Inc. following a successful run of 28 years.  The timing was serendipitous.  "At this time, the Seaport Association decided to hire a part-time business manager to tend to the day to day operations and provide administrative support to the board and the chairpersons of the various fundraising events.  I was offered the position and proudly accepted it."  Jerry continues to serve in that position today.

In addition to his duties as business manager, this year Jerry has taken on the role of project manager for the construction of the new permanent pavilion on Sheffield Island, which will be completed in July of this year.  "This new permanent pavilion that will open this July not only provides the public with a new venue to hold events, it also is in keeping with the mission of the Seaport Association to preserve and enjoy the maritime heritage of Sheffield Island and Long Island Sound."

Jerry and his wife Patricia are Norwalk natives and have two daughters, Laura Toni-Holsinger and her husband Brent, and Beth Maringola and her husband Ryan.  Jerry and Patricia are the proud grandparents of Lucy, James, and Myles.

Tickets for the Lighthouse Keeper’s Gala are $150 per person and can be reserved by calling 203-838-9444 or visiting the website https://seaport.org/event-3265312.  Funds raised at this event will support the Seaport’s mission of preservation and restoration and will provide an opportunity to educate children of all ages about the importance of Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Long Island Sound, and our maritime history and environment.