Memorial Day Grand Marshals Announced

Former Mayor John Carusone and Gerry Tobin, a 10-year employee in the Mayor’s Office, have been selected as co-grand marshals of Hamden's 75th annual Memorial Day Parade on May 30, Mayor Scott Jackson recently announced.

Carusone is a U. S. Army and National Guard veteran, serving from 1957 to 1963, and has a record of public service to Hamden spanning more than 50 years, including serving as mayor from 1987 to 1991.  

He also served on the Legislative Council and as assistant school superintendent, and has been the recipient of many civic, political, educational and athletic awards, including being inducted into the Connecticut ASA Slo-Pitch Softball Hall of Fame, the “Gold Bat” baseball award from West Haven Twilight Baseball League and is currently assistant commissioner of that organization.

He also received the Hamden Educational Foundation award as “Distinguished Alumnus of Hamden High School” and the Unitas Club’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.”  

Carusone and his wife Sylvia live in Hamden and have three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Tobin is a 16-year town employee and is in her tenth year as administrative secretary to the Mayor, working under Mayor’s Amento, Henrici and Jackson.    She also has served as assistant to the Veterans Commission during that time, managing the Memorial Day Parade, and helping with Veterans Awareness Day, Connecticut Medal Awards Ceremonies, Secretary of State’s awards to World War II Veterans, and the addition of names to the Veterans Memorial. 

Prior to working in the Mayor’s Office, Tobin served as the Planning & Zoning Commission clerk.  She also serves as clerk to several town boards and commission. 

Prior to becoming a town employee, Tobin held positions at The H. Pearce Real Estate Company, The Benedict Company Realtors and Nationwide Insurance, and was active in several local organizations.  She lives in Hamden and has three children and two grandsons, and said she is honored to co-grand marshal the Memorial Day Parade.

Carusone and Tobin join the ranks of many others honored to be grand marshals in Hamden’s annual tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country. 

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Hamden High School and will continue north along Dixwell Avenue to the Memorial Town Hall, with the review stand on Dixwell Avenue near Evergreen Avenue.  Following the parade, there will be a wreath ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in front of Hamden Middle School.  Following the invocation, Mayor Jackson and the Parade Marshal will address those in attendance, and wreaths will be placed at the  Memorial.  

The Town of Hamden invites current members of our Armed Forces to march in the parade. Anyone interested in marching can call the Mayor’s Office at 203-287-7100.

In addition to the parade, on Friday, May 27,  more than 75 veterans and 400 students will attend Veterans Awareness Day at Quinnipiac University. It begins at 10 a.m. and the public is invited to this annual event where veterans share their stories with the students.

Prior to the parade on Monday, May 30, the Jewish War Veterans Post 204 will hold a Memorial Day Service at Temple Beth Shalom, 1809 Whitney Ave., and a Memorial Day Mass will be held at 8 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 782 Dixwell Ave.

Convertible cars are needed to drive veterans in the parade.  Many local organizations have registered to march in the parade, and any others interested in marching can contact Tobin in the Mayor’s Office at 203-287-7100.