Groton Town Councilor Catherine Kolnaski Turns 90

Groton Town Councilor Catherine Kolnaski turned 90 on May 29, and her colleagues gave her a birthday gift during the town council meeting Tuesday.

“I call her the Eveready Bunny because she certainly does do a lot of things,” Mayor James Streeter said.

“Catherine, I love you,”  Town Councilor Harry Watson said. “You’re one of my mentors. You’re the reason I’m in politics.”

Kolnaski was instrumental in starting Ledge Light Health District, getting lights installed at Washington Park and keeping the Naval Submarine Veterans Memorial in Groton City.

She served as a Navy nurse during World War II, worked in what was formerly Mitchell Isolation Hospital in New London for people with contagious diseases, then worked part time as a public health and school nurse.

From 1977 to 1981, she served on the Groton Town Council, and in 1979, pushed to have Trumbull Airport renamed Groton Airport.  A compromise was eventually made and it was named Groton New London Airport, as it is today.

Kolnaski was elected mayor of Groton City in 1981, where she remained until 1995. She returned to the Town Council in 1995 and has been re-elected ever since.

Town Manager Mark Oefinger handed her the council’s gift of flowers and a street sign that reads, “I love Groton, CT.”

Kolnaski said she appreciated the words and gift.

“I’m also thankful I was able to serve because Groton is great, and I know it’s unique, but it’s special," she said.