Obituary: Former Guilford 1st Selectman Carl Balestracci Passes

GUILFORD, CT - The sad news is starting to circulate around Guilford that local legend - former school principal and First Selectman Carl Balestracci passed away over this past weekend.

Mr. Balestracci's funeral plans have not yet been announced and details are scare, but the news is spreading on social media about a man who everyone respected passing away.

Patch will let readers know when more details about services are forthcoming.

In the meantime, Guilford State Representative Sean Scanlon gave Patch permission to share his personal thoughts about a man that everyone in town respected and grew to love.

Here is what Scanlon had to say on Facebook:

"I was devastated to hear the news yesterday of Carl Balestracci’s passing. I first met Carl when I was in 7th grade and got sent to his office (aka the principal’s office). Even though I wasn’t a model student, he helped further my love of history. Years later, he was one of the first people I called for advice when I wanted to run for office and his support during my first campaign and ever since meant the world to me.

"Carl and I shared a love of political memorabilia and, more specifically, Bobby Kennedy memorabilia. After I won, he gave me a poster that hangs in my office today. It’s a black and white poster from our former US Senator Abe Ribicoff’s 1968 campaign right after Kennedy was assassinated and during a very dark time in our history.

"The entire poster consists of a picture of Ribicoff and Kennedy talking and RIBICOFF CARES and at the bottom VOTE DEMOCRATIC. It’s so simple but it worked because people knew exactly what it meant: they were politicians who cared and that’s the kind of leaders we needed at that moment.
Carl cared. He cared about this town.

"He cared about people. He cared about this country. He was tough on me as a kid but I know it’s because he cared about me and all of his students.

"Guilford lost a great man and public servant yesterday but we won’t forget him. I know I won’t."

Sean Scanlon