Golf Tourney To Honor Former Torpedoes Swim Coach Glenn Atkinson

By Nancy K. Crevier

Spearheaded by Newtown resident Paul Babbage, who decided a week after their friend Glenn “Benny” Atkinson’s unexpected death last October 26 to honor him in some manner, Pat Babbage, Moe Remitz, Jay Maher, Ralph Gudim, Chris Martin, Mark Manning, Mike and Michele Grillo, and Mark Boland have joined to organize the Glenn R. “Benny” Atkinson Memorial Golf Tournament, scheduled for Thursday, May 5, at The Golf Club at Oxford Greens in Oxford.

“Benny” as Glenn Atkinson was known to family and friends, lived in Newtown his entire life. He was a 1981 graduate of Newtown High School, where he was a dedicated member of the Newtown High School swim team. He was a self-employed stonemason and artisan, responsible for stonework at many Newtown landmarks, including the Meeting House, and whose craftsmanship is visible at countless homes in Newtown.

Mr Atkinson was also well-known for the American flag that he erected behind his property, adjacent to I-84, near exit 9 East, following 9/11. “That flag has become a landmark on 84, for Newtowners and for many truckers,” said Mr Babbage, and Mr Atkinson incurred the cost of lighting the flag for many years. Following his death, the flag went dark, until family members rallied this past December to see that lights shone on it once again.

The proceeds of the all-day golf tournament, which includes a barbeque luncheon, an auction, and a banquet dinner, will fund a scholarship to benefit a Newtown High School swim or dive team member.

“Benny was an accomplished swimmer, and his daughters were accomplished swimmers for Newtown,” said Ms Remitz. “He and his former wife, Mary, started the recreational Torpedoes swim team in town, which has grown from about 20 kids to hundreds of kids. He probably coached nearly every kid who has been on the NHS swim team, before he retired in 2006. We wanted to focus the scholarship on one of the aspects of his personality in which he was the most influential,” she said.

“He had a big impact on so many kids in the community,” agreed Mr Grillo.

Jay Maher grew up in town, as did Mr Atkinson, but it was not until the two were grown men with children of their own that they developed a friendship, he said. His daughter, Emily, swam with the Torpedoes. “He was familiar with all the different kids who took part in Torpedoes,” Mr Maher said, “and he knew all of their different needs. He was always quick to instill confidence to kids who were scared.”

“No matter how many kids were involved in the swim program, every day, Benny was on deck. He always wanted the kids to have a positive experience,” Ms Remitz added.

It was not just children who were on the receiving end of Mr Atkinson’s generous spirit, though, said Mr Grillo. “Benny was ‘unsung’ in all that he did. Now that he is gone, you constantly hear ‘You wouldn’t believe what he did for me.’ He was always there as a friend or for anyone in need,” he said.

“He did a lot of small things that people never even knew about,” Mr Babbage said. “As a matter of fact, I met him over 20 years ago, after my wife did. I was out of town on business when there was a huge snowstorm. Pat was out shoveling, saw Benny in his plow truck and just hailed him down. He plowed her out,” he recalled. It was just a couple of weeks later that the Babbages saw him at a party, recognized him as the snow plow driver, and struck up a lasting friendship.

Just as work, family, and community were important to Mr Atkinson, his circle of friends and downtime was vital, as well.

“For the past six or seven years,” Mr Babbage said, “Benny was one of a group of about 20 of us who always went away for a Father’s Day golf outing, either in the Catskills or the Delaware Water Gap,” he said. The men would golf all day Friday and Saturday, but when Sunday, Father’s Day, rolled around, they set off early for Newtown. “Benny wanted to be home for his girls,” Mr Babbage said. “Abby, Emma, Maggie, and Ellen meant everything to him.”

A golf tournament to support a swimmer seemed the perfect combination to give back in his friend’s memory, said Mr Babbage. “It was something I felt I needed to do for Benny and all of the people he touched. The purpose of this golf tournament is not to memorialize Benny. No one needs to be reminded of him. Benny will be in everyone’s heart forever,” Mr Babbage said. “It is to honor his name, and to make some positive contribution to the youth of Newtown, just as he did in his life… It was this or a rock building contest,” he jested. “We thought we’d get a better response to the golf tournament.”

Signing Up Golfers                   And Sponsors

The organizers hope to attract 140 golfers to the May tournament, plus other nongolfers who are invited to attend the evening awards banquet, and to take part in the raffle.

“We have already had a number of services donated to support the tournament,” Mr Grillo said. While the group continues to solicit raffle contributions, it has already attracted donations from local merchants and individuals, as well as one special weekend at the Tucker Hill Inn in Waitsfield, Vt., donated by innkeepers Alison and Phill Truckle, former Newtown residents.

Their remembrance of Mr Atkinson, recorded in online condolences at honanfh.com, was a perfect reflection of how so many people viewed him, Mr Grillo said.

“He was such an inspiration to both our children, Sarah and James, as a coach and mentor and probably never realized the influence he had on their lives long after we moved away from Newtown,” wrote Ms Truckle in the condolence. “The team spirit that James thrives on started years ago with the Torpedoes and the different relays the boys would swim under Glenn’s watchful eye.”

Sponsorships for the tournament are available at levels ranging from $100 to $2,500. All sponsors will be featured in the tournament program and announced at the awards dinner.

Volunteers are still needed for the day of the event, and former swim team members are encouraged to be a part of the day.

Early registrants, by March 31, will receive a $100 discount.

“I think the whole concept will be a real celebration of Benny,” said Mr Maher, “and a community celebration for a guy everyone loved.”

For registration, donation, volunteer, and sponsorship information on the Glenn R. “Benny” Atkinson Memorial Golf Tournament, visit www.bennyatkinsongolf.com. Donations can also be mailed to the Benny Atkinson Golf Memorial, PO Box 3322, Newtown CT 06470.