State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106), Martin Foncello (R-107) and State Senator Tony Hwang along with the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue (SHVFR) and the Halstead family held a ceremony on July 20 to formally rename the Church Hill Road bridge, which carries traffic over I-84, n honor of the late SHVFR Chief William Halstead.

A replica sign was unveiled during the brief Saturday afternoon ceremony and presented to Halstead’s widow, Debbie Aurelia Halstead. She noted that the Chief crossed the bridge now bearing his name every day on his way to the firehouse, to and from calls to Dunkin’ for tea, and to the Fairfield Hills campus.

After responding to a call on July 8, 2022, Chief William Halstead returned to his home and became ill. He passed shortly after the incident, despite efforts of SHVFR personnel, police, and paramedics.

SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello told the assembled audience they “lost our chief and friend, Bill Halstead, two years ago, on July 8, 2022.”

“He was a leader, a mentor, and a constant presence to this company and town,” said Capozziello. “Many of us still think about and miss him every day.”

Capozziello said Halstead “dedicated his life to fire safety and protection.”

“He lived within this fire district his entire life, but he led all of us with equal dedication when we were called upon to serve those beyond district lines,” said Capozziello. “We are honored that he will be forever memorialized with the naming of the Church Hill Road I-84 overpass, which bridges the edge of our district.”

Capozziello then introduced Rep Bolinsky, who gave an overview of why the state renamed the bridge the late chief. Senator Hwang and Rep Foncello both delivered brief remarks to honor the late chief.

Bolinsky thanked Cappozziello, the fire company, and the SHVFR Ladies Auxiliary for hosting the gathering of friends, family, and fellow firefighters, saying, “Today we honor and remember Bill Halstead, our 'Chief,' a lifelong resident of Sandy Hook, member of SHVFR for over 57 years. Bill carried on the legacy of his family, including his mother, father, brother, and numerous aunts and uncles, joining the department in January 1965, at 16. He served continuously as chief of the department for 44 years after being elected to the position in 1978, also having worked for the State of Connecticut at Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown for 25 years. He was the chief of the hospital’s fire department until his retirement in 1997. He also served as Newtown’s Emergency Management Director for 23 years, Deputy Fire Marshal for the Town of Newtown from 1983 to 2001 and became the full-time Marshal in 2001.

“To say he was respected and loved is evidenced by the incredible turnout of friends, family, fellow firefighters and admirers. Thank you all for being here today, as we dedicate The Chief William T. Halstead Memorial Bridge. Formerly known only as DOT Bridge 505, you know it as the connection point of Newtown and Sandy Hook, carrying Church Hill Road over I-84. That connection is symbolic of Bill, and his love for our community.”

Bolinsky then invited Debbie Aurelia Halstead, Newtown’s elected Town Clerk, to say a few words. She thanked Bolinsky for introducing the proposal. She was followed by Bill Halstead’s daughter, Karin Halstead, who is SHVFR’s EMS Captain.

“From the Halstead family, I would like to thank everyone for attending today’s event,” said Karin Halstead. “Our Dad was lucky enough to find his true passion in life, the fire service. He joined Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Co on his 16th birthday and never looked back.

“He rose through the ranks and became Chief in 1978,” she continued. “During his time as Chief of Sandy Hook, he also served as the Fire Chief of Fairfield Hills Hospital, the town’s Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director. He also served on several local and state organizations, including being the president of the CT State Firefighters Association. As if all of those positions were not enough, he also sold fire trucks as a second job.

“Our father lived and breathed the fire service. His legacy lives on through many across the state including the members of the Sandy Hook Vol Fire & Rescue Company. It is an honor to our family to have the bridge dedicated to our Dad for all of his public service.

First Selectman Jeff Capeci and Police Chief David Kullgren offered their thoughts about Halstead. Newtown Poet Laureate Lauren Clifford read an ode she wrote about Chief Halstead, his daughter, and SHVFR.

Foncello said Newtown has “a real community here” and “that’s in large part to the sense of tradition instilled by Chief Halstead over his many years of service.”

“I didn’t know him personally, but by talking with some of you I can feel his love and dedication to the town in you,” said Foncello.

Hwang said that as he was driving toward the Sandy Hook main station recently, he saw the sign for the first time.

“As I saw it, it filled me with a tremendous sense of gratitude for what Bill provided to the community,” he said. At the firehouse Saturday afternoon, he told The Newtown Bee this week, “I talked about his love for the community, his love for the extended family of the Sandy Hook Volunteer firefighters, and the auxiliary there.

“He loved being in the emergency services, protecting the town, and the love for Deb and his family was evident by the outpouring of support shown that afternoon. It was a reflection of his love for the people, and this honor was a way for us, as a town, to extend our love and appreciation to him, for all that he has done.

“This is one where we remind people that it is fantastic to remember people like Bill, who make this town so special.

"Bill was a hard cookie to crack, but beneath that tough and exacting exterior, he was a man that really appreciated people who share the same kind of commitment to the community.”

Hwang said he talked about arriving at the Emergency Operations Center at Fairfield Hills soon after a microburst moved through the area in May 2018.

“He jokingly said, ‘I’m not very fond of politicians,’” Hwang recalled. “But I was there, and helping, and told him ‘Tell me what we need to do.’”

Halstead told Hwang he needed water, for residents.

“So I contacted Pepsi, and a water company, and within two hours Pepsi had delivered water, two pallets, to the storage center there,” Hwang recalled. “I went back to Bill and said ‘OK that’s done. What else can I do?’

“He looked at me with this small smile and I felt like I’d just earned an ‘Atta boy,’” Hwang said. “You know it was not given easily, but when you got that kind of acknowledgement, you felt a tremendous source of pride that you got that from Bill. I think that’s what really creates that kind of relations with his firefighters and the community: this is a man who cared deeply. And when you care deeply in return, he gives you that ‘Atta boy.’ I felt like a kid who got a gold star.”

Hwang said “as tough as he was, he truly had a love for Deb, and his daughters and son. This is a family that represents those values of community and principle. Especially his daughter who is still in the firehouse — his legacy still stands.”

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Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.