St Vincent’s Swim Memorial Service On Sunday, August 2

BRIDGEPORT — St Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound is hosting the 12th Annual Interfaith Memorial Service on Sunday, August 2, at 8:30 am, at Captain’s Cove Seaport in Bridgeport. The service is sponsored by Miriam Raubvogel in memory of her sister Linda Waterman and the Waterman family.

The event is free of charge, open to all, and will celebrate the lives of family members and friends lost to cancer. Prayer, musical tributes, inspirational readings, and refreshments will be included.

The Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree, Connecticut District will form an honor guard for the procession of participants, which will include St Vincent’s therapy dogs and their masters. The event will also feature tenor soloist Robert Talloni of Monroe, “Just Voices” choir, and a symbolic candle-lighting ceremony.

Highlighting the service will be the reading of the names of the deceased followed by participants scattering sunflowers, the symbol of the memorial service representing glory of life, off a boat into the Long Island Sound. Those attending are welcome to bring a photo no larger than 8 by 10 inches for posting on the Memorial Wall.

This year, the event will be dedicated to the memory of Jan Williams, co-director of Captain’s Cove Seaport and co-chair of the Swim Across the Sound, who died of cancer this past February. As coordinator of Captain’s Cove, Ms Williams, helped to turn a desolate, dirty corner of the city into a beautiful marina, restaurant, and thriving commercial complex on the Black Rock waterfront.

She was also co-founder of the annual Bluefish Tournament, involving hundreds of fisherman from Connecticut to Long Island Sound.

“Jan Williams was a very special person who cared deeply about St Vincent’s and especially the Swim Across the Sound,” said St Vincent’s Senior Corporate Vice President Ronald J. Bianchi. “She co-chaired the St Vincent’s Swim for several years with Dr Scifo and throughout that time she tirelessly and passionately committed herself to the work of this organization. She cared about all those who suffered with cancer and did all she could to support them through the Swim.”

“I had the distinct honor and pleasure of serving as co-chair with Jan Williams these past four years for the Swim Across the Sound,” said Frank Scifo, MD, director of primary care development. “More than a co-chair, she was truly a very special friend. To have known Jan was a life enriching gift. Her smile and warm personality were her trademarks.”

A life-long resident of Black Rock, she lived there with her husband Rob and was known for her enthusiasm, generosity, and drive. For more information, contact St Vincent’s Foundation at 203-576-5451.