The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF DAVID WOOLLEY
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HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, it is with great sorrow that I rise today to mourn and recognize the passing of a bastion of the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut and a devoted family man, Mr. Dave Woolley. After living a rich life not with material possessions, but rather with friendship and compassion for all, Dave passed away peacefully on January 30, 2021.
Born and raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts to Doris and Harry Woolley, he moved on from the state shortly after graduating from University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a bachelor's in business administration in 1955.
After enlisting in the Navy and honorably serving his nation, we in Connecticut became blessed with his giving nature when he began a new chapter in his life in Hartford, Connecticut. Employing his degree from UMass Amherst, David first started as a bank officer with Hartford National Bank & Trust Co. His intelligence and judgment made him a success administering business loans within the community first in Hartford and then to a new position at the Plainfield Bank & Trust Co. in eastern Connecticut and then Washington Trust in Westerly, Rhode Island. He retired in 2009.
While he was rightfully proud of his work--as demonstrated by more than 52 years of dedication to his profession--it was never meant to be his full purpose in life. Always the delightful extrovert, he employed his time outside of the job to establish the strongest of ties in his local community--which to Dave also meant expanding family ties. He moved permanently to his Old Lyme home in 1989 where he formed a loving connection to his constant friend and companion, Beverly Curry. The two of them together in this idyllic shoreline town were a constant presence in civic, political and charitable events. As a candidate for Congress, I was lucky enough to benefit from their popularity and community connections when they tirelessly supported my candidacy year in and year out.
Throughout and prior to his permanent residence in Old Lyme, David was heavily involved in numerous organizations throughout the region and state. Most notably, he served 11 years as a board member to the Connecticut Police Academy; 20 years as an affiliate of then State Chairman for the American Heart Association of Connecticut; and more than 45 years as a member across five different chapters in the Rotary Club. Ending his tenure as a member of the Niantic Rotary, it should not go without mentioning his service as President of two of the Clubs, partially leading him to earn the Paul Harris Award--the highest accolade presented by the Rotary Club.
Always a force of altruism, Dave's commitment to creating a stronger community truly took off once he connected his financial aptitude with the township of Old Lyme. Beginning in 1994, Dave joined a local party organization and was elected shortly thereafter to the Board of Finance in 1995. He served in the capacity as a finance specialist, helping to run the budgets for the town's essential services. His leadership in the town was clear and long lasting as he was also elected Chairman to the same local party in 2002. Dave led and constructed a strong party infrastructure that would become this fundamental part of the community, establishing hallmark fundraisers and further devoting his tenure to expanding the locality's electorate. He served in these roles until his latest days, staying active even after fully stepping down from leadership positions in 2019.
Having dedicated a life of spreading faith in the most local ties, the strength of Dave's interest in family and friends could not be emphasized enough. Dave was an incredible listener and always made time for people, making him destined from the start to bring a brand of dignity to his community and by extension, his family. His memory continues on through a long list of individuals: his partner Beverly; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Patricia Woolley and grandchildren Katherine and Alexander; stepchildren Laurie, James, David, Steven and their families; as well as his sister and brother-in-law Patricia and Michael Cronin.
Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent constituents as honorable and impactful as David. While we all mourn his loss, we can at least find solace that his story, memory and purpose lives on through countless others. I ask that the entire House join me in recognizing the life of David Bronson Woolley, also never forgetting the importance of building our connections with others.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 44
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