CROMWELL - The Knights of Columbus - DeSoto Council No. 6 of Cromwell is proud to announce that Allan �"Al” Waters of Cromwell has been selected as the �"Cromwell Man of the Year” for 2015.

       Each year a committee consisting of members of the Knights of Columbus selects a local resident as the â€�"Cromwell Man of the Year” based on the person’s current and past years of demonstrated service to the community.

       Allan Waters was born in Cromwell and has resided here for the past 71 years. Al joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and his training began at boot camp in Great Lakes, Ill. Following naval training, Al spent a year and a half aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Constellation (CV-64), traveling the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Atlantic Ocean during the Vietnam War. Al recalls the waiting during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a â€�"tense and scary” experience. Al’s home port was Norfolk, Virginia, and he then traveled to Boston aboard the U.S.S. WASP (CVS-18).

       After serving in the Navy, Al returned to Cromwell where he attended night school while working at Pratt and Whitney. After leaving Pratt & Whitney, Al worked for a local vending company for several years, stocking food and cigarettes. It was during this time that Al learned that the owner of the Atlantic gas station (currently Citgo) on Main Street in Cromwell wanted to retire. Al decided that it would be a wise business decision to purchase the gas station. Al purchased the gas station and remained in Cromwell where he currently lives with his lovely wife, Lori. Together they raised their three children, Brian Waters, Pam Waters and Allan Robert Waters, Jr., and now enjoy three grandchildren, Alyssa, Jennifer and Christian Waters.

       Over the years, Al’s gas station serviced mail trucks, company vehicles and â€�"super trooper” vehicles, provided high school students with job opportunities and educated its employees on how to create and maintain a successful business. Al used his gas station to serve the community, from providing gas to loyal customers at designated times during the gas shortage of 1973 to allowing fundraising activities to be held at the station. On one occasion, Al was approached by a member of the Little League Commission to sponsor a fundraiser for a seven-year-old Cromwell Little Leaguer who was battling a brain aneurism. Al agreed to hold a car wash and bake sale at the gas station, suspending business, but raising over seven thousand dollars. On the first day of Little League the following year, Al was asked to throw out the first pitch along with the recovering Little Leaguer.

       Al Waters has also participated on numerous Town Committees and in many organizations. Al was on the Cromwell Board of Selectmen for the past twelve years, and is now on the Town Council. Al has been the Commodore of the Cromwell Outboard Association for the past twenty-two years and was instrumental in the recent reconstruction of the dock and launch site. He is a member of the Cromwell Historical Society, helping to preserve the historical landmarks of Cromwell. Al also volunteers at the Cromwell Senior Center, serving meals to the elderly and picking up food and supplies.

       Al has been organizing the Memorial Day parades in Cromwell for the past eight years, and has been the Parade Marshal for the past four years. During the week prior to the parade, he organizes Dattco buses to drive local Scouts to all four cemeteries in Cromwell to place carnations on all of the veterans’ gravestones. Al also participates in Wreaths Across America, placing wreaths on the graves of veterans each December.

       This past year, Al volunteered for the Special Olympics in Connecticut by participating in the Dream Cruise Ride. He was asked if he could put one person in his prized Corvette and give them a ride. When the event was over, Al immediately committed to volunteer for this program for the next three years.

       The Mobil gas station that Al Waters owned for over 44 years was operated with a focus on service to his customers. It is not a coincidence that Al’s service station and Al the resident of Cromwell made service to others a priority. Service and concern for others is the common thread that has woven its way throughout Al Waters’ life. It is the demonstration of this dedication to serving others that The Knights of Columbus, DeSoto Council No. 6 would like to recognize by presenting Allan Waters with the 2015 Cromwell Man of the Year Award.

       The community is invited to celebrate this special event with Al and his family at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 573 Main St., Cromwell, Friday, Jan. 30. The reception begins at 6 p.m. with the program following at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event are $15 per person and can be purchased from Frank Golden by calling 860-635-5789 or Dick Czapiga by calling 860-635-6004.

       Earlier in the day, Waters will be recognized at the Cromwell Town Hall (time to be announced). This ceremony is open to the public.