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Arthur E. Trotman, 85

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Arthur E. Trotman died on July 14, 2025 at the age of 85. He is remembered for his thoughtful leadership in business and for his work with churches and charities in the service of social justice. Universally seen as a people person, he was an optimist with a unique ability to champion causes and gain ardent followers. Born in New Haven, CT to Ruth Hessler and Stanley Trotman, Art graduated from Hopkins Grammar School, Choate School (‘57), Yale University (‘62) and Harvard Business School (‘64.) At first, all he wanted was to be a baseball pitcher. He loved working with the pitching coach during summers at Camp Lanakila in Fairlee, VT and at home with his American Legion team.

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Former New Canaan Baseball Player Selected in MLB Draft

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As children, we are taught to dream big; to shoot for the stars; to pursue our passions to the ends of the Earth. Yet, for most people, that simply isn’t realistic. Most won’t grow up to be astronauts, movie stars, presidents, or professional athletes — not because they lack drive or talent, but because society doesn’t allow for it. Still, there are outliers. 

On Monday, former New Canaan baseball player Julian Tonghini became one of these outliers. 

Tonghini, a pitcher out of the University of Arizona, was selected by the Washington Nationals in the seventh round of the MLB draft, fulfilling a lifelong dream. “As soon as I saw my name pop up, I had so many emotions,” Tonghini said.

Board of Selectmen

Town Approves Contract for Lapham Center Flooring Upgrade

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[The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates.]

Municipal officials last week approved a contract for carpet removal and vinyl flooring installation in a heavily used town building. The Lapham Center in Waveny has “had issues with their carpet, so they want to replace it with vinyl flooring,” according to Superintendent of Buildings William Oestmann. 

The project will include replacing the carpet on the first floor and the coffee area with vinyls, and replacing the flooring in the kitchen, Oestmann told members of the Board of Selectmen during their July 8 meeting, held in Town Hall and via videoconference. According to Oestmann, Berlin-based M. Frank Higgins & Co. offered $49,922 with a 10% contingency for $54,914 for the flooring and kitchen construction. First Selectman Dionna Carlson and Selectmen Steve Karl and Amy Murphy Carroll voted 3-0 in favor of the contract with 

“It’s a tricky project because the Lapham Center is an old building, and underneath the carpet on the first floor is a little unknown,” he said.

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Man, 48, Charged After Bringing Firearm to Church Service at NCHS

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Police on Sunday arrested a 48-year-old Stratford man who brought a firearm to a church service held at New Canaan High School. At about 9:20 a.m. on July 13, officers working security at NCHS for Grace Church were approached by a representative of the church regarding a person they said was acting suspicious and possibly carrying a firearm, according to a police report. The church rep pointed out the man to New Canaan Police, the report said. As he entered the building, officers noticed a bulge in the small of his back underneath his shirt, it said. He admitted to carrying a firearm when police talked to him, it said. 

He was charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds, a felony offense.

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Marjorie Lawlor Cassidy, 96

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Marjorie Lawlor Cassidy, longtime resident of New Canaan, Block Island RI, and Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12 in Darien, CT at the age of 96. Born in Waterbury, CT to Mary (Hodson) and William K Lawlor in 1929, she was a graduate of Saint Margaret’s school at Middlebury CT and Manhattanville College. Marjorie was married to Thomas Cassidy in 1954. They moved to New Canaan in 1960 where they raised their five children and were active members of the community and St. Aloysius Church.