Bill Seeley died. My mother called and left a message on the machine. I don’t have a lot of specific memories of him, just that he was an important part of my family history. His son Wesley and I were classmates. We both went to the Congregational Church. He worked at Sprague Electric, like my father, and our families would often get together.

One early memory I have is of a summer get together at the Seeley’s house. Wes and I were probably about five years old at the time. I remember running around chasing fireflies in the dusk as our parents sat and talked. I had a speech impediment back then, and my parents got me Dr. Seuss books to read to help loosen up my tongue. Wesley’s parents had gotten him a math book. I really liked math, so Wesley and I arranged a trade of a math book for some Dr. Seuss books. My parents were not well pleased with the trade.

We live up near the top of Henderson Road. It was isolated there and there weren’t many people my age that lived within walking distance. The Seeley’s lived on Summer Street, in much more of a neighborhood. It was easy walking distance from Wes’ house to houses of other classmates. Sometimes, when my mother was busy, I would go to the Seeley’s house after school.

On special nights my mother would go out to gather with friends. I think Mrs. Seeley was part of that circle, as well as several other mothers in that neighborhood. My mother called it “Sewing Circle”. The women would gather, drink tea, eat some desserts, sew, and talk about their lives, perhaps not all that differently than how some mommy bloggers gather online today. My mother would make a “Tea Ring” for these occasions. It had cinnamon, brown sugar and nuts on the inside and was drizzled with a thin frosting made from confectioners sugar and milk. When we were lucky, she would make a second tea ring that we would have at home.

I believe that Mrs. Seeley was my Cub Scout den mother. My mother also helped with the Cub Scouts. Once, our Den went to North Adams State College where Mr. Seeley taught after he left Sprague Electric. I have vague recollections of wandering around the physics lab.

These memories are set in the 1960s and 1970s. From my perspective, it was a peaceful time, a good time, when families had dinner together, went to school, church and work together. It was a time of opportunity, hope and community. In my innocence, I didn’t know of the war in South East Asia, or the social unrest at home. I didn’t know of discrimination or urban blight. In many ways, I wish I could find my way back to a world like that.

Yet, knowing what I know now, I will be restless until the people of Bridgeport and of Baghdad also know of such peaceful hope, opportunity and community.

Rest in peace, Mr. Seeley, you, and my idyllic memories of childhood will be missed.