The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS
Susan and Tim Cook, Ken Merz, McCall Center honored
TORRINGTON » The Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce recognized people and groups for their history of good works and service to the community Thursday evening as its annual Celebration of Success was held at Chatterly’s Banquet Facility.
Tim and Susan Cook, owners of the Cook Funeral Home; Kenneth W. Merz of O&G Industries; and the McCall Center for Behavioral Health were celebrated this year. Each recipient was offered a moment in the spotlight among an audience of their peers, associates and friends.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime — one of the most humbling moments of our lives, a moment that was never, ever, in our dreams,” said Susan Cook. “We thank you — JoAnn Ryan, the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, the committee who nominated us, to our family... to our friends, to our community of friends who are here to celebrate with us. We would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Mr. Ken Merz and to the McCall Center for their behavioral health. What a privilege it is to be named in the same sentence as this incredible man, and this amazing organization.”
“I’d like to congratulate the other honorees — they’re doing truly wonderful things for the town,” said Merz. “Thank you all for coming tonight and sharing this evening. Finally, I’m grateful to the Chamber for this honor.”
In addition to his work at O&G, Merz has been involved with the Warner Theatre Board of Directors and the creation of the KidsPlay Children’s Museum. He was named The Register Citizen’s Person of the Year in 2014.
The Cooks were given the Business Leader award; Merz the Community Leader honor; and McCall the Quality of Life award.
“I want to thank you all so much for being here, and thank you to the Chamber, and to the committee, and Joanne Ryan for this honor. Congratulations to Tim and Susan and Ken — what extraordinary company McCall is in with all of you,” said McCall Center Executive Director Maria Coutant Skinner. “As I think about the quality of life, and the success, that you all bring to this community, and the effects that those have... it really is boundless, and I’m so honored to be in your company.”
This year’s Celebration of Success, as described in the program for the evening, “continues the tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional and unselfish service to the Northwest Corner.”
In 2016, Freund’s Farm, Wendy Eichman of the Canaan Advisory Council, and Brooker Memorial were recognized, according to the program, while in 2015, Kevin Sullivan of Sullivan Automotive Group, Kevin O’Connell of The Geer Corporation, and Friends in Service to Humanity were so honored.