55th Annual Blessing of the Fleet
In Memory Of...
As a part of the Blessing of the Fleet sponsorship program, generous individual donors are provided this space to document memories of past Blessings and to post a tribute to the people that they are making their donation "in memory of."
Submitted by Carol Latham, Dennis Cidale, David Cidale, and Cathy Springer
In loving memory of our parents, "Captain" Denny Cidale and Stella "Chi cky" Cidale.
Captain Denny was one of the founders of The Blessing. His "Carol and Dennis" was the flag ship of The Blessing for many years before bowing to the sea. Chicky provided him loving support and raised a family of four mostly on her own as Captain Denny was out to sea days at a time.
The Blessing is a great tradition and more importantly a tribute to those who have lost their lives bring sustenance to us. It has brought our family and friends from all over the country together each summer. For this we thank our cousin, Chairman of the Blessing, Arthur Medeiros and all the fisherman in the Stonington fleet.
Submitted by Carol Latham
Remember the Blessings
The Blessing of the Fleet was started by longtime friends Jimmy Henry and Dad [Denny Cidale]. They ordered a statue of Saint Peter from Portugal and I remember how pleased Dad was when he saw it for the first time.
Dad asked me to help carry the banner in the parade. I wore my eighth grade graduation dress.
Dad walked humbly along side local and state officials in the parade. He wiped his brow every now and then to catch the perspiration caused by the heat and stress of hoping all went according to plan.
The Fisherman's Mass which Mom always said was the most important part of the weekend. (She was right as usual.)
The swelling of the annual gathering from family and close friends, to more and more new friends as David passed through college and invited everyone who went to Rochester, and then years later Matt followed suit with his UCONN friends.
I was always proud of our Dad for the great Man that he was (Mom would be sure we knew of the good that he did for others,) but it was through the Blessing of the Fleet that I became proud of what he chose as a lively hood to support his family. I was proud to be a fisherman's daughter.