Bob's Story by Ally Mezzo

How Bob Began

My dad was born at Saint Mary’s Hospital in 1971 and was brought back home to Naugatuck. He never left. My earliest memories of him involve trips to Fenway, coaching my sporting events and church; but his story began long before that. My great grandmother worked the soda counter at the old Donovan’s Pharmacy at the corner of Church and Maple Street. As a child, my father observed the town hall employees, police officers, and Uniroyal workers who frequented Donovan’s for breakfast, lunch, or one of their famous milkshakes.

Early Days and Education

Like his children, my father is a product of our public school district, having attended Central Avenue Elementary School and City Hill Middle School before graduating from Naugatuck High School in 1989. He speaks fondly of his time at NHS, but almost all stories seem to connect to his 1988 NVL Football Championship team.

My parents have worked hard to create a loving home for my brothers and I. Like many students today, however, my father was raised primarily by a single parent from a divorced household. He talks of days where money was scarce, and often laughs about the old yellow free lunch card that was his daily meal ticket in school. He also speaks fondly of so many people in the community and educators in our district that somehow kept him on track long enough to go to college. His support system outside of family was strong, particularly when he was not acting as his best self. As a teacher now myself, I recognize the role the community plays in developing the whole child.

College and Law School Years

My dad went on to attend Central Connecticut State University for two years before transferring and ultimately graduating from UConn with a double major in political science and history. Following graduation, he enrolled in UConn Law in the fall of 1994 as an evening student. It was during this time my father launched an unsuccessful run for state representative. Balancing law school at night combined with a lack of experience resulted in a great learning experience that would serve him later on.

Then, fate stepped-in. After realizing he needed some kind of income to help offset law school expenses, my godfather suggested my dad work as an aide at City Hill. My father was hired by the principal, Fran Serratore, who to this day remains his friend. At the time, my father had a difficult time justifying why he was working a job with no connection to his career, but it quickly became clear it was a part of God’s plan for him.

Forming a Family

Of all places, my father’s life changed forever in the old City Hill copy room when he met a special education teacher named Eileen Sorcinelli from Ansonia. One thing led to another, and soon they were dating. A year later, with the help of Mr. Serratore, my father proposed to my mother in that very same copy room. Although he left City Hill in 1997 to pursue his career, he often speaks of how moved he was to be a part of the same education system that had surrounded him and his mother with such support so many years ago.

1997 was the year of my father’s law school graduation, the start of his career, and most importantly the year he got married at my mom’s childhood church, Holy Rosary. Apparently, the plan after marriage was for them to travel for five years before having kids. I was born just a year later. Sounds like the beginning of a pattern here, but more on that later.

Soon after I arrived, my dad was elected to the first of two terms on the Board of Mayor and Burgesses, and started his own law practice in downtown Naugatuck. Three years later, we welcomed my brother Jay to the family.

A Father on the Field

Having served two years as deputy mayor under Mayor Taf, my father made the decision in 2003 to run for mayor. Despite his best efforts and a spirited campaign, Dad lost the election to Mayor San Angelo in a four way race. Disappointed but in good spirits, my father refocused his life on Jay and I and his law practice while Mom began her career as an administrator at NHS.

While Mom worked late nights and continued her education, Dad was the one who picked us up from daycare and managed the home front most nights. Helping with homework, making dinners, and renting Blockbuster movies were my Dad’s way of relaxing after coming home from his practice. It was also during this time my father added to his passion for local youth sports by coaching Jay and I. After beginning in the Friday Night League in 1994, Dad became a regular on the sidelines and dugouts of Naugatuck Youth Soccer, Little Pal Basketball and Union City Little League. His true coaching love, Naugatuck Pop Warner, was only a couple years away.

The Mayor Mezzo Years

Those involved with that 2009 campaign will remember it forever. My dad’s supporters and campaign workers were a diverse and eclectic group of people and families who almost always involved their children in the campaign. The people who surrounded us during this time became my second family. A group of kids my age to play with in the back of my dad’s campaign headquarters, and a group of adults that to this day still serve as role models to me with their community-first mentality. Fundraisers at Guiseppe’s, potluck campaign strategy sessions, and endless weekends of Borough-wide lit drops propelled my Dad from petitioning candidate underdog to the Democratic nomination and eventually being elected the 39^th leader of his hometown. He was sworn-in on the town green in a family-oriented inauguration complete with a bouncy house, right across the street from where he used to hang-out as a child at Donovan’s.

My father had high hopes in early 2009 that the terrible recession caused by the 2008 housing market crash would give-way to a booming recovery. We all hoped that this would finally result in the redevelopment of our downtown. It did not take long for Dad to realize, however, that the recession was worse than anticipated, and that its impact would last far longer than anyone would have liked. While Dad remained focused on economic development, he also focused his attention on more complicated and oftentimes painful areas of government, such as pension and health benefit reform, government reorganization and consolidation, and privatizing certain areas of our government that had become too costly and difficult to manage. He also worked tirelessly during an unprecedented string of weather-related disasters that included hurricanes, a fall blizzard, flooding, and a snow storm that dropped over 30 inches across Naugatuck. This birthed the infamous story in my family of my dad getting stuck in a snowbank while walking home from work one night.

One of the most satisfying parts of my dad’s six and half years in office was the unique role that Naugatuck’s mayor plays as a sitting member of the board of education. While he began his time with the board during a challenging financial crisis, the solution produced greater cooperation between the board and municipal government through shared services and greater transparency. We were all thrilled when my dad led a community-wide effort to approve funding for a completely renovated high school, drastically changing the appearance and capabilities of our flagship school. He said that one of his greatest accomplishments on the Board of Education was participating in the hiring of an innovative and charismatic superintendent in Sharon Locke. My dad told me that he felt a true partnership working with Ms. Locke, citing her combination of intelligence, strong moral compass, and a unique style of open and transparent collaboration with all stakeholders.

My dad’s life wouldn’t be complete, however, without more surprises. One day my parents called Jay and I into the kitchen to inform us that our family would be joined by a new member: our brother Jack. In the middle of his second term as mayor, God blessed our family with a third child. While unexpected, Jack has completed our family and allowed us to relive the wonders of childhood all over again. My dad had a hard time deciding to run for a third term, but ultimately chose to complete some unfinished business and won Naugatuck’s first November elections by a large margin. While he loved his six and half years in office, his third term would be his last. My father left office completely secure that Naugatuck was in great hands with our new mayor, Pete Hess.

Much to our surprise, Dad started a new career as a commercial lender with a local institution, Ion Bank. Once again, my father saw the power of community while working with Ion. My dad has thrived at Ion these past 7+ years and seems truly content. He still coaches sports every season, and serves as a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Rosary.

The Adventure Continues...

During his time at Ion, my parents have proudly enjoyed watching me play college volleyball, my graduation from Emmanuel College, and ultimately becoming the fourth generation teacher in our family. After graduating from NHS in 2020, Jay went on to begin his collegiate career as a wide receiver for Worcester Polytech, all the while majoring in computer science. While still coaching Jack in all three sports, Dad loves Sunday afternoons walks with our retired greyhound.

While my dad’s professional achievements are numerous, it is his spiritual growth that inspires me more than any of his accomplishments. Recently, my dad’s prayers have led him to the conclusion that his calling for public service is still strong and he believes he still has much to offer. When I came home one night to hear that my father had decided to reenter local government as a candidate for the Board of Education, the idea just seemed so right to me. As a third year teacher in another district, I know how challenging this amazing profession can be. We need more people with my dad’s experience, knowledge, and integrity making decisions about the most important job we have in every community: giving all our students the best education possible and every chance of success in their lives.

Why Vote Bob Mezzo?

Why should you trust Bob Mezzo to advocate for you as a member of Naugatuck's Board of Education? In addition to his dedication and impressive resume of experience, there are a few key reasons why Bob deserves your vote on Election Day:

Committed to Transparency

Investment in Community

Experience in the District

Passionate About Naugatuck