Printer Friendly Version - Deep Roots: Klarman Family Donates Tree on Branford Green

Members of the extended Klarman family gather at the Red Maple dedicated in memory of their parents, Stuart and Betsy Klarman. Front (l-r): Branford Green Committee chairman David Minicozzi, Jeff Klarman (receiving certificate), Kris Klarman, Sue Klimas, Molly Klarman, Elaine Klarman, Karen Williams. Back (l-r) John Klarman, Leslie Klarman, Lexi Klarman, Branford Inland Wetlands staff member David McCarthy, Callista Stoddard.Pam Johnson/The Sound

When the Branford Green Committee set up its new tree donation program, the Klarmans, a family with deep Branford roots, knew it would be a great way to honor two very special family members, and give a lasting gift to their town.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, members of the extended family got together on the green beside a young Red Maple, donated in memory of the late Stuart and Mary "Betsy" Quinn Klarman. Located near the corner of Main and Montowese Streets, the new tree was selected by the Branford Green committee and Town Tree Warden. It received approval from the First Selectman's office and was planted this spring by Branford Public Works.

The new program is one of many efforts undertaken by the Branford Green Committee, an appointed group of volunteers which advises the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on the green's flora and assists in stewarding the town green's natural assets.

"We've been trying to formalize the tree donation process for a long time," said Branford Green Committee chair David Minicozzi. "We passed a policy in April, and this is the first formal dedication."

On Sept. 17, on behalf of the committee and the town, Minicozzi presented a certificate to the Klarman family and thanked them for the contribution of the tree, telling them, "...it will serve as a symbol of thanks for the many contributions from your family for the good of the town of Branford."

A lifelong resident of Branford, Betsy Klarman passed away in October 2018. The Branford High School (BHS Class of 1955) and UCONN graduate (1959) taught English at BHS before marrying her husband of 57 years. After raising her family, she co-founded the Branford Soup Cellar in 1985; which evolved into the Community Dining Room (CDR) in 2000. She then instituted CDR's Home Delivery Program. Klarman also served as a past president of the Friends of the Blackstone Library. She was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary Church, where she also taught CCD.

Stuart Klarman, who passed away in 2017, was also a lifelong resident of Branford, graduating with the BHS Class of 1955; followed by becoming a 1959 graduate of UConn. He worked as a CPA in Branford for over 50 years and served on the Branford Board of Finance for many years.

The couple raised their five children in Branford: Karen, Jeffrey, Kristine, Callista and John. Jeffrey Klarman said his brothers, sisters and extended family feel that planting a tree in this spot on the town green in honor of his mom and dad is a very fitting gift, in more ways than one.

"We grew up on Hillside Avenue, right across the street," he said. "And my mother always told me her father, one of his jobs when he was in high school and college, was maintaining the Branford green. He used to cut the green way back in the 1920's," he said.

"That was my dad, John Quinn," said Betsy Klarman's sister, Sue Klimas. "He had to cut the entire green by hand, with a push-mower!"

John Klarman pointed out that their dad at one time had his CPA business office in the Toole Building, which still stands on Main Street, across from where the tree is planted. The family also spent plenty of time on the town green, said his sister, Kris Klarman.

"That's one of my earliest memories -- being pushed in a stroller on the green," added their sister Callista (Klarman) Stoddard.

Some Klarman family members continue to operate the family's Branford multi-generation business, W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home (their grandmother, Stuart's mom, was Rosalind "Posey" Clancy Klarman). Through many civic and community contributions, many family members also continue Stuart and Betsy Klarman's legacy of giving back to Branford, with the new tree on the town green being one of the latest contributions.

Branford Inland Wetlands/Tree Warden staff member David McCarthy said the Red Maple is a great choice for the site, and should grow to the size of a nearby, towering Red Maple that's also on the green.

"It's well positioned to be a future shade provider for both of those benches," said McCarthy, gesturing to the corner seating area near the bus stand. "It will be just as tall and majestic as the maple tree next to it. It's also one of the most resilient maples for climate change. The Sugar Maples are dying; but the Red Maples are thriving."