Long-time CLEC employee heads into retirement

Tony DeSantis, manager of community relations and resource development with Community Living Essex County, retired April 10 after a 24-year career with the agency.

A long-time employee of Community Living Essex County (CLEC) has retired and his colleagues gathered to pay tribute to him.

Tony DeSantis, the agency’s manager of community relations and resource development, retired April 10 and a boardroom packed with family, friends and colleagues gave him a send-off. Tributes came from board members and colleagues, including executive director Corey Dalgleish.

DeSantis spent 24 years with CLEC, and thanked everyone from his family and friends to his co-workers. Among those he also thanked were people he worked with in planning events, such as the Ruthven Apple Festival, Jingle Bell Run, Walk & Wheel, the annual “Municipal Cup” charity golf tournament, Mayor’s Luncheon and much more.

Retired executive directors Nancy Wallace-Gero and Karen Bolger were also thanked by DeSantis.

DeSantis said it became more of a job, noting he became the “Community Living guy” when he would go to events.

“This job became my purpose,” he said. “It became who I am.”

The “truly amazing people” who volunteered at events over the years were also thanked, with DeSantis stating he is joining them as he is staying on the Ruthven Apple Festival committee.

The marketing department and many other co-workers, past and present, were also thanked.

“I will really miss being part of the team,” he said.

Special thanks went to his family, including his wife, three children and his late parents. He said his parents would be “overjoyed” to see him now.

“This journey has been a family affair,” he said.

DeSantis concluded by saying he is proud of everything the agency has accomplished and was grateful for how they made him feel belonged and valued. He added he wasn’t saying goodbye, but rather he was saying thank you.

Long-time CLEC employee heads into retirement

By RTT Staff