How old are your kids and how long have you lived in the area? Cassidy is 29, Brendan is 26, and Cole is 17. I’ve worked in Westport since 1989. And since I spend more than half a day in Westport, I tell people I sleep in New Milford, and I live in Westport.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? What do you like most about what you do? I am currently working at The Granola Bar, and I LOVE THIS PLACE! THANK YOU Julie and Dana for giving me the opportunity to be back in Westport after a brief stint at Peter’s Weston Market and before that at Great Cakes. I feel so blessed. I love Westport, and have developed many relationships here over the years. It’s been an incredible journey. I grew up with a whole generation of kids and am now on my second. I’ve done Mother’s wedding cakes and now her daughter’s wedding cake. A woman was in the other day and was telling me that I did her daughter’s 1st birthday cupcakes and I had just made her 31st birthday cake! It is such a special relationship. A year before I closed Great Cakes, word got out I was struggling to make it all work. For the next 10 hours there was a line out the door of people coming in to support me. Channel 12 news was there and interviewing people in line and asking them why they were there. They all said Rick has been part of our family and has given so much back to the town, so we are here for him now. I can’t explain in words how that feels, but it feels good. The best part of my job is watching the reaction of children when they see their birthday cakes…the pure joy and excitement on their faces is so gratifying. I think back to the first Friday that challah was back in Westport, and all the ladies lined up at the door waving to me in the back, hugging their Challahs, strapping them in to the seat in their cars! I’m so blessed and it has been great being part of all of my customers celebrations.
What was the silver lining of the last year and more time at home? I worked through the whole pandemic, and was just so grateful I had somewhere to go every day.
What is your proudest daddy moment? College graduation for my oldest two and watching my youngest play in the Little League World series. His team came in third place in the country and he made the all American team!
What’s your favorite sport to play and/or watch (who do you root for?) And/or what’s your workout of choice? I do CrossFit, and I love it.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I love opera
What’s your drink of choice? Prosecco and red wine
What do you wish you could tell your younger self about being a father? Don’t work so hard and try to make as many games as possible!
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
Scotch or Beer? Gin
Golf or Beach day? Beach
Play sports or watch sports? Play
College football or NFL? College
Beer pong or ping pong? Beer pong
Hot wings or Mild Wings? Hot
Comedy or Drama? Drama
Motorcycle or Mountain Bike? Motorcycle