Wolff remembered by colleages

WINSTED — Members of the Friends of Main Street organization were saddened to learn last week that one of their founding members, Ernie Wolff, died in the early morning hours of July 5, at the age of 86, at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.

Wolff was one of the biggest proponents of downtown revitalization when he became the founding president of Friends of Main Street in 2001.

“He was persistent and committed,� said another former president of the organization, John Morici, in an interview last week. “He was man who was absolutely admired. His life spanned more than 80 years on three continents and nothing ever got him down or discouraged him from getting ahead. We were very fortunate that he decided to come to Winsted.�

Morici, who chairs the town’s Economic Development Commission, choked back tears during a speech devoted to Wolff at Friends of Main Street’s annual meeting July 8. He recalled that Wolff canvassed local businesses to get support for Friends of Main Street, collecting more than 100 signatures. “Most of us would not be in this room if it wasn’t for Ernie Wolff,� he said. “He was a dreamer who saw a better world for all of us.�

Born in Germany, Feb. 5, 1924, Wolff was a Holocaust survivor and World War II veteran of the British Army. Living in the Winsted area for the past 27 years, he purchased the old Union Pin property at the edge of Highland Lake with a plan to convert the old factory into a hotel. The dream never came to fruition, but Wolff continued to work with Friends of Main Street to usher in community improvements.

“Ernie was the eyes and ears of Friends of Main Street,� Morici said. “For years, he would go door to door and ask what’s new. I would say ‘Ernie, you were just here yesterday.’�

Morici said he hopes Winsted residents will live by Wolff’s example and stick with community programs, even when times are tough. “There were times when I became very discouraged about the political environment in town and really tempted to give up, and Ernie was always there behind me saying “It’s worthwhile. You can make a commitment. You’ve got to do this. It kept me going as an individual and as chairman as EDC now.

Friends of Main Street Executive Director Helen Bunnell said Wolff inspired her to treat Winsted with enthusiasm. “When I first came to work for Friends of Main Street Ernie immediately took me under his wing,� she said. “He came by a few times a week so that he could introduce me to the Winsted business community. His idea was for us to deliver phone books to those who had advertised. It was a way for us to get to know each other and a way for Friends of Main Street to thank the advertisers.�

Bunnell said Wolff knew when to help out and when to step back. “Most of the time we went into a store or business together,� she recalled. “There was always a story or some type of trivia he would tell me. Sometimes, however, Ernie just stayed in the car. He knew it was best for me to establish some relationships without him. I respected him for that.�

Wolff’s survivors include two sons, Rabbi Michael J. Wolff of Montreal, Quebec, and Steven R. Wolff of Halifax, Nova Scotia; two brothers, Fred Wolff of Wellfleet, Mass., and Joseph Wolff of Patchogue, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; and his dear friend, Eileen Baedor of Canton. He was predeceased by a son, David E. Wolff.

Morici reminded members of Friends of Main Street that one of Wolff’s favorite Broadway tunes was “The Impossible Dream� and he encouraged Winsted residents to continue working toward a better future. “Ernie left us his dreams,� he said.