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New CDC COVID Vaccination Guidelines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised Mean a 4th Dose for Many

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The author, Tom Gotowka of Old Lyme (pictured above) spent his entire adult career in healthcare.

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) announced new vaccination guidelines in mid-February, focused specifically on the “moderately to severely immunocompromised” population, updating their recommendations from last summer, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC recommended that the immunocompromised receive an additional, or third dose of the mRNA vaccines. 

My goals in this essay are to review what is generally considered “immunocompromised”, clarify some of the jargon that you’ll encounter should you pursue this subject further, and provide the highlights of the new guidelines.

After two years of COVID, Americans should probably be aware that there is extensive scientific evidence indicating that immunocompromised individuals are at increased risk for both serious COVID complications, and a higher mortality rate than the population at large. In addition, the immune response following vaccination may be weaker or of shorter duration in the immunocompromised. 

Simply put, these are people whose immune system isn’t working “as well as it should” to provide protection against infection. This increased risk was corroborated in a study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). 

The Immunocompromised:

Epidemiologists estimate that about 3 percent of the population of the United States, — well over a million people, are considered “moderately to severely immunocompromised,” and are at much greater risk for serious illness if they contract COVID, even after vaccination.

Note that the prevalence of individuals, who have an immunocompromising condition of some sort or are taking medications that suppress the immune system, is substantially higher. A study, published last year in “JAMA Network Open”, found that over 3 percent of Americans between the ages 18 and 64, were prescribed medications that suppressed the immune system.  

However, many conditions and treatments can cause a person to be immunocompromised; and other health conditions may weaken the immune system. For example, some studies link alcohol addiction with a suppressed immune system.

In addition, age is also a factor; and, according to Dr. Jessica Lancaster, a Mayo Clinic immunologist, “our immune systems start to gradually decline as we age, and have a much more delayed immune response when faced with infection. Those over the age of 65 have a weakened immune system, and those 80 and older are considered immunocompromised.” 

You’re going to encounter some jargon, and two particularly important terms are the “mRNA vaccines”, which are the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which do not use a weakened or attenuated “germ” to stimulate the immune response; and the “primary series”, which in the context of the two mRNA vaccines, refers to their administration in two doses, one month apart; followed by a third “dose, one month after the second dose, for immunocompromised individuals.”

Note that, in this case, the CDC avoided the term, “booster”, rather emphasizing that the third dose should be considered part of a normal vaccination course, or “primary series”, for the immunocompromised.

The New Guidelines:

The CDC’s new recommendations include:

  • organ and stem cell transplant recipients, who are taking medications to fight rejection by suppressing the immune system
  • people with advanced or untreated HIV
  • people being treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation
  • individuals taking medications like high-dose corticosteroids, that weaken the immune system.

Not included at this time are people with chronic medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

The new guidance relates only to the two most commonly administered vaccines: Moderna and Pfizer; and not to the J& J vaccine, which has not been extensively studied among the immunocompromised. 

Note that in Connecticut, the Pfizer vaccine was administered in nearly 59 percent of cases; Moderna in nearly 38 percent; and J&J in the remainder, or roughly 3 percent.

The fundamental and most important change in these new guidelines is the recommendation that a 4th dose be administered to the “moderately to severely immunocompromised” in certain age groups. Here, the CDC considers the 4th dose as a “booster”.

In the following, I highlight the latest CDC recommendations for vaccines within a few age groups in the “moderately to severely immunocompromised population”

  • Children 5 to 11 years old should complete the “primary series”; with no “booster”.
  • Children 12 to 17 should complete the “primary series”; with a “booster” 3 months after the third dose.
  • People age 18 and older should complete the “primary series”; with a “booster” 3 months after the third dose.

People who have received a J&J vaccine can follow the link below for details on the CDC’s new recommendations for J&J recipients.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately or Severely Immunocompromised People | CDC

A Few Nuances:

The FDA has approved the use of the Moderna vaccine on people who are 18 and older. It has not yet been approved for lesser ages.

The Pfizer vaccine is the vaccine of choice for children age 5 to 11 and 12 to 17.

Pfizer is currently testing its vaccine in children less than 5-years-old, and anticipates an FDA submission near mid-year.

Author’s Notes: I have not attempted to provide an exhaustive list of all immunocompromising conditions. If you have concerns about your own medical history, you should, of course consult whomever you see for medical advice. However, I have used some fairly robust sources in drafting the above; and based this report on information from the CDC, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD), the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, and the Yale School of Medicine. This is complicated stuff, and I hope that I’ve brought some clarity to the new guidelines. 

Note that I received my 4th dose last week at LLHD HQ; and they also have frequent vaccination clinics there and at locations throughout Southeast CT. You can find these on their website. 

I think that the bottom line is that getting this additional “booster” can help restore protection against COVID, which may have decreased over time (i.e. since your first dose.)

Biega Builds as a Job, But Also as a Valued Volunteer on Numerous Old Lyme Projects

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Project Construction Manager Ken Biega (left) stands with the Valley Shore-YMCA Director of Operations Tony Sharillo in the recently opened Brady Wellness Center in the ‘Y’ at Westbrook. Biega has served as a volunteer on numerous building committees in Old Lyme and consistently received high praise for his invaluable work on them. Photo submitted.

OLD LYME/WESTBROOK — You may not have heard the name Ken Biega, but metaphorically speaking, his fingerprints are all over numerous buildings in and around Old Lyme.

Soft-spoken and with a cheerful disposition, Biega has served as a volunteer on numerous building committees in Old Lyme including the construction of the Hains Park Boathouse at Rogers Lake and the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library renovation and expansion project.

He is currently a volunteer member of the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee.

Meanwhile, in a professional capacity as both the co-owner of Noble Construction & Management in Essex and a building construction manager with more than 30 years of experience, he has for the past six months been spearheading the extensive construction project for the Brady Wellness Center at the Valley-Shore YMCA — commonly known as the ‘Y’ — in Westbrook, Conn.

Biega, who has lived in Old Lyme since 1990, graduated from Wentworth College with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction and has been in the construction business ever since. He joined O & G Industries in Torrington more than  32 years ago as a junior project engineer and steadily advanced through its ranks, rising to a manager, and then a senior executive in the firm.

In May 2021, Biega took a giant leap towards becoming his own boss when he joined Noble Construction. The founder, Ed Noble, was looking to retire and seeking someone to take over the successful business he had created. Biega stepped into that role as co-owner and the two men worked out all the financial arrangements for Biega to take full ownership over an agreed period in a series of steps.

While working at O & G, Biega was involved in numerous local school building projects including East Lyme High and Middle Schools, and all the schools in both Waterford and Westbrook. Further afield, he has taken on projects at Yale University, Wyndham High School and the Gunn School at Litchfield, Conn.

His first encounter with his hometown was when O & G was awarded the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) High School construction project that was ultimately built after the initial proposal had been defeated at referendum. Wearing his O & G hat, Biega became an ex officio member of the Region 18 Building Committee in 2009 and played a significant part in guiding its members through the complexities and controversies of the high school project, which lasted through 2012 .

The exterior of the Fred Emerson Boathouse at Hains Park on Rogers Lake. Ken Biega was a key member of the building committee that oversaw its construction.

Shortly after the conclusion of that project, the Town of Old Lyme’s plan to construct a new boathouse at Hains Park on Rogers Lake began to take shape. Recalling Biega’s calm expertise throughout the lengthy LOL High School project along with his careful eye on costs, Mary Jo Nosal, who was serving as an Old Lyme Selectwoman at the time, asked Biega if he would be willing to serve on the boathouse committee.

He agreed … and in many ways, the rest is history.

Asked how Biega contributed to the boathouse project, Nosal replied, “[He] is a dependable and modest community asset, who never fails to respond with a self-effacing “Sure,” when asked to volunteer. Ken is an effective collaborator, who shares his deep expertise to ensure that every aspect of the project is addressed in the most cost-effective manner.”

She added, “Ken’s nature makes him approachable and respectful of others’ questions and opinions. His record of volunteerism includes leadership roles on [numerous] projects. He has been instrumental in building these gems in our community.”

Katie Huffman, Director of the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, welcomes guests to the inaugural event for the library’s new patio. Biega chaired the building committee for this project.

After the boathouse project, Biega became involved in the now-completed building and renovation project at the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library in Old Lyme, which has totally transformed the facility. Library Director Katie Huffman explained his role saying, “Ken served as the Renewal Building Project Committee Chair from 2017 through 2021. Last fall, we retired the Renewal Building Project Committee and reinstated the Library Building Committee of which Ken is the chair.”

Describing how the project progressed, she said, “Working with Ken has been fabulous. He brings so much knowledge about the construction process to the table. I’m confident that his expertise has saved the library both time and money, and it’s freed up my time to focus more on library services.”

In further recognition of his service to the library, Biega was elected Vice-President of the Library Board for the current financial year.

The Lymes’ Senior Center on Town Woods Rd. in Old Lyme is the focus of an ongoing building committee, which is determining the future renovation design and possible expansion of the Center. Biega serves as volunteer on the committee and is an ‘incredible asset’ according to its chair, Jeri Baker.

The library project was hardly finished when Biega was asked to join the Lymes’ Senior Center Building Committee,  which had the charge to research the optimum way to renovate and possibly expand the Center. Jeri Baker of Old Lyme is both the chair of the Lymes’ Senior Center Board of Trustees and also head of its building committee. The project may still be in its infancy, but Baker already has a clear impression of the skills Biega is contributing to the project as a volunteer committee member.

She commented, “Ken is an incredible asset to the Senior Center Building Committee. His depth of knowledge and expert skill set makes him a valuable member of yet another effort to improve the lives of both the communities of Lyme and Old Lyme.”

Baker concluded succinctly — and with a chuckle, “He is such a team player on the committee … and also has a great sense of humor!”

The front entrance of the Valley Shore-YMCA in Westbrook. Photo by T. Sharillo.

As mentioned above, Biega’s most recent project in a professional capacity has been the construction of the Brady Wellness Center at the Westbrook ‘Y.’ This came about after the Prymus Pool suffered a catastrophic failure in 2015 that ultimately caused the permanent closure of the pool.

Immediately following the closure, the ‘Y’ conducted a community-wide needs assessment study to determine how it could best serve the community. Based on the survey data collected, the ‘Y’s’ Board of Directors decided to renovate the damaged pool area and transform the space into a state-of-the-art wellness center for community members of all ages to utilize.

Tony Sharillo, Director of Operations at the ‘Y’, explains the board’s vision was, “To create a Wellness Center that generated excitement and which the community could be proud of — the ‘Crown Jewel of the Shoreline’ in terms of wellness centers — with the immediate intention of enticing people to get back to being fit and healthy after all the challenges of the pandemic.”

Another view of the Brady Wellness center at the Y in Westbrook. Photo courtesy of the Valley Shore-YMCA.

To fund the renovations, the ‘Y’ set a capital campaign goal of $5.5 million, and despite the unexpected and severe impact of COVID-19, a remarkable $4.2 million has already been raised. This has been possible in part because, after its humble opening in 1974, the ‘Y’ has undergone four facility expansions and now serves more than 10,000 members each year, who make over 10 million visits.

The fundraising was kicked off by Robert “Bob” Brady, after whom the Center is named, with a major gift of $1.5 million from the Brady Family Foundation. Brady is the founder and former CEO of BLR® – Business & Legal Resources of Old Saybrook, and, according to Sharillo, “… believes in the Y and its impact on the community. Having experienced the importance of fitness in his own life, he wanted to share that belief with the community at large.”

The ‘Y’ set a challenging construction schedule back in July 2021 when Noble Construction was selected as the contractor, but, thanks in many ways to Biega’s guiding hand, the new Brady Wellness Center opened on both time and budget a few weeks ago.

There is no shortage of exercise machines on offer. Photo by K. Biega.

The Center offers a complete line of new cardiovascular equipment, free weights, selectorized equipment, a functional training area, and a sophisticated circuit training system, called MX4.

Asked how the project has progressed under Biega’s watchful eye, Sharillo replied, “ We’re very fortunate to have Ken as part of the team. He has been wonderful. We had a really aggressive timeline and he did everything he could to ensure that high quality was maintained… costs were managed effectively and all the sub-contractors held up their ends [in terms of their commitments.]”

In summary, Sharillo said of Biega, “I couldn’t have asked for a better contractor to work with. He really cared about the project. He was so hard working and incredibly generous with his time.”

The Center opened Feb. 21 this year, but an official ribbon-cutting is planned in a few months when all the final punch-list items have been completed. Sharillo noted that all donors to the Capital Campaign will be invited to the ceremony.

He also stresses that there is no additional charge to members of the ‘Y’ to use the new Brady Wellness Center, noting, “It’s all part of the package.”

The Brady Wellness Center offers a wide range of exercise equipment. Photo courtesy of the Valley Shore-YMCA.

The Center is now open for business and Biega will soon be working on another project. But he will doubtless continue his volunteer activities in Old Lyme, especially as the Lymes’ Senior Center project is in its very early stages.

Asked why he carries on with his significant volunteer work when he is not only about to become the sole owner of a thriving business but also has a wife and three children to consider, he says simply, “It makes me a part of the community and allows me to give back.”

Nosal puts it another way saying Biega has become such an asset to the Old Lyme community that, “Suffice to say, for any building project in Old Lyme, the common thinking is, ‘What would Ken do?'”

Editor’s Notes: i) For more information about the Brady Wellness Center, visit this link.
ii) For more information about Noble Construction & Management of Essex, visit this link.
iii) For more information about the Valley Shore-YMCA, visit this link.

Lyme-Old Lyme High School, Middle School Announce Q2 Honor Rolls

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Lyme-Old Lyme High School Quarter 2 Honor Roll 2021-22

HIGH HONORS

Grade 12:
Emily Almada, John Almy, Grace Arnold, Hannah Britt, John Caulkins, Ryan Clark, John Conley, Brody Cooke, Lauren Creagan, Elias D’Onofrio, Elise DeBernardo, Elizabeth Duddy, Eleanor Dushin, Aiden Goiangos, Meyer Goldberg, Shawn Grenier, Liam Grethel, Nicolette Hallahan, Austin Halsey, Jackson Harris, Andrew Hedberg, Zoe Jensen, Julia Johnston, Nevin Joshy, Kian Kardestuncer, Quinn Kegley, Cora Kern, Robyn King, Felse Kyle, William Larson, Alex Lee, Reese Maguire, Abigail Manthous, Stephanie Mauro, Elle Myers, Bella Orlando, Isabel Prentice, Adeline Riccio, Jacob Ritchie, Olivia Schaedler, Calvin Scheiber, Abigail Sicuranza, McLean Signora, Abby Speckhals, Drew St.Louis, Daniel Stack, Nikolai Stephens-Zumbaum, Victoria Stout, Madison Thompson, Olivia Turtoro, John Videll, Evan Visgilio, Aidan Ward, Melanie Warren, Ellie Wells, Mary Wholean, Jenna Woods, Avery Wyman

Grade 11:
Olivia Alpha, Whitney Barbour, William Barry, Callie Bass, Livie Bass, Gillian Bradley, Jamie Bucior, Hayley Cann, Liam Celic, Alexander Chrysoulakis, Grace Colwell, William Danes, Anna Davis, John Eichholz, Zachary Eichholz, Willa Hoerauf, Arber Hoxha, Owen Ingersoll-Bonsack, Charlotte Judge, Phoebe Lampos, Yanza Lata, Jonah Lathrop, Marielle Mather, Kennedy McCormick, Madalyn McCulloch, Madeleine Morgado, Cooper Munson, Alexander Olsen, Izzadora Reynolds, Benjamin Roth, Rhyleigh Russell, Eli Ryan, Stefan Ryer, Jenna Schauder, Alyssa Spooner, Mary Surprenant, Samantha Tan, Gesami Vazquez, Kaitlyn Ward, Harry Whitten

Grade 10:
Alexis Antonellis, Beatrice Barnett, Emma Bayor, Oliver Berry, Alis Bicic, Elliot Bjornberg, Henry Boller, Drew Brackley, Natalie Buckley, Jackson Bullock, Sarah Colangelo, William Coppola, Ava Cummins, Ella Curtiss-Reardon, Macklin Cushman, Eva D’Onofrio, Eric Dagher, Sydney Doboe, Amelia Gage, Marcia Geronimo, Calla Gilson, Ryder Goss, Sydney Goulding, Alexis Grasdock, Justin Green, Ella Halsey, Agatha Hunt, Beatrice Hunt, Sabina Jungkeit, Matthew Mazzalupo, Delaney Nelson, Ronald Olin, Grace Phaneuf, Jack Porter, Kylie-Jean Sevigny, Hannah Thomas, Keara Ward, Louisa Warlitz, Mason Wells, Tyler Wells, Summer Wollack, Duohui Yan, Grace Zembruski

Grade 9:
Quinn Arico, Molly Boardman, Hannah Bonilla, Nathaniel Bradley, Mason Bussmann, Andrew Clougherty, Tabitha Colwell, Caeli Edmed, Grace Ferman, Manu Geronimo, Ava Gilbert, Nicolas Hatch, Kaela Hoss, Shyla Jones, Simon Karpinski, Olivia Kelly, Ella Kiem, Ada LaConti, Elise Leonardo, Andrew Liu, Kanon Oharu, Sophie Pennie, Ryan Shapiro, Kelly Sheehan, Sarah DeSilva, Drea Simler, Nicholas Turtoro, Kathleen Walsh, Gabriella Ziegler

HONORS

Grade 12:
Andrew Bennett, Nihad Bicic, Mackenzie Bussolotti, Grace Coverdale, James Creagan, Caroline Crolius, Lauren Enright, Victoria Gage, Delaney Gagnon, Samantha Geshel, Lillian Herrera, Daniel Hoblin, Fiona Hufford, Grace McAdams, Emily Mesham, Samuel Mullaney, Emily Nickerson, Michael O’Donnell, Margaret Rommel, Alexander Roth, Aidan Russell, Alexandra Tinniswood, Paige Winchell, Ryan Zbierski, Jerry Zhang

Grade 11:
Elsie Arafeh-Hudson, Cooper Bowman, Ava Brinkerhoff, John Buckley, Gretchen Burgess, Sarah Burnham, Ava Catalano, Luke Celic, Nicholas Cox, Jacob Derynioski, Alexis Fenton, Matthew Grammatico, Ethan Hale, Ford Macadam, Joseph Montazella, Caden Monte, Alain Pecher-Kohout, Olivia Powers, Kelsey Pryor, Jaden Reyes, Santiago Rodriguez, Anders Silberberg, Ned Smith, Riley Smith, Tova Toriello, George Williams

Grade 10:
Peighton Andrews, Jedidiah Arico, Morgan Bell, Lucas DaSilva, Douglas Griswold, Katherine Gryk, Abby Hale, Mohamad Hamou, Jordan Hanes, Leland Hine, Sedona Holland, John Holzworth, Dakota Kotzan, Grady Lacourciere, Griffin McGlinchey, Alexander McPherson, Elaina Morosky, Katherine Mullaney, Isabelle O’Connor, Kayla O’Leary, Luisa Raby, Cailin Ruhling, Jhayra Salazar, Madeleine Soriano, Gabriel Tooker

Grade 9:
Christopher Anderson, Oliver Avelange, Micah Bass, Gavin Biega, Mark Burnham, Chase Calderon, Gloria Conley, Andrea DeBernardo, Zoe Eastman-Grossel, Abigail Edwards, Anna Eichholz, Hoshena Gemme, Parker Holland, Rowan Hovey, Kyle Ingersoll-Bonsack, Thomas Kabel, Peter Kuhn, Colette Marchant, Abigail O’Brien, Ysabel Rodriguez, Madelin Salazar, Madeline Supersano, Charlotte Tinniswood

Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School Quarter 2 Honor Roll 2021-22

HIGH HONORS

Grade 8:
Sienna Bari, Ilona Binch, Zoe Brunza, Alec Butzer, Trevor Buydos, Makayla Calderon, Tyler Cann, Julia Clark, Annabelle Coppola, Colman Curtiss-Reardon, Christopher Dagher, James Dahlke, Sophia D’Angelo, Rose Dimmock, William Donnelly, Jonathan Farrell, Chase Gilbert, Alexander Glaras, Benjamin Goulding, Scarlette Graybill, Elizaveta Gregoire, Christopher Kachur, Jade Lawton, Maya LeQuire, Jayden Livesey, Emily Looney, Elise Marchant, Samuel Masanz, Carter McGlinchey, Nina Nichols, Ryan Olsen, Ryan Ortoleva, Louis Patana, Taylor Quintin, Luca Signora, Emma Singleton, Tanner Snurkowski, Charlotte Spiegel, Addison Spooner, Carson St. Louis, Andrew Taylor, Meredith Thompson, Margaret Thuma, Lucian Tracano, Madeleine Trepanier, John Turick, Connor Vautrain, Elisabeth Viera, Warren Volles, Oliver Wyman, Stella Young, Carl Zapatka

Grade 7:
Lucia Arico, Addison Arndt, Zak Avelange, Zachary Belval, Mia Bonatti, Ceciley Buckley, Morgan Buerger, Marla Bulas, Brooke Burgess, William Burgess, Anna Bussmann, Brennan Butzer, Chase Catalano, Isaac Chartier, Sophia D’Amico, Amirah D’Lizarraga, Brady Donovan, Samson Edmed, Angeline Gencarella, Samuel Gilbert, Gavin Goulis, Harrison Goulis, Skylar Graybill, Tessa Grethel, Charles Halsey, Owen Holth, Josephine Kiem, Allisondra Krol, Alexa Legein, Olivia Lovendale, Matilda Miller, John Morosky, Emelia Munster, Grace Osborne, Mia Palmer, Arthur Riccio, Ainsley Rinoski, Cameron Russell, Owen Shapiro, Kevork Shegirian, Nicholas Sokolowski, Carli Teixeira, Magdalena Tooker, Kaylyn Vernon, Ivy Wilson

Grade 6:
Kaitlyn Ackerman, Lillian Acosta, Lauren Belval, Scarlett Blatter, Vivian Boller, Noah Brant, Naomi Cameron, Gabrielle Clark, John Comstock, Colin Discordia, Ashlynn Edwards, Albert Enman, Katharine Ferman, Jonah Filardi, Avery Goiangos, Frederick Goss, Elaina Graves, Gavin Gray, Sawyer Graybill, Alistair Grenier, Alistair Hampton-Dowson, Colleen Harrington, Morgan Harris, Ryan Hill, Reese Holland, Fiona Judge, Jillian Kleefeld, Treyton LaConti, Holden Leonardo, Graham Macadam, David McAdams, Rowan McCormick, Charles McEwen, Caitlyn McHugh, William McKeever, Clarissa Mock, Addyson Morosky, Grace Morrissette, Marielle Munster, Remi Patz, Jonah Scheckwitz, Audrey Sheehan, Avery Spooner, Charlotte Thuma, Delilah Tooker, Jonathan Toriello, Renee Viera, Ashlynn Ward, Avery Wesch, Charles Zapatka, Ella Ziolkovski

HONORS

Grade 8:
Charlotte Antonino, Michael DeFiore, Elena Gerardo, Teagan Iglesias, Thomas Kelly, Harrison Kleefeld, Nayeli Marin Yanza, Ryan Miller, Eiley Montanaro, Jacob Prokopets, Sophia Shaposhnikova, Edith Williams, Katherine Zhang

Grade 7:
Collin Anderson, Johanna Coker, Elliot Dunn-Sims, Julio Fuentes, Lauren Fulara, Kaedin Gerster, Marley Iaia, Curtiss Johnson, Elsa Jungkeit, William Kabel, Paul Kuhn, Callahan Lacourciere, Kaitlyn Pannier, Vincenzo Pietrowicz, Madeline Stiles, Milo Stiles, Collin Swaney, Bowen Turick

Grade 6:
Anna Bjornberg, Lana Brunza, Payton Burr, Madeline Cummins, Aiden Guidi, Kaedyn Koproski, Sadie Lukasiewski, Liam McCormick, Theodore Neary, Logan Patana, Niamh Slubowski, Avery Zbierski

Death Announced of Veteran Writer, Traveler John Guy Laplante; Longtime Contributor to LymeLine

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John Guy Laplante in Shrewsbury, Mass. in 1992.

It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of our beloved friend and longtime contributor to LymeLine, John Guy Laplante.

I first met John when we were both working at the now-shuttered Main Street News in Essex. He wrote an enormously popular column titled Senior Moments and brought an always interesting and often alternative perspective to our lively, Monday morning newsroom meetings. In general, he wrote about whatever took his fancy in those columns, but during my time at the paper, he wrote mostly about his extensive travels around the world.

He wrote news stories, he wrote articles, he wrote columns, he wrote books … he wrote and he wrote and he wrote!

John Guy Laplante in 1991 sailing near Mt. Monadnock.

I met him before he set off for Ukraine as the oldest Peace Corps volunteer in history and, of course … he continued writing!

We published many of John’s columns from Ukraine here on LymeLine (find them on the Senior Moments tab under Columnists in the banner heading above) — they described in detail his remarkable activities and fascinating travels during his service. I have no doubt he would absolutely devastated by the current situation in that country.

It is hard to put into words the extraordinary impact John had on me — he was supportive of my journalistic endeavors from beginning to end. In what turned out to be his last phone call, he was still encouraging me to start a new online newspaper where we are now living!

He kept in touch through all his adventures including his cross-country journey from the west to east US coasts in a van, and ultimately his decision to move to Morro Bay, Calif. to be near his daughter and son-in-law. And in a somewhat unanticipated turn of events, my husband even ended up driving John’s car from Deep River, Conn. to Morro Bay, and so was able to visit with John in his final home.

John gave numerous presentations about his intrepid travels around the world.

John continued to keep in regular contact through early February of this year, scheduling separate phone calls with both Nigel and myself, which were always chock-full of his most recent ideas and experiences.

John was an inspiration in so many ways — he was passionate about every aspect of life, and each and every person he met along the way. It was a privilege to know him and an honor to count him as a very dear friend.

You will be sadly missed, John, but as your son Mark says so aptly in your ‘official’ obituary, which we have published below, ‘What a life you lived!’

Obituary: John Guy – What a Life He Lived!
By Mark Laplante

John Guy Laplante (né Jean Guy)
April 26, 1929 – February 13, 2022

John Guy Laplante (né Jean Guy) passed away quietly in his sleep, which was his wish, on February 13th, 2022.

He was born in 1929 to Marguerite (Bourke) and J. Arthur Laplante in Pawtucket, RI. As immigrants from Quebec, his parents wanted to provide John with the best opportunities, so John began his fourth grade at the Sacred Heart Academy boarding school in Sharon, MA. There, French-speaking priests educated him. John was an excellent student and always eagerly visited with his parents on Sundays. John continued his secondary education at Assumption Preparatory School in Worcester, MA, where instruction was French-oriented and often given in French.

A story John was proud to tell was that L’Union Saint-Jean-Baptiste d’Amerique (USJB), a Franco-American benefit society, provided full scholarships to Assumption College to one student from each New England state based on a difficult written exam entirely in French. John received the highest score in Rhode Island, and so did another boy. It was a tie! USJB decided to provide two Rhode Island scholarships that year. And so it was that John continued his French-focused education, graduating magna cum laude.

John developed a strong interest in writing and journalism. An Assumptionist priest told him that studying economics would be excellent training to be a journalist. Dutifully, he began graduate studies in economics at Brown University in 1952. He hated his courses and spent his free time volunteering at the school’s newspaper. A year later, he transferred to Boston University, where he earned a master’s degree in journalism. His career of dipping his quill in the inkwell and scrawling his thoughts across the page had begun.

John was an engaged and supportive father to his three children, raising them with his former wife, Pauline Dupre, in Auburn, MA. He was always ready with advice and strongly encouraged his children to invest in their formal and informal education. He instilled in his children a strong sense that life is full of adventure, and they should readily pursue it.

John worked for years at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, rising to become editor of the Feature Parade Sunday Magazine. He wrote a column on camping which had an avid readership. He used that column to fund a summer tent-trailer trip around the United States with his family, writing articles wherever they went.

Ultimately, John left newspapers to become the director of public affairs at Assumption College, and then years after struck out on his own. The public relations firm John Guy Laplante Associates got off the ground in 1972, with USJB becoming one of John’s launch clients. John ran the firm successfully for fifteen years while building a real estate portfolio on the side.

John became involved with Elderhostel at Incarnation Camp, Deep River, CT, in his retirement. He loved teaching courses there, as well as captaining the Love Boat. He also met close friend and companion, Annabelle Williams, or as John called her, “Milady Annabelle.”

Central Connecticut became John’s second home, where he became an active member of the Deep River community. He was heavily involved with the Rotary Club, spearheading the installation of Keyboard Park and the elephant statue in front of the town hall. Rotary presented John with the Paul Harris award, their highest honor. Ever the journalist, John continued to contribute articles to the local Main Street News.

While at a concert at the Coast Guard Academy, John felt deep regret that he never served his country. He resolved to change that by joining the Peace Corps. Chernihiv, Ukraine, became his destination. Though he faced many challenges there, he completed his tour, becoming the oldest volunteer in the Corps. Volunteers in Ukraine elected John to represent them when the vice president visited Kyiv, where he memorably shook hands with Joe Biden.

John had many passions and interests; swimming, sailing, canoeing, biking, exploring. He was a voracious reader who adored libraries and dabbled in watercolors, poetry, and chess. Inspired by Robinson Crusoe, he loved to build things and tinker. Always looking to make improvements, he even designed a better johnny, his MedGown.

His one true calling was writing. He threw himself into it with energy and enthusiasm, writing hundreds of articles and blogs and three books about his adventures traveling the world and serving in the Peace Corps. Even at the end, after choosing hospice, John characteristically said, “I want to write a blog about this. I think it would interest people.”

John was intensely curious about people and, through his many travels, developed a vast network of friends around the globe with whom he regularly corresponded. Those connections meant so much to John.

His parents, his sisters Louise and Rose, and his brother Michel predeceased John. His sister Lucie survives him.

John leaves behind a close and loving family:  Son Arthur, wife Marita, grandchildren Elise, Ryan and wife Samantha, Thomas, and great-granddaughter Allegra Laplante. Daughter Monique, husband David, step-grandson Christopher, and great-granddaughter Ruby Nelson. Son Mark and grandchildren Annalivia and Lincoln Laplante. Nephew Jean-Christophe and nieces Cristin and Michelle.

John always said that he would come back as a seagull if reincarnated. Keep an eye out.

John’s cremated remains will be buried at Notre Dame Cemetery in Pawtucket, RI. A memorial service is being arranged. If interested in attending, please email nelsonswest1@gmail.com.

State Rep. Carney Joins CT Senate, House Republicans Call to Suspend State Gas Tax

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State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) File photo.

LYME/OLD LYME/HARTFORD – COMMENTING ON THIS ARTICLE IS NOW CLOSED  On Thursday, March 10, State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd), whose district includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, stood with Connecticut Senate and House Republicans to call on state lawmakers to temporarily suspend the state gross receipts tax on gasoline.

The group urged Connecticut’s federal Congressional delegation to deliver on a federal gas tax cut proposal to provide immediate relief to Connecticut residents as gas prices surge.

Connecticut Republican lawmakers are proposing to suspend the state’s gross receipts tax on gasoline, which has risen to 26.4 cents per gallon in recent weeks.

They also want Connecticut’s federal delegation to follow through on calls to halt the federal 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax.

Together, these proposals will immediately save Connecticut residents 44.8 cents on every gallon of gasoline.

Republican leaders are calling on state lawmakers to adopt this proposal during the legislative session scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The lawmakers will also seek to adopt language to require that suppliers and retailers pass on the reduction in taxes to consumers.

The state tax proposal is budget neutral.

“I hear from neighbors every day who are struggling with the impacts of inflation, especially since gas prices continue to climb and are now over four dollars a gallon. This is relief we can provide struggling residents right now,” said Rep. Carney, who is a House Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee.

Carney continued, “The gross receipts tax often leads to Connecticut residents paying more at the pump than our neighboring states. Across the country, six Democrat governors have called to suspend the federal gas tax, and locally so has Senator Blumenthal, I hope our friends across aisle will join us and move forward with immediate action.”

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by State Rep. Carney’s office.