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Communities support the Sinish family in memory of late paddler, river advocate, town official

Editor's Note: The family of Mr. Sinish has informed us that he passed away June 14. Our deepest condolences. With their permission, we are updating this story.


By John Fitts

Staff Writer

CANTON – One would have been hard pressed to find a bigger advocate of the Farmington River than David Sinish.

An avid paddler, instructor, and conservationist, Sinish was a long-time board member for the Farmington River Watershed Association, a member of the Farmington River Coordinating Committee, a founder of the Connecticut Canoe Racing Association and an original member of the Feasibility Study Committee that laid the foundation for the 1994 national Partnership Wild and Scenic designation of 14 miles (It's now 15.1 miles) of the Farmington River between Hartland and Canton. With those organizations, and others, he spent countless hours paddling, educating, monitoring water quality and so much more.

He was a member of the Canton Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency and was formerly on the Board of Selectmen.

David and Carrie Sinish

After the June 14 death of Mr. Sinish after a brief time in Hospice Care following a recently discovered and quickly progressing cancer, the paddling community, Canton residents and conservation advocates came together to help the family as they navigate their own difficult waters.

Efforts include a now rescheduled June 25 fundraiser at Collinsville Canoe and Kayak, at which all rental proceeds will go to the family. Staff members at the store are also accepting direct donations for the family.

“David and his family have done so much for the town and the river over the years that we’re happy to be able to help give back to [his family],” said Sue Warner, an owner at Collinsville Canoe and Kayak.

David’s son Colin said it was an evening in late April that he got a call from his sister Jennifer (Sinish) McQueen, who lives in Colorado. She had talked to her dad and knew something in his voice sounded off.

Colin, who lives in Winsted, came down to his parent’s home. His dad was sent, by ambulance, to UConn Health, where doctors discovered a left frontal lobe brain growth the family would learn is a Glioblastoma tumor, known to be fast growing and aggressive, Colin Sinish said.

David Sinish had surgery in early May, but unfortunately doctors could only remove about 85 percent of the tumor, Colin said.

David Sinish spent time in the hospital and a rehabilitation facility but, in time, the family learned that any further treatment, such as chemotherapy, wasn’t a viable option due to a variety of factors, such as weight loss and the nature of the tumor, and would come with very little benefit.

In addition to his activities of paddling, instructing and advocating for the Farmington River and other waterways, David Sinish has built many canoes and kayaks over the years.

That’s when the family decided to have David Sinish come home and be with his wife Carrie in their Canton home of nearly 50 years.

David Sinish had been acting as primary caregiver for his wife, who is facing mobility challenges and some other health concerns.

The situation has, of course, upended the lives of family members.

Colin said his sister, who works in the environmental field, is taking care of many of the logistical details. Colin, who is a carpenter, left work to care of his parents, with the help of his fiancée Amy Rocco.

In an interview shortly before his dad's death, Colin Sinish noted the support from neighbors, the paddling community, the organizations to which his dad belonged, and so many others. Many have stopped by, sent messages, cards and so much more.

“There’s been so much love,” Colin said. “It’s really touching to know how much he made a big difference in everyone’s lives,” Colin Sinish said.

“I’m so blessed to be surrounded by people who daily come forward offering to help,” he added in a recent social media update. “These months to come will be very hard but we are all in it together.”

David Sinish was 76 years old, the same age as his wife. They had been married for 53 years. Both from Massachusetts, David went to Longmeadow High School and Carryl Sinish to McDuffie School. Still, they both had parents in the medical field and met and fell in love during that time of their lives – when just 17 years old.

David graduated from Ripon College, where he was the captain of his ski team. Carrie went to Syracuse

During a gap year in college, David bought a VW bus, and had a German Shepard named Duke, Colin said. David then traveled cross country, working odd jobs to pay for gas.

"Mom and dad would write letters," Colin Sinish said. "They married after that and had a apartment near Trinity College in Hartford." They moved to Canton around the time Colin, 48, was born.

There, they raised Colin – a Canton High School Class of 1993 and Jennifer, who was a member of the Class of 2000.

At lake Winnipesaukee up in New Hampshire with his daughter Jennifer years ago

The great outdoors was always a big part of their lives. Colin fondly remembers the annual vacations to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Three Mile Island Camp on Lake Winnipesaukee, and the countless canoe races in which his dad would participate.

“We had a big van and we’d travel all through New England,” Colin Sinish said.

There was also his dad’s time building his own kayaks and wood-strip canoes.

And extended family has been an important part of their lives. David Sinish has two brothers and the couple has been grandparents for several years as Colin and Jennifer each have 2 children.

David and Carrie Sinish have been active in many community efforts as well. Carrie is known for her weaving skills and ran a home daycare for several years. She also served on the Canton Board of Education and was involved with Canton Benefit Productions.

David Sinish served on the Board of Selectmen for several years and, was a member of the Canton Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency. He also served on the Board of Assessment Appeals for several years.

David Sinish was also physically distinctive, just about five feet tall, stocky and, until recently, had surprising strength.

“Everyone knows Dave - he’s the short little guy with a big heart,” Colin Sinish said shortly before his dad's death.

David Sinish spent much of his career in the insurance business, but later worked as a Realtor and drove for Favarh. He even drove a limousine for a time. But certainly David Sinish is most known for the time he’s spent on bodies of water like the Farmington River and West Hill Pond – and advocating for their protection.


David and Colin Sinish some 40 years ago.

For many years, David Sinish was an instructor at Collinsville Canoe and Kayak and elsewhere. He was even quoted in a 2001 New York Times article about night jobs, noting how he had to catch the commuter bus from Hartford to Canton so he could get to his gig as head instructor for the Collinsville shop.

He’s been an integral part of the Farmington River Coordinating Committee and has been on the board of the Farmington River Watershed Association since the early 1980s. He served as board president from 1985-1993 and chairman from 1993-2000.

He was a constant advocate, speaker, writer, educator, water quality monitor and more, serving in roles such as an organizer of the FRWA-hosted Eastern Region U.S. Olympic Whitewater Kayak Trials at the Tariffville Gorge. Carrie also participated in water quality monitoring.

“He’s been a long-time advocate and champion of the Farmington River for over 40 years,” said Aimee Petras, executive director of the FRWA, said during a recent visit to the family home days before Mr. Sinish died. “A lot of the accomplishments of the FRWA would not have happened without him.”

Schuyler Thomson, who restores and refurbished old wooden boats, met Sinish through a mutual friend in the winter of 1972.

He had purchased a C-1 style closed canoe needed to learn how to roll it and went to learn how during a rolling class at Suffield Academy pool.

“I got up there and there was this little guy in a kayak that had stripes on the stern, like a bumble bee, paddling furiously around and around the pool to warm up and Bob [Allan] said we’ll let to David show you [how to roll]. That was my introduction to David Sinish.”

He soon learned that Sinish had many interests and talents.

“He lived in a whole lot of different worlds … And he was important in every one of them,” Thomson said. “And then within the canoe world he did so much. He could paddle or sail pretty much anything. I think the only think I don’t think I’ve seen him do is take a wooden canoe on a four-week wilderness canoe trip. He left that to me, but everything else he could do and do well.”

Donations for the family can be mailed to:

Colin Sinish

c/o Collinsville Canoe & Kayak

PO Box 336

Collinsville, CT

06022

On his 50th birthday, David Sinish paddled 50 miles on the Farmington River.


David Sinish – canoe poling champion

David Sinish works on the eskimo roll.

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Valley Happenings

UPDATED:

Fighting Cancer Pasta Dinner:

Benefit for Avon Volunteer Fire Department

Deputy Chief Dave Theriault

Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00-7:00 p.m. 

Farmington Polo Club, 162 Town Farm Road, Farmington

 

AVFD Deputy Chief of Administration Dave Theriault is facing a tough battle against Stage 4 cancer. The AVFD, along with Tunxis Hose Co. No. 1 and the Farmington Fire Department, is holding a pasta dinner to help raise money for Chief Theriault’s medical expenses. Cheese and crackers from 3:00-4:00 p.m., buffet from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and coffee and dessert from 6:00-7:00 p.m. In addition to delicious food, drinks, and camaraderie, the event will feature dozens of raffle prizes. Event tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 10 years old. They can be purchased at the door or online at www.HometownFoundation.org Contributions can be made via Venmo @supportDave or by mail to the AVFD at 25 Darling Drive, Avon, CT 06001. 

Canton Community Health Fund Applications

Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. Opens 2025 Application Season, on March 1, 2025, for Canton Community Partner Grants & Canton Scholars Pursuing Careers in Healthcare or Public Safety Canton Community Health Fund, Inc. (CCHF), opens its grant and scholarship application season March 1. CCHF encourages State of CT certified non-profits serving the Canton community to apply for Community Partner grants. In addition, graduating high school seniors seeking higher education in healthcare or public safety are invited to apply for either a Dr. Diters Legacy Scholarship or a Pay It Forward Scholarship. Applications and informative Fact Sheets are available online at www.cantoncommunityhealthfund.org.  Community Partner Grant and Scholarship awards will be announced in June/2025.

 

Avon Library events

AVON –The following events are scheduled at Avon Free Public Library. The library is at Avon Library, 281 Country Club Road, Avon. All programs are in person except where noted. For more information on adult programs, contact Adult Services Reference Desk via avonref@avonctlibrary.info 860-673-9712 x 7203

• Antique Map Collecting 101, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/event/antique-map-collecting/

• Morning Book Club. Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:30 a.m., The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, Registration is required: https://www.avonctlibrary.info/events/tag/morning-book-club/

• Meditation for Balance and Inner Contentment. (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm.

• Eastern Coyotes in Connecticut (Virtual Event) Thursday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

• Fashion and the First Lady (Virtual Event). Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.

• Hoop Skirts to Flappers: Eighty Years of Connecticut Fashion. Monday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

• The Golden Age of Hollywood. (Virtual Event) Tuesday, March 4 at 2 pm.

 

Simsbury Lions Club

The Simsbury Lions Club is looking for people interested in volunteering and contributing to better our town. Our motto is “We serve,” and we do so by volunteering at local events and donating our proceeds to serving interests in our community.

If interested, please feel free to contact Sandy Kremer at Tprkremer@gmail.com or Philip Painchaud at painchaudp@gmail.com.”

 

Winter sowing workshop

The Farmington Land trust is hosting a winter sowing workshop focused on raising native plants. Make your own up-cycled greenhouse from a milk jug and prep some beneficial native plants for the coming growing season. Sunday, Feb 2 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Farmington Senior Center. RSVP here: https://www.farmingtonlandtrust.org/event-details/winter-sowing-seminar-native-seed-planting

 

Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall

CANTON – The Cherry Brook Garden Club is hosting a lecture on “Following Our Wild Flowers from Spring to Fall” on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Canton Community Center, lower level, 40 Dyer Avenue. Steve Messier, Lichenologist and former Science teacher at Canton High School will discuss the topic. The lecture is open to the public. There is a $5 guest fee for non-members. Email questions to cherrybrookgardenclub@gmail.com.

 

‘Five Wishes’ at McLean

SIMSBURY – Join Kevin Baran, M.D., medical director, and the McLean Hospice Team for a special “McLean & Me Educational Series” presentation to learn how to talk about and record your wishes for care through the end of life, so those wishes can be understood and respected. The presentation will be held at McLean’s Garmany Performing Arts Center, 50 Sarah Lane, Simsbury, on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. The presentation is free but an RSVP by Feb. 4 is required as seating is limited. A light dinner will be provided.

To register, visit McLeanCare.org/Events, email Margaret.Clark@McLeanCare.org, or call 860-658-3718.

 

‘Art Throb!’ Exhibit

Gallery on the Green presents “Art Throb!” Exhibit plus a Solo Exhibit by Kathi Packer Friday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, March 15. An opening reception is on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and will include refreshments. The show and reception are free.

“Art Throb!” is a heartfelt Valentine’s Day celebration presented by the membership of Canton Artists’ Guild. The artists use a wide range of media including painting, prints, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media to represent the emotional intensity, joy and complexity of love.

In the upstairs Gallery, Kathi Packer has a solo show, “Another Tale.”  Packer notes that a friend’s casual invitation to go on safari in 2008 substantially changed the direction of her artistic journey.The gallery is located near the intersection of Dowd Avenue and Route 44 at 5 Canton Green Road in Canton. Hours are Friday – Sunday, 1-5 pm. The main floor gallery is handicapped accessible.

Website: http://www.galleryonthegreen.org; Phone:  860-693-4102

 

TABLESCAPES fundraiser returns to benefit the new

Avon History Museum

AVON – The Avon Historical Society invites the public to its sixth TABLESCAPES event showcasing up to 30 creative and original table settings on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 at the historic North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon.

This event will feature themed table settings from local professional designers, florists, businesses, individuals, artists and others featuring fresh floral arrangements, centerpieces and accessories. Proceeds will benefit the installation of professionally curated exhibits in the new Avon History Museum scheduled to open on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Back by popular demand will be a “Table and Barware Tag Sale” on both days. Admission to TABLESCAPES includes the tag sale. Tickets are $20 each pre-sale and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.avonhistoricalsociety.org or by calling Mary Harrop at 860-670-3225 before March 8.

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can also call Harrop.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group

FARMINGTON – Hearts, Hugs & Hope: An Alzheimer’s Support Group takes place Feb. 20, 2025, 6 p.m. at Farmington Station Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 111 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group is being offered both in person and via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month. If you plan to attend, contact Director of Compass Programming Katherine Jedynasty at kjedynasty@farmingtonslr.com.

 

Used book sale

AVON - A huge book sale will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 in St. Ann’s Church Hall, 289 Arch Road at Route 167.  Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ($5 adult admission) and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no admission fee).

Thousands of books will be organized in separate sections, including Fiction, History, Biography, Politics, Children, Music, Cooking, Sports, Art, Vintage, and more!  A large selection of Children’s books will be available.  Fiction books will be divided by hardcover, paperback, and trade paperback and sorted alphabetically by author.  DVDs, CDs, books on CDs, Vinyl records, and puzzles will be available, also.  Most books will be $3 or less with vintage and specialty books priced higher.

 

Daisy Days: All-Girls Summer Day Camp Experience

FARMINGTON – Miss Porter’s School, a renowned institution with a legacy of empowering young women, is excited to announce the launch of Daisy Days, an all-new day camp for girls entering grades 3-5 this fall. Starting this summer, Daisy Days will offer a unique, joy-filled experience designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire self-discovery in an empowering all-girls environment.

For additional details, visit pcgl.porters.org/daisy-days.

 

Artist demonstration

Avon Arts Association will hold a guest artist demonstration featuring  Granby artist Laura Eden on Tuesday, February 18 at  Avon Town Hall, 60 W. Main St., lower level, at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Eden will demonstrate egg tempera painting.

The demo is free and open to the public ($5 suggested donation). A workshop with Ms. Eden will be held at the same location in the Avon Room on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-2 with  set up at 9:30. Fee: $45 for members, $55 for nonmembers). www.AvonArts.org

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