Contributed photo
Col. Severio “Bob” Fodero.
The following write-up was submitted by local veterans advocate Frank Alvarado.
Colonel Severio “Bob” Fodero was inducted posthumously into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, Class of 2020, at the State Army National Guard Armory on Thursday.
His wife, Janice, accepted the commemorative medallion and certificate confirming induction in honor of her husband. Colonel Fodero’s name will be added to the distinguished roll of Military Honorees on the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Plaque located in the State Legislative Office Building.
Colonel Fodero began his military career in the Army ROTC at UConn. Upon graduation in 1954, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was deployed to Orleans, France for two years of active duty, attaining the rank of Captain. Returning stateside, he joined the 340th General Hospital Army Reserves in New Haven. After 30 years of service, he retired as Commander of the Unit, with the rank of Colonel.
Colonel Fodero was appointed by the New Haven Mayor John Daniels to serve as Chair of the newly created Veterans’ Affairs Advisory Committee in 1990, a position he held until his death in 2020. The Committee was charged with overseeing events for Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day and providing proper recognition for Connecticut veterans. One of their notable accomplishments was initiating free Memorial Day Concerts, which have become a beloved tradition in the City. With the support of Mayor John DeStefano, the Committee rescued the Veterans’ Commemorative Plaques from the Veterans’ Memorial Colosseum before it was demolished. The Plaques were rededicated in City Hall and placed on a new Veterans Memorial Wall. Colonel Fodero’s tenure as chair of VAAC extended through the Administration of Mayor Toni Harp.
Colonel Fodero also served as co-chair of the Connecticut Army Retirement Council and represented Connecticut on the New England Army Retirement Council.
With leadership skills honed in the military, Colonel Fodero chaired numerous organizations, including The War Remembrance Committee in Orange and Orange Board of Health. He was President of the New England Health Association and Connecticut Environmental Health Association He served on the Boards of banks and civic organizations.
His record of service extended into his professional life at Yale University, where he co-chaired the Yale Campaign for United Way and medical services for Connecticut Special Olympics. He retired as Associate Director of Yale Health after 43 years.
The Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 2005 to increase awareness of State veterans who have distinguished themselves after discharge from military service and continue to use their knowledge and talents to improve lives of others, as leaders of veterans’ organizations, in public service and as volunteers and community advocates at local, regional and state levels. Each year, 10 – 12 Connecticut veterans are selected for induction. To date, 168 veterans are honored in the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. The Class of 2020 inductees are from Cheshire, Coventry, Ellington, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Groton, New Haven/Orange, New London (2), Shelton, Middlebury and Westport.
Colonel Fodero was truly an Officer and a Gentleman, yes I submitted the article but the real person behind the story was his Janice, It was a pleasure working with her and the entire City of New Haven Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on getting Bob in to the HOF.