V. Donald Hersam, Jr., fondly known as “Don” or “Chief” to many, breathed his last surrounded by the love of his children and grandchildren at Norwalk Hospital on August 31, 2023. At the age of 92, he left behind a legacy that has deeply ingrained itself in the heart of New Canaan.
There is an old adage that suggests that the essence of a man is not judged by the height of his achievements, but by the depth of his impact on others. The essence, then, of Don Hersam’s life is almost impossible to gauge.
Spilling over with dedication to family, faith, and public service, Don was about much more than newspapers – but also unquestionably about newspapers. He bore titles like Town Treasurer and Fire Chief, and above them all, that of “family man.”
Kathleen Corbet, Selectwoman, shared her personal experiences with Don Hersham at the most recent Board of Selectman meeting. “Actually, he was an opponent of mine 12 years ago,” she recalled. “When I ran for town treasurer, and never was there a finer gentleman to work with and against the campaign. And we’ve remained friends for many years afterwards. So, I’ll miss him.”
Nick Williams, Selectman, echoed the sentiment, reflecting on Don’s unwavering commitment to the town. “What more can you say about Don Hersham? What a fantastic individual. Delightful. Class act. Cared about New Canaan deeply. He will be missed.”
Right up until 2018 when it was sold to Hearst Media, there can be little doubt that Don Hersam’s story was also intertwined with the ink of the “New Canaan Advertiser”– a newspaper whose inception can be traced back to a baseball-enthusiastic grandfather who sought a platform to share local scores.
The Advertiser held a unique and affectionate tagline according to fourth generation publisher Marty Hersam who explained, “The next station to heaven, the Advertiser always said, ‘Published In the next station to heaven.’ It was under the flag on the front page. This saying originated from my great-grandfather and has been passed down through generations.”
In a testament to the legacy and importance of the Advertiser, Nancy Geary, executive director of the New Canaan Historical Society, commented, “Don Hersam’s knowledge of, and love for New Canaan were second to none. He was always happy to share stories from his very full memory, providing details, history, and texture that others had long forgotten. And he also had an understanding of the important role that a local newspaper can play; his Advertiser provided a forum for the community to share opinions and to learn about the important issues facing the town. Don embodied everything good about people in New Canaan – kind, thoughtful, full of good cheer, and filled with appreciation for the Next Station to Heaven.”
Born into a family that had long been part of New Canaan’s fabric, Don was the third generation to call the town home. His birth, on November 27, 1930, to Don Hersam, Sr. and Agnes Cryan Hersam marked the continuation of a lineage that had significantly impacted the town’s history. Don’s achievements started early: as a teenager in 1947, he clinched the title of the Connecticut Junior Skeet shooting champion and stood out as a right tackle for the New Canaan Rams. Despite his lean frame at 6 feet and 135 pounds, he made his mark in the “Little Three League” that saw competition among New Canaan, Darien, and Westport High Schools.
Post his graduation in 1948 from New Canaan High School, he ventured into higher education at the University of Connecticut. Duty called in 1951, leading him to enlist in the US Navy. His service included a stint at the Quonset Point Naval Air Station, R.I., followed by deployment on the U.S.S. Hornet (CVA 12), part of the iconic Seventh Fleet, taking him on a global journey.
It was during these Navy years that he crossed paths with Jeanne Marie O’Rourke, the love of his life. They were married as soon as Don was discharged from the Navy and the couple chose to root their life in New Canaan, where they raised their four cherished children: Mary Anne, John, Andrew, and Martin.
Returning to his roots, Don embraced the world of journalism, joining the family’s newspaper business – the New Canaan Advertiser. Not just any newspaper, the Advertiser, founded in 1908 by his grandfather, stood as a beacon of the town’s history and ongoing events.
Don’s leadership in the business commenced in 1966 after his father’s passing. Not one to stick to the old ways, he spearheaded innovations, transitioning the newspaper from the dated “hot lead” process to embracing offset and computerization in the subsequent decades. He upheld the newspaper’s mission to reflect the community’s pulse, ensuring coverage of local events, from births to politics.
Don’s advocacy for transparency extended to serving boards like the Connecticut Foundation for Open Government, echoing the sentiment, “The more transparent a government is, the freer its citizens are,” he is quoted as saying.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Don’s life was intertwined with service. From his early years at the New Canaan Fire Company No. 1 to his tenure as the chief from 1967-69, his association with the fire company spanned decades. His commitment to community service was evident in his roles on the boards of the New Canaan Savings Bank, Chamber of Commerce, and the Historical Society. Memorial Day parades were a particular highlight for him, and even as age caught up, firefighters ensured he was part of the celebrations.
Captain Mike Socci of the New Canaan Fire Department said Don “was an icon in New Canaan.” He explained that Don “was everywhere, a positive person” and that “he was just a great standup guy…Don rocked it, and it was always a pleasure to see him.”
Don’s personal accomplishments included his induction into the New Canaan High School Hall of Fame in 2014 and his roles as the Memorial Day keynote speaker at various events. His association with St. Aloysius Church further emphasized his commitment to faith, serving in multiple roles, from Eucharistic minister to the board of Catholic Family Charities as well as Education for Parish Service.
For leisure time activities you could find him on golf courses, either with Jeanne or with fellow enthusiasts in tournaments like the “Maude Fricket Invitational.” Trips to their summer home on Square Pond, Maine, meant cherished family gatherings. An unexpected feather in his cap was obtaining his pilot’s license in 1984, allowing him to fly between Danbury and Maine with Jeanne and the family.
For all his achievements and contributions, Don’s heart always held Jeanne, who predeceased him two years ago, at its center. His unwavering love and faith in her, coupled with their shared devotion to God, were the cornerstones of his life.
John Hersam, one of his sons, beautifully encapsulated Don’s essence, stating, “The most decent, honorable man I’ve ever known… He loved New Canaan, saw his role as Publisher like a cop, or a firefighter, a way to serve his community.”
Another son, Andrew, poignantly shared, “Yesterday, I lost my greatest blessing and comfort, and we lost a gentleman who made us all – and the community he dedicated his life to – better.”
A recent conversation with Don’s son, Marty, sheds light on the man behind the public figure. When asked about the love story that knit the fabric of his family, Marty narrates a wartime meeting. Don, then a Navy serviceman, was introduced to Jeanne – a young woman from Cranford, New Jersey – through her cousin. The result? A romance that spanned over six decades, knitting together not just two souls, but a whole community.
Theirs was a partnership that many admired, Marty recalls with palpable affection. Both served their church and community. They were present for every family milestone, every graduation, and every holiday gathering.
While the community knew Don for his leadership, there was a passion that ran through him that many may not have recognized at first glance: sports. This wasn’t a mere hobby, Marty chuckles, recounting the moments his father would proofread every word of the Advertiser, emphasizing his father’s devotion to the sports section.
Marty reminisced about cherished family traditions and the town’s deep-rooted history. “My great-grandfather was instrumental in starting the carol sing on God’s Acres. The Advertiser had continually kept the fund that helped build the bandstand each year, ensuring the lights were on. That was a diehard family tradition; we were always at the carol sing, for as long as I can remember,” Marty recalled.
In recent years, Marty shared, “We would drive my dad up on Christmas Eve, and he could roll the window down and listen to the carol sing. It was something he really wanted to do, especially given his mobility challenges from years of being an avid runner.”
Marty now calls Vermont home although brothers Andy, and John are in still here in town. Their sister, Mary Anne, retired to St. James, North Carolina.
Marty expressed his father’s core beliefs about community journalism, emphasizing its service to the readers and not for the publisher’s vanity. The publications were viewed as properties of the readers. “He instilled in us the value of giving readers the freedom to form their own opinions. We weren’t in the business for notoriety, but to cover the community thoroughly,” Marty shared.
Don Hersam’s time in the Navy also played a significant role in his life. His vivid and detailed memories of his experiences were often narrated to family and friends. Marty humorously noted that many of his father’s stories would often circle back to three things: his beloved wife, his service in the Navy, or his tenure at the firehouse. The stories weren’t merely tales; they were snapshots of a life richly lived and loved.
“He never pounded his chest over anything, but he could have. He was a very, very humble guy.”
