Ringmasters ring with legacy.
The Barnum Festival family lost three legends in 2024, Kaye Williams, Frank Gennarini and Len Berger. “Lost” is a relative word because their contributions endure and can never be taken away.
Kaye Williams was a kid from the West End of Bridgeport who made his own way and made his own mark, a lobsterman by trade who endured along the sea. He was the captain at sea but not the typical captain of industry. He was one-of-a-kind: his attire resplendent largely in sun-splashed shorts, a pullover, hammer in hand and a pocket full of nails.
He’d often show up to a suit-and-tie business community event dressed that way.
“They’re in their work clothes,” he’d say, “I’m in mine.
When Mr. Barnum came calling with an offer to serve as ringmaster in 1990 he was all in for the top hat and red-attired regalia.
Kaye’s tenure under the big top was indeed a study in resilience. New England’s economy had hit the rocks. Numerous banks, construction companies and various institutional concerns relied upon to fund the annual salute to Mr. Barnum shut down. The signature event – The Great Street Parade – had to be scrapped for the first time.
Sometimes something must go away for a while to come back to life. As a result of Kaye’s leadership, the parade returned the next year.
Kaye knew all about hefty challenges.
Ten years prior he was approached by the mayor to transform a neglected city-owned marina surrounded by a sewage treatment plant, municipal dump and troubled housing project. The mayor tells you okay, take this thing over, turn it around, but don’t expect any help from us. Good luck.
Kaye transformed it into a jewel we know today as Captain’s Cove Seaport: The boardwalks, bobbing boats, shops, restaurant, bar, hospitality and yes, just a nice place to escape for an hour or two.
The thing about Kaye that made him such an intriguing personality was the way he looked at life. Most of us view life from land out to the water. Kaye saw things from the perspective of water toward land. Kaye was preparing his flagship draw the British frigate HMS Rose, a replica of the Revolutionary War Ship that forged creation of the U.S. Navy, for a tour of the world.
“The water that laps here also laps in Rotterdam,” he said, and thus launched a Rose tour of the world.
In summer of 2019, Frank Gennarini heard from Mr. Barnum.
For more than 20 years Frank served as a volunteer for the Great Street Parade, grand marshal, chairman of the car show, organizer of the fireworks, a judge for many events. Frank donned red socks, red shoes and the signature red blazer when named ringmaster of the 2020 Barnum Festival.
“This is a tremendous honor,” Frank declared on the steps of the Aquarion company in Downtown Bridgeport, numerous festival family members attending. “The festival has always played a special part in my life. Living on Charles Street in Bridgeport as a child, I remember watching the Goodyear blimp promoting the events of the festival. I plan to continue this great tradition that has brought so much fun and good will to the greater Bridgeport region.”
The vice president of Bridgeport-based D’Addario Industries chose the theme “20/20–A Vision for the Future.”
“I was bitten by the ‘Barnum bug’ a long time ago because I’ve seen the fun and community spirit it creates. We’re going to build on that in 2020.”
Something happened along the way no one could predict: a health emergency infected the world, the Covid virus clawed at so many things taken for granted: businesses shut down, people confined to their homes, out of work with no pay.
Frank persevered with patience and pragmatism. The entire Barnum Festival was placed on hold for 2020, scaled back in 2021 and then returned in full glory in 2022.
Frank became the longest-serving Ringmaster in history, three consecutive years.
Len Berger was another ringmaster whose Bridgeport roots paid dividends to festival service and dedication. The 2003 ringmaster passed away in December.
Born in Bridgeport, Len attended Warren Harding High School and graduated from the University of Bridgeport earning a bachelor’s degree in business.
He also achieved a degree in retail banking management from the University of Virginia in 1986.
Banking would be Len’s professional calling. In 1964 he began a celebrated 39-year career with Fleet Bank and its predecessors, Shamut and Connecticut National Bank, where he was eventually elevated to vice president and senior business development officer serving all branches in Bridgeport, Danbury, New Haven and Norwalk.
His commitment to community service included Valley United Way, Hewitt Foundation, the Monroe Lion’s Club, Shelton Economic Development Corp., Housatonic Community College Foundation, and St. Vincent’s College.
In addition, Len served actively as a board member and president of the P.T. Barnum Foundation prior to selection in 2003 as the 54th ringmaster.
A dedicated husband and father, he loved fishing, camping, hiking that took him to Cape Cod, Berkshire mountains, Lake Ontario and the state of California,
Len leaves behind his wife Lorna and their loving children: Douglas Berger and his wife Mayra of San Diego, CA., Michelle Ross Gonzalez of Shelton, and Todd Berger of West Haven. Len will be profoundly missed by his 11 grandchildren: Jake Berger, Jackson Berger, Cason Berger, Andy Berger, Ryan Berger, Colin Berger, Owen Ross, Evan Ross, Zachary Gonzalez, Jesse Croucier and Jeremy Croucier.
Services for Len will take place in February at a date to be announced by Spadaccino & Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT. Funeral will be celebrated at Huntington United Methodist Church, 338 Walnut Tree Hill Rd, Shelton, CT.