FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2006
CONTACT: Tom Hanley, Public Relations Director
860.545.9954 or pager 860.220.3562 

EAST HARTFORD CT TRANSIT BUS DRIVER LEAVES $1.1 MILLION BEQUEST TO CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER

HARTFORD – The estate of Albert Louis Vuillermet, formerly of East Hartford, a Connecticut Transit bus driver for 33 years until he retired in 1978, has given a $1.1 million bequest to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Mr. Vuillermet was 93 when he died May 27, 2005. His estate settlement was announced this week by Attorney Frank Leone, executor.

“When Mr. Vuillermet considered his estate plan he decided to leave a substantial bequest to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center because he felt that it was something that would have made his late wife happy,” Mr. Leone said. Mr.Vuillermet’s wife, Marian, died in 1975 after 29 years of marriage. The couple had no children.

The son of French immigrants, Martin and Philomena Vuillermet, Albert Vuillermet was born in Manchester, Connecticut in 1912. After his birth, the family returned to France. At age 17, Mr. Vuillermet came back to the United States and lived in Willimantic with his uncle. In 1945 he went to work for Connecticut Transit as a bus driver. He drove the bus on the T line from Franklin Avenue to Blue Hills Avenue. Connecticut Transit local 425 business agent Alvin Douglas said Mr. Vuillermet remained active in the union retirees club until just before his death. “He was a very kind person, polite and low key, just an every day guy. He worked a lot of overtime, but you would never suspect he had a lot of money. He lived simply.”

Attorney, Frank Leone said, “Mr. Vuillermet was an independent, private man. He was frugal and invested well.” Debby Hyde, Associate Vice President of the CCMC Foundation, said, “We are honored that the legacy bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Vuillermet will support healthcare services for children at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Although they did not have children of their own, their generosity will help to sustain children for generations to come.”