Sam Collins Day Set for Sept. 15.

This year, one of Canton's largest events will be dedicated to the late Mark H. Quattro.

The 18th annual Sam Collins Day, set for Sept. 15 (rain date Sept. 16), will be dedicated to Quattro, who in addition to other public service, helped organize the event since it began. 

Event chairwoman Mary Tomolonius said Quattro’s input, work and role as parking “czar” will be greatly missed.

He was also a big financial supporter of the event.

“We’re going to miss his sense of humor, his irreverence and expertise,” Tomolonius said.

For Quattro, Sam Collins Day was a three-day effort. He spent the day before  getting ready for it and another day cleaning up after it, his wife Linda said.

It was just one of his numerous community contributions. Quattro had also served as selectman, Chamber of Commerce director, member of the Lions Club, Justice of the Peace and much more.

“I’m proud of him,” Linda Quattro said. “He’s left a great legacy for me and my kids.”

That legacy will also continue through the Mark H. Quattro Scholastic Award. A pre-event fundraiser this week at  helped raise money and the event itself will include ways to bolster that effort. 

The scholastic award, Quattro’s wife Linda said, will be given to a Canton High School senior each year in memory of the late community leader, former town official and attorney, who died earlier this summer.

Linda Quattro said the criteria and amount of the award are being worked out but said the idea is to keep it flexible so it can accommodate a wide range of needs and career paths if necessary.

Her husband wanted to eventually transition careers and teach history at Canton High School, Linda Quattro  said, so it seemed fitting to help students at the school.

Donations to the Mark H. Quattro Scholastic Fund can also be made through Collinsville Savings Bank and sent to: 

• Mark H. Quattro Scholastic Fund, c/o Collinsville Savings Society 
• PO Box 350
• Canton, CT 06019

Sam Collins Day takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Canton Volunteer Fire Department Inc. field on Canton Springs Road as well as downtown Collinsville. It includes a business expo, community organization booths, live entertainment, inflatables, food and more. A shuttle bus will run between sites.

The day starts with a Lions Club Pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. in the fire station’s Ellsworth Hall.

More information on Sam Collins Day can be found at http://www.samcollinsday.com/