Publication The Steward
David and Marlene Carrozzo Frigo–Hard Work, Friendship, and Strength in Community
There is an old Italian saying, “The richest man in the world is the one who has a friend in every village.” By that measure, David and Marlene Frigo enjoy bountiful wealth. David was born in 1931, the son of Stefano and Adeline Frigo. His father’s family immigrated to Wisconsin from the Venetian area of Italy where Stefano’s brothers, Pascuale and Luigi started the Frigo Brothers Cheese Corporation. Stefano marketed the company’s products throughout 44 states and in 1939, relocated his family to Torrington, CT.
While growing up in Torrington, David worked for the family business, and after graduating from Torrington High School, he travelled throughout Connecticut as a salesman, selling Italian cheeses from a refrigerated truck.
One summer evening, David was cruising in Winsted with one of his buddies hoping to run into the girls they had met the night before at a square dance in West Goshen. Those girls—Marlene and Genevieve—had just stopped at the Highland Arms Restaurant forcoffee. As they walked up the concrete steps to the entrance, Genevieve asked Marlene sheepishly, “Do you think we’ll see those boys again?”
“I don’t know if we’ll see them tonight,” Marlene replied. “But, I think I’m going to marry David.” And so she did, just a few years later.
On the evening of August 19, 1955, Hurricanes Connie and Diane doused Torrington with more than 20 inches of rain. Known as the Great Flood of 1955, the Naugatuck River flooded downtown Torrington, surging through homes and businesses, tearing out foundations and bursting windows. It ripped up bridges and decimated utilities. The building housing the Frigos’ cheese shop on Hammond Passway flooded, sending two thousand loaves of Asiago cheese floating down the river, some ending up as far away as Thomaston.
“Thirty-one days later we had re-built,” said David.
“Everyone worked together. We all helped each other out.” In the years that followed, the business flourished, providing quality products and exceptional service to an expanding clientele. Marlene managed every aspect of their home, helped in the recently rebuilt cheese shop, and cared for their six children.
“We all worked,” said David. “I never could have accomplished what I accomplished without Marlene. I’m sure many people have heard the saying ‘it takes a village,’ often in reference to parenting children. As a private business owner, I equate ‘it takes a village’ to parenting a business. From infancy to adulthood, it takes a community to make a successful business, with help and sacrifice along the journey.
“Both Marlene and I have been very fortunate to have both immediate and extended family members who also believed in our success.
Without their dedication, regardless of how big or small their contribution, we would not be in a position to have a platform as our grandchildren’s generation would say—to pay it forward.”
Longtime members of UNICO, the largest Italian American service organization in the U.S., David held leadership positions at the organization’s national level and also served as the local UNICO chapter’s president.
In 2024, David and Marlene Frigo established the Northwest CT Community Foundation David and Marlene Carrozzo Frigo Charitable Fund. The designated fund supports specifically named nonprofits in Torrington and Winsted, including UNICO, awarding annual grants that provide support to the causes important to them.
“The David and Marlene Carrozzo Frigo Charitable Fund will help people far into the future, generations of people we will never know,” said David Frigo. “Everything you do in life is your legacy. Try to do something good.”
Visit yournccf.org/designated to learn more about designated funds
David and Marlene Carrozzo Frigo Charitable Fund Supports Local Nonprofits
The Northwest CT Community Foundation David and Marlene Carrozzo Frigo Charitable Fund is an endowed designated fund. The fund provides grants to the following organizations annually: Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in support of scholarships for students pursuing a career in tradework
- Torrington Library
- UNICO National Torrington Chapter
- Soldiers Monument and Memorial Park, Soldiers Monument Commission
- Torrington Historical Society
NCCF Releases Updated Demographic Report — Community Crossroads, Where we are now and where we are headed
NCCF recently released Community Crossroads, Where we are now and where we are headed. The 2024 update to the report that was initially released in 2017, highlights local population trends and statistics in employment, migration, and housing in Northwest CT communities. “Our hope is that this update serves as a tool for municipal planning and policymaking and that it enables our local nonprofits to more effectively meet the evolving needs of our region,” said Guy Rovezzi NCCF President and CEO.
Read the report at yournccf.org/demographics
Fundholders, Community Health and Wellness Bring Quality Healthcare to North Canaan
Residents in rural communities such as North Canaan, Falls Village, Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, Salisbury, and Sharon often experience shortages of primary care and other healthcare providers, sometimes travelling great distances for care. Opened in 2024, Community Health and Wellness's new Regional Healthcare Center addresses this need. The state-of-the-art Federally Qualified Health Center provides critical care, including primary medical care, behavioral health counseling, chiropractic care, and nutritional support to all ages, meeting the needs of the Northwest Corner, regardless of the patient's financial circumstances.
In early 2024, Community Health and Wellness applied for an NCCF cycle grant requesting support for the project. A $75,000 grant from the Northwest CT Community Foundation: Keroden Endowed Fund, Edward W. Diskavich Fund, Robert V. Carr Fund and Robert Venn Carr, Jr. Fund was awarded on a multi-year schedule, enabling the purchase of essential medical equipment–examination tables, EKG machines, medical supplies, wheelchairs, a vaccine refrigerator, and point of care medical equipment.
“Thank you so much for this multi-year grant,” said Joanne Borduas Community Health and Wellness CEO. “Your support plays a pivotal role in propelling this mission forward, enabling us to provide medical and behavioral services to all.”
Khurshed Bhumgara—Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds
Khurshed Bhumgara was a calming presence. An attorney, a successful business professional, and an artist, who expressed his relationship with the world through the sculpture of bronze and wood, and through the composition and complex harmonies of classical piano. He was a good listener. He reveled in the unique marriage of words and music of the opera—stories unfolding in melodic spurts and pouring over the audience as a stream of musical consciousness—and he listened, intently, to those around him. “Khurshed had a rare ability to unite people,” said Tom Bechtle, a former NCCF Board Chair. “He would listen attentively to a variety of viewpoints, identify common ground among them and quickly build consensus.”
Raised in the traditions of the ancient Zoroastrian doctrine that holds the central moral precepts: good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, and the belief that humans have a choice between rightness and deceitfulness–greed, wrath, and envy, Khurshed lived a life of rightness. His empathy extended well beyond those who knew him, beyond even his social and volunteer circles. He loved spending time with the animals of the Little Guild of St. Francis, walking dogs through the wooded paths who would turn and nuzzle his hands as if they were old friends.
A longtime resident of Northwest CT, Khurshed also volunteered his talents with the Hotchkiss Library, Sharon’s Conservation Commission, the Sharon Website Committee, the Sharon Land Trust, the Sharon Energy & Environment Commission, and as an NCCF Board of Trustees member.
“Khurshed loved his community and derived the greatest pleasure from helping those less fortunate, especially children and animals,” said Doug O’Connell, a former NCCF Board of Trustees member. It has been just over a decade since Khurshed passed away, leaving behind a gift that would continue his legacy of giving, of listening to the needs of those around him, and helping bring community members together to make all of our lives better.
Khurshed established the Northwest CT Community Foundation Khurshed Bhumgara Fund in 2015 with a $2.9 millon gift through his estate planning. In the 10 years, since the endowed Field of Interest fund was established as a flexible and responsive fund to community needs, the Khurshed Bhumgara Fund has awarded 150 grants: supporting after-school arts programs; tools and supplies for volunteer emergency services; food, clothing and warmth for vulnerable community members; facility upgrades for his canine friends at Little Guild of St. Francis, and provided 142 scholarships to local students. As an endowed fund invested to achieve long-term capital growth, the fund balance–now $3.6 million–continues to grow enabling more scholarships and grants every year, forever.
Visit yournccf.org to learn more about endowed funds.
Gunn Memorial Library Builds Space for All Ages of Makers
The Gunn Memorial Library makerspace recently began welcoming visitors. The bright and open room delights creatives of all ages and abilities, encouraging them to explore 3D printing, sewing, embroidery, Cricut crafts, and so much more. The space brings people together, encouraging members of the surrounding communities to join classes exploring their creativity. Recent sessions include: DIY wrapping paper, embroidery patterns, coding, wood crafts, scrapbooking, and decorating with vinyl decals.
Makers have cut silhouettes on the computer numerical control machine, decorated mugs with custom cut vinyl stickers, fabricated personalized 3D printed keychains, sewn their own tote bags, turned drawings into embroidery patterns, and digitized 8mm films of family memories. “Community members are so excited to have this new creative space and have been using it in a variety of ways,” said Gunn Memorial Library Executive Director Audra Mac Laren. “It's such a great feeling to be able to say, ‘Sure, you can make that here’ or ‘We can definitely help with that,’ when someone comes in with a project idea! The space has been a wonderful resource for people looking to learn new skills, express their creativity, and meet other people who share their interests.
“We are all so grateful to the Northwest CT Community Foundation Khurshed Bhumgara Fund for helping to bring our makerspace vision to life in such a spectacular way. Your generosity has allowed us to create a beautiful, well-stocked space where people feel inspired and empowered to create!”
NCCF Shares Values Statement
NCCF holds fast to a long-standing Statement of Values and Code of Ethics that seeks to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Northwest CT. “The ability to achieve our mission and to foster a commitment to excellence can best be realized with a governing body, workforce, grantees, donors and partners that include individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives,” said Guy Rovezzi, NCCF President and CEO.
Read NCCF‘s values statement at yournccf.org/statement
Nonprofits Earn Fundraising Certificates
In 2024, 22 local nonprofits from a diverse range of organizations across the region, including the Winchester Center Historical Association, Torrington Area Families for Autism, Northwest CT YMCA, Warren Public Library and the Community Kitchen of Torrington participated in NCCF’s Principles of Fundraising Certificate Program.
The nonprofit educational program, held in libraries across Northwest CT, was designed to strengthen the fundraising capabilities of local nonprofits, equipping them with essential skills to support their missions effectively.
Created by the Connecticut Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the five-part program brought together expert trainers in the field of nonprofit development to deliver a deep dive into the core principles of fundraising. From launching successful development programs to securing major gifts, each workshop provided actionable insights tailored to the needs of both new and seasoned nonprofit professionals.
“I enjoy the professional development opportunity that NCCF offers,” said Louise Manteuffel, Warren Public Library Director. “I know that I will always learn something I can share with my board or that will positively benefit our Warren community.”
Foundation Focus
NCCF Welcomes New Board Members
Charles B. Short A longtime Cornwall resident, Charles joins the board with a robust background in investment banking and nonprofit governance. After earning a BA in English Literature from Wesleyan University and an MBA from Yale School of Management, Mr. Short dedicated his professional career to Morgan Stanley in its Investment Banking Division. There, he specialized in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets. Mr. Short’s nonprofit experience spans more than 25 years on the board of New York City’s Public Art Fund, where he has held roles as Treasurer, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee.
Jessica Lynn Magda, MD Jessica has served the Torrington community as a practicing pediatrician and co-owner of Torrington Pediatrics since 2004. A graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine with a BS in biology from Yale University, Dr. Magda has been a dedicated advocate for children’s health and wellbeing. Fluent in Spanish, she has made significant strides in supporting Torrington’s immigrant community and serves as the Medical Advisor for the Torrington Area Health District, overseeing vaccination programs and advising on health services.
Sandra Pinnavaia Sandra is Global Head of Strategy and Innovation for the On-Demand Talent division of Heidrick & Struggles, a leading global leadership advisory firm. With more than 25 years of experience both as a business executive and a management consultant at McKinsey, Sandra’s day job involves working with leaders of organizations to unlock the potential of their companies or enterprises. Sandra is a long-time supporter of early childhood education as the basis of both individual lifetime satisfaction and effective community formation.
Read more at yournccf.org/board
Be What’s Possible
CREATE A BETTER FUTURE.
By working with your professional advisor to establish a field-of-interest fund, support specific nonprofits through a designated fund, make education more affordable for local students through a scholarship fund, or provide help when and where it’s needed the most through a discretionary fund, you can create a better future for your community. Working with your advisor and NCCF, you can include language in your will or trust specifying that a gift be made to the Northwest CT Community Foundation as part of your estate plan. You can establish a fund by giving: a percentage of your estate, a specific dollar amount or asset, or the balance or remainder of your estate.
For more information, contact Bradford Hoar, VP of Philanthropic Services at bhoar@yournccf.org or (860) 626-1245, Ext. 104.
Up Next in Nonprofit Education:
Improving Our Region Through Nonprofit Excellence, a one-day local nonprofit conference September 18, 2025. Featuring Keynote Speaker Kirsten Farrell, of the Goodman Center.
Visit yournccf.org/events for more information about nonprofit education.
