VIC REIS FOR SHERIFF ELECTION CAMPAIGN BADGE, GREAT CONDITION

Description

VIC REIS FOR SHERIFF ELECTION CAMPAIGN BADGE, GREAT CONDITION
HE WAS HIGH SHERIFF OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY , CONNECTICUT FROM: 1974-1980 ,  AND A DISTINGUISHED WAR VET, HERE IS HIS OBITUARY IS HERE:  (HE PASSED AWAY 2 YRS AGO)
Obituary
Victor P. "Vic" Reis of Torrington, age 98, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 6, 2020 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. Vic resided in Torrington his entire life, except for his 1942-1945 period of service in the U.S. Army. He was predeceased by his cherished wife of 58 years and high school sweetheart, Jane Pollock Reis, whom he married in September 1945.
Vic was born to Italian immigrant parents in 1921 and was schooled in Torrington elementary schools, graduating from Torrington High School in 1940. As a youth, he was a physically strong and skilled multi-sport athlete. Vic was a well-known local high school football player and was the starting fullback and captain of the 1939 Torrington High School football team in his senior year. His athletic strength and agility would become a valuable asset for him later in life.
U.S. Army sergeant Victor P. Reis was serving with the 397th Infantry Division in a combat zone in northern France near the German border shortly after D-Day, June 6, 1944. In November 1944, his unit was clearing a German landmine field when a French civilian accidentally detonated a landmine next to Vic, causing the landmine in Vic’s hands to explode. As a result of that explosion, Vic lost both of his hands and nearly his life. He also suffered serious injuries to his face, eyes, and significant hearing loss. After receiving treatment for his battle injuries at various field hospitals, Vic was transferred to Percy Jones General Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan for rehabilitation. There, he was fitted with artificial arms to accommodate attached terminal prosthetic devices (hooks) to replace his missing hands. Vic was determined that his war injuries, particularly the loss of his hands, would not stop him from living a full and productive life. During his one-year rehabilitation process, he practiced day and night to master the operation of his new artificial hands. Vic became so adept in using his hooks that after his discharge from the hospital, he was able to perform virtually all life functions independently, such as eating with a fork and knife, drinking from a glass or cup, dressing, bathing, teeth brushing, hair combing, newspaper reading, handwriting, and driving a car.
After his honorable discharge from military service in December 1945, Vic immediately returned to Torrington to reunite with newlywed bride, Jane, and together they built their dream house on Hoerle Boulevard where they raised their children, Peter, Gerald, and Marilyn. Fond memories remain of the many parties and impromptu gatherings Vic and Jane hosted for family and friends, with ample supplies of drink, food, cheer, jokes, and laughter. Vic was always quick to credit Jane for his adaptation to life after the war, stating, "I owe most of it to the happy home life she created for me. I certainly picked the right girl. Marriage was the best thing that ever happened to me."
Vic was well-known, admired, and respected in the state of Connecticut and in his winter retirement home in West Palm Beach, Florida. Through self-education, he became an eloquent speaker with an extensive vocabulary. Vic was a kind, gracious, outgoing, warm, and witty person with an ever-present charming smile. With these traits he made and kept many friends wherever he went. In fact, Vic was never out of public view as he drove around in his many Oldsmobile cars bearing Connecticut license plate "Veteran 1", which was issued to him by special act of the state legislature.
Vic had a long and productive career as a public employee and an elected official. From 1946-1957, he served as the Prosthetic Specialist for the Veterans Administration in Hartford, helping and rehabilitating veterans with military service disabilities. From 1957-1961, he served as Executive Secretary to Torrington Mayor Anthony C. Gelormino, performing as administrator for the mayor and as the liaison to many community service organizations. From 1961-1973, he served as the Connecticut Deputy Director of Selective Services for Connecticut at the State Armory in Hartford. On his retirement from the Selective Service System, he was awarded the Selective Service Bronze Medal for meritorious service. In 1974, he was elected to the office of High Sheriff of Litchfield County and was re-elected to that office again in 1978, retiring in 1980.
During and after his career, Vic was active in veterans' affairs and community service organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Torrington Chapter of Disabled American Veterans (past commander), the Torrington Lions Club (past president), and Torrington Elks Lodge #372.  He was also a member of President John F. Kennedy's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped and Torrington Mayor's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped. In 1996, Connecticut Governor John Dempsey presented Vic with an award from the President's Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped for his exceptional contribution to that cause. He also received a citation from President Lyndon B. Johnson for his work with the handicapped.  For the last several years, Vic achieved the distinction of being named the oldest living tenured member of the Torrington Elks Club, a status he dubbed “the worst list to be on” because there was no place to go but permanently off the list.
In his downtime, Vic enjoyed outdoor sports and activities. He initially took up fishing, duckpin bowling, and pool shooting, activities he easily adapted to with his artificial prostheses.  In 1960, Vic became interested in the possibility of playing golf. With the help of local golfers and machinists, a specialized device was developed, allowing him to hold and swing a golf club, and golf soon became his primary recreational pursuit. Never fully satisfied with his golfing device, he continually tinkered with its redesign, and in the end, came up with a model that the Veterans Administration adopted as a prototype for use by other arm amputee veterans. For a golfer with no hands, Vic played a very good golf game, winning many matches, to the chagrin of his golfing buddies. He was a member of the Torrington Country Club for more than fifty years and of the Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach for twenty. For many years, he participated in the annual National Amputee Golf Tournament in various golf courses throughout the United States, often earning runner-up status in his division, and making many long-term friends with other amputee players. Several documentaries revolving around his war injuries, home life, and golf prowess were published in local newspapers over the years. He consented to these documentaries not to gain personal recognition, but rather to prove to others who are handicapped that a normal way of life is possible if they put their minds to it. Vic led an extraordinary and fulfilling life, leading by example; a true member of the Greatest Generation. He will be sadly missed by his family and remaining army of friends.
In addition to Jane, Vic (better known as "Bumpa" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren) was predeceased by his parents, Raffaelo Reis and Luisa Bertolaccini Reis, his daughter, Marilyn R. Cleveland, his brother Joseph L. Reis (wife Barbara Thrall Reis), daughter-in-law Catherine M. “Cathy” Reis, and all eleven of Jane's brothers and sisters. Vic is survived by his sons, Attorney V. Peter Reis, Jr. (partner Christine P. Silano) of Torrington and Attorney Gerald R. Reis (wife Susan Longley Reis) of Goshen; grandchildren, Kelly R. Carroll (husband Joshua M. Carroll) of New Hartford, Cathleen M. "Casey" Reis of Boston, Massachusetts, Kyle H. Reis of Goshen, Dane M. Reis of Coventry, James W. Cleveland II of Monroeville, Ohio and Geoffrey Cleveland of Sandusky, Ohio; brother and best friend, Chester A. Reis (wife Mary Morando Reis) of Torrington; many nieces and nephews, and several great-grandchildren, in particular the apples of his eye, Alexa G. Carroll and Sophia M. Carroll of New Hartford.
. Vic will be buried in the family plot in St. Thomas Villanova Cemetery in Goshen next to wife, Jane, and daughter, Marilyn. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75816, Topeka, KS 66675-6516. Phalen Funeral Home, 285 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, CT 06790, is assisting with burial arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit phalenfuneral.com.
AS ALWAYS, WE DO COMBINE SHIPPING ON ALL OUR ITEMS, TO DO SO, JUST BUY WHATEVER YOU LIKE, BUT DO NOT PAY YET, THEN WRITE ME AND TELL ME WHEN YOU ARE DONE SHOPPING, AND REQUEST AN INVOICE, WHEN I GET IT, I WILL COMBINE THE SHIPPING AND GIVE YOU A GOOD DEAL ON SHIPPING AND HANDLING, THEN SEND THE INVOICE TO YOU FOR PAYMENT, YOUR ITEM MAY GO OUT SAME DAY, OR THE NEXT, WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS WE DO NOT SHIP, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CONSIDERING MY PRODUCTS, AND STAY SAFE!! JOHN CML