'Turnback Tuesday' memorializes Derby native Edward J. Cotter, Jr.

Turnback Tuesday remembers Edward J. Cotter Jr. of Derby.

Ed was a WWII veteran in the US Navy as a firefighter.

This Navy training and experience benefitted the City of Derby for years to come. He modernized the fire department with new equipment as well as trained the new firefighters. And because of all of his years of service to the community, he received many awards and praise from his fellow firefighters.

Ed’s day job was working for the Evening Sentinel in Ansonia as a photographer and journalist, starting his career in 1939 as a sports reporter at age 18.

This monument - located on O’Sullivan’s Island by the Greenway under the Commodore Hull Bridge - was placed there in Ed’s memory. He was one of the founders of the former Valley Fire Chief’s Training School that was once located on this site.

Thank you to the Derby Hall of Fame for their helpful information about Ed.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.