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Hors' devours and a commemorative cancelled stamp covers in hand, they came to celebrate the man who gave so much to the Westport community and the world.
Westport Postmaster Kevin P. Hogan praised Newman’s charitable efforts in his remarks about the stamp, which was recently released by the U.S. Postal Service.
“Giving to others was his life work,” Hogan said, standing in front of a backdrop of a blue sheet covering a large image of the stamp, which Hogan and others later unveiled.
Many people think of Newman just as an actor, but friends remember him best for “effort in the lives of others,” said David Mastroianni Jr., a postal official.
Town First Selectman Jim Marpe said Westporters are proud to call Newman one of their own.
“The relationship with the Newman family, Newman’s Own and the Newman name with Westport is impossible to describe in terms of how proud we are,” Marpe said.
He read a proclamation declaring Oct. 14 Paul Newman Day in the town of Westport.
Gov. Dannel Malloy, while not in attendance, also issued a proclamation declaring Oct. 14 Paul Newman Day in Connecticut.
A fixture in the Westport community, Newman was often seen around town. Marpe said he was once getting his clothes fitted at Mitchell’s when he turned around and noticed Newman was shopping at the store, too.
The stamp, which features the Academy Award-winning actor, philanthropist and Westporter, was formally introduced to the world during a ceremony in Cleveland, Newman’s hometown.
Designed by Art Director Derry Noyes, the stamp features a 1980 photograph of Newman taken by Steve Schapiro.
Newman died in 2008 at the age of 83 in his home.
Since its inception in 1982, his eponymous Newman’s Own food brand has donated its profits of more than $430 million to charity.
The stamps are available for sale here at the USPS website. Customers may also call the postal service at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) or visit a local post office to purchase the stamps.
The forever stamps are 49 cents each, a block of four is $1.96, a block of 10 is $4.90 and a full sheet of is $9.80. The blue eyes are, of course, priceless.
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