Jose Rafael Aguilar Jr

After graduation, Jose became an EMT, with his ultimate goal to become a doctor and one day becoming a surgeon. To get his feet wet, he decided to get two jobs, one working as an EMT for Middlesex Hospital in the ER department; and the other as an EMT for Hunters Ambulance. He worked full time at both jobs; he usually went from one job to the other. The very first time someone passed away during his shift, it affected him dearly, because he felt he should have done more. He really enjoyed doing this kind of work, but he knew that this was just a stepping-stone to becoming a doctor.

All of this changed on September 2nd, 1989 at 11:02pm. Hunters Ambulance was in a severe crash, in which everyone in the ambulance passed away, as did the drunk driver who caused the accident. Jose’s life was changed forever. He was in a coma for nine and a half days, and when he came to, he reverted back to being a two-year-old little boy in his mind. Our lives were changed forever as well. In addition to the memory loss, Jose lost feeling of his right arm, his left leg was shorter, his spleen burst during the accident, and his liver was cut in seven different spots. Jose underwent many different kinds of rehabilitation through many hospitals. As time progressed, he regained his memory, along with his strength.

In time, he become stronger and stronger, and created a company with his father, named Scorpio Studios. This new business gave him the confidence he needed to incorporate him back into a work environment. The business grew into two recording studios, which were run by Jose and his dad, Jose Sr. One studio was located in Haddam, CT, and the other in El Salvador. As time passed, the recording studio in Haddam, CT was closed and everything was transferred to El Salvador. It was there that it became a very well known recording studio. As the business grew he built two brand new homes, and had a white convertible Corvette, which he loved to ride around.

His injuries would affect him a great deal during the winter months, reason being because of all the metal that was placed in his body to reconstruct his badly broken bones.  These painful injuries made him angry and unpleasant. As time passed, he decided that during the winter months, he would leave and spend that time in El Salvador, as it was good for the business, and it would be better for his body. So, the idea to leave each winter was always welcomed. The first year that Jose decided to leave for the winter he drove with a friend cross country, through Mexico, Guatemala, and finally to their final destination, El Salvador. On this very first trip he took a large truck across, full of all kinds of medical equipment that had been donated. Jose had this great idea of starting an EMT class in the country, due to that the country not having EMT individuals to assist in ambulances. He did it, he had his first set of people, and they learned everything he knew.  Many hospitals loved the idea and he would work on it, so there would be some kind of program in place and he would lead it. Jose continued to teach for the next three winters and each year it became better.

In the winter of 1999, Jose was due to come back to the US on Monday March 8th. On Sunday he was invited to go to the beach for a last swim in the ocean, so he did. However on March 7th, 1999 at 12:02 pm, Jose drowned in the ocean. The current at this beach can be very strong, and it over powered him, leading to his death. Ironically, the day he passed away on that beach, there was no one to help him and give him CPR, and no one there knew what to do.       

At his funeral, there were many children as well as elderly people that came to pay their respects. The children would say that he would always bring the Christmas presents (stuffed animals), and one elderly lady came up to the family and said “he got me this dress, so I could go to my sons’ wedding”. This is the kind of man he had become, a very giving individual who would do anything for anyone. People loved him for who he was and for what he stood for. Many people benefited from his EMT teachings, and many people appreciated what he had done.

This is who he became and who he was until his death. 

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Jose Aguilar

Trina Annicelli

Trina grew up in the Haddam-Killingworth region of Connecticut. She was born December 20th, 1970. As a child she was an energetic young girl who loved dancing. She had a bright future. She graduated from Haddam-Killingworth Hight School with honors in 1988. She then went into the workforce as a retail manager for many years. She was a single mom of Samantha, now five years old, when she met Wade Nafzger. Wade and Trina married in 2002 and one month after their wedding it was discovered that Trina had breast cancer.

Trina went through Chemotherapy and Radiation treatments along with a lumpectomy and beat the Breast Cancer. She was in remission for 18 months and decided that she and Wade wanted to begin their life together that they had essentially "put on hold".They were determined to Start Over. Trina developed her own business for Toxic Free Cosmetics/lotions/foods called "Naturally". She then had great news that she and Wade were expecting a baby. This baby was often called Baby Nafzger. Their new life had begun and was in full gear.

Three months into her pregnancy Trina started to have pains in her breast again, and had hoped that is was merely some growing pains due to the pregnancy. After many tests, it was determined that the cancer had come back.

Trina and Wade had to make critical decisions with the guidance of Medical assistance on what kinds of treatment Trina and the baby could withstand. Trina was warned of the risks of waiting to have aggressive forms of therapy for herself. There were certain kinds of treatment methods that Trina could not have as they would have harmed the baby. Trina and Wade considered the risks and chose the chemotherapy that would allow Baby Nafzger to survive. The doctors gave Trina a deadline of when they would be able to take the baby early, so they could start Trina on a more aggressive treatment therapy. It was determined that Baby Nafzger could be taken in April of 2005. Trina gave birth to Kamiryn Nafzger on April 14, 2005. She was born two months premature but was considered to be a beautiful baby girl in good health. Once baby "Kami" was born, tests were conducted and results showed that the cancer had spread. Trina fought throughout this entire process with an amazing spirit and grace. Sadly Trina passed on June 11, 2005 less than two months from the birth of her daughter "Kami". Trina's story was recently featured on the TLC Cable Channel "Baby Story" in September, 2005, which documented her cancer treatment and the birth of her daughter. The documentary later won a Daytime Emmy in 2006.

Trina accomplished so much in her short life. She survived cancer long enough to make many aware of the risks we are all facing, and she survived long enough to give a child life, essentially choosing her daughter's life over her own.

-from classmate Johna Guild

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John Cernan

John enjoyed being a member of the Lighting Crew during all 4 years at HK. He worked behind the scenes with the special lighting for plays, programs, concerts, and other events held in the auditorium by the District #17 schools.  John also was on the swim team for two years-both as a swimmer and diver.  During his high school years, he joined the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company as a Junior Fireman, and the picture he chose for the class yearbook shows how much he liked firefighting!! Several of his friends are still firemen-either volunteers in town or paid firemen in other departments.

After graduation, John entered the US Air Force and was part of the Red Horse Unit. He was stationed at several bases here in the States and also went to Jordan for a period of time.

John died tragically in a traffic accident on March 17, 1990. He is still remembered and missed by his friends and family.

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John Cernan

John McCabe

John was born April 25, 1970 and lived most of his life in Killingworth.  He has been described as a “free spirit” and those who called him a friend also knew his fierce loyalty to them.  He truly treasured his friendships.   He loved bird watching, hunting and fishing since childhood. He vacationed every summer in Nova Scotia with his family.   After high school, he attended Unity College in Maine and was a self-employed carpenter and mason. 

After college, John took a “trip of a lifetime” with his college roommate, Cris Sodergren.  They spent 9 weeks backpacking in Alaska.  Cris spoke at John’s funeral about the trip; “the stories from that trip alone could fill volumes.  We’ve traveled through deserts, canyon country, wide-open prairie, and crossed the continental divide many times. We’ve stood on many a frozen lake to see ‘who’s going to catch the big one today.’  We’ve watched sea otters play in the kelp beds and eagles soar in their endless pursuit of prey.  We’ve stepped upon glaciers and viewed the wide-open expanses of the North Slope of the Rockies high above the Arctic Circle.  We’ve watched whales and porpoise breaching the north Pacific waters as the midnight sun refused the onset of darkness. Time seemed meaningless then.”

John settled in Haddam Neck with his life partner, Heather Birdsey and her son Broden Wells.  On Sunday, December 4, 2005, John suffered a sudden and severe heart attack at age 35.  His parents in Killingworth and his sisters, Beth and Emily, and their families in East Haddam also survive him.

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John McCabe