Connecticut has lost a loyal son with the death of Dominick Dunne. While he was a celebrity whose job it was to spend time with, and write about, the rich and famous, he never lost his love for his hometowns of Hartford and West Hartford. Whether he was asked to speak at an event for the Hartford Public Library or the Mark Twain House… or make an appearance on a local Sunday morning interview program… he would do his very best to be there. And unlike most “stars”, he was nice to everyone. He would arrive at his Hartford event and charm everyone: no diva act, no “hello to you little people” attitude. Friends from his boyhood would approach him and he would exude excitement at seeing them. It was a pleasure to watch. He was a pleasure to know.
HIs old school friends called him Nicky, and he inspired me when he said the Mark Twain House should be called HOME by every American writer.
Duby- I wanted to share a private story about Mr. Dunne – I was pregnant with my son when I would run into Mr. Dunne on a regular basis at tha A&P in Old Lyme- Being from Lyme and being 5th generation Lyme I knew almost everyone and almost everyone knew me so there was always lots of “baby talk” and much attention toward me. I was unmarried, 42 and thrilled!! beyond belief to be carrying a yet unknown gender child. When my son was 4 weeks old I took the dreaded trip to the local Grocery to confront my Waspy foes. I was surrounded by lots of behind the back “tisk tisking” when from through the crowd of carried car seats came this wonderful be speckaled little man who I had known from my waitressing days in Old Lyme carrying on and wanting to see my beloved Christopher! I keep this private because suddenly everyone in Hadlyme is his best friend. He bestowed a cetain Importance on my son that not one of the PTO Nazis (as only I call them) could top no matter how many times they drove past his house. Please do not pass my name on , I was only his Saturday lunch waitress- but he was also a class act-