A former gas-station owner bequeathed nearly $1 million to both the Maritime Aquarium and the Norwalk Seaport Association, a prized catch as the organizations struggle to make ends meet amid state budget cuts.
Charles J. Toth, owner of Toth”™s Shell Service Station, died July 25, 2007. He was 84.
Toth was a member of the South Norwalk Boat Club and an avid sport fisherman. In 1979, he caught a 24 lb., 13 oz. bluefish, reportedly the largest ever recorded in Long Island Sound, and the longest standing salt-water record still on the state books.
In recent years, Maritime Aquarium annual gifts have totaled between $1.7 million and $2.5 million. For the fiscal year ending in June 2008, the aquarium had a $4.8 million excess on revenue of $15 million, and closed the year with assets valued at $14 million.
“We are deeply grateful to Toth for this magnificent gift and inspired by his support,” said Jennifer Herring, president of the Maritime Aquarium, in a prepared statement. “We happily accept his charge to create new generations of stewards of his beloved sound, and will do so through appealing new exhibits for our visitors and vibrant educational programs to thousands of schoolchildren from the tri-state area.”
The Norwalk Seaport Association indicated it would use some of the funding for its ongoing efforts to maintain Sheffield Island Lighthouse.
