Carolyn Vermont, the “unofficial mayor” of Bridgeport and executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, has died while visiting family in Jamaica. She was 65.
Dr. Camelia Lawrence, a breast surgeon with Hartford Healthcare, made the announcement on her Facebook page Wednesday.
Vermont, a Bridgeport resident, was a former aide to Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, the former local NAACP president and a volunteer with many local organizations.
“Carolyn Vermont was known to many as a proud daughter of Bridgeport, an advocate, a builder, and a steady voice of reason and calm. She was always willing to support, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need,” Dr. Lawrence wrote on her Facebook page Thursday morning.
“She was a voice for the voiceless, never afraid to dive deep into complex issues in pursuit of thoughtful, lasting solutions. Her generosity of spirit and boundless kindness touched countless lives. When I returned to the Bridgeport area in 2015, she was one of the very first to reach out and welcome me home. Her absence will be deeply felt across this community she loved so fiercely. May we honor her not only in words, but by continuing her good work of lifting others, building community, and standing courageously for what is right.”
Many other condolences and memories were about Vermont were shared on social media over the past 24 hours.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Carolyn Vermont, a devoted Bridgeport resident and dedicated advocate for our city and region,” Mayor Ganim said. “Carolyn served in the Mayor’s Office and committed her life to strengthening our community through public service and civic leadership, including her work with the NAACP and Habitat for Humanity. Her impact was felt across Bridgeport, from supporting young people and prevention efforts to standing with families during difficult times.”
Bishop John R. Thompson of Calvary Temple Christian Center shared his thoughts.
“Carolyn was always present in moments that mattered,” he wrote on Facebook. “When my wife and I received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, she stood faithfully with us. When I was honored with citations from the state, the city and the mayor, she was there again. And when I shared that my son Justin was releasing two nationwide movies, she didn’t just encourage him — she showed tangible support by purchasing posters.
She was simply a good person and a wonderful human being.”
State Attorney General William Tong, who knew Vermont well, also paid tribute.
“She was a beautiful soul and a true champion for Bridgeport and the state of Connecticut,” he wrote on Facebook. “She dedicated her life to making our streets safer and our communities stronger. Her legacy of love and service will live on.”
Vermont also served on Fairfield University’s Board of Trustees and was a 1982 and 1984 graduate receiving her bachelors and master’s degrees there.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that former Trustee Carolyn M. Vermont ’82, MA’84 passed away while visiting family in Jamaica,” the university wrote on social media. “Carolyn was a devoted member of the Fairfield community, and her passing is a profound loss for all who knew her and were touched by her leadership and generosity.”
In addition to her work with Habitat of Humanity, Vermont ran Urban Family Development for nearly 24 years as a consultant and president. Prior to that, she was vice president of operations for National Black MBA Association for Westchester and Greater Connecticut. She received her Ed.D in educational leadership from the University of Bridgeport.
