The business community in Fairfield County lost an influential leader last week when Tony Soegaard, 52, president of Penmar Industries of South Norwalk, died unexpectedly after a very brief illness.
Tony”™s story is an inspiring one. He came to the U.S. from Puerto Rico, earned a Master of Science degree in engineering from Texas A&M and embarked on a career that eventually took him to Penmar, where in 1983 he joined the company as a customer services manager. In the nine years that followed, Tony climbed the ranks until December 1992 when he and his wife Libby bought the company. Since then, he has led Penmar to many successes and a high standing in its field.
As a personality, there were few others who could match Tony”™s warmth and charm. As a member of The CEO Roundtable, I had the privilege of seeing Tony monthly for the last three years and regularly sharing conversations on a personal and a business level. He regularly spoke with pride about his company, his family and his heritage. His contributions in our meetings were consistent with the character of man I came to know ”“ honest, considerate, thoughtful and from the heart.
We have lost a great man, a true leader and, for me, an irreplaceable associate.
Tony lived in Bethel and is survived by Libby and by his two sons, Jose and Javier.
A wake will be held Wednesday, April 15, 4-8 p.m. with a funeral Mass on Thursday, April 16 at 11 a.m., both at St. Mary”™s Church, 26 Dodgingtown Road in Bethel.
Any contributions or donations you wish to make in Tony”™s honor can be directed to the Latino Scholarship Fund Inc., P.O. Box 3355, Danbury, CT 06813. Tel: 203-739-5636
David Lewis is president of OperationsInc in Stamford and chairman of The CEO Roundtable, a networking group of business leaders. Reach him at dlewis@operationsinc.com.
