Above is a picture of Rob O’Connor with his neighborhood service award along with his daughter Kelly.  In 2001, Rob was nominated by the Frog Hollow NRZ for his consistent community work. His involvement began around the time of the development of The Learning Corridor, which transformed an old bus parking lot into a multimillion-dollar learning complex. Rob is the President of Thomas W Raftery, a window covering, and bedspread manufacturer located in the neighborhood on Broad Street. He was recruited to the NRZ to increase the voice and involvement of businesses in the community.   

Rob joined TWR in 1985, moving from his home in New Jersey. Thomas W Raftery has been in the Frog Hollow neighborhood since 1969. The first two locations were on Capitol Avenue. In the late 1970’s they moved to the current location at 1055 Broad Street (pictured above) where they shared the building with the Hartford Courant.  TWR has always recognized the vibrancy and strength of Frog Hollow. From the start, people from the neighborhood have been employed as part of the TWR family. At one point, in the 90s there was an increase in gang activity which put a strain on many in the community. “Some employees were saying they couldn’t take it anymore,” he said. There was a feeling that many were thinking of giving up.  During this time, Rob was discussing the latest trouble with Gary Rigoletti (then President of TWR) who said, “maybe we should do something about it?” In response, Rob did just that.

Rob is no stranger to community involvement.  He was involved in scouting growing up and his faith upbringing taught him the importance of doing things for others and the fact that, “we’re not here for just ourselves,” he said. It is that belief which has always led Rob to get involved even when it isn’t the easiest path. Rob isn’t one to just point out problems.  He offers his time to be part of the solution.   His experience being involved in the NRZ was extremely helpful when he was elected to serve as Chairman of the South Windsor Board of Education.  After that, he served on the South Windsor Park and Recreation Commission for 10 years, and Co-chaired South Windsor Walk and Wheel Ways.    Rob also helped co-found Bike Walk Wethersfield advocating for bicycle and pedestrian safety in the town where he lives.

This ethic has been a strong part of Thomas W Raftery since the beginning. When it was founded, the original owner saw the business as a vehicle for bettering the lives of his employees and their families. He also took seriously the role of being a good neighbor. They have always been quick to volunteer and lend a helping hand. This past summer, employees helped the construction of an art garden going on across the street. They helped youth volunteers store their supplies, cut lumber, and fill up their water coolers.  In addition, Thomas W. Raftery has opened its doors to the Police Activity League of Hartford for over 25 years.   With a boxing program (pictured below) as its core, the program teaches young people life skills via activities like boxing, and in the past, woodworking.  

Today, Rob can be seen biking to work multiple days a week. Not one to leave a problem unaddressed, he regularly uses and encourages the use of Hartford 311 app and participates in initiatives that increase cycling and pedestrian safety in the neighborhood. It was through his advocacy that the city painted crosswalks at the corners of Broad and Jefferson & Broad and Madison, 2 very busy intersections near his business. Rob has also been a vital member of Frog Hollow SAFE (Safety Alliance for Everyone) a coalition that works to make Frog Hollow safer, connecting various neighborhood groups toward that common goal.   The group has held clean ups over the last three summers which have collected over 1,000 bags of trash and recycling. It’s this group that is building the art garden across the street from the TWR building and built a playground with a mural on another vacant lot in the neighborhood (see video from 2020 below).  SAFE has also produced a safety plan for the Frog Hollow Neighborhood.

Rob sees his involvement in the neighborhood much like a sound investment in business.  When you bring people together working for a common goal, good things happen. If you would like to be part of making “good things happen” with Frog Hollow SAFE through the community garden or clean ups please call or text 860.929.6039 or email lsingerman@sinainc.org.