Sure, “06880” salutes Westport’s Unsung Heroes every Wednesday. But this story is so important, it can’t wait.
Like many Westporters, Lori Kosut was stricken but inspired by the story of Victoria Gouletas — the Zoning Board of Appeals member paralyzed during last week’s nor’easter, when she was struck by a large falling tree limb. (Click here for yesterday’s story, and link to GoFundMe.)
Every day since the tragedy, whenever Victoria’s husband Troy Burk returns from the hospital or their 3 kids come home from school, they see the branch. It’s a vivid and brutal reminder of how, in an instant, their family’s lives were changed.
This morning, Lori called Bert Porzio. The native Westporter owns Bert’s Tree Service. She asked if he could remove the branch that struck Victoria.
Of course, he said.
Bert Porzio, at work.
He headed right over to the Sturges Highway home.
And then he did a lot more.
Bert cleared every limb and broken tree that littered the yard.
But when Lori asked for a bill, he refused. Bert said, “It’s on me.”
Victoria and her family have a long road ahead. Fortunately, they’ll travel it with fellow Westporters like Bert Porzio.
