By Andy Brophy and Kerri Williams

WESTPORT – Carmen Roda, recreation superintendent for the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, who was known for his responsiveness and ideas, has resigned.

Jamie Boone, the department’s office manager, confirmed Roda’s departure in an e-mail. “Carmen Roda has resigned last week due to personal reasons. The town wishes him the best in his future endeavors,” Boone’s e-mail says.

Roda said Tuesday by text that the decision to leave the department was not an easy
one. It follows the death of his wife, Veronica Ellen Roda, 59, in May. He said he felt it
was time to focus on his family “and to begin figuring out what the next chapter of our
lives will look like.”

David Floyd, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said in an email Tuesday that he will miss Roda’s “good humor and assistance.”

“Carmen was a pleasure to work with and always gave me a straight perspective,” Floyd said. “He may be less of a presence in town each day, but a few of his more tangible contributions such as the Kickoff to Summer and the Compo fire pits will bring joy to Westporters for years to come.”

Roda was hired as the recreation superintendent last year after serving for five years as the department’s operations manager. His most recent salary as recreation superintendent was $113,300, according to the town’s finance department.

Erik Barbieri, director of Parks and Recreation, did not respond to telephone calls or emails regarding Roda’s departure and how the vacant position will be filled.

Roda attended several Planning & Zoning Commission meetings in recent months regarding a proposal to add lighting to two athletic fields in town. Roda spoke frequently during meetings along with Barbieri, who officially requested the lighting. 

During those meetings, neighbors of Wakeman Field praised Roda for always answering his cell phone if they had concerns regarding noise or other issues at the athletic fields. At a Planning & Zoning community walkthrough for Wakeman field this summer, one neighbor noted that Roda was the only town official who introduced himself personally to each neighbor and shook their hand.

In 2018, Roda announced his retirement as Westport Police Athletic League’s athletic director after serving in that position for nine years and 22 years as a coach. He was credited as “a driving force behind Westport installing four turf fields and acquiring lights at Staples High School,” according to a CT Insider article in January 2018.

Football teams coached by Roda won five conference championships, he was named Westport Sportsman of the Year in 2007, and he was Fairfield County Sportsman of the Year in 2006, according to the Insider article.

Kerri Williams

^{_{Kerri Williams is an award-winning writer and journalist. She has worked as a reporter at the Norwalk Hour, as Living editor at the Darien News-Review, and managing editor for the Norwalk Citizen-News. For Westport Journal, she is a reporter as well as a gardening columnist, writing “Cultivating with Kerri.” She recently published her first children’s book – “Mabel’s Big Move,” based on her daughter with special needs.}}

Andy Brophy

Andy Brophy is an experienced Fairfield County journalist. Andy was a staff writer at The Connecticut Post for 10 years. He also wrote for the Norwalk Hour, Fairfield Minuteman, Fairfield Patch and weekly newspapers in Westport, Fairfield and Norwalk. When not reporting, Andy enjoys playing chess and listening to pianist Art Tatum. ^_.