Paul and Elaine Deysenroth
Series: Weston Voices
Paul and Elaine Deysenroth have lived, worked, and volunteered in Weston since 1964. Elaine is a descendent of the Morehouse family, a prominent presence in Weston for several centuries. Paul’s career included twenty-five years as a facilities manager at GE, but he is perhaps best known for his commitment to the Weston Volunteer Fire Department and Weston’s Volunteer EMS. He also played an active role in the town’s acquisition of Morehouse Farm Park and the Lachat Farm. The couple treasure and nourish their ties to family, church, and community. As for the biggest changes in town, they cite the tripling of the population, the size of houses, and, generally, “a different atmosphere.”
Portrait by Julie O’Connor
Photo album
Paul and Elaine Deysenroth, April 19, 2018 - Portrait by Julie O'Connor, as are the photos of memorabilia in this Gallery.
Elaine Albin Deysenroth in her wedding gown, wearing a tiara with a veil and holding a bouquet of flowers. Elaine and Paul were married in 1961.
Elaine wearing her wedding ring, engagement ring, and, on her pinky finger, an engraved, gold family ring that belonged to Mary Frances Morehouse Hill, her great grandmother.
Elaine's great, great grandfather, Ebenezer Morehouse (1830-1911). For more on the Morehouse family, see also Judy Albin's oral history, as Judy was married to Elaine's brother, Ernie Albin.
The Morehouse family home, farm, and barns along Newtown Turnpike. One of the houses was moved across the street and became the home of Ernie and Judy Albin. Another, last lived in by Minerva Morehouse Heady (b. 1918-1957), was deeded to the town and, now preserved, is part of the Morehouse Farm Park.
A photo taken c. 1940 on the 50th wedding anniversary of Paul's great grandparents, Julius and Elise Zarges Deysenroth, who were immigrants from Germany. Paul's father—Paul Deysenroth Sr.-- is the second from left in the back row.
A very large American flag hung in front of Elaine's mother's house in South Norwalk on special holidays.
Both Paul and Elaine grew up in Rowayton, coincidentally quite near each other. Indeed, they were married in the church that lies between their family homes. A print of a painting of "Five Mile River" by their friend Brechin Morgan hangs on their walls.
A map of Rowayton dated 1867.
The historic plaque on Paul & Elaine's home on Hill Crest Lane, which was built on a section of the original Morehouse family holdings. The lane is named after Elaine's great grandmother, Mary Frances Hill.
Paul and Elaine's father built this stone wall on the property. A playful cow stands watch.
Detail of the cow's head.
This chicken coop was built by their son Paul--Paul III--when he was 16 years old. Paul is a dairy farmer. Their other son Peter is a funeral director and an organist. Both live in upstate New York.
The young Paul and his brother Peter made this wooden sign together. It reads: P.A. Deysenroth. Pop of the Year, 1977
Elaine has displayed a wide-ranging musical talent since childhood and even now continues to actively play this harp at home and with a group of friends. The harp was custom made by Lyon & Healy, a firm founded in 1864.
The top of the harp's pillar.
A detail of the ornate sound box.
The harp's seven pedals, used to create the sharps and flats.
Paul and Elaine's home is full of cherished family heirlooms, among them this sampler made by Elaine's great-great grandmother. It reads "Hannah Lyon's Sampler Wrought A.D. 1828 in the eleventh year of her age."
This antique German glass beer stein belonged to Paul's great grandfather.
Detail of the stein's lid.
A treasured Seth Thomas clock, which sat on the mantle in the sitting room of the original Morehouse family homestead, where Elaine would see it when she visited her great grandmother, Mary Frances Morehouse Hill. Elaine believes it had even belonged to their parents, Ebenezer and Nancy Rowland Morehouse.
The all-important key for winding the clock. Seth Thomas, born in 1785, was a famed clock maker who established his eponymous company in 1853 along the Naugatuck River in what was then Plymouth Hollow, CT. Six years after he died in 1859 the town was renamed Thomaston in his honor.
Paul has served as a volunteer fireman since he was 16, first in Rowayton and then in Weston, where he helped established the Fire Department and the EMS. This is a model of a 1935 Mack fire truck.
Paul driving an antique Weston fire engine during a Weston Memorial Day Parade in the 1990s.
At the wheel of a current fire engine in another Memorial Day Parade.
Paul was named Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade in 2002.
In 2016 Paul received a President's Lifetime Achievement Award. The citation reads: "With grateful recognition the Corporation for National and Community Service and the office of the President of the United States Honors Paul Deysenroth with the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for their lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service. " It is signed by President Barack Obama.
The letter conveying the Award. The last sentence reads: "Thank you for your devotion to service and for doing all you can to shape a better tomorrow for our great Nation." Signed by Barack Obama.
Paul was given this "Light a Fire Award" in 2017 by Moffly Media, a regional publishing and promotion company.
Family portrait taken on the occasion of Elaine's 80 birthday in 2018. To Paul's right is their son Paul III and his wife Gwen. To Elaine's left is their son Peter and his wife Maria. Interestingly, Gwen and Maria are sisters.