Griswold park and ride lot named after man who greets and appreciates the truckers

GRISWOLD — The commuter lot for I-395 in Griswold seems like an ordinary parking lot, but one man makes it extraordinary.

Griswold resident Franklin Delano Stephen Everett has come to the parking lot weekly, rain or shine, since 2018. He sits in the back of a car, and waves to the truck drivers passing by. Sometimes the drivers will honk their horns, and other times they’ll stop and visit him. For his friendliness for the truckers, the lot was unofficially named after him Friday, with an official renaming in the works.

At the ceremony, Everett was given a ride in an 18-wheeler, sans trailers, and he got to look at some of his favorite trucks up-close, including a Cheetos truck. While people gave speeches, and presented him with a sign, in the Griswold Public Schools colors, Everett kept wandering back to his truck-viewing spot, not wanting to miss a single one.

The trucks and truckers become part of Everett's life skills training

Everett’s caretaker is Melissa Whipple. She first met him when she was a paraprofessional with Griswold Public Schools while Everett, who is autistic, was in high school. Everett happened to age out of Griswold Public Schools at the same time Whipple was retiring, so she stayed as his caretaker for his family.

The truck viewing used to be a reward for Everett for doing his schoolwork. Now, the 23-year-old works three days a week at the Mohegan Sun employee cafeteria, spends a fourth day doing life skills training, and comes to the lot on Fridays, Whipple said.

“Everywhere you go, that kid brings a smile to everyone’s face,” she said.

While at the lot, Whipple asks Everett about the colors of the trucks, the brands and other aspects to continue his life skills training. The lot itself is good for truck viewing, as it has an unobstructed view of the highway, while still having enough distance and a tall enough chain link fence to keep it safe, she said.

Everett visits park and ride lot every week, even through the pandemic

Whipple and Everett would watch the trucks every week without interruption, even during the pandemic, said Kim Mackin, Everett’s mother.

“We kept right on truckin’,” she said exuberantly.

During that time, the truckers grew fond of him, and would visit and bring gifts, or talk to him over the CB radio. One of Everett’s favorite truckers is Rafael “Fito” Mata, a driver for WIN Waste Innovations. He first noticed Everett last year, and he keeps visiting Everett because of Everett’s friendliness and support, especially as many people take the importance of truck drivers for granted, Mata said.

“We’re always up and down this highway, seeing Franklin cheer us on,” he said.  “There’s only one week in the year they do driver appreciation week, but for Franklin, it’s every day.”

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A few weeks ago, Dawn Mattos, who owns a business in Griswold, noticed Everett and Whipple, and introduced herself to them. She made a Facebook post about them, and it was shared over 180 times, and she got a large response from the community, including truckers who drive by on I-395.

“We can all learn to be like Franklin; just appreciate the things we have,” she said.

Whipple was surprised by the renaming honor. She said that Everett might not be able to understand the honor, but it’s a big deal for her and the family. Mackin also said it was a beautiful honor.

Mata was also surprised by the honor, emphasizing that “it’s the right thing to do,” for Everett’s friendship and loyalty.

“He’s here every Friday. If it’s raining Friday, he’s here on Thursday,” he said. “He doesn’t skip a beat. He’s here more than anyone.”

Making it official

The odds that the name change becomes official is good, based on some emails, but it still has to go through the legal processes, said Connecticut Department of Transportation District Engineer Eileen Ego, who came to the ceremony with a state Department of Transportation truck.

“I think it’s great that he has an appreciation for what truckers do every day,” she said.

Going forward, Everett will keep coming to the parking lot and watching the trucks he loves, Whipple said.

“He has no limitations, and he can do what he wants to do,” she said. “Every special needs kid can do what they need to do if they have the right support system.”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: I-395 parking lot in Griswold named for man with special needs