Booth Family Dugout Dedication

On May 3, prior to the softball team’s game against Miss Porter’s, Suffield’s new softball dugouts were dedicated in honor of Patrick Booth, his late wife Carol, and his children Lauren ’12 and Nicholas ’14. In December 2021, Bill Hardy, a close friend of the school and the Booths, approached Head of School Charlie Cahn about donating softball dugouts to the Academy. Bill asked that this gift be in honor of the Booth family, and construction on the dugouts, which have the traditional Suffield Academy Hartford red brick façade along with precast accents and a beautiful brick backstop, was completed in fall 2022. 

In his remarks Charlie spoke about the Booth family, noting that, “Patrick has been my close partner in leading Suffield for more than 20 years. His dedication is remarkable, and one of his greatest joys is coming out here to be with our softball players and on this field each afternoon in the spring... [His wife] Carol’s life was driven by a commitment to living, laughing, and loving. She relished helping others, including Suffield students, in unsung, behind the scenes ways... Amidst the joys and sorrows of life, it is great that we have moments like this—where we can celebrate friendships and connections, the kindness of others like Carol Booth and Bill Hardy, the inspirational coaching of Patrick Booth, and our collective great fortune to be part of this special Suffield Academy community.”

Following this introduction, Patrick recounted stories of his earlier life with Carol, and spoke about the honor of working with Charlie and his Suffield Academy colleagues and of course the softball team. Patrick emphasized how over his twenty-two-year career at Suffield, the people of the community have enriched and sustained himself and his family.

On a fitting note, the day concluded with a well-deserved win for the softball team.

Watch the dedication