The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain has announced the creation of the Walter R. Fletcher, Jr. DMD Family Fund to provide scholarships for children from New Britain and other area towns to attend private schools in central Connecticut.
The scholarship fund is in honor of the late Dr. Walter Fletcher and his recently deceased widow, MaryJane N. Fletcher, Dr. Fletcher’s parents, Walter R. and Marion B. Fletcher, and his brothers Paul, Russell and David.
“My father, and my parents, believed strongly in the value of a good education,” said Bruce T. Fletcher, DMD, who is Walter, Jr.’s son, “and thought it was the best investment a parent could make for their children.” Dr. Fletcher was joined by his children Andrew T. Fletcher and Sarah Fletcher Meaney in establishing the fund.
“My parents believed that a good education was a life-changing gift no one could take away,” said Dr. Fletcher, “and that starting such an education at a young age would foster community service in years to come.”
Dr. Walter Fletcher, Jr., practiced family dentistry at 55 West Main Street for forty years.
Dr. Fletcher was born in New Britain in 1922. He played, as the starting center, for the New Britain High School football team that, in 1940, won the state championship. A graduate of Tufts University Dental School, he served in the United States Navy. He was active in the local and state dental associations and was involved in numerous local organizations, including serving as president of the New Britain Rotary Club, New Britain Chamber of Commerce and Shuttle Meadow Country Club. He passed away unexpectedly in 1982 at the age of sixty.
MaryJane Fletcher was a local artist who was active with numerous local organizations, including the Junior League of New Britain, the American Red Cross, the YWCA, the New Britain Garden Club and the New Britain Museum of American Art. She passed away on July 18, 2018.
The Walter R. Fletcher, Jr. DMD Family Fund, will be managed by the Foundation as a donor-advised fund. Dr. Bruce Fletcher will serve as the Fund’s advisor.
The Foundation says that it, “works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership.” It adds that, “For information about establishing a charitable fund at the Community Foundation with as little as $5,000, please contact Kaylah Smith, Assistant Director of Development, at [email protected] or call 860-229-6018, ext. 305.”
