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Paul Drouin graduated from Windham High School in Willimantic in 1967. That September, he met Gloria Petruccelli, a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Middletown, CT, on the first day of orientation at the newly named Eastern Connecticut State College. Paul and Gloria were in the same group touring campus. As a Willimantic native, Paul was able to answer many of the questions being asked by first-year students — even before the student tour guides chimed in. Gloria thought he was an upperclassman until they started classes together. Love began to bloom!
Paul and Gloria dated through their junior year and were married during their senior year on Nov. 21, 1970, living in nearby Columbia until graduation. Paul played basketball at Eastern for two years under Coach Clyde Washburne and worked as an orderly at Windham Hospital throughout college. Gloria worked two summers for Registrar Francis Geissler, who was “a great person and a good friend.”
After graduation, Paul enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL. Gloria started teaching elementary school in 1972 and retired in 2004. Paul went on to earn a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at the University of South Florida. He taught elementary school as a physical education teacher, also retiring in 2004. They have lived in St. Petersburg, FL, for the past 50 years.
Gloria and Paul have two sons, Scott and Shawn, and three beautiful grandchildren — Daniel, Emilia and Magnolia. Paul continues to volunteer for the Boy Scouts, something he has done for more than 56 years. Gloria enjoys playing with, reading to and teaching her grandchildren. Love started for Gloria and Paul at Eastern and continues today after nearly 51 years of marriage. “Thank you, Eastern!”
