People
July 7, 2026
Bob Hire
Robert C. Hire
1940 – 2026
Robert C. Hire, 85, of Dayville passed away with his wife by his side on Wednesday May 13, 2026, at Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam. He was born in Lowell, MA on July 5, 1940, son of the late Charles and Mary (Mullin) Hire. Robert was the husband of Elaine T. (Lemire) Hire. He was a US Air Force Veteran. Bob went on to earn an Associate’s Degree from Lowell Technical Institute and worked his entire career as a chemist. He worked at various companies including Pervel Industries, Olin, Arch, and lastly at Monument Chemical as Director of Chemical Applications.
In community service, he was a member of the Williamsville Fire Department in Rogers, CT for over 50 years and served as president to the present time. Bob was elected to the Killingly town council and was elected as chairman in 1975. Active in the Killingly-Brooklyn Midgets Association, he coached the Jets team. He was an avid fan of stock car racing, Uconn men’s and women’s basketball, the Boston Bruins, Red Sox, and New England Patriots. Bob was an avid reader and frequently donated books to the Killingly Public Library. He was a communicant of St. James Church in Danielson. While in Jacksonville, FL, he attended Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.
Besides his wife, Bob is survived by his son Thomas Hire and his wife Katie as well as his four grandchildren Lauren Hire, Zachary Hire and his fiancé Whitney Diel, Marissa Lejeune and her husband Ethan Lejeune, and Brookelyn Hire.
He was predeceased by his daughters Karen Marie Hire and Margaret Ann Hire.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at St. James Church in Danielson will be held on Thursday June 4, 2026 at 11AM. Burial in East Chelmsford, MA will be private.
May 3, 2026
Sad News: Jim Lewis
James David Lewis
January 25, 1963 – April 21, 2026
James David Lewis Obituary
James David Lewis, 63, passed away on April 21, 2026. Born on January 25, 1963, in Falls Church, Virginia. James lived a life defined by strength, love, and an enduring connection to family and the outdoors.
James attended Beloit Memorial High School, where his passion for sports began to take shape. Excelling in football as well as shotput and discus, he carried this dedication with him to the University of Northern Iowa. There, he majored in chemistry on scholarship while playing as a defensive lineman for the university’s football team from 1981 to 1985. The lessons he learned on the field-teamwork and discipline-became guiding principles throughout his life.
James and Laura Lewis (his spouse of 34 years) built a life filled with love and shared memories. He was also a proud father to his daughters Jessica Lewis and Julia Lewis Becker. His family was his greatest joy and priority; he found immense happiness in spending time with them, especially during outdoor adventures like fishing and hunting. These moments were not just hobbies but cherished opportunities to bond and create lasting memories with his daughters.
James is also survived by his sister Angela Victoria Fitzgerald and his nieces and nephews: Matthew Houseman, Michelle Pinkerton, Brendan Fitzgerald, Charity Wielander, Courtney Wielander, Cassy Bowles, and Benjamin Wielander. He was predeceased by his parents, James Edward Lewis and Aurora Peck.
Known for his unshakeable presence and steadfast support for those he loved, James was a rock of stability during life’s challenges. While famously headstrong at times, this trait was always tempered by an unwavering kindness and fierce devotion to his family. He had a unique ability to make those around him feel safe and valued.
A master storyteller with a deep laugh that could light up any room, James had a gift for turning even the simplest memory into an epic tale. His stories often reflected his passions-whether recounting adventures in the woods or sharing humorous anecdotes about football games or coaching experiences.
Later in life, James gave back to his community by coaching shotput and discus for local high schools. His love for competition never waned; it evolved into a desire to mentor young athletes and share the lessons that had shaped him.
When not outdoors or coaching, James enjoyed immersing himself in science fiction worlds like Star Trek and Star Wars. He also had a fondness for Alaskan survival shows and New Glarus beer-especially Spotted Cow-a nod to his Wisconsin roots.
James leaves behind a legacy of warmth, strength, and love that will be deeply missed by all who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to those who mourn his passing while inspiring them to live with the same passion and generosity that defined his life.
A Memorial Service will be held on May 2, 2026, from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm in the Buford Chapel of Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory. There will be a reception held post-service at Julia’s house. Reception will include lunch to continue to celebrate our father’s life. Please message Jessica or Julia for address for reception.
On-line condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com. Arrangements entrusted to Crowell Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory, 201 Morningside Dr., Buford, GA 30518. 770-945-9999.
https://www.crowellbrothers.com/obituaries/James-David-Lewis?obId=48203120
April 14, 2026
Dow Names Carter as Next CEO
Dow Chair and CEO Jim Fitterling to Become Executive Chair; Karen S. Carter Appointed Chief Executive Officer
MIDLAND, Mich., April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dow (NYSE: DOW) today announced that Jim Fitterling, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, will become Executive Chair of the Board, effective July 1, 2026. The Dow Board of Directors has appointed Karen S. Carter, currently Chief Operating Officer, as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. Carter will also join Dow’s Board of Directors at that time. Richard Davis will continue to serve as Dow’s Independent Lead Director.
Today’s announcement reflects the culmination of a multi-year, thoughtful succession planning process and supports continuity as Dow continues to advance its strategy as a world leading materials science company.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Jim for his exceptional leadership and continued contributions to Dow,” said Davis. “Jim has led the company through a period of significant transformation while strengthening Dow’s strategy, culture and long-term positioning. We are equally pleased to congratulate Karen on her appointment as CEO. She is a disciplined, highly respected leader with a deep understanding of Dow’s businesses and customers. This appointment reflects our confidence in her ability to lead Dow forward into its next chapter of growth and value creation for customers, employees and shareholders.”
A Legacy of Transformation and Value Creation
During his tenure as CEO, Jim Fitterling has played a pivotal role in reshaping Dow into a more focused, resilient and innovation-driven enterprise, with an emphasis on higher-growth, consumer demand-led markets. Since becoming CEO in 2018 and Board Chair in 2020, he has guided Dow through its spin-out from DowDuPont, navigated the enterprise through macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges, and transformed Dow by advancing its sustainability ambitions and reinforcing a culture centered on safety, performance and inclusion.
“Serving as CEO of Dow has been the privilege of a lifetime,” said Fitterling. “Together with our employees and leadership team, we have transformed Dow into a stronger, more focused company with the right strategy, capabilities and culture for the future. I look forward to continuing to support Dow as Executive Chair and working closely with Karen to help ensure continuity and strong execution.”
In his new role, Fitterling will continue to chair the Board and focus on long-term strategy, governance, and key external relationships, while supporting continuity in leadership and execution.
A Proven Leader to Lead Dow Forward
Karen S. Carter brings more than three decades of experience at Dow, with deep operational expertise and a strong track record of delivering results across the enterprise. As Chief Operating Officer, she has overseen business and operational performance company-wide, with responsibility for Dow’s operating segments and key functional organizations, while strengthening customer engagement and accelerating innovation.
Previously, Carter served as President of Dow’s Packaging & Specialty Plastics, the company’s largest operating segment, where she led value growth through asset upgrades, capacity expansions and improved reliability, while advancing circular economy solutions in close partnership with customers and brand owners. She has also held senior leadership roles across business, commercial, and corporate functions, giving her a uniquely holistic perspective on Dow’s operations.
“I am deeply honored to assume the role of CEO and lead Dow into our next chapter,” said Carter. “Dow has extraordinary people, world-class assets and leading positions in the markets we serve. Our focus remains unwavering: delivering reliable and innovative solutions for our customers, and long-term value for our employees and our shareholders, while accelerating our transformation to set a new competitive standard for best-in-class performance. I look forward to continuing my partnership with Jim in his new role as Executive Chair, and to working with the Board and all of Team Dow to advance our strategy and deliver on our priorities.”
January 5, 2026
Palmer International Hires Alvaro Vaselli
Linkedin.com
December 22, 2025
Merry Christmas from Everchem
Thank you to all of our customers and suppliers for a wonderful 2025!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – we will see you in 2026.
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