Car Parade Surprises Cancer-Stricken Navy Veteran From Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — A classic car aficionado and U.S. Navy veteran stricken with brain cancer two years ago received a surprise Saturday, when more than 40 cars cruised to his Enfield home and presented him with gifts.

Bruce Morin, a 1977 graduate of Enfield High School who served in the Navy from 1977 to 1981, owns such classic cars as a gold 1966 Dodge Coronet and a Dodge Charger Daytona. Due to his illness, however, "he's had to put his passion on the back burner," longtime friend and event co-organizer Gary Nielsen said. "I've known Bruce since high school, with both of us being avid car guys. These cars reunited us some 10-plus years ago."

With the help of Morin's daughter Sarah and friends Kevin Hodge and Jeff Widun, organizers arranged for friends to meet in the parking lot of the old Chester's Market, just over the town line in East Windsor. The procession headed for Morin's home on Madison Road, in the Southwood Acres section of southern Enfield.

"We cruised to Bruce's house, and he was completely surprised," Nielsen said. "As I run the New England Mopar Club, we presented him with a club shirt, along with a card and small donation made by those attending. It was very emotional and boosted Bruce's spirits. His wife Sue was equally impacted."

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