Help Plainville Family That Lost Everything in Fire

It was 6am on Sunday July 27th in Plainville, CT. My good friend Valerie was lying awake in her bed when she heard noises coming from another part of her house. When she came out of her bedroom, she quickly realized the house was on fire. She woke up her mother that she cares for and called 911.

The fire moved rapidly, quickly engulfing her childhood home. Plainville FD responded. When a firefighter was fatally injured on scene mutual aid from Southington, Farmington and Bristol arrived. The house and everything in it ended up being a total loss.

In our teens and 20’s the Cancellieri household was a place where everyone was always welcomed with open arms (and a full plate of food). No one was allowed to be a stranger. They are a wonderful, loving family.

Valerie Cancellieri is a ray of sunshine who has dedicated her life to serving others. We met as lifeguards in high school at Winding Trails in Farmington, CT, where we spent the better part of a decade together. If you ever attended Winding Trails in the late 2000’s or 2010’s, you may have been lucky enough to have Valerie as your lifeguard, swim instructor, or Assistant Camp Waterfront Director. Val went on to be a teacher for several years, before launching a very successful career with Mary Kay, where she discovered a natural talent for helping people love themselves. Valerie molded that talent into a life-coaching business where she helps women rediscover their worth, and works for a College in admissions, helping others through the lengthy process of applying to and enrolling in Nursing School. She also has been caring for her mother following a recent stroke. She literally never takes a day off and never puts herself before anyone else.

Valerie and her mother, Catherine (Cathy) Cancellieri have been through so much the last few years. Cathy was a passionate substitute teacher in her district, always loving to work with children. However, she recently experienced a stroke and has been working hard every day to get back to doing what she loves. In 2020, they lost Salvatore Cancellieri, Valerie’s dad and Cathy’s husband. And now, their home that held so many of his memories and literally every possession of theirs is gone. Despite all this hardship NEVER ONCE did either of them ask for help. With anything.

Valerie would never set something like this up for herself, or even ask for help, but because she has ALWAYS, without question, answered the call when we needed her, this is the least I can do to show her we love her.

If you know Valerie or Cathy personally or were touched by this story, please consider giving. Every single dollar counts and will help them with purchasing home goods, clothing, appliances, furniture, all of Valerie’s equipment for her remote job in admissions, and everything else as they restart from scratch. If we raise enough it could even cover her taking some time off from work as they navigate this process. Thank you so much!!!!

We also would like to extend a deep, heartfelt thank you to all of the Firefighters, EMS, PD, Dispatch, Fire Marshall and Incident Commander, as well as all the hospital staff that worked tirelessly trying to save the house and the the firefighter injured on scene. Our hearts are heavy for his family and we are forever indebted with gratitude for his selfless service to his community.