YOUR SILENT NEIGHBORS, Percy Waddy, Bookkeeper and Paymaster
by David K. Leff
Town Poet Laureate and Deputy Town Historian

A lifelong resident of Canton, Percy Waddy (1912-1992) served as bookkeeper and paymaster for the Collins Company and the Thomas Perry Company for 34 years, retiring in 1980.  His father was a roller for the Collins Company. 
  
Devoted to his sister, Alice, they were inseparable companions until his death.  The two lived together for many years at 157 Main Street, at the top of the hill.  The house was at first owned by the Collins Company, and eventually sold to Percy and Alice.  He was one of a succession of employees who lived in the building, once a schoolhouse near the dam. 
  
Waddy was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, served as treasurer of the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, and was first treasurer for the Collinsville Company, which bought the axe factory buildings for $65,000 in 1967.  He was an expert bowler and played for years for Nelson’s Service in the Valley Garage League. 
  
On an icy Saturday night in March 1936, Waddy found the body of 49-year-old Marion Stupcenski, a father of eight, who had been struck by a hit-and-run driver and later died.  In 1942, he was chairman of a farewell banquet held at the Brass Lantern Inn for Collins Company machine room worker Roy Brucker, right before Brucker left for the army. 
  
Percy Waddy is buried in the Dyer Cemetery, Canton.  Visitors are advised that his headstone is currently obscured by a fallen pine tree and leaves. 
  
“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past. Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.