Tribute to Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Patricia Narcisse


Mr. Alfred Narcisse and Mrs. Patricia Narcisse were visionaries and dedicated leaders of the Windsor Freedom Trail for 25 years. Together, they served as committee chairs for Windsor’s annual events; see below for more. (See more below)



Mr. Alfred Narcisse and Mrs. Patricia Narcisse were visionaries and dedicated leaders of the Windsor Freedom Trail for 25 years. Together, they served as committee chairs for Windsor’s annual events; the Windsor Freedom Trail Run and the Windsor Freedom Trail Walking Tour, along with other educational programs hosted by the WFT. Over the years the trail events have attracted visitors from across Connecticut and from other States including, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia.

Mr. Alfred Narcisse was consistent in sharing his knowledge and passion for Windsor’s Freedom Trail with everyone. He also served on the Connecticut Freedom Trail Planning Committee and attended statewide meetings. In April of 2008 he was presented with the Distinguished Advocate Award from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism for his outstanding contributions in promoting the Connecticut Freedom Trail in Windsor. During the awards ceremony, the Windsor Freedom Trail was cited as a community “model” on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.

In addition to being a stable force for the freedom trail, Mrs. Patricia Narcisse was very passionate about giving to the Windsor Food Bank. This inspired the Windsor Freedom Trail committee to incorporate her passion into its annual Run and Walking Tour by asking participants to bring non-perishable food items to each event. The committee has also held successful food drive events as part of its activities to benefit the food bank. This has contributed greatly to the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank and the needs within the community.

Mr. and Mrs. Narcisse made special connections with many people, groups, and community leaders during their time of service.

On Saturday, October 22, 2022, the Windsor Freedom Trail (WFT) Committee held a Commemoration event to celebrate their lives of service and their legacy. At the commemoration event, which was held on the Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church grounds, several individuals offered reflections: Town Manager, Peter Souza; former Mayor Donald Trinks; Windsor Freedom Trail participants Donna Douglas, Patricia Rush, and Marcia Hinckley; former Pastor of Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Reverend William Campbell and former first lady Reverend Frances Campbell; and former Connecticut Freedom Trail Outreach Director, Tammy Denease.

The late Mr. Alfred Marder, founder of the Connecticut Freedom Trail sent this message to be read at the event: “I regret very much that I am unable physically to participate in your tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Narcisse. As the founder of the Connecticut Freedom Trail, I had the distinct pleasure and honor to work with Al Narcisse in the founding of the Freedom Trail. Al’s contribution to the organizing of this Connecticut tribute to the historic struggles against racism and for justice enabled us to formally establish this.”

State Representative Jane Garibay arranged for an American flag to be flown at the State Capital for a day in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Narcisse and their commitment to the Freedom Trail and all that it represents. Representative Garibay also presented a State of Connecticut General Assembly citation to the Narcisse family and to the Windsor Freedom Trail Committee. The citation presented to the Committee reads “In recognition of your work to raise awareness of six Windsor Freedom Trail sites and provide residents of Windsor and beyond with educational programs and events to celebrate African American achievement, History, and Heritage. We are forever grateful for your commitment to amplifying these important historical details and stories.”

Among their many passions, Mr. and Mrs. Narcisse had a special love for the Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church and its Mt. Zion Cemetery; both are sites on the Windsor Freedom Trail and Connecticut Freedom Trail.

As part of the commemoration event, a memorial bench was placed in the church’s Mt. Zion Cemetery to honor and pay tribute to their memory, dedication to the Freedom trail, service to the Windsor community, and love for the cemetery and its connection to ancestral stories of members of the church. The inscription on the bench reads:

“In Memory of
Alfred Narcisse and Patricia Narcisse
Forever in our Hearts.
October 2022”

Several members of the Narcisse family and extended family were present at the commemoration ceremony and bench unveiling. The two sons of Mr. and Mrs. Narcisse, Ronald and Maurice were the first to sit on the bench dedicated to the memory of their parents once it was unveiled.

After the event, former Outreach Director Tammy Denease commented “This event was not only honorable but moving. I appreciate the privilege to have been a part of such a beautiful and loving gesture to show how much Mr. Al and Mrs. Patricia Narcisse was loved and valued.”

Mr. Alfred Narcisse and Mrs. Patricia Narcisse fully committed themselves to the establishment of Windsor Freedom Trail and laid the foundation for its continued success. Because of their dedication and outstanding leadership, the Windsor Freedom Trail continues to move forward with annual events to share the importance of Windsor’s historical freedom trail sites associated with the heritage of its African American citizens, their resilience, and movement towards freedom; a legacy that will continue for many years to come.