Groton - "How many directors do you know who will dress up as an old woman, sing like Cher, and imitate the Village People's YMCA number?" asked Carol Pratt, the program supervisor at the town's senior center.

For Pratt the answer is John Silsby, the director of the Parks and Recreation Department, who retired at the end of June. Silsby earned high praise for his work as well as his character.

"The first word you think of when you think of John is leadership. You think of excellent communication," said Catherine Hoffman, an office assistant in the department. "He trusts staff. He knows he can rely on the division managers and he allows them to function."

Silsby started working in Groton in September 2000, after more than 26 years in North Tonawanda, N.Y., near Buffalo.

Hoffman led a chorus of people who complimented Silsby for his lifestyle as well as his management style.

"He is family guy," she said. "He has elderly parents in the Buffalo area and he makes sure he gets up there to see them and help care for them."

"He has grandchildren and a wife, and its important to him to spend time with them," said Town Manager Mark Oefinger. "He's a caring man. He's going to be missed."

Many others agree.

"He was the best mentor I could hope to have," said Jerry Lokken, manager of recreation services. He joined the department just before Silsby, but with no experience in municipal recreation.

"I came from a different background, and John, with his history of experience, has been incredibly valuable. Groton is a complex government entity. He's a master at navigating the course and coming through with fantastic results. His talent helped me provide the greatest menu possible of facilities and programs for the community."

Those programs include many for physically challenged citizens. Hoffman said developing the handicapped accessible playground at Poquonnock Plains Park is one of Silsby's most significant accomplishments.

Silsby is proud of the department's inclusiveness, from playground equipment to paralympic rowing programs. Program supervisor Eileen Cicchese, a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional, oversees them.

"I'm happy with the disabled programs," he said. "They had some before I came, but Eileen has taken it a step higher. Inclusion of everyone in all of our programs is her priority and she does a very good job at it."

He said he was also pleased with the expansion of the Groton Senior Center.

"From the day he started with the department, he took an active interest in the Senior Center," Pratt, the program supervisor there said. "He never missed a special event. He also unabashedly took part in our Gong Show every year."

Eric Morrison, who manages Shennecossett Golf Course, praised Silsby for leading the course to become an Audubon cooperative sanctuary and for making the course more handicapped accessible. Shennecossett is one of the "Thrifty Fifty" courses in the United States, and earned the 2008 Walter Lowell Public Golf Course Distinguished Service Award from the Connecticut PGA.

"John will leave the course and its facilities in far better condition that they were when he arrived," Morrison said.

"I hope we carry on his strong traditions of offering fantastic programs and fiscal responsibility," Lokken said. "We have a very successful department. John gave us a lot of wisdom that we have to continue to implement."

Silsby's civic involvement include, among other things, membership in the Groton Rotary, participation in the Fourth of July Parade and Fall Fest.

In a proclamation by the Town Council, Silsby was recognized for many accomplishments during challenging economic times with a reduced budget and staff.

Silsby "has made a significant difference in the lives of many in the Parks and Recreation field to whom he is a friend and mentor, proving himself to be a humble and honorable man who possesses an exemplary work ethic and takes pride in everything he does."

c.potter@theday.com