The Living Legacy of Stonybrook Gardens Cooperative
Stratford, Connecticut
Nestled in the historic heart of Stratford, Connecticut, Stonybrook Gardens Cooperative stands as a living testament to American resilience, community, and innovation. Originally conceived in 1941 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal initiatives, this 400-unit cooperative was developed under the Federal Housing Act of 1938 (FHA) project aimed at supporting the wartime industrial boom. With manufacturers like Sikorsky Aircraft, General Electric, Remington,and Chance Vought (later AVCO) playing pivotal roles in defense production during World War II, there was a vital need foraccessible, reliable housing for the workers fueling America's defense.
The creation of Stonybrook Gardens was both a practical solution and a visionary undertaking-built to provide stablehomes in a time of uncertainty, and to foster a strong, self-sufficient community. Designed with modest, functional architecture, the Coop offers one, two, and three bedroom homes ranging from 650 to 950 square feet. These homes remain the backbone of the community to this day.
In 1965, as the world changed and wartime industry receded into history, so too did the structure of Stonybrook Gardens.The cooperative transitioned from federal oversight to become a self-managed, member-run not for profit entity. The shiftmarked the beginning of a new era---one defined by neighborly governance and shared responsibility.
Today, the Coop is stewarded by a vigilant and dedicated Board of Directors, elected by and from within its membership. These individuals act as custodians of the Coop's mission and heritage, ensuring both operational integrity and long-term sustainability. A small but vital team of three full-time building maintenance workers, represented by the Teamsters union, report directly to the Board. And the office staff, which includes a Property Manager and an Office Assistant, ensure that their work is essential in preserving the quality and safety of the property.
Remarkably, some original residents or their families still call Stonybrook home-offering a unique continuity and pride of place rarely seen in today's housing landscape. That deep-rooted legacy also comes with a responsibility: to balance the wisdom of the past with the vitality of the future.
Stonybrook Gardens has leadership and participation that reflects compassion, commitment and a vision for revitalization. This leadership respects the Coop's traditions while nurturing new opportunities for engagement. Restoring recreational activities, promoting inclusive events and fostering harmony among residents is essential to continue reawakening the vibrant neighborly spirit that defines this community.
More than just housing, Stonybrook Gardens is a cornerstone of Stratford's story-a place where history lives, and where the promise of collective effort continues to shape a better tomorrow.
Our Directors
Mary Sajda
President
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I have been a dedicated volunteer of Stonybrook Gardens Cooperative Inc. since 2004, representing nearly 22 years of continuous service to the community I proudly call home. Before my longstanding commitment to Stonybrook, I built a 25-year career as a Price Integrity Coordinator and District Manager Trainer for a major supermarket chain. Over the years at Stonybrook, I served in numerous capacities, including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Office Manager. In addition to my elected leadership roles, I also served as an employee of the Cooperative, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of its daily operations and the needs of its members. This unique combination of board leadership and operational experience allows me to approach decisions thoughtfully and always with the best interests of the entire community in mind. Now enjoying retirement, I continue to find volunteering deeply rewarding. I am guided by the core values of integrity, honesty, and transparency—principles that shape my leadership and service. Me and my husband, Nick, proudly raised our two children in this community. I remain deeply invested in Stonybrook’s future and committed to strengthening and improving the Cooperative for generations to come.
Jessica Guerra
Vice President/Assistant Secretary
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As a third generation in Stonybrook my hopes are to continue to make an impact in the community. I hope to bring forth more community events and make conscious decisions taking all into account. I have an Associate’s degree in Human Service & a Bachelor’s degree in Education.
Julie Lewis
Secretary
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Julie Lewis is a dedicated Stonybrook Gardens resident and cooperative board member committed to fostering a supportive, connected community. I currently serve as a Judicial Marshal for the State of Connecticut, a role I held for 8 years, bringing professionalism, public safety experience, and strong interpersonal skills. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a Master’s degree in Corrections Administration, and presently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Through both my career and board involvement, I remain focused on collaboration, communication, and enhancing residents' overall quality of life.
Sandra Jacobson
Treasurer
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I have been a member of Stonybrook Cooperative for sixty plus years. I was an accountant for a REIT, before I retired several years ago. Twenty-five years ago, I ran for the Coop Board on a dare and to my surprise, I was elected. For most of my years on the Coop Board, I have served as the Treasurer. The most important responsibility of our Board of Directors is to work with our Property Manager and Maintenance Staff to continue to improve our buildings and property.
Earl Samerotti
Assistant Treasurer
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I have served on the Board of Directors for 13 years. I have held various positions such as president twice. I have spearheaded the HUD Sponsor Drainage Project to eliminate flooding on the access roads. My main objective is to improve and maintain our property to make it a pleasant place to live.
Geraldine Lazaro
Director
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I have served on the Board of Directors for a little over 20 years. I enjoy helping the Coop community, and keeping the standards that the community has set.
Tracy MacDaniel
Director
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I was born and raised in Stonybrook Gardens Cooperative. I returned to raise my family here. This neighborhood is full of history. My goal of being on the board is being part of future progress.
Dante Difederico
Director
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I have been a member of the Stonybrook Cooperative Community and neighborhood for over 20 years, and is now proud to serve on the Board of Directors! My notable employments include being a professional singer for over 12 years, being a CT certified PCA, CT certified security guard, and animal caretaker. I want to promote a positive change in the Stonybrook Cooperative Community; approaching future matters in a compassionate, understanding, fair, assertive, reasonable manner, for the benefit each of its residents individually and as whole (as a cooperative community). As the “Golden Rule” says, let’s start by treating others the way each of us would want to be treated in return!
Meet the Staff
Karen Johnson
Property Manager
Richard MacDaniel
Lead Maintenance
Richard Larson
Maintenance
Lenin Rivas
Maintenance
Richard MacDaniel Jr.
Maintenance
OFFice Hours/Maintenance Emergency Contact
Normal business hours
Monday through Friday: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Office phone number: 203-375-5056.
Emergency maintenance phone number: 203-522-0348
On-call hours:
Monday through Friday: 4:30pm to 7:59am
Saturdays and Sundays: 24 hours
Holidays: 24 hours
A voicemail must be left in order to receive a return call. Calls will be returned within one hour.
Safety
The Cooperative works closely with local law enforcement to maintain a safe environment.
Members should report suspicious activity immediately.
Stratford Police Department contact information:
Non-Emergency Line: 203-385-4100
Anonymous Tip Line: 203-375-8477
Text tip: Text "stratfordpd" followed by message to 847411
Emergency situations should always be reported by dialing 911.
Gallery
