On June 9, 2026, families and friends gathered at Francis Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) to celebrate the accomplishments of Branford middle school students. As part of the festivities, the inaugural Charlie Fiskio Scholarship was presented to Sofia Vallejo Contrares and Logan Heath, who were announced as the 2026-2027 award recipients. 

In April 2025, the family of Charles R. Fiskio established a fund with the Branford Community Foundation (BCF) following the untimely passing of Charlie—beloved son, brother, and husband. Charles Robert “Charlie” Fiskio passed away in March last year due to complications of Polycythemia Vera, a disease he was diagnosed with at just 19 years old and bravely navigated with the love and support of family and friends. The Charlie Fiskio Fund, in honor of Charlie’s passions and generous spirit, supports two or more students annually at WIS in pursuing a personal interest—whether artistic, academic, athletic, or through a camp or workshop experience. 

Logan Heath is a rising freshman who will attend Branford High School this fall. An outstanding athlete, he is currently training for a triathlon. Sofia Vallejo Contrares is a rising freshman who excels in the visual arts, particularly in drawing and painting. She has already shown works at the Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance (BACA), she and will be attending Branford High School and the Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven this fall. 

The Fiskio family is grateful to the many friends, new and old, and community members who have made the Charlie Fiskio Fund possible. At the 1st Annual Charlie Fiskio Golf Tournament last August, 144 golfers—relatives, friends, business partners, and past teachers and coaches of Charlie’s—participated in raising almost $14,000 that went directly to Charlie’s fund. This year’s second annual tournament is already sold out, and all funds raised will go toward supporting future scholarships made from the fund. For those wanting to support the tournament in the future, updates and more information can be found at @charliefiskiogolftournament on Instagram or by emailing charliefiskiogolftournament@gmail.com. 

Charlie’s legacy lives on in the Charlie Fiskio Fund, and in the lives of the students who will now receive that extra bit of support to fund their passions. 

“We look forward to recognizing many more WIS students in the years to come,” shared Charlie’s mother, Sue Fiskio. 

“We were fortunate to be able to give Charlie the encouragement he needed to explore his talents and follow his passions,” said his father, Bob Fiskio. “It’s our hope that this scholarship can offer that same encouragement to other young people—just enough support to help them move forward with confidence and discover the potential within themselves.” 

To learn more or to make a contribution to the Charlie Fiskio Fund, visit branfordcommunityfoundation.org/fund/charlie-fiskio-fund.

Above: Charles R. Fiskio