SELBYVILLE, Del. - It has been almost two months since former Dagsboro Police Chief and Indian River Constable Floyd Toomey passed away. His widow, Anne Toomey, received a special surprise on Monday. Morse Roofing and Siding gifted her with a brand new roof, in honor of Floyd.
Anne Toomey and her husband, Floyd, had needed a new roof.
"He was the police chief of Dagsboro for years, so he had dealt with the Morse company. He kept saying that's who we need to get. But, he passed away suddenly, so a couple weeks later I started to get prices and everything,” said Anne.
Floyd Toomey sadly passed away on March 14. He was a pillar in the Dagsboro community, and was loved by many.
When Morse roofing got the call, they had a plan in mind.
"We collaborated as a group and said probably for her best interest, and good for the community to reach out to her and take care of this,” said owner, Tom Morse with his wife Tomie Kay Morse by his side.
When Anne arrived home from work on Monday, neighbors and the Morse family were standing in her yard with a finished roof.
"I had no clue what was going on, and they presented me with a sign, and that this was all done in honor of my husband, and I had zero balance,” Anne started to choke up.
She was shocked and moved to tears.
"I couldn't talk because I'm crying, I can't believe anyone does this nowadays. It’s just amazing,” said Anne.
The giving doesn't stop with the roof. Anne set up two scholarships in honor of Floyd.
"The first one is going to be announced at Indian River's Senior Night tonight (Wednesday). It's for a student that is going to the criminal justice or military field,” said Anne, who’s husband was also a veteran.
The other scholarship will involve beauty pageants. Anne’s daughter was Miss Delaware 2012, and Floyd also loved the pageants.
"It's just a matter of giving back, you gotta be good to people. Evil is all around us, we just know open extending your hand and being good to people, good things happen in return,” said Tom.
Anne can't thank Morse enough, and says the community is helping her get through this.
"First night he was in Christiana Hospital, the state policeman from Christiana called and said the whole state police was at my disposal ... I've had guys come change my light bulb in the garage because I couldn't reach it … friends from our workplace have come ... people have come help me with my yard, my pool,” said Anne.
The sign is standing proudly in front of her home, and Anne says she is going to keep it up forever.