Enjoying Downtown
04/07/2006

Enjoying Downtown Waterbury

Photo: 78-year-old Mark Losyev enjoyed a beautiful Spring afternoon on the Green in downtown Waterbury.

Photos and Story by John Murray
Mark Losyev spent the first 68 years of his life in the Soviet Union, most of it working as a geologist high in the mountains near the Pakistan border. His oldest son moved to Waterbury 11 years ago for work, and a year later Mark and his wife followed.

Photo: When the Observer approached him, Mark was reading a book on 1930 Russian history, in Russian.

"Russia, some good place," he said. "I like mountains, woods, water. Moscow beautiful."

Mark was shy about speaking to the Observer at first, but after a friendly minute or two conversation he agreed to talk about why he lives in Waterbury, and what he likes about it.

"In our country cannot say what I think, he said. "When Breshnev and Khrushev I can't say I don't like it. Here, very friendly for me. Here I see myself better."

Photo: Mark lost his wife five years ago and spends a lot of time now walking, reading or being alone. Mark said he walks 3-5 miles a day, everyday. He said, "Walk, I live. Sit, I die."

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