When voters go to the polls Tuesday, there is only one candidate that hasn’t been part of newspaper advertising, nor does he have the endorsement of any of the city’s three political parties. What he does have is the belief that he can help the lives of a certain portion of the community: its students.

Phil Liscio, founder of Westies Care, a grassroots, student-oriented civic organization, is running as an independent for Board of Education. Most recently, the group ran "Food Fight I and II" to aid the West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce (WHEAT) stock its shelves with canned goods. The two events in July and August were highly successful, pitting Yankees fans against Red Sox fans to determine which fan base was more generous.

His work with Westies Care is only the most recent attempt by Liscio to give back to the community. The father of three, Liscio found out about service through the intervention of a mentor a quarter-century ago, and through trying to aid his late son, Dan, who was a special needs child.

“Twenty-five years ago, I was wandering through life with no goals or vision. I attended school on a football scholarship and we won a Club Football National Championship. However, I did not finish my degree, as I left school to assist my financially burdened family. My dad passed away at the age of 59 and I was not equipped to deal with it,” he said.

Then a fortuitous event happened, and he met someone who changed his outlook on life.

“I attended a religious retreat hosted by the Sisters of Mercy of Hartford and I met Joe Colletti,” he said.

Colletti, a septuagenarian at the time they met, became a surrogate parent to the dispassionate youth. He taught him the meaning of service and values that have stayed with him throughout his life.

“Joe's life was steeped in spirituality and service. Our personal relationship was cut short as Joe passed away just 4 years after we met. I have lived most of my life with the influences of the role model Joe was. I volunteered for many of the same organizations: Families in Crisis and Catholic Family Services were the first of many,” he said.

During this time he worked at the former Horwitz Department store and his life changed once again.

“Janet and I met while working at Horwitz,” he said. “Joe was responsible for my beginning a relationship with my soon-to-be-wife, he said.

He was despondent following the death and burial of his mentor. He was angry that such a person could be taken from him.

“Somehow, I was prompted to telephone Janet and ask her out as I needed some company,” he remembered. “Our first date was at Duffy's and I knew at the very moment that Janet was the women for me. We married just 18 months later and we have shared a great life together.”

His son Dan came to life with him when he was 8. Soon after, daughters Courtney and Lauren were part of the family.

“With three young children at home and Dan having special needs, we decided I should work from home and become a full time stay-at-home dad,” he said. “This special gift had allowed me to give to my own children and others as I increased my volunteerism to the school system.”

Dan passed away in 2003 at the age of 20. Asthma and diabetes were the cause, and it once again was a crisis of faith for Liscio.

“ Faith and family continues to assist me in dealing with the grief. Again, I used Joe's high standards and increased my efforts to assist those in need,” he said.

As a candidate for public office, this is only the second time Liscio has been up close in the political process. The first time he worked to help a friend.

“When Rich Borer was running back in 2006 he reached out to me for help. Rich and I had known each other since we were kids in the Woodmont section of Milford. I quickly agreed to help and played a minor role by making calls and asking friends to support Rich.”

The experience was important because it furnished Liscio with what people like to call a “life lesson.”

“The word that comes to mind is ‘naiveté.’ I had no idea what a blood sport politics was. I should of learned my lesson and moved on.”

He has since got first-hand experience at just how seriously some in the city take politics.

“After refusing an endorsement by Nancy Rossi and A Better Future Party, relationships that once we cordial and friendly, are not the same,” he said.

There have been ill feelings and some harsh words since he decided to go it on the independent line, but it is something he believes he should continue.

“I am confident that I am a good choice for our Board of Education. My resume, my service to the community, my ability to communicate with families, students and educators are all documented,” he said.

There is another thing that will separate him from some of the other candidates he is facing next week.

“On Nov. 4, I will know one thing for certain, that I don't need the title of Board of Ed member.  I will continue to have my special roles as father, husband, volunteer. My commitment to faith, family and community will be even stronger, that is a lesson learned well from Joe Colletti,” he said finally.