East Haven Rotary Announces Award Recipients

The 76-year-old Rotary Club of East Haven has announced this year’s recipients of their annual Joseph Buonome Memorial Public Safety Awards.

This year the club will be recognizing East Haven Firefighter Stephen Brunelle and, from the Police Department, Police Officer Ryan Gorman will also be honored.

As is customary, the awards will be presented at the Rotary’s annual Installation of Officers Dinner, which this year will be held on Thursday June 25. The event will take place at the Country House Restaurant at 990 Foxon Rd., Rte 80, in East Haven.

Following a 6 p.m. social hour including appetizers, dinner will be presented at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $50 per person.

Firefighter/EMT Brunelle for the past ten years has performed the additional duties of mechanic for the department. Brunelle, in addition to his firefighting duties, is available at a moment’s notice and has been keeping the fleet ready and safe for the men and women of the department.

His dedication to these additional responsibilities not only saves the taxpayers money, but, in conjunction with his excellent OSHA required record keeping, significantly reduces the potential for future Town liability. A 36 year career veteran of the Town, Stephen spent almost six years as a Police Officer before becoming a Firefighter in May of 1985.

Police Officer Ryan Gorman has been a member of the Police Department since October of 2012. Ryan was nominated for the collective acts of courage, strength and character that he has displayed during this time, especially in light of his having to deal with a life-threatening disease diagnosed shortly after he completed his police training.

In the words of his Chief Brent Larrabee, despite Ryan’s battle with lymph node cancer he has been an exemplary employee who missed very little work, while in fact, reporting to duty when he probably should have remained home focusing on his care and rehabilitation.

Officer Gorman has spent countless hours helping with the hiring of new police officers and assisting in the investigation of some of the Town’s most serious cases. He has been a true inspiration to his fellow employees and all who are fortunate to know him.

Current President Stacy Gravino will be turning over the gavel to Bill Richardson. Also being installed are the following officers: President-elect Stacy Gravino, Secretary Cheryl Panzo, Co-Treasurers Carl Ruggiero and Joan Adamczyk and Sergeant at Arms, Rich Anania. The club will also be inducting new Rotarians: Andrea and Chris Farrell and Michael DeMaio.

In addition, the club will be recognizing the winners of three scholarships to high school students and honoring them at this year’s dinner event. Each year the club provides a $1,000 scholarship in the name of former member Vincent Balletto, MD, to a graduating East Haven High School student.

The club will also be awarding another $1,000 scholarship to be given to one of last year’s EH Rotary “Students of the Month,” who will now be graduating. Finally, the club will also be awarding the East Haven Rotary Club Family Scholarship.

The club was organized on March 3, 1939. Since then, the club has remained dedicated and committed to improving the community and citizens of East Haven. Through its annual scholarship program and Student of the Month, the club recognizes and encourages achievement of high school students. Amber Alert Identification cards, Clothe the Children, free Thanksgiving dinner and annual distribution of holiday food baskets are some of its other volunteer activities.

Tickets may be obtained from any Rotarian or by calling Stacy Gravino 203-468-3201 or Frank Gentilesco, Jr. 203-468-3205.