Community Corner
ABOUT TOWN: Stoughton VFW Awards Teachers, Students, Police and Fire (And More...)
Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town. If you see or hear something we could use here, let us know by sending an e-mail to pmpco@aol.com.
VFW AWARDS PRESENTATION: The Michael Romanuk V.F.W. Post 1645 had their Installation of Post Officers on Sunday, May 20 at their on Washington St, just outside the downtown.
The Post, which was established March 10, 1929, is celebrating its 83rd year.
Elected as Commander was Jim Kelly. Sr. Vice Commander is Brian Turner, and Junior Vice Commander is Gary Barkey.
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Quartermaster is Rudolph Medeiros, and Chaplain is Frederick C. Varner. Judge Advocate is Charlie Wade, and Surgeon is Jack McSweeney.
The 1 Year Trustee is H. Lee Parker, 2 Year Trustee is Louis DiRusso, and 3 year Trustee is Irving Saltzman.
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Appointed Post Officers included Adjutant Ally Turner, Officer of the Day Amory Murray, Service Officer Robert McGarry, Membership Chair Brian Turner, Hospital Chairman Jack McSweeney, Poppy Drive Frederick C. Varner, Guard-Historian Richard Jasmin, Honor Guard Joseph Fustolo, Post Photographer Hank Herbowy (who provided some photos for this story), Allied Veteran Delegates Jim Kelly and David Williams, and Scholarship Chairman Joseph Fustolo.
By-Law Chairman and Budget Committee Chairman is Frederick C. Varner. The Budget Committee includes Gary Barkey, Rudolph Medeiros, Brian Turner and Jim Kelly. 837 Chairman is Charlie Wade, and Voice of Democracy Chairman is Joseph DeVito.
The V.F.W. presented a number of awards on the 20th, as well.
Paris Kampanelas, music teacher at the was named Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Middle School Teacher of the Year was Richard Grasso of the . And, High School Teacher of the Year was Joseph Bridgeforth of .
Three SHS students won the Voice of Democracy essay contest. First place ($300 prize) was junior . Second place and a $200 prize went to sophomore Kassandra Melo. And, third place and $100 went to sophomore Julia Sjoquist.
Stoughton Policeman of the Year was Officer , and Firefighter of the Year was .
Special Awards were presented to Stoughton High Social Studies department head John Gallivan and to O'Donnell Middle School Assistant Principal David Guglia "for their continued promotion of citizenship at their schools."
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SAD NEWS: Stoughton resident Bob Parsons passed away Thursday night, May 24.
He was a Precinct 1 Town Meeting member for many years and sat in the seat directly in front of me for all that time.
This year he wasn't in that seat. He was too ill to attend Town Meeting. I missed discussing each article with him and hearing his humorous comments as we went along. It kept the meeting more interesting.
He also chaired the 4th of July parade and all the ancillary activities for many years. He hosted a barbecue every year for volunteers.
His wife Joyce, son Jonathan, and daughter Kim were all involved in the town, and he was extremely proud of their accomplishments. Joyce was a former president of POPS, and his two children are currently assistant coaches at the collegiate level - Jonathan with the Brown University women's basketball team, and Kim with the women's gymnastics team at Temple University.
I enjoyed getting to know him and his family. He will be greatly missed by the entire community. May he Rest in Peace.
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BIRTHDAY WISHES: Happy 24th birthday to Mr. Stoughton Patch, Jeff Pickette! Also, Happy Birthday to Donna Carbone, founder of Shades of Love.
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