Service above Self has been the proud motto of the members of the Newtown Connecticut Rotary Club for the past 75 years and the club is recognizing all of its current membership that have served for 25 years or more:

Dan Honan – Achieves 25 years of membership in October this year: during his term he has been Club Secretary and is a past President (1993/94) and has supported most of the Clubs activities. He demonstrated the true meaning of Service above Self to the Newtown community following the ‘12/14’ tragedy with his compassionate help to the victims and their families. Dan is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Sustaining EREY Member.

Scott Senete – Achieved 26 years of service to the club in June this year: is a past President (2000/01) and has served as project chair for Ability beyond Disability and is current chair of the Newtown Rotary Club Foundation with its focus on the Sandy Hook School Fund. He is a Paul Harris Fellow with 4 sapphires and a Sustaining EREY Member.

Jim Gulalo – Will celebrate 28 years of service in November; is a past President (1989.90) He has chaired the Dorothy Day project for many of those years. Presidents turn to his organizational skills on an annual basis to make the arrangements for the Club Installation Dinner. Very active in local chamber affairs he brings the Four Way Test to that function. A Paul Harris Fellow with two Sapphires, and a Sustaining EREY member. He is currently deputy Sergeant at Arms a job he performs with the suitable hilarity!

Tom Nipper – Joined the Rotary Club of Danbury in 1978 and transferred to Newtown in 2007, a 35 year servant to Rotary; a semi retired Orthopedic Surgeon has supported many of the clubs activities, particularly fund raisers such as the Annual Golf tournament and raffles, a great salesman. He is a Paul Harris Fellow with three sapphires and a Sustaining EREY Member.

Lou Holzner – Will achieve 35 years of service in November, is a past President (1982-83) he has supported most of the Club’s activities over the years. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and a Sustaining EREY member. Another great salesman for all of the Club’s fund raising efforts.

Bill Watts – As a 45 year veteran he has become know was the most travelled member, locally, nationally and Internationally he is the ‘Make up’ King of the Club, and we have the banners to prove it!  A past President (1987/1988) continues to be supportive of most hands on activities including the Labor Day Parade – Pancake breakfast and fund raising events. A Paul Harris Fellow with four sapphires; he is also a Sustaining EREY member.

Earl Smith Jr. – Achieved 46 years of service to Rotary, and this community in May. Gives the best and sometimes the longest “grace” at our weekly dinner meetings. A retired educator and active in the local Democratic Part Committee his attendance record is wonderful bearing in mind his deteriorated health. A past President (1975/76) he is a Paul Harris Fellow with three sapphires and a Sustaining EREY member.

Bob Hall – Achieved 46 years of service in February he is a practicing attorney who lends his skills and experience to our activities; currently he is Secretary to the Newtown Rotary Club Foundation where is experience is much needed with the Sandy Hook School Fund. A past President (1983/1984) and a Paul Harris Fellow and Sustaining EREY member.

Skip Roberts – Joined Rotary in 1966 (47 years of service) he is a retired robotics engineer who has been an active member; supporting many hands on activities such as Pancake breakfast; Labor Day Parade and the Golf Tournament. While we are not a ‘singing’ Club he regularly leads our opening song in the correct key! A Paul Harris Fellow with two sapphires and a Sustaining EREY member.

Bob Grossman – With 53 years of service Dr. Bob is our longest serving member; a retired surgeon is currently a local Medical Examiner. Has been known to ne the protector of the secret pancake recipe for the Annual Pancake breakfast, he is one of the chief flippers!  Currently, the Clubs Sergeant at Arms working on being the best extractor of fines in the history of the Club.  Surprisingly never a Club president (job restrictions prevented this role) nevertheless an active supporter of all things Rotary. A Paul Harris Fellow with three Sapphires and a Sustaining EREY member.

Special thanks to iPDG Brian Amey for providing the supporting materials.

Newtown Rotary 25+ year members recognized during the DG visit on 08-26-2013 – Congratulations!!!!