Less than two hours before he was to be presented the 2026 Mary Hawley Public Service Award, Ray Corbo and other Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters responded to a car crash in their district.

Fortunately for everyone involved it turned out to be a minor crash. All involved were checked, there was little for the firefighters to do, and Corbo and others were able to report to Edmond Town Hall in time for this year’s ceremony on Thursday, September 24.

The chief of Newtown’s oldest fire company, Corbo was celebrated for his work with that volunteer organization and other public service to his hometown during the third annual presentation of the award named in honor of Newtown’s historic benefactress.

Hawley was responsible for iconic local landmarks such as C.H. Booth Library, Edmond Town Hall, Hawley Elementary School, and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, among others.

Attendees excitedly talked among themselves as they filed into Edmond Town Hall's Alexandria Room late Thursday afternoon, with many personally congratulating Corbo after his arrival for his years of volunteerism.

Corbo smiled as he looked out into the room full of people, noting he "certainly didn't do it for this."

Among those in attendance were inaugural Mary Hawley Public Service Award recipient Gordon Williams, First Selectman Bruce Walczak, State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Marty Foncello, Newtown Police Department Chief David Kullgren, Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue Chief Mike McCarthy, and Monsignor Robert Weiss, along with fire chiefs and firefighters from local volunteer fire companies.

To Remember

Dan Rosenthal, who served on the award committee, took the stage and welcomed everyone to the ceremony. He said this one was particularly special to him, as he has known Corbo since sixth grade; Corbo and his wife, Elaine, were both in Rosenthal's class, he shared.

Rosenthal said it was great to see someone in the first responder community receive this award.

"I always said when I was first selectman that I was blessed to have a job in a town where we have five volunteer fire departments, a volunteer dive team, and a volunteer ambulance corps [in addition to] our police force," Rosenthal said. "But I think it says something special when you have people that are volunteers who will get up at two in the morning to help someone in need and do so at great risk."

Fellow award committee member Bronson Hawley, a distant relative of the award's namesake, detailed the history of the award.

When the Society of the Hawley Family held its reunion in 2023, Bronson said the main purpose of the event was to somehow honor Mary. Bronson, the group's chairman at the time, could not think of a way to honor her and all she did for Newtown, however. He eventually asked Newtown Savings Bank President Ken Weinstein over lunch what they could do to honor Mary. It was Weinstein, said Hawley, who suggested creating an award in her name, one that would reflect her selflessness and volunteerism.

"And that just hit it right on the jackpot, and we went from there," Hawley said.

Over the ensuing months, Bronson and Weinstein started planning for the award and formed a committee consisting of Rosenthal, Julia Douglas, Maureen Crick-Owen, and Sherri Smith Baggett. Bronson also welcomed the award committee's newest member, Donald Studley.

The Mary Hawley Public Service Award, Hawley said, is two-fold. First, it serves as a way to remember and honor Mary Hawley annually. For all she did for Newtown, she never named anything after herself, it was noted. Bronson Hawley said this is a testament to Mary's private, selfless nature.

The second is to recognize those who serve selflessly as volunteers, who demonstrate committed long-term service and have made a meaningful, lasting impact on their community.

Hawley said Corbo has made indelible contributions to Newtown. This year's honoree has served as a volunteer firefighter with Hook & Ladder for over 38 years, joining when he was just 16 years old. He is currently serving as Hook & Ladder's chief for the third time; he first led the company from 2004-07, a second time from 2013-17, and has now led it since 2023.

To Serve

Kullgren took the stage next, noting he has been in town for 25 years. It is through serving, Kullgren said, that people get the opportunity to meet residents, business owners, politicians, reporters, and volunteers. First responders, he added, are the ones who show up at emergency situations including car crashes, house fires, and other incredibly difficult moments in people's lives.

Kullgren joked that those who do not know Corbo might see his confidence in handling those situations as arrogance and standoffishness, getting a big laugh from the crowd.

"But those who know [Corbo], who truly know him, know that's how he expresses his confidence ... through his experience in not only a career as a full-time firefighter, but in choosing for 38 years to volunteer as a firefighter," Kullgren said. "Now you inject all that into the body of a Marine, and that's," he said, nodding toward Corbo, "what you get."

As a young supervisor, Kullgren said they have handled a bad car incident or house fire not knowing who is inside. When Corbo walks on the scene, Kullgren said that gives him the confidence that, on Corbo’s end, he has things covered.

"And I thank you for that," Kullgren said to Corbo. "Not just that one time, hundreds of times."

Kullgren added that, today, volunteers are harder to come by. He said this makes it even more important to recognize someone who has volunteered for 38 years, consistently, with commitment and duty to the Newtown community.

Kullgren said it was an honor to recognize Corbo for his decades of exemplary service, noting he was repeatedly voted in as assistant chief and chief of his fire company. This, Kullgren said, is a testament to the men and women who serve alongside Corbo and just how much they value him.

Hawley returned to officially present Corbo with the Mary Hawley Public Service Award, honoring his lengthy and exceptional public service to Newtown.

After lengthy applause, Corbo shared some words with the crowd. He said he was truly honored, a bit surprised, and humbled to receive the award.

Corbo thanked the awards committee for its recognition, along with everyone who took the time to write letters nominating him. He said their kindness and support means more than he could say.

"I also thank my brothers and sisters in the fire and police departments who I've worked alongside for the past 38 years," Corbo said. "You deserve this recognition as well."

Corbo said he especially wanted to thank his wife, Elaine. He said someone volunteering on their own time is one thing, as they can schedule it for when they have some free time. His volunteerism was different, as for 30 years or so, Corbo said, he has jumped up and rushed out of the house, restaurants, church, dinners, birthday parties, holidays, and a few diaper changes. Elaine, he said, deserves recognition for that sacrifice. Seated in the front row alongside their son, Elaine smiled broadly and blew a kiss toward her husband.

To Honor

Walczak, who took the stage next, said it was an honor to join everyone in recognizing the people whose quiet dedication strengthens Newtown every day.

While Walczak was not in the room when Corbo learned he was this year's recipient, he said he had heard the story and that it perfectly captured the spirit of the award. It was during Hook & Ladder’s July meeting, the first selectman related, and Corbo was focused on business as usual when the award committee suddenly walked in.

"I've been told that [when they announced his name], Corbo leaned back in his chair and the room erupted in applause. Even hearing it second-hand, you can picture the moment — genuine surprise, humility, and pride all at once," Walczak said. "It's a wonderful reminder that the people who give the most to our community rarely expect recognition, and that’s exactly why this award matters."

Walczak then presented a proclamation honoring Corbo for his service to the Newtown community.

Bolinsky and Foncello stepped up to the podium and shared some words. Bolinsky said he believes it is important to recognize Mary Hawley "whenever we can." He encouraged those present to read a biography about her life and dedication to Newtown.

He continued by saying Newtown's power is its volunteers.

"So never forget that all but one of the people that run this town are volunteers, and we owe them a debt of gratitude because they've given an awful lot to this town quietly," Bolinsky said.

He called the award a wonderful way to give back one person at a time, adding that Newtown is blessed because of people like Corbo and all of the other incredible volunteers.

Foncello then read a Connecticut General Assembly Official Citation on behalf of himself, Bolinsky, and State Senator Tony Hwang. He said the Connecticut General Assembly offers its sincere congratulations to Corbo for his service as a United States Marine Corps veteran and decades as a volunteer firefighter.

Foncello told Corbo he dedicated his career to protecting and serving others, adding, "We are blessed to have the volunteers that we have, and we hope that you serve as inspiration for the generations that come along."

Bronson Hawley then returned to the podium for an exciting announcement. Newtown Savings Bank had already provided the funding for the Mary Hawley Public Service Award, but Hawley said a local anonymous individual agreed to endow the award in perpetuity and match the amount given by Newtown Savings Bank.

"So effective today ... the recipient has the ability now to donate $2,000 to the nonprofit organization of their choice," Bronson said to loud applause.

Corbo smiled as he confirmed his plans to dedicate the donation to Newtown Hook & Ladder Fire Company #1.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.