Newtown resident John Boccuzzi, Sr, received AARP’s most prestigious volunteer tribute, The 2018 AARP Connecticut Andrus Award for Community Service, on Wednesday, November 7. The award recognizes outstanding individuals whose efforts enrich others’ lives. Among his related efforts, Mr Boccuzzi helped found Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS).

State AARP Director Nora Duncan welcomed the many friends, officials, and supporters gathered at BD Provisions, 125 South Main Street, to celebrate the achievement. While the store was a few days away from its formal grand opening, co-owner John Boccuzzi, Jr, had opened the space to host the ceremony honoring his father.

Ms Duncan said part of the reason for gathering on Wednesday was to “honor volunteer John Boccuzzi for making Newtown a place that is livable for every age.

“He helped Newtown become an age-friendly community and helped identify needs and make plans to improve the community,” Ms Duncan added. From a state perspective, she said, she “recognizes his leadership.”

AARP Executive Council State President Tia Murphy said the Andrus Award recognizes “outstanding individuals.” Mr Boccuzzi, she said, has led an effort to establish Newtown as a Livable Community “where seniors can live independent lives and engage in civic and social lives.” He embodies the “spirit and drive” for which AARP was founded, Ms Murphy said, adding “AARP Livable Communities supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities, and rural areas to be great places for people of all ages.”

Newtown joined the network of AARP Livable Communities in January 2017, becoming just the second community in Connecticut to reach that status.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal is happy the Boccuzzis have “taken root in the community,” gesturing about the new store. He noted Mr Boccuzzi’s hard work for the senior community and getting senior initiatives “off the ground.” Mr Boccuzzi is “always looking for ways to improve lives of others,” the first selectman said.

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky also addressed the crowd.

“John is the epitome of grassroots,” he said. “He is a leader of ideas… and he sees ways to make things better for our community.” Mr Bolinsky said Mr Boccuzzi “takes initiatives into his own two hands.”

Tracy Brady, cochair for FONS, said Mr Boccuzzi, while making strides for the seniors in past years, “envisioned an organization of volunteers to create resources and enhance the lives of seniors.” His ideas could thrive “with a beacon of light to guide them. The beacon is John.”

Borrowing “John’s own words,” Ms Brady said, “Seniors are a powerful, forward-thinking group. John’s perseverance and extraordinary effort are the beacon.”

Peter Eder, last year’s Andrus Award recipient and founding board member of At Home in Darien, said the work the Mr Boccuzzi is doing is “so important.” He said that Mr Boccuzzi and several others had contacted him and met with him to exchange ideas about seniors in a community.

FONS member Stephen Rosenblatt, who nominated Mr Boccuzzi, said, “John started Friends of Newtown Seniors and has been tireless getting it off the ground.” He has aimed his “night-and-day efforts” toward Newtown’s Livable Community status.

Mr Boccuzzi recognized former First Selectman Pat Llodra, who had originally pushed for a Livable Community.

Mrs Llodra recalled Mr Boccuzzi’s visits to her office asking her to “commit to making Newtown a better place. There’s no saying no to John,” she said. Mrs Llodra added that seniors’ needs are real.

During his remarks, Mr Boccuzzi talked about his family, their beliefs and inspiration spurring his efforts. He recognized the many volunteers who are contributing their time to seniors.

“It is a great feeling to live in a time when medicine, knowledge, nutrition, and health give us the quality of life we are enjoying,” Mr Boccuzzi said. He then shared a piece of advice that has stuck with him since his wedding day when the priest had said, “There is only one sin in God’s eyes — not to reach our potential as human beings.”

Each person has a gift, Mr Boccuzzi said.

“That’s what drives me and many others in the room to help others. That’s what FONS and a Livable Community are all about.”

Elaine C. Werner, who handles public outreach and volunteer engagement for AARP Connecticut, told The Newtown Bee earlier in the week that the Andrus Award is the most prestigious award presented by the national group founded by Dr Ethel Percy Andrus and Leonard Davis.

“Her line,” Ms Werner said of the late Ms Andrus, “was ‘To serve, not to be served.’ She basically lived her life helping others.

“It’s a very high-profile honor,” she added. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell won the award on the national level, Ms Werner mentioned, several years ago. 

Only one Connecticut individual or couple is selected for award each year. In addition to the honor, The Andrus Award is accompanied by a $3,000 check to be donated to the eligible nonprofit of the award winner’s choice. Mr Boccuzzi had chosen FONS for the funds, Ms Werner said November 6.

As part of the nomination submitted to AARP, Stephen Rosenblatt paralleled the mission of AARP and Mr Bocuzzi.

“John has supported the mission of AARP through his continued efforts at empowering seniors in Newtown through collective action to: a. Organize an independent organization run by senior volunteers; b. Promote social engagement and a feeling of membership in a community which historically has been poorly organized to meet the needs of its senior population; c. Involve seniors in advocacy before boards and commissions in Newtown to promote the livable community initiative in Newtown,” Mr Rosenblatt wrote in part.

FONS was founded in May 2015 as an all-volunteer organization and has received 501(c)(3) status. Its mission is to provide advocacy and services to residents ages 60 and over. Mr Rosenblatt credited Mr Boccuzzi for taking FONS and “its humble beginnings around John’s kitchen table to an organization with a membership of 300 and a cadre of 25 dedicated volunteers, as well as scores of others who help with specific tasks as needed.”

Additionally, Mr Boccuzzi has been “involved in senior issues since his retirement from education in 2008,” Mr Rosenblatt wrote. Mr Boccuzzi, also according to Mr Rosenblatt’s nomination, has been a member of the town Commission on Aging (COA) since 2010 and has been actively involved, especially in successful grant writing efforts for COA; was awarded an artist grant by Western Connecticut Cultural Alliance to present a pottery program, which was presented at Newtown Senior Center and Brookfield Craft Center; and has been a board member with Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging since 2012.