Avon UNICO Citizen of the Year 2017 - James W. Fanelli

The Avon Chapter of UNICO is honored to announce that the 2017 Avon UNICO Citizen of the Year Award recipient is James W. Fanelli, a community volunteer who in many ways has made Avon a better place to live.

UNICO will present its 20th annual award at “Celebrate Avon,” Saturday, Sept, 23, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., on the grounds between Pine Grove and Thompson Brook Schools (rain date Sept. 24). All are invited to attend and there is no admission charge.

UNICO National, the United States’ largest Italian-American service organization, stands for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity. The Citizen of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has distinguished himself or herself with unselfish service to the community, and who has helped make Avon a better place in which to live.

Said Greg Van Deusen, a member of UNICO’s Avon Chapter and Chairman of the Citizen of the Year Award Committee, "The Committee is truly pleased to bestow this award upon Jim. He is the epitome of "service above self," and Jim's kind-hearted generosity has touched many in our community.”

Jim Fanelli was born and raised in Hartford. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in business from The University of Connecticut. He currently serves on the boards of The Connecticut Children's Medical Center, NCCJ (National Conference for Community and Justice), The Hartford Bishop's Foundation and he is a trustee of The Hill-Stead Museum. Jim is a trustee and chairs the finance committee at St Ann Church in Avon, is Vice President of Avon UNICO and is completing the Gifts of Love $1.5mm Capital Campaign. He was previously a trustee of the Boy Scouts of America/CT Rivers Council and is past president/board member of The Golf Club of Avon.

Jim and his wife Martha have lived in Avon for 32 years where they raised their 2 children, Kate and Paul. Jim is with US Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management and just celebrated 39 years with the firm and its predecessors. He is a Managing Director/Market Director in their West Hartford office.

Jim was humbled and honored to be included with so many wonderful past recipients. “There are so many folks in the community doing great work. My parents taught me the importance of giving back at a young age and it has stuck with me. I just hope this is something I can pass along to my children. My favorite saying is ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ We are all just trying to make the world a better place.”

UNICO Avon Citizen of the Year Award Committee Membvers: Chairman Greg Van Deusen, Bob Galiette, Nora Howard, Caroline LaMonica Joe Pavano, and Terri Wilson. Avon’s Chapter of UNICO National is at www.avonunico.org and at Box 1442, Avon, Ct. 06001. UNICO supports local scholarships, and organizations such as the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and the Wounded Warrior Project through local fundraising events.

Celebrate Avon information contact is Laurie Carlson at LCARLSON@town.avon.ct.us; 860-673-6151.

AVON UNICO CITIZEN of the YEAR PAST RECIPIENTS

Stephen Gaffney Judge of Probate (1998)

Dr. Lothar Candels -- Pediatrician and Fisher Meadows volunteer (1999)

James Martino -- Chief of Police (2000)

Mary Frances MacKie -- Avon historian (2001)

Richard Hines -- Town Council Chair (2002)

Donald B. Studley - -VFW 3272 Post Commander (2003)

Hank Frey -- Realtor and volunteer (2004)

Herb Pandiscio -- School Superintendent; chair, Avon 175th Anniversary (2005)

Arthur and Patricia Hennig -- Avon Soccer Co-Founders (2006)

Dan Widing -- Special Olympics volunteer (2007), and

Mark Nolan -- Former Pine Grove School principal (2007)

John Anthony O’Neill -- Volunteer and collector of Avon history (2008)

William Goralski -- Historian and author (2009)

Carl Candels -- Collector of Avon Memorabilia & Avon booster (2010)

Robert H. Breckenridge, Jr. -- Avon Land Trust member (2011)

Diane Hornaday -- Avon Free Public Library Building Committee Chair (2012)

Len Del Gallo, Sr. -- Avon Day Chair. (Posthumous Award, 2013)

Mary Harrop -- Natural Resources Committee long-time member, election volunteer, Avon Historical Society volunteer (2014)

William (Bill) Newman -- Gildo T. Consolini VFW Post #3272 past commander and volunteer on behalf of veterans. (2015)

John Carmon -- Community Volunteer and Mission Trip leader (2016)

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