Meriden Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Inductees

At the annual meeting of the Tuesday night at , President John Hogarth announced the three city residents who will be inducted in October. They are:

Joseph Borriello--Law, Government and Military
George Hamrah--Business and Commerce
Dr. David W. Parke--Science and Medicine

“I’m very pleased that we have three winners who are so distinguished,” said Hogarth. “All three are well-known. The voters made a good choice with these individuals. It’s a good year for the Hall of Fame.”

The three inductees were chosen from among 17 nominees in seven categories. More than 90 members voted. Each member was allowed three votes.

Joseph Boriello—Educator and War Hero

Born and raised in Meriden, Joseph Boriello, 89, is a decorated war hero. According to the biography provided by the Hall of Fame, he served in the U.S Army during both World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank of lieutenant.

Boriello’s infantry division captured Rome on June 4, 1944, two days before the beach landing at Normandy. That division spent more days in combat than any other. Boriello himself earned nine battle stars, his bio says.

In 2011, Boriello was appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy for his contributions to the liberation of France during World War II—a rare and prestigious honor.

Locally, Boriello was an educator. He was the first male elementary school teacher in the city of Meriden when he joined the staff of Samuel Huntington School in 1949. He eventually became a principal, filling that role at several Meriden schools including Ben Franklin, Thomas Hooker and Casimir Pulaski elementary schools and Washington Middle School. He retired in 1989.

George Hamrah—Business Owner, Sports Fan and Comedian

George Hamrah was born in Naugatuck in 1922 and moved to the Silver City in 1941. According to his Hall of Fame biography, his family has owned and operated Hamrah’s Decorators of Southington for 60 years, selling fine curtains and draperies.

His business card reveals that he is not only a business owner, but a comedian. Under “Important Telephone Numbers,” it lists not only his, but that of President Barack Obama, Governor Dannel Malloy, Queen Elizabeth II, and Pope Benedict XVI.

Hamrah’s comedy routines and singing have been a staple of the annual Kiwanis Kapers for more than 60 years.  

“He’s in all the shows, but he can’t sing a note,” jokes a friend who plays in the band.

A big sports fan, Hamrah was named Sportsman of the Year in 1982 by the YMCA Health Club. He also served as vice president of the former Meriden Intermediate League and was honored as its Man of the Year in 2000. He organized many a bus trip in the 1990s to Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Shea Stadium.

Like Boriello, Hamrah was in the army during World War II. He served in Okinawa and Japan, becoming a sergeant.

Today, he helps out in the community by serving meals to the elderly and providing rides to doctor appointments.

When asked how he felt when his name was announced, he replied, "I'm in shock. It came out of the clear blue!"

Dr. David W. Parke—Visionary Ophthalmologist

Born in Hartford in 1922, Dr. David Parke spent most of his childhood in Meriden. After receiving training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, he returned to Meriden to run a successful ophthalmology practice, according to his bio.

Parke served as chief of ophthalmology at Meriden-Wallingford Hospital, now MidState Medical Center, for 27 years, and as chief of the medical staff for 12 years. He received a Crystal Obelisk Award in 1993 “in recognition of distinguished contribution to the advancement of health care delivery systems in the community.”

Parke tried retirement briefly, but was soon back at work helping people with low vision. He took over as president of the Lions Club Low Vision Center in 1990. Under his guidance, the single center expanded to eight centers around the state, serving 1,500 clients a year.

Since 1996, Parke has directed low vision rehabilitation services as a Yale School of Medicine faculty member. He teaches ophthalmology residents and provides patient care.

Active in the Lions Club, Parke has been president of the local chapter and has received numerous awards from the organization, including being named a Melvin Jones Fellow—the highest recognition bestowed by the international  foundation.

Parke has also served on the board of trustees for the Curtis Home and the board of governors of the Bradley Home. He has chaired the Meriden Police and Fire Commission, been a director of the regional United Way, and served as a director of the Salvation Army for 20 years.

The Annual Meeting

In addition to upcoming inductee George Hamrah, three previous inductees were on hand at this year’s annual meeting of the Hall of Fame—Matt Dominello (2011), Rhudean Raye (2011), and Warren Stephan (2001).

In other business, the organization made George Esposito a permanent honorary member. Esposito stepped down from his role as treasurer after 18 years of service.

Hogarth also announced that the Hall of Fame received a $2,000 grant from the CUNO Foundation to create a website. The organization has enlisted local firm Web Solutions to help develop the site, which should be up and running soon, Hogarth said.

Since its founding in 1975, the Meriden Hall of Fame has inducted 123 individuals. Their names are displayed on plaques in City Hall.