Newington Parks Employee Honored By CT Parks And Rec Association

Press release from the Town of Newington:

Feb. 25, 2021

The Newington Parks and Recreation Department announces today that Mr. William (Billy) DeBlasio, longtime Parks and Recreation Board Member, received the 2020 Public Service Award from the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association (CRPA). The award ceremony to honor him was held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at the CRPA Annual State Conference in front of hundreds of people at Mohegan Sun. Mr. DeBlasio has selflessly contributed to his hometown of Newington in countless ways for over 30 years. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Newington Parks and Recreation Department and has been a valuable asset in garnering further support for projects that benefit the Department and, in turn, the residents whom it serves.

Mr. DeBlasio has been on the Parks and Recreation Board since 2005. For the duration of those 15 years, he has volunteered his time at a number of events. He can be found volunteering each of the four days during the Department’s largest event of the year, the award-winning Life. Be in it. Extravaganza, which takes place from Wednesday through Saturday during the third week of July. He holds the imperative job of refilling 20 coolers with ice at the event’s Craft Beer Night, held on Friday. Any beer connoisseur will tell you how important it is to keep the beer cold so it can be served at its peak refreshing taste. Being that the event often times takes place during the hottest week of the year, Mr. DeBlasio’s job could not be more vital. In addition, he helps pour beer and wine during the other three days to serve the tens of thousands of attendees at the award-winning event. He also volunteers his time in the ticket booth at the event’s traveling carnival, which attracts tens of thousands more to its colorful, flashing lights and exhilarating rides. The event culminates with the area’s largest fireworks show that can be seen from miles away. It is estimated to attract over 40,000 people to Newington each year.

In addition to his contributions at the Department’s largest event, Mr. DeBlasio also volunteers his time at the award-winning Motorcycle Madness event, helping to collect entry fees, hand out kickstand plates, and park motorcycles. The event takes place annually and it is the areas first big motorcycle event each year, attracting over 5,000 people to Mill Pond Park. Featuring live music, a beer and wine tent, food trucks, motorcycle-specific vendors, awards, and more, this event is expected to continue to grow each and every year. Mr. DeBlasio also joins the rest of the Parks and Recreation Board and Newington Town Council at the Night of Lights event. This increasingly popular event takes place the first Saturday of December each year and has grown significantly over recent years. The event features a firetruck parade, Christmas tree lighting, arrival of Santa Claus, caroling, a firepit, s’mores making, hay wagon ride, video game trailer, confetti cannon, and so much more. Mr. DeBlasio helps lead the carolers with the rest of the Board Members and is always willing to lend a helping hand to Department staff throughout the event.

As if his dedication to the Department wasn’t enough, Mr. DeBlasio has contributed to his community in so many other ways. He has been a volunteer firefighter in Berlin for 25 years and is now an honorable lifetime member. He has coached Little League baseball and American Legion for 15 years, while acting as the Little League Board Liaison with Parks and Recreation. He also coached youth and travel basketball as well as midget football for 20 years. He was also pivotal in securing funds for batting cage netting at Newington’s Clem Lemire Athletic Complex. Lastly, Mr. DeBlasio’s compassion and love for the thousands of kids that he has coached over the years was made evident when a former player’s mother passed away. Mr. DeBlasio coordinated a fundraiser to put a memorial bench and tree at Clem Lemire Athletic Complex, where the former player grew up playing for Mr. DeBlasio as his coach.

When it comes to “Public Service,” you will find no truer representation than that of Mr. Bill DeBlasio. He is the absolute epitome of selflessness and has put his community before himself his entire life. He is the perfect example of someone that is helping our Department towards our goal of “Building a Strong Community.” The Department extends our most sincere congratulations with this statewide recognition to Mr. DeBlasio!

This press release was produced by the Town of Newington. The views expressed here are the author's own.