YMCA Honors Memory of Longtime Livingston Resident/Philanthropist

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges. Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com.

A volunteer leader at New Jersey’s largest association of YMCAs has been honored for community advocacy that echoes the good work of a YMCA hero.

The Metropolitan YMCA of the Orange bestowed the first Kenneth A. DeGhetto Philanthropic Ambassador Award to Daren Phil, president and chief operations officer of Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc., at its annual recognition dinner on April 5.

The award was established in memory of longtime Metro Y director Kenneth G. DeGhetto, who died in September at the age of 92. The World War II veteran and retired chairman of the global corporation Foster Wheeler gave generously of his time and resources to champion the Metro YMCA’s mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“Ken’s are big shoes to fill, but Daren has truly demonstrated his willingness to walk a mile and beyond in those shoes,” said Stuart Vorcheimer, chairman of the Metro YMCA board of directors. “He is always willing to share in the big dream and do the the hard work that follows.”

Phil said he considers it a special honor because he knew DeGhetto “and understood how passionate he was to help others. Knowing what Ken stood for makes me realize that it not only takes sincere dedication but it needs to be lifestyle of commitment in helping others.”

The 55-year-old had no ties to any YMCA until his engineering firm was tapped to help redevelop Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, one of the Metro Y’s six branches. Impressed by the Y’s mission, Phil accepted an invitation from Metro YMCA CEO and President Richard K. Gorab to join the board of directors in 2013.

“I cherish being actively involved with a group of special people that truly care about others and are so passionate to help out our communities,” he said.

Phil serves on the board’s executive committee and chairs its building and property committee, sharing his extensive engineering expertise as the Y develops its longterm capital improvement plan, Vorcheimer said. He has provided generous financial support and chaired the Y’s annual giving campaign.

“All you have to do is call Daren and ask him something and he’ll say, ‘yes, I can. What do you need?’ ’’ said Gorab.

Phil and his wife, Jane, live in Mount Arlington. They have three adult children, Joseph, Leann and Andrew, and infant granddaughters, Lucy Elizabeth and Natalie Ann.

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges is the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey, serving more than 35,000 individuals and providing nearly $1.3 million in direct financial assistance. Its six YMCAs are located in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne.