2012 Honorees

Front Row: (L-R) Jim Tetro, Jim Nocera, Brandon Ward, Abby Rose Massarelli, Emily Zygiel and Steve Phelps. Back Row: David Woznicki, Gary Fleming, Jen Hadley, Steve Wysowski, Craig Yarde.

BRISTOL PRESS STORY:

Tramps honor area’s best
Friday, April 13, 2012 10:43 PM EDT
By Paul Angilly

It was a celebration of excellence in the Bristol sports community Friday night as the Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee held its 42nd annual Sports Reunion Dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

Nine awards representing outstanding contributions and/or achievement in local sports were presented, along with three $1,000 scholarships, one to a student from each local high school.

The awards and scholarships were all announced long ago, but the dinner was a chance for all the recipients to offer thanks to all those who supported them and helped make their achievements possible.

Each recipient had a personal story to tell, too. Ronald Choiniere Award winner Brandon Ward was found to be developmentally disabled as a young boy, but still put together a sports resume anyone could be proud of.

He joined Bristol’s Challenger Baseball League in 1990 and was guided by the late Ed Beardsley, who began the league two years earlier. Beardsley is among those Ward thanked in a prepared statement read by an assistant. He is still with the league as a player and coach and has also been with the Discovery basketball team since that program began.

A Special Olympian in various sports, Ward said “I really love sports and plan to continue to play.”

Current Bristol Eastern principal Steven Wysowski accepted the Team Award on behalf of St. Paul’s state championship track teams from the 1970s, which he coached. The Falcons won state championships in six of seven straight years, 1971-1975 and 1977.

“They were a collective group that was driven,” he said of those teams.

He talked about several of the members of those teams and their successes after high school.

“Their dedication and hard work have seen them through some great successes after St. Paul,” Wysowski said.

The former coach said he was proud to have his teams recognized along with all the other honorees.

“I’m humbled when I hear of all your exploits and all you’ve done,” he said.

Committee Award recipient Craig Yarde said being at the dinner brought back a lot of memories.

The Yarde Metals owner was recognized for his many contributions to the local sports scene and the city in general, including donating scoreboards for Bristol Central and Muzzy Field and Bristol Events Display boards at Bristol Central, Bristol Eastern and Route 6 that help advertise for Bristol’s non-profits and display Amber alert notices for the police department.

The son of a former sports promoter, he said he wanted to be a pro athlete when he grew up, but his dream was derailed by multiple ailments. Yet he has continued to contribute to local athletes all his life.

“This is a very emotional award for me to win,” he said.

Other award winners were Jen Hadley (Lydia Jabs Bailey Award), Jim Nocera (Chuck McCarthy Award), Gary Fleming (Harp Broderick Award), Jim Tetro (Bill Garrett Award), Steve Phelps (Ed Lodovico Award), Bristol Soccer Club (Tony Savino Award).

Scholarship winners were Bristol Eastern’s Abby Rose Massarelli (Patricia D’Amato Memorial Scholarship), St. Paul’s Kaleigh Paccioretti (Spartacus Carpenter Memorial Scholarship) and Bristol Central’s Emily Zygiel (Frank Scalia Memorial Scholarship).

Paul Angilly can be reached at (860) 584-0501, ext. 7271, or pangilly@centralctcommunications.com.

The Bristol Tramps mourn the passing of our friend, committee member, teacher, and all around incredible individual, Jerry Carpenter. To your family, loved ones and friends we extend our deepest sympathy. May the integrity and devotion with which Jerry lived his life be an inspiration to others.

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee is pleased to announce the members of our community being recognized at the 42nd annual Tramps Sports Reunion Dinner on April 13, 2012.

Ronald Choiniere Award—Brandon Ward
Lydia Jabs Bailey Award—Jen Hadley
Chuck McCarthy Award—Jim Nocera
Harp Broderick Award—Gary Fleming 
Bill Garrett Award—Jim Tetro
Ed Lodovico Award—Steve Phelps
Tony Savino Award—Bristol Soccer Club
Team Award—St. Paul High School’s Track Teams from the 70’s
Committee Award—Craig Yarde

The Bristol Tramps will also provide a $1000 scholarship to a senior at each of Bristol’s High Schools. The Julie Larese Memorial Scholarship consists of matching funds provided by local companies in memory of their loved ones. This year’s Julie Larese Scholarship Awards:

Patricia D’Amato Memorial Scholarship-Bristol Eastern High School
Abby Rose Massarelli

Spartacus Carpenter Memorial Scholarship-St. Paul Catholic High School
Kaleigh Paccioretti

Frank Scalia Memorial Scholarship-Bristol Central High School
Emily Zygiel

Tickets to the April 13, 2012 dinner event at the Aqua Turf are available by contacting Maryellen Holden at 860-583-6085. Tickets will not be available at the door and should be purchased prior to April 1, 2012.

Advertising opportunities are offered in the 2012 Program booklet, by contacting us on our website.  To acknowledge this year’s honorees all advertising and congratulatory messages are due by January 20, 2012.

Congratulations to all!  We’ll see you on April 13!

Do you know an individual or team that should be nominated for an award?  We welcome your submissions! Please provide historical and/or biographical information to support your nomination.  All submissions can be sent to the CONTACT US section of the site.  Send your suggestions no later than November 1!

Ron Choiniere Award: Individual must a person with a disability involved in athletics.

Lydia Jabs Bailey Award: Individual nominated must be a female involved in athletics.

Chuck McCarthy Award: Individual must be involved in athletics, press activities, public relations or media.

Harp Broderick Award: Individual nominated must be a male involved in athletics.

Bill Garrett Award: Individual nominated must be involved in athletics (male or female), sponsor of sporting activities, volunteerism or service to sports and community.

Ed Lodovico Award: Individual nominated must have been involved in athletics and promoted or managed sports teams in Bristol.

The Julie Larese Team Award: A team that deserves recognition for their accomplishments.

The Tony Savino Award: This award is given to a deserving sports organization or charity keeping in line with Tony’s philosophy of ‘paying it forward’.

Thank you for your input and continued help in promoting Bristol through Sports!

Catch the TV coverage of the 41st annual Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion dinner and awards ceremony on Nutmeg TV this week!  Monday, May 2nd @ 6pm and Friday, May 13th @ 7pm on

Comcast Channel 95 At&t U-Verse Channel 99

2011 Honorees  
Front Row (L-R): Edward D’Amato, Sr., Andrea DiVenere, Jordan Derosier, Greg Fradette, Craig Levesque, Al Lorenzetti.
Back Row (L-R): Hank Lodge, Bob DeSantis, Stacey Clingan, Donna Papazian and Ed Phalen.

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion lived up to the organizations motto of “Helping Preserve Bristol’s Sports History” during its 41^st annual dinner on Friday, April 15. The event held at the Aqua Turf, was said to have been “taken up a notch or two” as over 430 guests renewed friendships and paid tribute to this year’s honorees and scholarship winners.

The evening was hosted by toastmistress, Maryellen Holden–who each year manages to keep the program entertaining and on schedule. Donna Papazian prepared a wonderful tribute to the recently deceased Tramps Chairman, Thomas Murrone, whose wife and family were in attendance. 

Following the family-style dinner, the Julie Larese Memorial Scholarships were presented by Julie’s daughter Marion Gifford to a senior from each of Bristol’s High Schools. Jordan Derosier (BEHS), Reid Roberge (SPCHS) and Andrea DiVenere (BCHS) were thoughtful and brief in their acceptance speeches.

“The 2011 Award winners represent some of our community’s greatest assets and in more ways than one have contributed to Bristol’s sports heritage” said newly appointed Chairman, John Lodovico. 

The class of 2011 include: Craig Levesque (Ronald Choiniere Award), Stacey Clingan (Lydia Jabs Bailey Award), Hank Lodge (Chuck McCarthy Award), Al Lorenzetti (Harp Broderick Award), Bob DeSantis (Bill Garrett Award), Donna Papazian (Ed Lodovico Award), Edward D’Amato, Sr. (Committee Award), Bristol Boys and Girls Club and Family Center (Tony Savino “Pay it Forward” Award) and the 1989/1990 BCHS Basketball (Team Award).

The night was filled with wonderful memories, great stories, some funny and others inspirational.

John Lodovico, director of facilities at Tunxis Community College, has been named chairman of the Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee, following the recent death of chairman, Tom Murrone.

A lifelong Bristol resident, Lodovico has been active in Bristol with numerous boards and organizations. He has been a longtime member of the Tramps organization and served as Treasurer.

Coach Dan Valerio renains Co-Chair, Cathy Savino, the Executive Director. Replacing Lodovico as Treasurer, is Donna Papazian. Maryellen Holden has been named Secretary and Carolyn Ziogas as the organization’s Legal Advisor.

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee members are saddened by the death of our chairman, Thomas Murrone.  

Tom’s contributions to and for many local organizations has been invaluable.  His continued support of Julie Larese’s vision has made the Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion a better organization because of his exceptional, dependable leadership and guidance.  He will be sorely missed.

Here’s a tribute written and read during our annual dinner by Donna Papazian:
On March 7, the Tramps lost our much beloved friend and chairman, Tom Murrone. What can we say about a man who has given so much to so many people during his lifetime? 
Born and raised in Bristol, baptized in St. Anthony’s Church, Tom came from a very close-knit family, growing up on Gaylord St. together with the D’Amato family. As a young man, Tom worked selling vegetables going door to door in his truck. His family was devastated when Tom’s older brother Jim was killed on Iwo Jima while serving with the Marines; his younger brother Vito worked with Tom at the Plainville Spring Co.
Tom was always first and foremost a true family man: a respectful son and brother, a caring father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a loving and loyal husband to Patricia.
He was a dedicated community leader, a tireless volunteer, a sincere and trusted friend. And he accomplished all that he did with a quiet grace and dignity, never seeking the limelight, never looking for credit. He was a true humanitarian.
One of Tom’s many passions was his involvement with the Elks Club. Over the years, he held many positions in that organization; and, as Bob Montgomery said in his column: quote: “He brought goodness and happiness to many. The Elks Christmas party was one of the best days of the year for Tom.” Tom also enjoyed being an “uncle” to hundreds of young athletes at the Eastern Regional LL Tournament here at Bristol’s Giamatti Center every August. He did this for the past 16 years. He loved everything about that tournament: the games, the spirit and most of all, the kids. At our last meting, Maryellen told us how every morning, Tom would sit in his folding chair outside his boys’ dorm, reading his newspaper and, with that winning smile of his, he would say: “There’s nothing better than this.”
And each year at Christmas time, Tom would pay a visit to Don Soucy, Director at Giamatti, and proudly share the many cards and letters he had received throughout the year from players and families that he had befriended the previous summer. Don said that each time he would shake his head and say, “This was the best team I ever had.” And, of course, he said that every year.
And, finally, the Tramps. Tom faithfully and diligently carried out the legacy and wishes of Julie Larese and helped to grow our organization to what it is today. Tom struggled to attend our December meeting. He wanted to be sure to wish everyone a ‘Merry Christmas’ and thank us for our work over the past year. Even in the face of great adversity, Tom Murrone showed up to do what he felt was right. That was the kind of man he was. It would be his final meeting and the last time we would see him.
And so, what do we say in memory of this remarkable man? To the Murrone family, we say “thank you” for sharing him with us all these years. We hope that by recalling our memories of Tom and all of his good works may, in some small way, help to sustain you in the weeks and months ahead. And, from the Tramps, we say to Tom, simply, “Thank you so much.”  We will always remember the life’s lessons that you stood for.  We cherish your leadership, your sprit and your kindness.  We praise you for the example you set for us.  And, we will never forget you, Tom.

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee is pleased to announce the 2011 honorees being recognized at the 41^st annual Tramps Sports Reunion dinner April 15, 2011 at the Aqua Turf Club.

Ronald Choiniere Award
Craig Levesque

Lydia Jabs Bailey Award
Stacey Porrini-Clingan

Chuck McCarthy Award                       
Hank Lodge

Harp Broderick Award                           
Al Lorenzetti

Bill Garrett Award                                     
Bob DeSantis

Ed Lodovico Award                                  
Donna Papazian

Tony Savino “Pay it Forward” Award                                  
Bristol Boys & Girls Club

Team Award                                                  
1989 BCHS Basketball Team

Committee Award                                     
Edward D’Amato, Sr.

“This year’s honorees truly exemplify the combined tradition of sports, commitment and community for whom these awards are named.  It gives the Sports Reunion Committee great pleasure to pay tribute to these individuals on their achievements,” said Chairman, Thomas Murrone. 

In addition, the Bristol Tramps provide a $1000 scholarship to a senior at each of Bristol’s High Schools. The Julie Larese Memorial Scholarship consists of matching funds provided by local companies in memory of their loved ones.

Julie Larese Scholarship Awards  
Patricia D’Amato Memorial Scholarship-Bristol Eastern High School
Jordan Derosier

Spartacus Carpenter Memorial Scholarship-St. Paul Catholic High School
Reid Roberge

Frank Scalia Memorial Scholarship-Bristol Central High School
Andrea M. DiVenere

To acknowledge this year’s honorees all advertising and congratulatory messages are due by January 25, 2011. Advertising opportunities are available in the 2011 Program booklet, by clicking on the contact us section above.

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion will hold it’s 41st annual dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on April 15, 2011. 

While Julie’s wish was to keep the event in Bristol, our event has grown substantially over the years and there isn’t a venue within Bristol that can accommodate our needs. 

The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Committee decided it was time to ‘kick it up a notch’ and provide our guests a little breathing space with improved food choices and impeccible service for which the Aqua Turf is well known.

We realize the economic conditions have caused many to tighten their belts and we’re happy to report we managed to cap the dinner ticket cost at $30! 

Contact a member of the Bristol Tramps to secure your ticket today!  We look forward to seeing you in April and honoring Bristol’s best!