Two great citizens of Stoneham honored
Published on October 31st, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - It is with great pleasure that the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce announces that Kathleen L. Bray is this year’s winner of the Stoneham Citizen of the Year contest.
In what was a tightly contested race, Kathy edged out Stoneham Firefighter Michael Flynn and because the vote was so very close, the committee agreed Mike should receive Honorable Mention. Both Kathy and Mike will receive tickets to this year’s Crystal Ball, which will be held on Nov. 17, 2001, at Montvale Plaza in Stoneham, where they will be officially proclaimed and honored.
"Kathy is a tireless supporter of the arts in Stoneham," wrote Nina McGrath on her nomination form.
Nancy Dapkiewicz wrote, "She’s done a lot for Stoneham…for years and she’s done it cheerfully…I wish there were 24 clones of her all over town!"
And, Edie Previdi added, "What really makes Kathy so special is she expects nothing in return…. she is our ambassador and we are very lucky to have Kathy!"
Kathy officially retired this past September as a director on the board of the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce after serving nine years. During her tenure, she worked diligently on the summer concert series and a variety of Chamber projects and served as board president in 1999. Additionally, Kathy teaches piano, is the treasurer at All Saints Episcopal Church, a trustee of the board of Stoneham Theatre as well as Theatre Guild president, and has served on a variety of town boards, including the Stoneham Business and Community Education Foundation, StonehAm CreaTes and the Community Concert Pro-gram. Kathy resides on Lincoln Street in Stoneham with her husband David and is the mother of four children.
Mike Flynn is a Stoneham Firefighter and E.M.T. He also serves as Commander of the American Legion Post #115.
"Mike is a member of the Kelly Conlon Committee, the Summer Concert Series Committee, the Veterans’ 11K Road Race Committee," wrote Cheryl Craig, who added that he does it all with effort and enthusiasm.
In his nomination for Mike Flynn, Stoneham Public Library Director Hugh Williams noted, "This true son of Stoneham exemplifies the citizen/soldier/firefighter to whom so many of us rely upon and look up to during these historic times."
Perhaps many Stoneham residents will recall Mike’s emotion-filled reading of "Old Glory" at Stoneham’s Town Day opening ceremonies.
The Chamber would also like to recognize each of the following, who were also nominated among the ballots received for this year’s contest: Shirley Murray, Bob Sweeney, Ralph Barile, Jan Houghton, Eugene Passaro, Mark Vaughan, Roger Fotino, Michael Kozlowski, Pat Kilty, Cheryl Walsh, Bill Scullin, Shawn Marston, Brad Dalbeck, Marie Christie, Elaine McKenzie, Charlene Corcoran, Tom Macone, Daniel Maffeo and Dennis Visconti. The nominations were varied, but the theme was the same. These are folks who care about Stoneham and give of themselves tirelessly. Congratula-tions to all the nominees.
The Chamber hopes that all Stoneham residents will consider attending this year’s Crystal Ball to honor two of Stoneham’s finest. Tickets ($50 per person) are still available and must be reserved in advance. For more information, call 781-438-0001.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!