CHARLES H. FLYNN HUMANITARIAN AWARD

The 2002 Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award


Joseph A. Pagliaro, Sr.

In recognition of "outstanding volunteer leadership" in the Lower Naugatuck Valley

Joseph A. Pagliaro, Sr., who died tragically on June 14, 2004, was the 32nd winner of the prestigious Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award presented by Valley United Way. Mr. Pagliaro had a long and distinguished career in the Valley as owner of the Riverview Funeral Home and the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home and made an indelible mark on the community for his active leadership and participation in the civic arena. In making the announcement in 2002, Jimmy Ryan, Chair of the Awards Committee and a member of United Way’s Board of Directors commented that, "Joe Pagliaro has been serving the Valley community his entire life, and he embodies the very traits that Charles Flynn was known for during his lifetime of service to the Valley". Those sentiments were echoed by Valley United Way Director Jack Walsh who noted that, "Joe Pagliaro’s activism in helping to make the Valley a better place to live and work is almost legendary. His work has touched many, many lives in a very positive fashion".

Particularly active with nonprofits in the community, Mr. Pagliaro was the former Chairman and Past President of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club as well as a twenty-eight year member of its Board of Directors. He was Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Homes of CT and served on a wide variety of committees there. He was also First Vice President and member of the Executive Committee for the Shelton Economic Development Corporation. In addition, he was a member of the Griffin Hospital Board of Trustees and a member of Board of Directors at Valley United Way.

Previously, he was a member of the Board of Directors for the Birmingham Group and the Parent Child Resource Center.

Mr. Pagliaro was also  very active in fund raising efforts in the area having chaired Valley United Way’s annual community campaign, the Bowlathon for the Birmingham Group, and the American Heart Association Walkathon as well as chairing the Michael Bourque Memorial Fund for Children. He was also the Honorary Chairman of the 1999 New Haven Symphony Golf Tournament.

Civic government in Shelton always took up much of his time and he was as he is a member of the the Planning & Zoning Commission for over 20 years and served as its Chairman. He also served on the Apportionment & Taxation Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. He was noted for his efforts to plan for the cohesive development of residential, commercial and industrial areas while protecting open space for future generations.

In addition to all his other efforts, Mr. Pagliaro was the first male mentor with the Shelton School system and was active with his church having been President of the St. Lawrence Parish Council as well as serving as a lector at the church.

Professionally, he was a graduate of Shelton High School and the American Academy McAllister College of Mortuary Science. He distinguished himself as past president of the New Haven Funeral Directors Association and was the former secretary of the Executive Committee for the Connecticut funeral Directors Association.
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