Pictured from left: Adam Roscoe, Paul Picirillo, Ed Deptula, Joe Kirei, Mike Cotela, Jr., Walter Oko Sr., Paul Padilla, Mark Andersen, Cody Winslow, John Zaprzalka. / Contributed photo
ANSONIA - More than 170 people attended the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley’s Alumni Association Hall of Fame ceremonies Jan. 26 at Molto Bene Italian Restaurant.
The event marks the eighth year that the Boys & Girls Club’s Alumni Association has honored its own.
Each candidate was nominated by either our Alumni Association, Board of Directors, Board of Corporators, or the general public.
The criteria for selection included being a former member of the Shelton-Derby Boys Club, the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, or the Community Center. Each candidate was judged on notable contributions in his or her life which would serve as a role model for children. Each candidate’s outstanding leadership and dedication to children and their service to our community were important factors in the selection process. Non-members of the Club are nominated and judged on their impact on children at the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
The inductees were:
Mike Cotela, Jr. Member of the Boys & Girls Club before the fire that destroyed the Shelton Clubhouse, during the transition, and after the new Clubhouse was opened in 1999. Counselor, Program Director, Keystone Advisor, and promoted to Unit Director for Ansonia Clubhouse in 2013.
Ed Deptula. Member of the Boys & Girls Club. Involved in Shelton National Little League, Shelton Babe Ruth League, and Shelton Flag Football. Volunteer and food consultant at St. Joseph’s Church for their yearly carnival and fish fry. City of Shelton employee. Semi-retired professional chef; graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.
Joe Kirei. Member of the Boys & Girls Club. Graduated Shelton High in the Class of ‘72’. Chef at the Ascot Club for the past 17 years.
Walter Oko Sr. Member when the Boys Club was shared with the Community Center. Worked as physical director for the Club, coached the basketball team, assistant director for summer camp. Attended Bridgeport Engineering, Southern Connecticut State University, and the University of Bridgeport. Worked for 37 years in education as a teacher and administrator.
Paul Padilla. Member of the Community Center. Coached basketball at the Club. Graduate of Shelton High. Earned a BA in History and an MA in education at Sacred Heart University. Teacher in Naugatuck.
Adam Roscoe. Member of the Boys & Girls Club. Member of Echo Hose Fire Department, and was first man in the door to extinguish the fire at the Club on Howe Avenue. Past Leiutenant of Echo Hose Ambulance Corp and former dispatcher for Shelton Police. Graduated second in his class for Police Academy Post Training and has been a Bridgeport Police Officer for 16 years.
Cody Winslow. Member of the Boys & Girls Club. Owner/operator of Winslow Landscaping and Winslow Oil.
John Zaprzalka. Member of the Boys & Girls Club. Still has the friends he made here 40 years ago. Received his Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Fairfield University, certified public accountant and registered investment advisor. Partner in the accounting and consulting firm Apicella, Testa & Company, P.C. Chairman of the Board of the Valley Community Foundation, former Chairman and current Vice-Chair of the Board of the Griffin Health Services Corporation including Griffin Hospital; serves on the Parish Council and financial committees of St. Michael’s Church in Derby; corporator of both the Valley United Way and the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
Porky’s Café. Co-owners Paul Piccirillo and Mark Anderson first encountered the Club’s Alumni Association during the softball tournament in 1988. Since then, through friendships, sponsorships of leagues, golf tournaments, and even a fantasy football league, they have forged a partnership that has helped a lot of our local youth.
For information about the Boys & Girls Club, visit www.BGC-LNV.org.
This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club.
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