February 18, 2010

By Rick Winterson

Six Henry Knox “Unsung Heroes” Awards will be conferred at the SBCA Annual Kickoff Breakfast at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, February 27, in The Cornerstone.  ‘Tis always a grand occasion, it is, it is.  Don’t miss the food, music, and warm fellowship, plus the chance to congratulate the awardees.

One of the most anticipated events on the South Boston calendar is the Annual Kickoff Breakfast at The Cornerstone, which is sponsored by the SBCA (the South Boston Citizens’ Association).  It’s the traditional beginning of the St. Patrick/ Evacuation Day Season.  The high point of this celebration is conferring the Henry Knox “Unsung Heroes” Awards.  This year, John Picariello, Jim Brock, Barbara Anne Loftus, Michael Caputo, Josh Parra, and John “Chico” Silva have been nominated as South Boston’s 2010 “Unsung Heroes”

The Awards are named for Henry Knox because of the many little known but critical roles he played in America’s War of Independence.  Knox’s successes began with his “Noble Train of Artillery” in 1775/1776.  The 59 cannons he brought to South Boston from Ticonderoga were emplaced on Dorchester Heights and forced the British to evacuate Boston.  As Washington’s Major General of Artillery, Knox’s strategy pinned British General Cornwallis down in Yorktown, bringing the Revolutionary War to a close.  Washington later appointed Knox his Cabinet Secretary of War.  Among his many achievements, Knox founded West Point and laid the keel of the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”), which is still berthed here in Boston.

“Unsung Hero” John Picariello has devoted an extraordinary amount of time and effort to the South Boston Youth Hockey League.  He has spent countless hours on league matters, neighborhood meetings, and hockey issues.  This has involved thousands of e-mails and information postings.

John’s work with youth hockey has gone on for decades.  Two years ago, he was named the 2008 South Boston “Italian/American of the Year” for his hockey league work, which was awarded to him by Mayor and Mrs. Thomas and Angela Menino.  His devoted work in youth hockey continues, so he now joins the company of Henry Knox.

Jim Brock is the founder and owner of Boston Home Inspectors, which he established in 1996 here in South Boston after 15 years in the construction industry.  Boston Home Inspectors, as its name implies, provides a number of professional services to home buyers.  Jim’s company will inspect a home or condo for sound condition, contract completion, precise valuations (including those for the IRS), and leasing arrangements.

When asked about his “Unsung Hero” Award, Jim mentioned that South Boston’s coaches, referees, and league administrators are the true unsung heroes.  “They put in the time and an incredible effort on youth sports”, he stated.  What Jim has done is to divert a goodly part of his firm’s public relations funds to worthwhile community causes.  This has provided a steady flow of funds over many years for needs from athletic equipment to a Boys & Girls Club stove (the cookies in cooking class were getting burnt).

Barbara Anne Loftus is a Suffolk County Probation Officer.  She has worked in the court system since 1979, progressing up the ladder of responsibility by putting herself through school at night to qualify for her current position.  She has worked with the Boys & Girls Club as Career and Education Coordinator and arranged youth trips to Washington, D.C., Virginia, Loon Mountain, and Niagara Falls.  She has taken part in the Young at Arts group, as well numerous other youth programs.

Regarding her own accomplishments, Barbara is quick to point out that she’s following the path laid out by people like Jack Leary, Bob Manion, and Frank Pedersen.  Her special mentors have been Helen Allix and her own parents, Martin and Barbara Loftus.  Barbara is also a creative jewelry maker, who designates a portion of her sales to the Tynan Community Center.  In many cases, she donates her creations to fundraisers outright.

“Unsung Heroes” Michael Caputo, Josh Parra, and John “Chico” Silva were the trio who chased down a pair of bicycle-riding purse snatchers on Wednesday evening, December 2.  The thieves had victimized a young woman walking home on East Second Street.  When Caputo, Parra, and Silva saw this happening, all three gave chase – on foot, by car, and in a pickup.  After cutting both thieves off, they apprehended one of them.  The other brandished a knife and fled, only to be captured by the police in South Bay.  The purse and its contents were returned to the woman.

Even though the chase happened on the spur of the moment, it became quite a posse.  That’s now a New England word, just as that western-sounding word “maverick” started in Boston.  All three of those “Unsung Heroes” demonstrated rare qualities of courage when needed and a willingness to help another human being in trouble.

Please join us at the SBCA’s Kickoff Breakfast in The Cornerstone on Saturday, February 27, for a great event – warm fellowship, music by Bob Fowkes and Curragh’s Fancy, food catered by the Famolares, emcee duties performed by Sen. Jack Hart, and six new Henry Knox “Unsung Heroes”.