Ben Graziano is named Absecon's top citizen. His widow, Mary, will accept the award June 12 at Rifici's
Posted by Jersey Shore Breaking News at Wednesday, June 04. 2008 and is filed under Current of Pleasantville,Absecon 
By STEVE PRISAMENT
Staff Writer
ABSECON – Ben Graziano, who died Saturday, May 10, has been chosen 2008 citizen of the year by the Absecon Republican Club.
His wife and partner for 53 years, Mary Graziano, will accept the award Thursday, June 12 at Rifici’s Italian Ristorante.
“The citizen of the year award was established in 2005 to annually recognize a person or family who has made a major contribution,” said event chairman Bob Kusnirik. “The nonpartisan award is given annually to a person or persons in the city of Absecon who have given unselfishly to the Absecon Community and to the Atlantic County area without thought of personal gain.”
The Grazianos have been active in the Absecon Community all their lives as members and community leaders in the American Legion, Absecon Parks and Playgrounds, the Shade Tree Committee, Concerts in the Park, Blue Devils Football, St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Parish and many other endeavors that have contributed to the well-being of the community, Kusnirik said Tuesday, May 27.
“Ben’s volunteer efforts and dedication to the people of Absecon over many, many years without thought of personal gain is legend, and the spirit of what this award is all about,” said Bobbie Gorman, co-chairperson for the event.
“He volunteered his time for so many things. This year’s announcement was postponed out of respect for the Graziano family after Ben’s untimely death. We are all so very sad that he will not be here to personally accept the award, but I am sure he will be here in spirit when the award is presented to his wife, Mary.”
Kusnirik described Graziano as someone for whom no task was too large.
“Those who know the hours of work that Ben has contributed to the city of Absecon and its residents, never seeking any personal gain, are truly awed by the energy that he put into his efforts,” he said. “This is truly representative of the type of people that make the city of Absecon a really great place to live and raise a family.”
Previous recipients of the award are Barry Hackett for his contribution toward creating the Field of Dreams, Jack Bayer for his efforts in caring for senior citizens, and Chickie and Charlie Coyle for their efforts on behalf of the people of Absecon and Boy Scouting.
The Absecon Republican Club has scheduled its dinner at Rifici’s on New Jersey Avenue to begin with a mixer at 6 p.m. June 12, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 per person. Entrees choices are prime rib, shrimp scampi or chicken parmigiana.
Reservations, including entrées and number attending, can be emailed to information@AbseconGOP.com or called in to (609) 645-3800 in the daytime or (609) 646-9677 evenings and weekends.
Mail checks to the Absecon Republican Club, PO Box 123, Absecon, NJ 08201.
For information call Kusnirik at (609) 641-1878.
Staff Writer
ABSECON – Ben Graziano, who died Saturday, May 10, has been chosen 2008 citizen of the year by the Absecon Republican Club.
His wife and partner for 53 years, Mary Graziano, will accept the award Thursday, June 12 at Rifici’s Italian Ristorante.
“The citizen of the year award was established in 2005 to annually recognize a person or family who has made a major contribution,” said event chairman Bob Kusnirik. “The nonpartisan award is given annually to a person or persons in the city of Absecon who have given unselfishly to the Absecon Community and to the Atlantic County area without thought of personal gain.”
The Grazianos have been active in the Absecon Community all their lives as members and community leaders in the American Legion, Absecon Parks and Playgrounds, the Shade Tree Committee, Concerts in the Park, Blue Devils Football, St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Parish and many other endeavors that have contributed to the well-being of the community, Kusnirik said Tuesday, May 27.
“Ben’s volunteer efforts and dedication to the people of Absecon over many, many years without thought of personal gain is legend, and the spirit of what this award is all about,” said Bobbie Gorman, co-chairperson for the event.
“He volunteered his time for so many things. This year’s announcement was postponed out of respect for the Graziano family after Ben’s untimely death. We are all so very sad that he will not be here to personally accept the award, but I am sure he will be here in spirit when the award is presented to his wife, Mary.”
Kusnirik described Graziano as someone for whom no task was too large.
“Those who know the hours of work that Ben has contributed to the city of Absecon and its residents, never seeking any personal gain, are truly awed by the energy that he put into his efforts,” he said. “This is truly representative of the type of people that make the city of Absecon a really great place to live and raise a family.”
Previous recipients of the award are Barry Hackett for his contribution toward creating the Field of Dreams, Jack Bayer for his efforts in caring for senior citizens, and Chickie and Charlie Coyle for their efforts on behalf of the people of Absecon and Boy Scouting.
The Absecon Republican Club has scheduled its dinner at Rifici’s on New Jersey Avenue to begin with a mixer at 6 p.m. June 12, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 per person. Entrees choices are prime rib, shrimp scampi or chicken parmigiana.
Reservations, including entrées and number attending, can be emailed to information@AbseconGOP.com or called in to (609) 645-3800 in the daytime or (609) 646-9677 evenings and weekends.
Mail checks to the Absecon Republican Club, PO Box 123, Absecon, NJ 08201.
For information call Kusnirik at (609) 641-1878.
Comments