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“Tonight’s awards honored people who have done much for our community and who have long been unnoticed. It’s time they are acknowledged for all of the wonderful work that they do,” said Bob Marrone, executive director of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce.
After bringing back the event for a Spring Dinner Dance, the chamber awarded its Humanitarian of the Year to Jeffrey Deskovic, of the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation. Also awarded were community leaders Rosemary McLaughlin and Frank Miceli.
Exonerated from prison after 16 years of a crime he didn’t commit, Deskovic was awarded money from the state. Instead of spending his financial gain on a lavish lifestyle, he used his monetary reward to “create a silver lining out of [his] hardship” and began a foundation.
The second honoree of the night, McLaughlin, a resident of New Rochelle, received the Lifetime Recognition Award. McLaughlin, who ran the Thanksgiving Day Parade and Haunted House for more than a decade, headed up the chamber for many years and, currently, is very active with the Republican Committee and works as senior vice president/group director of Signature Bank in the North End of New Rochelle.
The final award, The Unsung Citizenship Award, went to Miceli. He was chosen not only for the selfless hours he devotes to the budding New Rochelle organization but also for his active involvement in so many other nonprofits in the community.
“It was a fun evening, the honorees were touched, the food was wonderful, and the program flowed [with Bob as emcee]…overall I believe this is a blooming start to the Chamber bringing back the Annual Dinner Dance,” said Vincent Fasano, director of George T. Funeral Home and treasurer of the chamber.
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