Mystic Resident Receives Groton Rotary's Jerry Scarano Award

John Silsby is the recipient of the Annual Scarano Award, presented each year to a member of the Groton Rotary Club. Past President Lea Doran presented the award to Silsby at a recent Groton Rotary Club luncheon meeting.

“The Groton Rotary Club is honored to present this year’s Scarano Award to John Silsby,” said Doran.  She praised Silsby for his advising, guiding and shepherding her during her term as club president in 2012-13.

Commenting on his selection for the award, Silsby said, “I'm very happy to receive Jerry's award because he was the ultimate Rotarian!!”

Silsby was cited for his outstanding contributions during the past year.  These include his strong commitment to the Rotary Club’s concession stand project at the Mystic Schooners home games at Fitch Senior High School.  This project has become a major fundraiser for the club.

While Club President, he convinced the club to participate in the Adopt a Highway Program. Since then, he chaired the club’s efforts to clean up and maintain Thomas Road in the Birch Plain Creek area at the City-Town line for the past several years.

Silsby also chairs the Rotary’s annual Amber Alert Program at Groton’s Annual Fall Festival.  Club members register children by entering their names and photos into a national police registry to facilitate their recovery in case of an emergency.  He is also a Paul Harris Fellow.

John Silsby joined the Groton Rotary Club in September 2000 after arriving in Groton to become the Town of Groton Parks and Recreation Director.  Silsby retired two years ago, but he has continued his commitment to Rotary.  Previously he had been an active member and president of the Rotary Club of the Tonawondas in upper New York State.

John lives in Mystic with his wife Robin.

The Scarano Award was created and funded by former Groton Rotarian Jerry Scarano, who was one of the original members of the Groton Rotary Club.  Scarano established the award several years ago to recognize club members, who distinguished themselves during the Rotary year. Scarano was a member of the club for some 37 years before he moved to Florida.  He was also a former Groton Rotary Club President and a former Governor of Rotary International District 7980.

Each year the past three recipients of the award are charged with the responsibility to choose the next Scarano Award winner.

 The Groton Rotary Club is a community organization dedicated to the theme, “Service Above Self”, and welcomes new members. Persons who are interested in joining the club should visit the club’s web site at grotonrotary.org or contact a local Rotarian.  You may also contact Club President John Scott by e-mailing him at john27@me.com.