The Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion continued “Helping to Preserve Bristol’s Sports History” by celebrating its 45th annual dinner on Friday, April 10. The event was held at the Aqua Turf, as over 300 guests renewed friendships and paid tribute to this year’s honorees and scholarship winners.
The evening was hosted by toastmistress, Maryellen Holden. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation by Father Nicolas Melo, the Julie Larese Memorial Scholarships were presented by Julie’s daughter, Marion Gifford to a senior from each of Bristol’s high schools. Rachel Ann DellaBianca (Bristol Eastern High School), Kelly McMahon (St. Paul Catholic High School), and Andrew Damon-Smith (Bristol Central High School) were thoughtful as they acknowledged family, friends and teachers who’ve helped guide them on their journeys.
The Bristol Tramps, in a press release, “gratefully acknowledged” the following for providing matching funds toward the $1,000 scholarships in memory of their loved ones: D’Amato Construction, John E Tavera Memorial Fund, and The Frank Scalia Family.
Following the family-style dinner, one by one, the honorees acknowledged their families, friends, and the crowd was treated to some funny and touching stories. As the evening ended, Chairman John Lodovico praised the honorees and their families and invited everyone back for the 46th Tramps Dinner scheduled for April 8, 2016. Lodovico also announced that Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion Secretary and MC Maryellen Holden would be receiving the Chamber of Commerce’s “Volunteer of the Year” award in June.
The class of 2015 include: Peter Lamy (Ronald Choiniere Award), Meegan Wright Martin (Lydia Jabs Bailey Award), Dominic Perno (Chuck McCarthy Award), Steve Cowdell (Harp Broderick Award), Jack Krampitz (Bill Garrett Award), Jim Bates (Ed Lodovico Award), Jon Pose (Committee Award), Roberto Clemente League @ Cambridge Park (Tony Savino Award) and the 1980 and 1984 St. Paul Catholic High School, Soccer State Champions (Team Award).
“The 2015 honorees represent some of our community’s greatest assets and have greatly contributed to Bristol’s sports heritage” said co-chairman Tony Carrier.
Nutmeg TV will broadcast the Bristol Tramps Dinner Event on Comcast Channel 95 and Frontier Channel 99 on the following dates: Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m.; Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information on the Bristol Tramps visit their website at www.bristoltramps.org or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
At last Friday’s Bristol Tramps Sports Reunion. Front Row from the left, Coach Tony Lodovico, Peter Lamy, Rachel Anne DellaBianca, Kelly McMahon, Andrew Damon-Smith, and Meegan Wright Martin. Second row, from the left, Jay Maia, Jack Krampitz, Jon Pose, and Steve Cowdell. Backrow, Jim Bates, left, Dominic Perno.