WHITE PLAINS, NY — County Executive Robert P. Astorino will join in honoring the achievements of 58 senior citizens from throughout Westchester at the 34th Annual Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon on Friday, December 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. This year’s program, one of the largest to date, names dedicated veteran and Yonkers resident Jack Lotz as Top Honoree.
“It is a privilege to honor this dynamic group of Westchester residents for their service to others and their dedication to the community at large by inducting them into our Senior Citizens Hall of Fame,” said Astorino. “This longstanding Westchester tradition is our way of recognizing and thanking seniors for their time, energy and commitment to enhancing the quality of life of those around them.”
Among this year’s award recipients age 60 and older, four seniors will receive the Special Recognition Award: Jean C. Anderson of New Rochelle; J. Michael Cindrich of Mount Kisco; John F. Larkin of Eastchester; and Katherine Moore of Rye.
The Senior Citizens Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS); the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation; Westchester County Livable Communities and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services. Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care in Scarsdale is a co-sponsor.
DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said the achievements of the Hall of Fame honorees show the importance of people giving back to their communities and to each other.
“The honorees show that age is never a deterrent to being a vital member of our society,” she said. “In fact, it’s an advantage because of the life experiences they bring with them. Their generous contributions have helped to make Westchester one of the most senior-friendly places in the world.”
The Senior Hall of Fame began in 1983 – the 300th anniversary of Westchester County’s founding. Its purpose was to showcase how seniors contributed to building the county, and more than 1,100 seniors have since been inducted.
To be nominated, seniors must have made significant and enduring contributions to enhance the quality of life in Westchester through their professional work, volunteer achievements or both. Nominations are made by members of the community, and the honorees are selected by a panel of judges and Hall of Fame members. The names of past honorees are engraved on plaques that are permanently displayed at the DSPS office in Mount Vernon.
Advanced tickets for the event are required and are $60 each. For ticket sales and more information, contact Rose Cappa at rose@theeventdepartmentny.com or (914) 747-0519.
Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame – Class of 2016
Top Honors: John “Jack” Lotz, Yonkers
Jack Lotz is a lifelong Yonkers resident. As an actor and member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1978, his roles have included roles in “Raging Bull” and “The Sopranos.” He was also a stunt driver in many films. His latest role was Ruben in “The Hurricane Carter.” He has also been a referee in professional wrestling and boxing.
As a volunteer, Jack has supported and had leading roles with the Yonkers Central Committee of Veterans Organizations, the Korean War Veterans and the New York State Korean War Veterans. The past four years he has organized events for the Veterans State Nursing Home and the Federal Nursing Home Building 6 in Montrose. He has started a fund with the Yonkers Veterans Posts for needy and homeless veterans. He is the founder of the Medal of Honor Ceremony and has worked with members of the Yonkers Central Committee of Veterans to find a site to house the Yonkers Veterans Museum. His focus is also on helping youth learn more about veterans and he has organized bus trips to Montrose Nursing Home and Kings Bridge Veterans Hospital for local middle and high school students. In addition, Jack was one of the organizers of the Veterans March on Washington, D.C., for mandatory health care for all veterans.
A man of many accomplishments, he has received the Americanism Award twice in recognition of his efforts within the veteran’s community.
Jack and his wife Mary have been married over 63 years and have five children, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Special Recognition: Jean Carol Anderson, New Rochelle
Jean Carol Anderson is a 48 year resident of New Rochelle. She is a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Jean spent her career working in the Westchester County Department of Social Services and also worked with Westchester County Opportunity Program. She also was a weekend house parent with the New York State Division for Youth in Mount Vernon.
Jean is an active volunteer with many organizations. She is a New Rochelle District Leader, a member of the NAACP, a past president of the Interreligious Council of New Rochelle and the Westchester Council of Women.
She spends a tremendous amount of time in service to her church – Union Baptist Church, in New Rochelle. She currently serves as the Director-Servant Leader of the Union Baptist Church Manna Ministry Feeding Program, which serves hundreds of families per week.
Fellow volunteers and friends have shared that Jean is someone they can count on as a calm and sensible problem solver who always knows just what to say and do to handle almost any situation.
Special Recognition: J. Michael Cindrich, Mount Kisco
J. Michael Cindrich has committed his life to public service. Michael has served the Village of Mount Kisco as Mayor for the past 13 years. He has also served as Deputy Mayor, as well as Village Trustee. He was a Police Lieutenant in the Town of Mamaroneck and is a former United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Deputy and Special Agent. He has been decorated and recognized for heroism and exceptional contribution to law enforcement by the New York State Attorney General, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of the New York Drug Enforcement Administration, the American Legion, the Town of Mamaroneck and Westchester County.
Community Service is a priority for Michael. He was Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, a member of the Mount Kisco Special Police, and for 11 years he coached Mount Kisco Little League and junior football. He is a member and volunteer of the Knights of Columbus, the Mount Kisco Ambulance Corps, the American Legion Post 136, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, the Italian American Club and Saint Francis of Assisi Church. He also volunteers time to Guiding Eyes for the Blind and the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation.
He and his wife Linda are parents to four and grandparents to seven.
Special Recognition: John F. Larkin, Eastchester
John F. Larkin is a lifelong Westchester resident. He worked for 37 years as an educator and coach at Mount Vernon High School. He taught government and economics, as well as world and American history. John won several “Coach of the Year” awards in basketball and softball.
John is an active member and leader of several committees for the John A. Keogh Council 2108 of the Knights of Columbus, including membership and the Knights of Columbus Food for Families Committee. Every weekend he drives to East Harlem to deliver food, clothing and shoes and works in the Solanus Casey Soup Kitchen. He spends considerable time recruiting volunteers and members to help encourage more giving and support for the charities he is involved in.
He and his wife, Julie, also volunteer at the Adult Learning Center in New Rochelle, where they teach English as a Second Language. Together they have three children and recently welcomed a granddaughter to the family.
Special Recognition: Katherine Moore, Rye
Katherine Moore came to Rye in 1952 after living abroad in London and Lisbon. She began her volunteer career early while her family was still young. Katherine has always been concerned with the general welfare of our local and regional communities. She spent time at United Hospital, the Rye Free Reading Room and helped found the Rye Arts Center, serving as its first secretary. She also volunteers and has held leadership roles with Osborn Library, Planned Parenthood, the Rye Mental Health Association, the Katonah Museum, Hope House, the Westchester Community Foundation, and the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting.
Katherine was widowed a few years ago after over 60 years of marriage. Though she has supportive family and friends, she is well aware of the isolation and loneliness experienced by older adults who can no longer drive, live alone and may not have family or a support system to depend on. Her involvement with SPRYE has allowed her to address some of the unmet needs of older adults in her community. Katherine spent countless hours developing programming for SPRYE and as a result, members have access to a myriad of social and educational programs that keep them connected by providing different outlets and exposure to new experiences and people.
A mother of four, and grandmother to seven, Katherine continues to volunteer every day.
Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame – Class of 2016
- Amawalk-Somers: Robert W. Roth
- Ardsley: Larry Nardecchia, Jr., Bruno Viani
- Bronxville: Irwin Rothman
- Cortlandt Manor: John R. Cito, Helen F. Markus
- Croton-on-Hudson: Richard W. Nagle
- Dobbs Ferry: Jeanie C. Jee
- Eastchester: John F. Larkin**, Jim Fillis
- Greenburgh: Elenora Smith
- Harrison: Mary Kingsley
- Hartsdale: Richard Edelson
- Irvington: Eleanor Carren
- Katonah: Lorne H. Robbins
- Larchmont: Jack Adler
- Mamaroneck: Kathleen Flynn, Barbara Werber
- Mount Kisco: J. Michael Cindrich**, Karen B. Schleimer, Antoinette Whalen
- Mount Vernon: Janice Benjamin, Mary Figueroa, Ruby Figueroa, Aldora Dunham, John Frusciante, Dolores Mack, Florence Okharedia, Helen Schiavello, Emma C. Stackhouse, Jim Williams
- New Rochelle: Jean C. Anderson**, Ruth Katz, Janice Malett
- North Salem: Helen M. Culen
- Ossining: Mamie Masullo, Fremont Pete Stafford
- Peekskill: Geraldine Kearse, Marie Murphy
- Port Chester: John W. Reavis, Jr.
- Rye: Katherine Moore**, Ralph Vellone
- Scarsdale: Richard Liu
- South Salem: Connie Bobletz
- White Plains: Patricia Diggs, Maria Gallagher, Benjamin Latimer, Stanton C. Selbst, William White, Mary Williams
- Yonkers: John “Jack” Lotz*, Mary M. Hoar, Arlene Penn, Gloria Schlacter
- Yorktown: Mary DeSilva, Gilbert Kaufmann, Usha Sharma, Rhoda Sussman-Adler
* Top Honoree
** Special Recognition Honoree