Awards Dinner & Auction

Bishop Peter A. Rosazza

Born in New Haven, CT on February 13, 1935, he is the eldest child of Agatha (Dinneen) and Aldo Rosazza.  He grew up in Torrington, and attended St. Francis Elementary School and Torrington High School, graduating in 1952.  After one year at Dartmouth College he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT.  Next he studied at St. Bernard Seminary in Rochester, NY, and completed his four-year concentration in theology at Séminaire Saint-Sulpice in Paris, France.  He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on June 29, 1961.

Back in Connecticut he served as assistant pastor in the Church of St. Timothy in West Hartford and then was appointed to the faculty of St. Thomas Seminary where he taught French, Spanish and Italian.

In 1972 he became co-pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Hartford’s north end, the mother church of Hartford’s Hispanic Catholic Community.  In 1978 he was named auxiliary bishop to the Archbishop of Hartford by Pope Paul VI and was ordained bishop on June 24.  He continued to minister at Sacred Heart until his transfer to Waterbury in 1981.  In 1988 he was assigned to New Haven and currently resides on the grounds of the Hospital of St. Raphael.

On February 2, 1997, Archbishop Cronin appointed him Episcopal Vicar for the Spanish speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese of Hartford.  Archbishop Mansell renewed that appointment.

He is a member of 1000 Friends of Connecticut, an advocacy group that builds on the CenterEdge Project, whose objective is to address the problems of sprawl, its impact on the environment and access to opportunity for Connecticut’s poorest people. 

He is one of the founders of the Naugatuck Valley Project, a coalition of churches and labor union locals and a founding member of CONECT (Congregations United for a New Connecticut), a community organization of religious and ommunity groups in the New Haven and Bridgeport areas.  He is one of the five bishops who drafted the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral letter on the U.S. Economy and Catholic Social Teaching.

In 2003 he received the Cardinal Augustine Bea award from the Anti-Defamation League in recognition of his efforts to work for better understanding among religious communities and in 2007 he was given the Latino Citizen of the Year Award by the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission of the State of Connecticut.

Dawn LoRusso

Born in 1966 at Waterbury Hospital, Dawn Hinkelman LoRusso, a lifelong Waterbury resident, is the first-born child of Alberta and the late Roy Hinkelman. She is also the sister to Denise Hinkelman. She began her education in the Waterbury school system at Russell School before transferring to Blessed Sacrament School in fifth grade where she graduated in1980.

During her time at Blessed Sacrament, Dawn quickly established herself as a dedicated student. She served as a cheerleader for the basketball team, continuing to team captain. Dawn volunteered as a classroom helper, assisted the first grade Sunday religious education teacher, and gave her time as a volunteer at Waterbury Hospital for several years — an early sign of her commitment to service.

Following graduation, Dawn attended Holy Cross High School, where she completed her studies in 1984. She then pursued a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Retail at Briarwood College. Though she planned to further her education, life took her in a different direction — one that led her into positions within the banking, mortgage, and real estate industries for over two decades. Unfortunately, health issues forced her into early retirement.

Dawn married her high school sweetheart, Lance LoRusso. Together, they raised two sons, Brandon and Ryan, both of whom attended Blessed Sacrament School from kindergarten through eighth grade following in their mother’s footsteps.  She became extremely involved in the school community. Her dedication and energy enriched many programs. Her volunteer roles included Eucharistic Minister, Catechist, computer lab assistant, and active member of the Home and School Association, where she served as both Vice President and Treasurer. She also had the joy of chaperoning annual field and class trips alongside her two sons. Dawn never hesitated to fill in when needed whether in the school office, classroom, lunchroom or on the playground. Outside of school, she volunteered as a bowling coach for the youth league at Lakewood Lanes and was also a Den Mother for the local scouting program.

In the past year, Dawn answered the call to serve when she recognized a need at Catholic Academy of Waterbury (CAW). She took on a leadership role coordinating the lunch and recess program where she organized volunteer scheduling, managed food deliveries and most enjoyably serving the students their lunches each week. She also served as the liaison between the volunteers and the school principal. 

Dawn and Lance have been happily married for 39 years. She is the proud mother of Brandon and Ryan, mother-in-law to Alison and Justin, and a loving grandmother to Ashlyn and Kaia. Her family is her greatest joy!

Throughout her life, Dawn has lived with simple, steadfast values: helping those in need and leading by example. Her selfless service, enduring faith, and unwavering commitment to family and community continue to inspire all who know and love her. 

She continues to remind us that we should live with honesty, empathy, compassion, faith and love for one another.

Fritz Blasius

Frederick “Fritz” Blasius, Jr. is President of Blasius Chevrolet Cadillac in Waterbury, CT.  Born and raised in Waterbury, he attended Carrington elementary and Holy Cross High School and, after graduating from Michigan’s Northwood Institute, joined the family-owned automotive business.  With over 50 years of experience in automotive at Blasius Chevrolet Cadillac, he has been instrumental in building the business to be the largest GM dealership in Connecticut for the past 25 years, one of the largest GM dealerships in New England, and has ranked among the top 50 Chevrolet dealers in the country.  Under his leadership, Blasius Chevrolet Cadillac has completed a $2 million addition to the main headquarters on Scott Rd using only local contractors for construction.  Additional buildings on Captain Neville Drive and Reidville Drive have been converted into the dealership’s “Pre-Owned Vehicle Reconditioning Center”.

In recent years, the business has seen substantial growth with the opening of nine Pre-Owned stores in Waterbury, Stratford and Torrington. With these additions to the flagship dealership, the company employs well over 300 Sales staff, Technicians, Detail, Finance Managers and Managerial staff. In addition, he has ownership in Blasius Kia and most recently purchased a Buick GMC dealership in Branford, CT. 

Fritz has been involved in numerous philanthropic causes over many years. He started the “Little Flower Fund” which has provided over $700,000 worth of tuition assistance to local Catholic grammar schools.  He has served on the boards of Holy Cross High School and Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation, as well as currently serving as a Trustee for the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and board member of The Hartford Bishops’ Foundation. 

Fritz has played a major role in the reclamation and restoration of the cross and property at Holy Land USA on Pine Hill in Waterbury, spearheading continued fundraising efforts to restore the location to its former glory. Fritz is also a major financial supporter of the Robert Westberg Scholarship Fund and is a Founder and past Board Member of the Waterbury Police Activities League.

He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Malcolm Baldridge Community Award, The Salvation Army’s “Others” Award, the Sportsman Club Humanitarian Award, the Holy Cross Alumni of the Year Award, Saint Mary’s John P. Blanchfield Community Service Award, the Sacred Heart Cornelius Teulings Community Service Award, the Olympian Club Humanitarian Award, the Blessed Sacrament “Butter Fly” Award, the Grace F. Upton Volunteer of the Year Award and the Saint Peter and Paul Humanitarian Award. Most recently, Fritz was inducted into the Connecticut Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Year after year, Fritz has consistently contributed to countless local sports, civic and community organizations throughout the Greater Waterbury area.

Joe Gurga

Joseph J. Gurga III is a lifelong Waterbury resident whose legacy in business, education, and community service spans more than five decades. Born to Joseph J. Gurga Jr. and Victoria Gurga, Joe was raised with strong family values and a deep commitment to giving back. He attended Barnard School, Kaynor Technical School, and John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, where he was active on both the basketball and soccer teams. He graduated in June 1972.

At just 17 years old, Joe founded Joe’s Antenna Service, serving the Waterbury area with entrepreneurial drive and technical skill. Two years later, in 1974, he became an alarm technician at Dynamic Security Systems in Cheshire. Building on his growing experience in the field, he went on to establish Sterling Security Systems in 1993, now a well-respected local company known for both its professionalism and community commitment.

A proud member of the Elks Club for 47 years, Joe has made community service a cornerstone of his life. While his outreach spans many areas, he is especially devoted to Catholic education. He has supported organizations such as Waterbury PAL and the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund and served as Chairman of the School Board and Finance Committee at Blessed Sacrament School. Through Sterling Security Systems, he established a Science Fair Scholarship to encourage STREAM education, planting seeds for the next generation of innovators.

Joe’s generous spirit has been recognized with numerous honors, including the St. John Neumann Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to Catholic Schools in 2015 and the Blessed Mother Award from the Catholic Academy of Waterbury in 2019.

Above all, Joe is a dedicated family man. He is the beloved husband of Rosemary T. Gurga, and a proud father to Rosina-Maria and Gianna Gurga. He is also a loving brother to Marie Sepiol of Southington and Daniel J. Gurga of Tennessee.

Joe Gurga's life is a testament to the power of hard work, faith, and service—and his contributions continue to leave a lasting impact on the Waterbury community and beyond.

Officer Vincent Lombardi (In Memoriam)

Vincent Lombardi was born April 8, 1996 in Waterbury, CT.  He was the son of Nicholas and Rozanne Lombardi, and loving brother to Rachel Lombardi.

Vincent attended Scared Heart High School, where he and his fellow teammates won the State Title Championship in 2013. Vincent worked the summers of his high school years, at St. Micheal Church, where he helped with many events.

Vincent then went on to work for the Police Athletic League (PAL), while he attended Post University, where he earned a Bachelor Degree in Sports Management.

After college, Vincent followed his passion to become a Waterbury Police Officer.  Vincent entered the academy in 2020. He dedicated himself to this important work, his strong sense of duty and calm demeanor made him an exceptional officer.  In 2022 Vincent applied and was accepted for a position at PAL, where he quickly connected to the young, troubled children, and became a beloved figure there.  He helped so many people, especially the kids he mentored and coached.  Vincent was loved by the boys he helped coach on the basketball travel team.  He also brought many children to UConn basketball and football games, through the Uconn Husky Ticket Project.

Vincent was diagnosed with Sarcoma cancer in January 2024, he lost his battle on March 13, 2025. Vincent never once complained or said why me, he fought it with a smile on his face, just like he lived his life.

William Summa

Billy Summa is a native and life-long resident of Waterbury, Connecticut. Born in 1934, he graduated from Sacred Heart High School (1952) and the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy (1957). He began work as a clerk at Bunker Hill Pharmacy in 1948, transitioned to a pharmacist role in 1957 and bought the business in 1967.

Billy is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the Waterbury Pharmaceutical Association, the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the National Association of Retail Druggists, the American Society of Consulting Pharmacists, the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.  He is past president of both the Waterbury and the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Associations. He served on the State of Connecticut Joint Medical Pharmaceutical Committee for 25 years and was a long-time chairman of the Connecticut Commission of Pharmacy. In recognition of his service to the Pharmacy Commission, the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Association awards a scholarship in his name annually.

Billy was an active member of the Waterbury Board of Health for 25 years and served as its president for 5 years. He has been a director of the Slocum Corporation of St. Mary’s Hospital, the Franklin Medical Group and of Summit Bank. He has been a board member of the Mattatuck Community College Regional Advisory Committee, the Naugatuck Valley Community College, the Briarwood College Pharmacy Technician Advisory Committee, and the Loyola Corporation.

He was a trustee, a parish council member, and the chairman of the Finance Committee of Blessed Sacrament Church. He has been invested as a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Billy is actively involved in the Waterbury Lions Club (former president), the Waterbury Lions Foundation (current treasurer and former president), the Unico Club and the Elks Club. He was the treasurer of the Lions Club Camp Layton Rose for 25 years. He is a member of the Bunker Hill Community Club and has been a sponsor for broadcasts of local high school basketball games for 25 years. He has contributed generously of his time and his resources to the W.A.R.C., to Camp Layton Rose for the under privileged, and to numerous other programs in Waterbury and the surrounding towns over the past 50 years.

Billy has received numerous awards including the A.H. Robbins Bowl of Hygea Award, the Ct Pharmaceutical Association Daniel C. Leone Dedication and Service Award, the Bunker Hill Congregation Church Service Award, the Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award, the Lions Club International Mellow Jones Fellow, the Connecticut Commission of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Dedication and Award, the Sidney R. Rome Memorial Award from the Alpha Zeta Omega National Pharmaceutical Fraternity, the Olympian Club Humanitarian Award, the Archdiocese Medal of Appreciation, the Lions Club Ambassador of Sight, Mayor for the Day (Lions Club and Unico), the Waterbury Medical Association Community Award, the Bells of St. Mary’s Award and the Blessed Sacrament Parish Butterfly Award.

Married to his wife Ruth-Ellen for 61 years until her passing in March 2020, he is the father of five children, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

F. David Corbett

Biography is coming soon!

Oliver Macklin

Biography is coming soon!