Several elected officials and other guests attended the event along with Mr. Dipaola’s family. Mr. DiPaola reflected on his many years of commuity service as a Pelham manor planning Bord member, Village Trustee and Town Supervisor and his love for the Town of Pelham.

The presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow recognition is the Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.

Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation.

“Today we have the honor and pleasure of recognizing Peter DiPaola as he becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. said Cathy Draper, a former Rotary president. “Pete has served as a trustee and mayor of the Village of Pelham Manor and currently serves as Pelham’s town supervisor. In those roles, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to the welfare of Pelham and his efforts exemplify the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self.'”

Ms. Draper continued: “The world of peace and good will comes closer to reality today as Peter becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. It is because of gifts like the one made in Peter’s honor that The Rotary Foundation is able to carry out an array of programs that achieve beneficial changes in our world: improved living conditions, increased food production, better education, wider availability of treatment and rehabilitation for the sick and disabled, new channels for the flow of international understanding and brighter hopes for peace.

“A contribution to The Rotary Foundation is an investment in the ideal of good will, peace and understanding. That is an ideal held high by Rotarians the world over, and one that Pete DiPaola clearly shares. By working with such individuals of good will, we believe the ideal will become a reality.”