Alfred “Al” Restivo is the recipient of the 2010 Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award, sponsored by Groton Utilities. Al is the seventh person to receive the award. The award was presented on City of Groton Day. As a symbol of the award each year, the Community Service Award winner is presented an Ethan Allen comb back armchair.
Alfred “Al” Restivo is the recipient of the 2010 Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award for his many years of “Giving Back to the Community.” The award was presented to Al at the annual City of Groton Day celebration on August 6. As a symbol of the award each year, the Community Service Award winner is presented an Ethan Allen comb back armchair.
Al has a history as a volunteer. He gives generously of his time and energy to the youth of the community.
William “Bill” Sanford, retired City of Groton Recreation Director, has known Al for many years. “Al has spent a lifetime making Groton a special place to live” Bill says. “He has been a volunteer in our community for over fifty years.”
“Al has dedicated his life to making Groton better,” Bill emphasizes. “Whether it was the need for a league for youngsters to play ball or improvements at our parks or beach, he has always been there, giving generously of his time to make Groton a better place to live.”
Al’s contributions to the community are many. Whether it was as a manager for many youth teams from Little League to Babe Ruth to Pee Wee Football, he was a visible and vibrant part of the youth sports environment.
When the need was there to provide a place for the growing number of youngsters not making the regular Little League to play, Al was a co-founder of the City of Groton Little League Minor League System.
Al also identified another need in the community – a place for 16-18 year olds to play baseball and acted on that need. Al and the Town of Groton Parks and Recreation Department founded the Groton 16-18 Baseball League. Al served as its first president.
Showing his leadership on another level, Al served as a member of the City of Groton Beach and Park Committee for 30 years, helping to lead the way in making Washington Park and Eastern Point Beach, two of the premier recreation areas in Southeastern CT.
His volunteerism is not limited to youth sports. He volunteers on the Sacred Heart Church Administration Committee, serving as chairperson since 1990.
The Selection Committee concluded that of the nominations received, Al met or exceeded the established criteria for the award, citing his tireless efforts in volunteering his time to give back to the community.
The purpose of the award is to honor a member of the community who has contributed his or her time, energy and resources to make the community a better place in which to live and work.
Earle A. Williams was the recipient of the first annual Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award. Subsequent recipients were Robert “Bob” Leeney, E. Marion “Mimi” Orkney, Lillian “Lil” Hansen, Sarah Stanley, and William “Bill” Welsh, Jr.
Groton Utilities named the award, The Jacqueline B. Nixon Community Service Award, to commemorate Mrs. Nixon’s service to her community. Jackie, as she was known to most, operated a food pantry in her residence for 24 years. She distributed food on a regular basis to many needy families. Jackie passed away July 6, 2004 after a brief battle with cancer. Groton Utilities created the award in 2004 during its 100th anniversary year.
The Utility Commission, Management and the employees of Groton Utilities congratulate Al Restivo as this year’s recipient of this award and thank him for his many years of community service.
