Good food, bad jokes and sentimental speeches marked the Churchville Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Dinner March 8, when John Casey was honored as Citizen of the Year, Jim Fitzsimmons as Businessperson of the Year, and Wendy and Andrew Catalina, owners of Babe’s Unisex Salon, were given the Civic Beatification award.

Chamber President Sue Davis told the full house at Naughton’s Johnson House that Casey was an easy choice for Citizen of the Year. "We received a petition for his nomination signed by over 500 Churchville-Chili students," Davis said.

Laughing, she said that getting one student to do anything is hard enough, but when 500 students doing something like this, on their own, it is remarkable. She said students at the school, where Casey has served as a security officer since 1992, also nominated him for a Channel 13 News "Bright Spot Award," which he won.

Casey has chaperoned numerous school activities, gives students his undivided attention, and devotes personal time to attend school sports games and other activities, Davis said. "He adds a whole new spirit to the school district and the community," she said.

Casey worked for Rochester Telephone for 27 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Riga Town Council for nine years, a member of the Churchville Lions Club, and is an active committee member at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church.

In his acceptance speech, Casey thanked his eight children, most of whom were in attendance. He has nine grandchildren and another due in April. He said most of the credit for his accomplishments should go to his wife of 39 years, Sandy -- who, he said, straightens him out when he gets carried away.

Davis introduced Businessperson of the Year, Village Attorney Jim Fitzsimmons, with the obligatory lawyer joke. "The problem with lawyer jokes," Fitzsimmons replied, "is that lawyers don’t like them and nobody else thinks they’re jokes."

Fitzsimmons graduated from Albany Law School (Union University). "I think that’s where he bought his law degree," Davis joked. He met his future wife, Mary Ann, in college, and they married in 1959 while he was still a law student. "No money, no car, little food, good wife," Fitzsimmons said in the notes he provided Davis.

After graduation from law school, Fitzsimmons spent a short time in the U.S. Army, trained as a medic. He served another eight years in the army reserve as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s office. "Never appeared in JAG television show," he noted.

Fitzsimmons began practicing law in Churchville and Rochester in 1961 and was appointed village attorney in 1962. "He is still practicing -- until he gets it right," Davis said. "He will not retire!"

Fitzsimmons thanked the chamber, the community and his family. His daughter, Carol, is an attorney in Buffalo; his son, John, is a partner in his law practice; and his daughter, Patti, is a teacher in Virginia. "The best thing that ever happened to him was marrying Mary Ann," according to his notes.

Announcing the Civic Beautification award, Davis said it is not given out every year, only when it is really warranted. She said by buying a vacant house on Fitch Street in the village, rehabilitating it, and moving Babe’s Unisex Salon in, the Catalinas have permanently improved and added to the village.

"They have taken an eyesore and turned it into a building they and the village can be proud of," she said.

Wendy Catalina accepted the Civic Beautification award on behalf of herself and her husband. Through tears, she credited her husband with the new salon, and thanked the community for its support.

Babe’s Unisex Salon has operated in the Churchville Commons for 18 years, and Wendy Catalina has said she was thrilled to find a new location in Churchville. Her new location, almost directly across South Main Street, keeps her near her loyal clientele, she said. The larger space has allowed her to add new services and staff.

After thanking the chamber, Catalina said she has enjoyed her time running a business in the village, and is looking forward to another 20 years.