Residents honored with DaVinci Awards
The Town of New Milford has honored two of its own with a special award.
The recipients of the 2024 DaVinci Awards are retiring New Milford Public Schools music teacher Michael Fitzgerald and longtime Rotarian and community volunteer Charlie Junz.
“Volunteers make this such a special place,” Mayor Pete Bass said of the recipients at the start of the ceremony.
The DaVinci Award was created by the late Peter “Flag Man” Orenski, a New Milford businessman and internationally renowned vexillologist, in 2001. It is presented to an individual who exemplifies the ideals of community service and arts.
The recipients were honored at a June 8 ceremony at the Roger Sherman Town Hall, with family, friends and guests.
Fitzgerald, known as “Mr. Fitz,” began teaching in New Milford schools in 1996. He first taught general music and then began working full time with band and orchestra students.
He has taught at Sarah Noble Intermediate School since it opened in 2002.
Mayor Pete Bass, who introduced each recipient, noted Mr. Fitz welcomes students back to school by playing the trombone and encouraging them to sign up for the band.
The 2023 Teacher of the Year held music lessons via Zoom and recorded music videos to keep students engaged during the pandemic.
Outside of the school system, Mr. Fitz serves as a longtime BSA leader and merit badge counselor, volunteers in the music program at St. Francis Xavier and Our Lady of the Lakes churches, sings in the choir, and leads the church’s youth Christmas pageant band.
Junz had a lengthy career in banking, but after 33 years turned his attention to volunteering.
A 34-year member of the New Milford Rotary Club, Junz has served in a number of leadership roles.
Among his greatest Rotary roles is founder of the Rotary’s annual Great Housatonic Duck Race held each Memorial Day weekend.
As a result of his exemplary service with the Rotary Club, Junz has received four Paul Harris Awards, the Rotary’s highest award presented to a Rotarian who has made an outstanding contribution in the community.
In addition, he has received the Rotary Citation for Four Avenues of Service and a Citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly.
Junz has also been active in town affairs, having served on the New Milford Landfill Settlement Funds Committee, which was created to monitor the usage of the $4.1 million Waste Management Settlement.
He is also a member of the New Milford Recycling Sub-Committee.
Deborah Rose/A bouquet of flowers was presented to the spouse of each DaVinci Award recipient.
Deborah Rose/Dave Junz, of Long Island, N.Y., surprises his father, Charlie, by attending the award ceremony.
Deborah Rose/New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, right, chats with honoree Mike Fitzgerald before the start of the program.
Deborah Rose/Town Councilwoman Katy Francis welcomes guests to the ceremony.
Deborah Rose/Katy Francis, right, presents the DaVinci Award pin to Michael Fitzgerald.
Deborah Rose/Bob Coppola, right, who is on the DaVinci Award Committee, presents to Michael Fitzgerald his clarinet, donating it so it can be given to students in need of an instrument.
Deborah Rose/Charlie Junz is presented a a proclamation from New Milford Mayor Pete Bass.
Deborah Rose/Charlie Junz flashes a smile to his family members as Katy Francis, a member of the DaVinci Award Committee, pins the award on his lapel.
Deborah Rose/The 2024 DaVinci Award recipients are Michael Fitzgerald, left, and Charlie Junz.
Deborah Rose/Charlie Junz, center, is shown with his wife, Janet, and from left to right, granddaughter Kayleigh, son Dave, and granddaughter Eden.
Deborah Rose/Student Victoria Montgomery, who will be entering sixth grade in the fall, shows her support for her band teacher by attending the ceremony.
Deborah Rose/Michael Fitzgerald is shown with his wife, Margaret, and daughter, Hannah.
