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Starburst celebration

Starburst celebration postponed to Sunday

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LEOMINSTER — The annual Starburst celebration is being postponed one day to this Sunday due to the severe weather forecasted July 29 but organizers say the event will still begin at 4:30 p.m. and end with fireworks at 9 p.m.

The festivities Sunday will be held at the original location as well, Doyle Field, and will feature entertainment from Neurotic Gumbo with Scott Babineau opening. Food will be available through local vendors and the presentation of this year’s Citizens of the Year will honor longtime residents Angela Wallace and Carl Piermarini.

Both residents receiving the Citizen of the Year award have spent their lifetimes making Leominster their home and will be honored during the 30th anniversary of the event.

“Both recipients have exemplified the true meaning of what it takes to be a Citizen of the Year,” said Nancy Koski, co-chair of the event. “Love for the city they reside in, giving back unselfishly to that community, and not expecting any type of accolade in return.”

Citizens of the Year 2023 Nominations needed for Starburst Celebration

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LEOMINSTER — The Starburst Committee and its premier sponsor, Leominster Credit Union, would like to invite everyone to the city’s annual summer event – Starburst 2023, which will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Upper Doyle Field. Rain date Sunday, July 30.

“This marks the 30th year for this event,” said Diane Sanabria, who is co-chair for the Citizen of the Year Committee, along with Nancy Koski. “And we are so excited to host this event once again.”

The evening will feature a concert performed by local band Neurotic Gumbo; a nine-piece powerhouse show band.

“Neurotic Gumbo, who boasts an amazing three-piece horn section, are eager to rock Doyle Field with their repertoire of classic rock tunes,” Sanabria added. “The concert will be followed by the fireworks display, which begins at approximately 9 p.m.”

United States flags and light sticks, donated by the Leominster Rotary Club, will be offered to the children who attend.

There will also be great food provided by food vendors on the field and on adjacent streets.

“One of the highlights of the evening, other than the wonderful music and spectacular fireworks show, will be the naming of the city’s ‘Citizens of the Year’,” said Sanabria. “Each year the award is given to a deserving man and woman selected by the Starburst Committee and previous winners.”

Nominees for the award must be current Leominster residents, living in the city for at least 10 years.

“Past honorees have given of their time and talents to make Leominster the wonderful city all of us are proud to call home,” Koski said. “Leominster may be a city, but it has a hometown feel and we all lean on one another at some point. It is important to acknowledge individuals who go above and beyond.”

In 2022 Joe DeCarolis and Sue Koehler were recognized for their volunteerism and service to the community.

Nomination forms are available at the following locations: Leominster City Hall, 25 West St.; Leominster Public Library, 30 West St., and the Office of Emergency Management, 37 Carter Street.

The forms may be left at any of these locations or can be mailed to the Mayor’s Office, City Hall, 25 West St., Leominster MA 01453. The closing date for nominations is Friday, June 9.

Prime contributors to Starburst 2023 are the Leominster Credit Union and the Leominster Cultural Council.

Most of the event’s sponsors and patrons are local merchants and businesses and the committee encourages everyone to support them.

As it is every year, this family-fun night is a free event.

“Starburst is a celebration of our American freedom and also a celebration which honors our city residents, who may be quiet and humble, but give big from their hearts,” said Koski.

Citizens of the Year: Suzanne Koehler and her dedication to special education

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LEOMINSTER — City resident and published author Mark Bodanza said it best in his book “Risk Takers & History Makers: The Story of Leominster”, when he wrote: “When you spend a lifetime loving your community with your time, talent and care, they love you back.”

Two Leominster residents — Suzanne Koehler and Joseph DeCarolis Jr. — who have spent a lifetime loving their community, and their families, will be honored at this year’s 29th Starburst celebration

Starburst will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Doyle Field, ending with the traditional fireworks display at 9 p.m. The event will feature live music by the 40-piece Starburst Band and local music groups, food provided by local vendors, and the presentation of this year’s Citizens of the Year.

Suzanne Koehler honored for her dedication to special education

Suzanne Koehler may not be a Leominsterite by birth, but her heart has resided here for the past 43 years. This includes raising her three children, Erich, Jen and Shawn within these city limits.

Providing for and exposing her children to all that Leominster offered was the motivating factor for her entrance into volunteerism.

Suzanne Koehler is pictured with her grandchildren, left to right, Liam Shay, Owen Shay, Luke Shay, and Lily Shay, in Newport, RI. (COURTESY THE KOEHLER FAMILY)
Suzanne Koehler is pictured with her grandchildren, left to right, Liam Shay, Owen Shay, Luke Shay, and Lily Shay, in Newport, RI. (COURTESY THE KOEHLER FAMILY)

“This began when my youngest child, Shawn, was an infant,” Koehler said. “He had health issues and that is when I recognized the necessity for reaching out to others and forging a communal foundation, especially not having my family close by.”

Education was always important to Koehler as she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting attending night school while working full time. She was active when her children started school. She served as treasurer for St. Leo Boy Scout Troop 11 and followed her daughter, Jen, through her many sports endeavors whether playing for Leominster Youth Soccer or St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School.

“What any parent of a special needs child is never prepared for is the many challenges that lie ahead,” she said. “I embraced the challenge and sought out all opportunities to learn about the laws, availability of services, and the power of networking with other parents and educators.”

At the encouragement of many friends and acquaintances, Koehler ran for a seat on the Leominster School Committee in 1993, when the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 called for dramatic changes in public education.

“Among the major provisions of the act were greater and more equitable funding to schools, accountability for student learning, and statewide standards for students, educators, schools and districts,” Koehler said.

She successfully served for the next 28 years, helping to enforce the education reforms in Leominster and made a difference in the lives of Leominster students, especially those with special needs.

She became an advocate for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, providing equal access to education in the least restrictive environment.

“I enjoyed serving as a member and chairperson on the MA Association of School Committees Special Education subcommittee for several years, working with school committee members across the state to promote equity, funding and IDEA compliance,” she said.

Koehler was later awarded the honor of Life Membership by the association in 2019.

She also served many years on the CAPS Collaborative Board, as a voting member for Leominster and as finance chair. She served in many roles on the Leominster School Committee, including vice chair of the School Committee and chair of the Finance subcommittee, where she focused on fiscal accountability to taxpayers.

“I served on the Friends of the Leominster Public Library Board for several years,” she added. “And continue to maintain finances and serve on the St. Leo’s School Advisory Board.”

She currently serves as treasurer of Ginny’s Helping Hand, is a fundraising volunteer for Beacon of Hope and a member, and former treasurer and president of the Leominster Lions Club.

Koehler retired from Hanover Insurance Co. after 32 years in the financial services industry and then started a second career at her current employer Sterilite Corp. as a cash accountant.

“What I am most proud of, however, is successfully raising my three children as a single parent and sharing in their accomplishments,” Koehler said.

“Erich is a captain in the U.S. Park Police and lives in Virginia with his spouse, David. Jen is a physical therapist and lives in Connecticut with her spouse, Nate, and their four children — Luke, Owen, Liam, and Lily — Grammy’s pride and joy,” she said with a smile. “Shawn is active in Leominster, working at Hannaford on Lancaster Street and volunteering at Ginny’s Helping Hand, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and is a member of the Beacon of Hope and the Leominster Lions Club.”

Koehler says she is very humbled to be chosen as Leominster’s 2022 Citizen of the Year.

“I count my blessings of my family and friends and their support of my community involvement,” she said. “It truly takes a village to raise a child and I can think of no better place to raise children than Leominster!”

Co-chairs of the Citizens of the Year Committee, Nancy Koski and Diane Sanabria are responsible for selecting two worthy Leominster residents, a man, and a woman, to recognize at the Starburst celebration.

“Nancy and I would like to congratulate Joe and Sue, whose volunteerism, contributions to our community, and civic pride help make Leominster such a wonderful city to call home,” Sanabria said. “They are stellar examples of why this award was established.”

Citizens of the Year: Joseph DeCarolis Jr. and his legacy of good work ethic, community service

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LEOMINSTER — City resident and published author Mark Bodanza said it best in his book “Risk Takers & History Makers: The Story of Leominster,” when he wrote: “When you spend a lifetime loving your community with your time, talent and care, they love you back.”

Two Leominster residents — Suzanne Koehler and Joseph DeCarolis Jr. — who have spent a lifetime loving their community, and their families, will be honored at this year’s 29th Starburst celebration

Starburst will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Doyle Field, ending with the traditional fireworks display at 9 p.m. The event will feature live music by the 40-piece Starburst Band and local music groups, food provided by local vendors, and the presentation of this year’s Citizens of the Year.

Joseph DeCarolis Jr. distinguished for his work ethic and community service

At a young age, Joseph DeCarolis Jr., along with his sisters Marcia, Margot and Christine grew up witnessing public service firsthand as their father, Joseph DeCarolis Sr., was a prominent school principal for over 30 years.

“He served the public and helped countless children and their families,” DeCarolis said. “It was instilled in us then that public service was part of our civic duty and a responsibility owed to our community.”

DeCarolis, a lifelong Leominster resident, was born to Joseph Sr. and Karen DeCarolis, He graduated from Leominster High School in 1979, and from Lowell University earning a degree in business administration in 1983.

From his parents, DeCarolis says, he and his siblings learned what strong work ethics, empathy and the importance of family meant.

Joseph DeCarolis, Jr. is pictured spending time with his wife, Lisa DeCarolis and their granddaughter, Lacey Erickson, at Wells Beach, Maine. (COURTESY THE DECAROLIS FAMILY)
Joseph DeCarolis, Jr. is pictured spending time with his wife, Lisa DeCarolis and their granddaughter, Lacey Erickson, at Wells Beach, Maine. (COURTESY THE DECAROLIS FAMILY)

DeCarolis met his future wife, Lisa Colecchi, in 1985 and they married in 1987. They started their family in 1989 with the birth of their first son, Thomas followed by a daughter, Kayla and a son, Timothy.

While starting a new family, DeCarolis Insurance Agency was founded in 1987 and is proudly celebrating 35 years in business.

“I am thankful that with the support of my family, friends, employees and loyal customers the agency has become very successful,” DeCarolis said. “Which has allowed us to give back to the community throughout the years.”

Sports have always been an integral part of life in the DeCarolis family, and that is something he says he is proud of.

“I played basketball and football all through school, but as a player, I am most proud of being a member of the undefeated 1978 Super Bowl Champion football team,” he said. “I treasure the lifelong friendships made from my years on that team and the honor of being inducted into the Leominster Football Hall of Fame.”

Pursuing his love of football, DeCarolis went on to coach for 15 years, touching the lives of many young men and their families who still visit him to this day.

“It was important to me that no player ever went without equipment, tickets for their families or anything else they needed,” said DeCarolis.

All in all, he was involved in nine Super Bowls that Leominster participated in, winning six of them.

“Several of those teams are also in the Hall of Fame,” he said. “I am proud of that accomplishment.”

Carrying on the football tradition, DeCarolis has helped establish and fund the Leominster Football Booster Club. As a member of the Doyle Field Foundation, he assisted with many of the football field renovation projects. The home side ticket booth at Doyle Field, which he donated, bears the DeCarolis name.

“Our family football tradition was carried on through my sons Tom and Tim playing for LHS, and my daughter Kayla as a cheerleader and currently a coach,” he added.

DeCarolis’ contributions are many.

He donates annually to St. Anna’s Food Pantry, Sholan Farms, Leominster Access TV, Starburst, Johnny Appleseed Festival, Rotary Club projects, Leominster Recreation projects, Little League teams, Leominster Legion, Adopt a Family program through the Salvation Army, ALS Compassionate Care, Cystic Fibrosis, Leominster Athletic Hall of Fame, Hanger Foundation, Leominster High School scholarships, Boy Scouts of America, Susan Komen Cancer Walk, and has donated numerous sporting event tickets for fundraisers.

He also ran the Boston Marathon twice raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He and his family have contributed much more to the Leominster community that goes unspoken.

“One of my favorite events is the annual ‘Maine-iac Golf’ outing held in Maine of which a portion of the fees are donated to a local business or family in need,” DeCarolis said.

He is a longtime New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox season ticket holder with his close friends.

“Lisa and I feel very fortunate for our family that has grown over the years,” he said.

They enjoy spending time with Tom and Natasha and their boys Cash and Silas, Kayla and John and their daughter Lacey, Tim and Lexi, and two dogs Bella and Brady.

He enjoys yearly vacations to Disney World, golfing and most especially enjoys their home in Wells Beach, Maine

“Growing up in Leominster was and is an amazing experience for myself and my three sisters and now for our children and grandchildren,” DeCarolis said. “Our city has a tremendous history, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

Co-chairs of the Citizens of the Year Committee, Nancy Koski and Diane Sanabria are responsible for selecting two worthy Leominster residents, a man, and a woman, to recognize at the Starburst celebration.

“Nancy and I would like to congratulate Joe and Sue, whose volunteerism, contributions to our community, and civic pride help make Leominster such a wonderful city to call home,” Sanabria said. “They are stellar examples of why this award was established.”