Valley United Way is pleased to announce that Harry DiAdamo, Jr. will be presented with the 2011 Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award for his lifetime achievements and involvement in the Valley community.
The award is the Valley’s oldest and most prestigious award and is presented for a lifetime of achievement in community service in the Valley area.
The award will be presented at the Valley United Way annual meeting and awards dinner on Tuesday, April 26.
Harry’s professional career in the Valley included his time as President, CEO and Director of DS Bancor (Derby Savings Bank). During his tenure, the bank grew its assets from $294 million to $1.2 billion and expanded from five banking offices to 23 branches with a staff of 300 employees.
Prior to his work at DS Bancorp, he served as President of Hewitt Management Corp and Administrator / CEO of Hewitt Memorial Hospital.
Under his leadership, Hewitt evolved from a 58 bed long-term facility to an organization with six corporations including three facilities with a total of 498 beds, out-patient programs and 550 employees.
He also developed the first successful adult day care center in Connecticut and worked with other community leaders in developing the Meals-on-Wheels program.
Among many affiliations, Harry’s Valley-based contributions included serving as Valley United Way’s 1977 Community Campaign chairman, director and chairman of the Visiting Nurses Association of South Central Connecticut, chairman for T.E.A.M., Inc., and director of the Griffin Hospital Health Services Corporation.
Harry also served as president of the Boy Scouts of America Housatonic Chapter, the Lower Naugatuck Valley Community Council, Kiwanis Club Derby/Shelton Chapter and the Shelton Educational Fund.
He additionally served on the board of directors for Valley United Way, the Valley Mental Health Center and the Great Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Harry is also currently a director and treasurer at the Hewitt Foundation, and was a leader in establishing the Hewitt Foundation which has become the Valley’s philanthropic leader in the area of health and senior issues.
Harry currently serves as director and treasurer at the Hewitt Foundation, finance committee member at the Church of St. Michael, private investor at DiAdamo Associates LLC and is affiliated with the New Britain Rock Cats MLB AA baseball team.
He additionally serves as a corporator to both Valley United Way and the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.
After graduating from the University of New Haven with a B.S. in business administration, Harry performed graduate work at Southern Connecticut State University, received a Ph.D from California Western University and participated in an executive healthy policy management program at Harvard.
Harry was previously recognized with the Gold Seal Award from the Valley Chamber of Commerce, Knight of Honor Award from Notre Dame High School, Administrator of the Year from the American College of Health Care Administrators and an award for Valley Community Involvement from the Visiting Nurses Association of South Central Connecticut.
He and his wife, Maureen, live in Woodbridge, and have three sons and five grandchildren.
Jack Walsh, Valley United Way president and C.O.O., said, “Harry’s lifetime of involvement in the Valley and beyond is remarkable. He has served — and continues to serve — many different organizations that make the Valley a great place to live and work. He is a very special person, and a great choice for the Charles h. Flynn Humanitarian Award.”
Valley United Way is the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis.
Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.
