Morris County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo honored at lifetime achievement awards dinner
MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Morris County Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo was among six local leaders honored this week at the 29th annual Morris County Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner hosted by the Patriots’ Path Council, Scouting America.
The June 3 event recognized residents whose service and leadership have made a lasting impact throughout Morris County. The annual dinner honors individuals who exemplify the ideals reflected in the Scout Oath and Law.
The event was chaired by Chief Warrant Officer Jack Ambrose of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw, Sheriff James Gannon and state Sen. Anthony Bucco also attended.
In addition to Mastrangelo, the 2026 honorees included Col. Patrick Callahan, former superintendent of the New Jersey State Police; Emerson Crooks, a Vietnam veteran and vice president of the Mental Health Association’s Board of Directors; Rich Hoer, president and CEO of Lakeside Construction; Pam O’Donnell, founder of the Catch You Later Foundation; and Nick Rafanello, president and CEO of Eastern Janitorial.
Each honoree received a commemorative plaque from Patriots’ Path Council featuring artwork by Joseph Csatari, the longtime official artist of the Boy Scouts of America and a protégé of Norman Rockwell. Csatari, who succeeded Rockwell as the organization’s official artist, died last year at age 96.
Honorees also received Morris County Certificates of Honor, along with recognitions presented by Gannon and Bucco.
Callahan was unable to attend following the death of his father, Maj. Francis M. “Mick” Callahan, earlier in the week. Ambrose recognized both Callahan and his father during the ceremony and read a letter submitted by former Morris County Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Lee Vartan.
The dinner raised more than $80,000 to support local Scouting programs. The funding will help provide camping and adventure opportunities for Scouts requiring financial assistance, as well as Eagle Scout merit scholarships for local youth pursuing higher education.
Additional information about the Patriots’ Path Council, sponsorship opportunities and upcoming events is available through the council’s website.
