District Judge Dan Finello Receives Jefferies Award

The Warminster Park, Recreation and Conservation Board awarded James Dunn and Warminster Dan Finello the 2011 Edward A. Jefferies Award for community service during a ceremony on Saturday morning at the Edward A. Jefferies Memorial plaque in .

Dunn and Finello were recognized for their years of service and dedication to the growth and improvement of Warminster parks and recreation facilities.

Dunn served as Chairman of the Park, Recreation and Conservation Board for almost 25 years and played a major role in the creation of the Warminster Skate Spot at Munro Park.

Dunn has also served in the Big Brother’s Program, provided stagehand services to Warminster Symphony Orchestra, served on the board of directors for the Warminster Symphony Society, served on the Centennial School Board, and acted as an assistant coach for an area soccer team.

“Jim is one of the people who do the work behind the scenes” said Warminster Park, Recreation and Conservation Board member Leo Quinn. “I am a smarter and wiser person because of witnessing the way [Dunn] broke down [the Board’s] needs and goals.”

Finello, who has been the Warminster District Judge since 2003, also serves as the assistant varsity coach of the Archbishop Wood High School Girls Soccer team, is the past president and an executive board member of the Warminster Rotary Club, even earning the 2010 title of Rotarian of the Year.

Finello also serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Bucks Mont Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s an honor” Finello said, “It’s also an honor to get [the award] while I’m still upright.”

To join in commemorating Finello for his accomplishments, were his parents Daniel Sr. and Sarah Finello.

Finello’s father shared a story about the time when Finello was 13 and traveled alone to New York City to see the President of the National Broadcasting Company.

Finello met with the president and also had a chance conversation with singer Jerry Vale on the elevator.

“When Jerry Vale left Dan,” Finello Sr. said, “[Vale] said, ‘Dan, I’ve only talked to you for a little while, but I can tell that if you make up your mind to do something, it will be done.’”

“And that was very, very true” Finello Sr. said.

The Edward A. Jefferies award was originally the brainchild of Jefferies himself, to commemorate individuals who significantly contributed to the promotion of leisure services in the township. At its beginning, the award went by the name, “The Rock Award” on account of the large stone at the site, but was soon renamed in Jefferies’ honor after he died of cancer in July 1995.

Jefferies was involved with the Warminster Youth Athletic Council, Baseball and Softball Association, Pioneers Youth Football, Basketball Association, and Fire Department.

“Today we honored individuals who embodied all the same qualities that we know were so important to Ed” said Warminster Park, Recreation and Conservation Board Director Karen Whitney, “Jim and Dan have been known for their participation in community programs, youth and adult sports programs and a variety of other activities.”