HARWINTON OUTSTANDING CITIZEN
2005 Honoree

ANDREW J. KASZNAY JR.

The award, formerly known as the Arthur B. Poole Award, is presented annually to a Harwinton resident who demonstrates leadership skills and holds an active role in the community.

Andrew J. Kasznay, 66, said he was humbled and elated when Harwinton Outstanding Citizen Award Chairman Dale Cagenello informed him of the news. Nancy Kasznay, his wife, said she was thrilled.

"It is an honor and privilege to have been selected for this award," Kasznay said.

Kasnay, a Harwinton native, has served on the Town Hall Building Committee, the Town Garage Building Committee and the Senior Committee. He is currently the Water Pollution Control Authority chairman.
"He’s been in every area of volunteerism," Cagenello said.

Kasznay has been a member of the Harwinton Volunteer Fire Department since 1957, and a 30-year member and former president of the Harwinton Lions Club. He is a volunteer interviewer with the American Seals Services Student Exchange Program.

"I do home-inspections for real-estate transactions," Kasznay said.

He said he does building inspections for companies buying commercial buildings and parties buying residential homes.

As the 2005 Harwinton Outstanding Citizen, Kasznay will be honored at a public banquet at the Torrington Elk’s Club April 29. Kasznay’s name will be engraved on a trophy, and banquet proceeds will be presented to the charity of his choice -- the Department of Neurology at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford.

Friends and family will have the opportunity to share their stories of Kasznay at the banquet, according to Cagenello. A guest emcee of Kasznay’s choice will also be present.

"People who haven’t gone to this before should think of coming," Cagenello said. "I would never miss it. It is one of the highlights of the year in Harwinton."

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