By David Bryant
Thursday’s Rotary Club of New Canaan luncheon honoring two of its greatest members was full of important dates: Rotary International, founded in 1905 with over 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs in 220 countries today. Waveny House, where the energetic luncheon was held, dates from 1912. The Rotary Club of New Canaan was founded in 1959. The two honorees, Mike Hobbs and Joe Rucci have more than 100 years of combined service in their Club.
New Canaan Rotarians have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Club’s 65 years for both international and local efforts for over 50 non-profits per year in critical needs like education, clean water, health care, and sustainable agriculture.
Both Hobbs and Rucci were joined by family, friends, and more than forty of their fellow Rotarians celebrating the two honorees who have exemplified “service above self.” In their combined century of leadership, generosity, volunteerism, and friendship, they have inspired countless members to follow their lead in always asking, “What can I do to help out?”
Some of the more colorful memories of Rucci’s and Hobbs’ storied Rotary careers surround the origins of the club’s enormously popular LobsterFest. Rucci began as sous-chef to Homer Bernier and took over as head chef in 1989, continuing until 2013 as the number of lobsters cooked grew from 300 to over 1000!. Mike Hobbs’ was especially proud of the club’s involvement with Rotary’s “Polio Plus” initiative beginning in 1985 to eradicate polio from the planet. While the fight against the virus must continue, over 2.5 billion children have received the oral vaccine as a result of Rotary’s efforts.
Scott Hobbs and David Rucci, sons of the honorees and long-standing members of the Rotary Club of New Canaan, served as joint emcees for the luncheon, merging affectionate stand-up comedy with an upbeat slide show full of memories recalling Joe and Debbie Rucci’s leadership in local projects as well role as Joe’s deft oveerseeing of the annual Christmas luncheon. Mike and Hazel Hobbs’ deep involvement in town programs was also heralded. Several members including Leo Karl and Keith Simpson joined in tributes with stories that celebrate another Club motto, “New Canaan has the world’s greatest Rotary Club.” With the joy, history, and the two greatly admired honorees on Thursday, May 23rd at Waveny House, it would be hard to disagree.
