On October 3rd Livonia salutes our 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

The 15th year of thanking our Livonia Ambassadors.

Master of Ceremonies

Alan Helmkamp, Class of 2015 Livonia Hall of Fame

Terry Marecki, Wayne County Commissioner

R. William Joyner, former Wayne County Commissioner, Founder Livonia Hall of Fame

Acceptance of behalf of the Livonia Community

Charlie Mahoney, Class of 2011 Livonia Hall of Fame

Special proclamations presented by

Michigan State Senator Dayna Polehanki

Michigan State Representative Laurie Pohutsky

Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki

City of Livonia

Chuck Dardas -- President, COO AlphaUSA

To be introduced by Former Michigan State Senator and current Wayne County Commissioner Glenn Anderson

Robert Hardies, founder Financial & Portfolio Advisors, Livonia Philanthropist, 1954 -2019 

Award accepted posthumously by Dan MacIver, owner F&PA

To be introduced by former Livonia Board of Education President and current Livonia City Treasurer Lynda Scheel

Seedlings Braille Books for Children

Award accepted by Debra Bonde, Founder Seedlings

To be introduced by former President Livonia City Council Maureen Miller Brosnan

Over 150 million people use braille around the world today for a multitude of reasons. Braille allows users to gain an understanding of reading comprehension, of enabling them to be more independent and of opening doors in the professional world by securing a job. Helen Keller famously stated, "We, the blind, are as indebted to Louis Braille as mankind is to Gutenberg."

Dominick Paris, Author of From Footpaths to Freeways, Livonia Public School Teacher, 1910 - 1994

To be accepted posthumously by Livonia Pubic Schools Superintendent Andrea Oquist

To be introduced by Livonia City Councilwoman Kathleen McIntyre

Dominic Paris provided ground-breaking research in local history and efforts to preserve history in Livonia. As a history teacher at Bentley High School he brought history alive to many students and dedicated his book Footpaths to Freeways to his students.  Dominic Paris was able to influence many students, including Sue Daniel, to love history. Sue was inducted into the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame with the Class of 2006 for her work and effort into our historic village at Greenmead. 

Footpaths to Freeways: The Story of Livonia, published in 1975 by Dominic P. Paris is the guidebook to the history of Livonia.  It is the book upon which other books about Livonia are based. It is, in essence, the bible of Livonia's 200-year journey from uncharted territory to full city. The book is thoroughly researched and includes many details that would otherwise be lost to history.

Dominic Paris was born in Solto, Lombardia, Italy on January 7, 1910.  Dominic was the oldest child in the family and the only one born in Italy. The family left Italy when he was just a small child, arriving in America in 1913. 

 

As a young man, Dominic was appointed to the Marquette County Road Commission in 1934.  He would be about 24 years of age. Records show him as a teacher in 1937 in Ishpeming. Dominic married his wife, Lydia, a fellow teacher, in 1939 in Ishpeming.  Along the way, he acquired a BA. From Northern Michigan University and a master's from Wayne State University.

By 1940, Dominic Paris settled in as a teacher at Bentley High School in Livonia.  The yearbook states he had acquired a BA and M.Ed. and was teaching World History and Geography.  Dominic died Dec. 18, 1994. Daughter Rosemary Grace was born in 1941 and died in 1991 in Highland Park. She left 2 children.  

The template for understanding and sharing the history of Livonia was created by Dominic Paris. We should continue his legacy by sharing the heritage of our hometown.

Paul Soucy, 4 time Ringside World Champion boxer, mentor to young people 

To be introduced by Livonia City Councilman Jim Jolly

Paul Soucy grew up in New Hampshire where he started a boxing career in 1957 when he was 19 in the Golden Gloves.  In the 1980's Soucy ran the Livonia Boxing Club where he coached several promising amateur and pro fighters. There is one trivia questions that features some of his best work as a trainer.   Soucy coached an amateur heavyweight named Craig Payne, who defeated a then 16-year-old Mike Tyson for the National Golden Gloves title, along with Cuban legend and three-time Olympic gold medalist Teófilo Stevenson, and 1984 Olympic Gold medalist Tyrell Biggs, whom Payne lost to on a controversial judges decision to go to the L.A. Games during the finals of the U.S. Trials.

When he was 73, mine you that was seven years ago, Soucy became a four-time Ringside World Champion in 2012 when he captured the 165-pound age division. It was his fourth Ringside title after winning previously in 2005, 2006 and 2008. This was incredible when you consider that he had undergone quintuple bypass surgery, while also having metal plates in his ankle and neck. Some may consider Soucy, who is also a diabetic, the proverbial "Cat with Nine Lives."

Soucy created a template in identifying young people, helping them realize their potential while working to help them set the bar high while believing in them. This template is one that should be passed on to others in all walks of life. So many appreciate Paul Soucy and the city of Livonia should be proud of this boxer who understands the life lessons that can be learned and shared.

Dennis King, Executive Director, Community Living Centers

To be introduced by Livonia Zoning Board of Appeals Commissioner Tim Klisz

COC was founded in 1965 by a group of leading family members and advocates in an effort to enhance community opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities living in Western Wayne County. Today, COC supports more than 20 homes, condominiums, and apartments in the communities of Livonia, Plymouth, Redford and Garden City.

King has been an inspirational leader in enriching the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities by providing housing and comprehensive support. She has dedicated her career and much of her life providing assistance and advocacy to help individuals with disabilities become not only independent, but involved citizens in their communities.

King has spent her entire 38 year career working in Livonia. She spent 10 of those years living in Community Opportunity Center's Livonia Opportunity House. Her passion and dedication to helping disabled individuals as well as her commitment to bettering the community should be celebrated.

King oversees an annual operating budget of over $5 million, 80-90 live-in residents and 120 part-time or full-time employees.

Denise's vision has helped shape the community of which we should be proud. The community of Livonia and the community of those living with developmental disabilities.

We say "thank you" to the Class of 2019 from the bottom of our hometown hearts.

What is and why is there a Livonia Hall of Fame

Livonia is a great hometown

Sense. Feel. Cultivate. Enjoy every aspect of Livonia. If earth's great treasure lies in human personality then Livonia is a rich community indeed. The personality of this hometown was formed and shaped from the first farmer planting seeds in the fertile soil of Livonia Township. To recognize the work put into building the foundation of a long lasting, stable community the 1835 City Hall of Fame was established with the Inaugural Class being inducted in 2005.

Everyone who has lived, shopped or played in Livonia should give pause to thank those who gave of their time and energy so that those who call Livonia home will have that opportunity to enjoy the institutions already in place, the culture defined and the heritage appreciated.

The 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame is conferred on those whose vision helped shape a community of which we are proud. Moved us from a one room school house to a bustling hometown with attributes that would make any community proud.

This commission, given to the those hardworking founders, carries with it a recognition that their work and deeds have advanced the good name, image and reputation of a hometown built with a desire to redefine community; engaging citizens, creating traditions and institutions of which we can all be proud. Their singular efforts will forever be recorded as playing a significant role in challenging future generations to raise the bar of excellence. This commission carries with it a responsibility to be Livonia's continued ambassador of good will and fellowship around the world.