William J. Servis will be honored with the 2010 George Ritzer Memorial Award at a ceremony to be held at Bergman Park, Sunday at 4 p.m. presented by the Jamestown Area Labor Council AFL-CIO.
The award was named after a local labor leader, George Ritzer, who served as president of the Jamestown Area Labor Council for more than 20 years. He organized and served as president of the Food and Commercial Workers Local 1.
In 1984 the late Ben Spitale wanted to give recognition to a labor leader who was affiliated with the Jamestown Area Labor Council AFL-CIO. The committee felt that Labor Day would be the most appropriate time for this recognition. The committee consisted of the late Ben Spitale, the late Anthony C. Raffa, Pete Thorenson, Doug Card, George Spitale and Michael Piazza.
The award is given to an individual who volunteers and contributes towards the labor movement, and volunteers time to community organizations.
Mr. Servis will be presented with a plaque and medallion from the Jamestown Area Labor Council AFL-CIO. There will also be a proclamation from Mayor Sam Teresi and County Executive Greg Edwards.
The nominating committee members are President Jack Rudy, first Vice President George S. Spitale and second Vice President David Painter.
Mr. Servis was a journeyman for the Road Sprinkler Fitter Union 669 and also a member of the Jamestown Musicians Local Union 134. He has been an active volunteer with a number of veterans' organizations; he was one of the founders and a color guard member of the Vietnam Veterans Post 865, Second bugler for VFW Post 59 and AMVETS in Sugar Grove.
He is active with the Veterans' Memorial Committee and the Workers' Memorial Committee, has served on color guards, second firing squads for funerals, dedications and parades. In addition Mr. Servis has volunteered for March of Dimes and Salvation Army, and has played Santa Claus for veterans' children and grandchildren.
Mr. Servis' dedication goes beyond his volunteering. If a veteran needs transportation to the VA Clinic or hospital, he is there for them. There was a veteran who didn't have a home, so Bill and his wife brought him into their home where he now resides.
He organized volunteers to send packages to military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. When the Veterans' Memorial was being built on the plaza he contributed money and volunteered many hours of his time. He has impacted so many lives with his generosity and dedication to our community.
He is a 1970 graduate of Jamestown High School, was a member of Cub Scout Pack 48 and Boy Scout Troop 48, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout; is a past master of the Demo Lay, a Mason fraternity; is past commander of Ira Lou Spring American Legion Post 149; past commander of the Jamestown Vietnam Veterans David B. Arthur Chapter 865; member of the Chautauqua County Workers Memorial Committee and the Mayor's Veteran Committee; is active in the Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1975, serving in the Fifth Special Forces, where he received the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts with three clusters, Army Commendation medal, New York state Silver Cross for Conspicuous Services and the Good Conduct medal.
Servis is also a graduate of Jamestown Community College, the State University at Potsdam for music and Penn State College for Fire Protection through Sprinkler Fitter Local 669. Servis has also been a member of the Jamestown Musicians Union Local 134 for 42 years, the Sprinkler Fitters Local 669 for 30 years and been a delegate to the Jamestown Labor Council.
Previously, Servis received the Joseph Mason Labor Award sponsored by United Way of Southern Chautauqua County in 2009 in recognition for his contribution to the community representing labor.
Servis lives with his wife, Teresa. They have a daughter, Christene, and a son, Jay.
