PARSIPPANY — Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council honored seven local citizens at the 2017 Parsippany Good Scout Award Dinner held on the evening of Tuesday, May 9 at Embassy Suites.
The event recognizes these seven outstanding citizens for their community service, as evidenced by their leadership and interests within the Parsippany community, and for their embodiment of the values of the century old Scout Oath and Law in their personal and professional lives.
The event chair was Council Vice President of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Robert Peluso.
“We are truly blessed to live in a community where so many people give so much back and serve as outstanding role models for our future leaders. I am honored to bring back the Parsippany Good Scout Awards after 15 years. The Scouting community considers service as one of its core values and I congratulate all of Parsippany’s honorees who display these values. Boy Scouts of America, Patriots’ Path Council considers all honorees heroes of character and compassion, dedication and devotion, selflessness, and service to the betterment of others. Scouting supports a world class Anti-Bullying Program and I am proud to be part of these youth programs” said Robert Peluso, Chairman of Good Scout Awards.
Peluso continued “Over 360 youths are served by nine scouting units under the leadership of 148 volunteers. In Parsippany we have five Packs for Cub Scouts two Troops for Boy Scouts sponsored by Saint Peter the Apostle Church, and Sedgefield Civic Association, one Venturing crew, and one police explorer post. Scouting teaches the passion for reaching goals without a me-first attitude of self-importance, and how to be a team member along with lifesaving First Aid skills that can save a life anywhere. Scouts use the EDGE Method by explaining, demonstrating, guiding, and enabling. This youth movement provides ideals that speak to life-values and teaches skills. The Boy Scouts of America provides a solid STEM program for first through twelfth grades. As Scouts, our children can pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and their sub-disciplines with in each of these as career paths or hobbies.”
This years honorees were Frank Cahill; Tony Cerbo III, Cindy Cooper, and Joe Cerbo; Karen DeChristopher; Frank Iannetta, MD, FAAFP; and Casey (Kaushik) Parikh.
Frank L. Cahill, Publisher, Parsippany Focus
Frank Cahill has been an outstanding individual serving the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills for over 25 years. He volunteers his time with the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, Homeless Solutions to name a few. Frank is owner and publisher of Parsippany Focus. Parsippany Focus was first published on October 1, 1989.
Frank is dedicated to Parsippany. He attends many high school football games, Plays, Concerts, Pancake fundraisers for organizations raising funds, Boy Scout events, Girl Scout events, and elementary school through high school. He is there making sure everyone gets the coverage and publicity they deserve.
He also donates website design and hosting to numerous Non-Profit Organizations such as Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills, American Legion, Kiwanis Club, Parsippany Chamber of Commerce and others.
On September 30, 1992, The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills named that day as “Frank Cahill Day” in Parsippany. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen congratulated Frank Cahill on January 30, 2012 as being selected recipient of the 2012 Board Member of the Year Award from Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
On October 1, 2015, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council named that day as “Parsippany Focus Day.”
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Rotary nominated Frank Cahill as Small Business Person of the Year and was honored on February 28, 2015. Cahill was honored with a prestigious ‘Courage Under Fire’ award on Saturday, June 27 from Society of Professional Journalists.
Frank Cahill has volunteered on the following non-profit organizations:
- Board Member of New Jersey Chapter of Cooley’s Anemia Foundation for over ten years
- Board Member, Vice President, President-elect Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce
- Volunteer for Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
- Volunteer Homeless Solutions
- Volunteer Children’s Cancer Foundation
- Current President-Elect Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, and Past Vice President Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany
Frank Cahill has the ability to relate to all ages and has open ears to listen to everyone and never closes a door on any individual.
Karen DeChristopher
Division Marketing and Customer Relations Administrator Western Pest Services
Karen DeChristopher is a resident of Morris Country for over 22 years. She develops life-long mentoring relationships with many of the people she comes in contact with. Inspired by her life experiences, understanding of the needs of people in distress and the desire to encourage others guides Karen throughout her life for a history of giving back. She continuously offers her talents, knowledge, financial, and emotional support to help make a difference in the lives of others for many organizations that she is involved with. Karen is involved in many local community efforts and non-profits. Currently, she is the Senior Community Emergency Team (CERT) Leader for the Parsippany Office of Emergency Management; the Board Vice President of Family Promise of Morris County; Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany; Chair of the American Cancer Society Luminaria Committee and Event Lead Co-Chair for Relay for Life of Central Morris County; and a member of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy-Hills Karen somehow also finds time to support and advocate for the Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Prevent Child Abuse-NJ, Parsippany Food Pantry, and the Center for Hope Hospice. In her professional life, she has worked for over 24 years as the Division Marketing & Customer Relations Administrator at Western Pest Services in Parsippany. She is the Program Director and Parliamentarian on the Executive Committee of the Rollins Employee Relief Fund. She has been nominated for Western’s “Circle of Excellence” award eight years in a row and won every other year. In 2004, Karen was awarded the “Legion of Honor” award by the Chapel of Four Chaplains, which honors outstanding members of society whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to the community. In September 2011, Karen received the company’s exclusive and prestigious “President’s Club Award,” and in April 2012, she was the recipient of Western’s second annual “Women of Distinction Award.” Outside of work, DeChristopher has just as many accomplishments. In November 2011, Karen was honored as the first recipient of Family Promise’s Community Impact Award and received a citation and resolution issued by Senator Anthony Bucco and the N.J. State Legislation for all that she does for Family Promise and her community. In addition, Karen along with the entire CERT & RACES groups were recognized by the mayor of Parsippany and the town council with a certificate for their efforts during Hurricane Irene. In June 2016, Karen was presented with the “Eternal Flame Award” which was presented by the American Cancer Society in recognition of Karen taking her “cancer experience” and turning it into something positive by helping others facing the disease. Then on January 10, 2017, Karen received the George F. Hixon Fellowship Award presented by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany for all her contributions to the betterment of the club. Being one of ten siblings, an important aspect of Karen’s life is her family — Karen’s tireless and selfless efforts would not be possible with out the support of her husband Ralph and her three children.
Casey (Kaushik) Parikh – Past Chairman Parsippany Planning Board
and Retired Director of Data Communications ADT/TYCO
Casey is a honest, courteous, and generous person with high moral values. He is an active volunteer and provides selfless service to the Parsippany community. He mentors the younger generation and works with seniors to improve their quality of life. He always looks for the opportunity to serve the community. Casey has been a resident of Parsippany for over 30 years. He lives with his wife Rita. His daughter Coral lives with her husband Krishna in New York. His son Emil, also in NY, is an IT professional. Casey graduated as an Electrical Engineer from the University of Bombay, India. He earned his Masters and MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. Casey worked at Kennedy Space Center, FL for NASA as a launch team member of the Space Shuttle. At Tyco International he served as Director and recently retired to dedicate his full attention to community service. Casey served as chairman of the planning board for 24 years. He was a member of the Rotary Club and currently is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. He is one of the founders of the Parsippany Indian Association. He has served on the Board of Education demographics committee; as board member of the Parsippany Day Care; and the Attorney Ethics Committee and as an advisor to Morris county seniors. He is always looking for opportunities to help others.
Honorees Tony Cerbo III, President; Cindy Cooper and Joe Cerbo, Vice Presidents
Cerbo’s Parsippany Greenhouse & Garden Center has spent over a century serving the town and surrounding communities. From a simple roadside stand established in 1913, Cerbo’s has grown into full service garden center that takes pride in growing plants and nursery stock that thrive in Morris County. As a family-run business, Cerbo’s takes pride in strong family values instilled by Anthony Cerbo Sr. and his son Tony Cerbo, Jr. Now, as Tony Cerbo III, alongside his sister Cindy and brother Joe, have taken over daily operations, they are working closely with a fourth generation of Cerbos to reinforce the understanding that taking pride in your work and educating the consumer is what makes the garden center thrive. Whether the family is working on plant sales for a local school or encouraging Arbor Day tree plantings, they are conscious of the community. And, with rain gardens and sustainable agriculture, the Cerbo family has the future in mind with environmental awareness.
Frank Iannetta, MD, FAAFP,
Associate Medical Director, Vanguard Medical Group in Montville
Dr. lannetta received his medical degree from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in 1987. He then finished a three-year residency at Mountainside Hospital, and was chief resident during his final year. He has been in practice in Montville for over 26 years. He has been a guest speaker on local cable and radio stations on a multitude of medical topics. Dr. lannetta is an assistant Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 72 of Parsippany, and has been involved in Scouting for over 15 years. He is currently a member of the risk management committee. During his free time, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and six children, four of whom were adopted from foster care. They have cared for more than 60 other children since 1996. He also spends time updating his computer skills, reading science fiction and fantasy and tending to his extensive comic book collection.
