LEE, Mass. — Longtime teacher, coach and community activist Thomas Cinella was the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lee Chamber of Commerce.

 

Cinella was one of four individuals and one organization who were celebrated at last week's gathering at the Greenock Country Club.

 

"We have the honor of recognizing some outstanding individuals and organizations whose dedication, leadership, and generosity make Lee such a remarkable place to live, work, and raise a family," said President Erik Williams. "Each of our award recipients embodies the spirit of community and service that makes our town so special."

 

The awards were presented to Cinella, Ray Murray III, Scott and John LePrevost, and the Lee Lions Club.

 

Cinella, born in Lee in 1941, has joked he'd spent all but the four years he was in college in his hometown. He taught math at Lee High School as well as coaching basketball for 45 years. He has a record of six state championships and 15 Western Massachusetts championships during his 20 years of coaching the girls' varsity team.

 

Outside of school, Cinella served on the Lee Library Board of Trustees, chaired the Sandy Beach Committee, was the town lifeguard, and was involved with the town's playgrounds.

 

"Tom, your name is on the basketball court, and the banners and trophies, and it tells an impressive story. But your greatest legacy is found in the students you encouraged, the players you believed in, and the generations of young people who carry something of what you taught them with them every single day," Williams said. "Lee has been fortunate to have you as a teacher, coach, volunteer, and neighbor."

 

Cinella was surrounded by his wife and children, along with former students he'd coached and taught. He thanked the chamber and his family especially his wife, Diane, who stood by his side. He expressed how much he loves the town and his students he coached who were good citizens.

 

"Thank you very much for this honor, and it's an honor for me to be in Lee, Massachusetts," he said.

 

Ray Murray of Ray Murray Inc. (RMI), a propane products company, received the Corporate Citizen Award.

 

RMI has been a part of the town for more than 50 years and Murray has served on the board of the Community Development Corp., helping with its purchase of the former KB Toy warehouse, ultimately leading to the Lee Industrial Realty Board taking it over. It's now home to Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, the site of a $28 million investment in expansion and growth.

 

"You started that. It's a remarkable example of how work done years ago can create opportunities that continue to benefit Lee today and into the future," Williams said. "And Ray's generosity is visible in our everyday community life, too. Thanks in large part to his efforts, RMI was the lead donor for the pavilion in Park Square. That company supports the Lee Youth Association, provides space and staff for the Berkshire County Diaper Project at no charge, and even stores our chamber holiday garlands. ...

 

"To me, that's what being a corporate citizen is about: understanding that a successful business has a role to play in the success of its community, Ray. Thank you for your years of leadership, generosity, and commitment to this town."

 

Murray said he will be retiring and moving with his wife in just a couple of weeks, but was honored by the recognition and is so grateful for his time in the Berkshires.

 

"I'm extremely grateful to be able to be a part of the town of Lee," he said.

 

Brothers Scott and John LePrevost of Henry's Electric Inc.. earned the Distinguished Service Award.

 

"When you think about a business that helped make a town a community, Henry's Electric is certainly one of them. For four generations, the LePrevost family has built a business known for quality, reliability, relationships that have lasted across generations," said Board of Directors member Vincent Vigilant, who has worked closely with Henry's Electric for a number of years.

 

The 80-year-old business is known to show up for the town in a number of ways through complex electrical installations but also supporting local school and youth programs.

 

"What makes Scott and John especially deserving of the Distinguished Service Award is not simply the longevity of their business — it's the way they have carried the legacy forward, recognizing that their success is connected to the community around them," Vigilant said. "Distinguished service is about consistently setting a high standard, taking pride in what you do, and making a difference over time. 

 

"Scott and John demonstrate those qualities not only through their work, but through their investment in Lee, continuing a tradition of community involvement."

 

Scott said they were thankful for the award and they would not have been able to do any of this without their family or the people who are a part of the company.

 

"We are not who we are without these guys being there for us every day. It's not an easy task, and we have, I would say, most often embraced what's put in front of us every day and tried to do the best job that we could with it," he said. "Carrying out a legacy is something that's not easy to do. It comes with a lot of you know leather shoulders and having to do well."

 

The two also congratulated the other award recipients.

 

The Volunteer of the Year Award went to the Lee Lions Club. The club lives by the motto: "We Serve." Williams said it raises funds for vision care, local veterans, the food pantry,and more while supporting town traditions like the Founders Weekend rubber duck race, the Hometown Parade, and a car show.

 

"These are the kinds of traditions that make community feel connected, and they depend on people willing to give their time and energy. That's what makes the Lee Lions such a valuable part of our community," he said. "They show up, they lend a hand, and work alongside others to make good things happen. Their motto isn't just something they say; it's something they put into practice year after year after year."

 

The club members in attendance thanked the chamber and said they would not be able to do their work without them.

 

"Our partnership with the chamber has certainly helped both organizations for years, and we look forward to continuing that partnership," said membership Chair Thom Swift. "Let me say, I've been involved in different communities with different chambers of commerce and Lions Clubs, actually all over the world. I've gotten to know, but the support that we get from you folks is just amazing." 

 

Everyone also applauded the chamber's Executive Director Alexandra Heddinger for all that she does.