Hall of Fame Inductees
See our latest inductees listed below! Click on any inductee's name to learn more.
We apologize for the poor quality of some older inductee photographs. We are working to correct this as soon as possible.
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Alfred R. Tomassetti (Community Service)
1913 – 1986
University Of Vermont Hall Of Fame; Four Sports Star; Dedicated To Community Services; Lifetime Friend Of Meriden's Youth
Alfred R. Tomassetti was born in Meriden and graduated from Meriden High School in 1933. He lettered in basketball, tennis, track and football and was captain of the football team in 1932. He attended Allentown Preparatory School and the University of Vermont, graduating with a degree in Commerce and Economics in 1938. He was elected to the University's Hall of Fame for his starring role on the basketball team which he captained in 1931. He scored more points than the entire opponent teams of Dartmouth and Norwich. He received the Distinguished Alumni's Award in 1982 and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the University. He served on the House of Representatives 1941-49, was the Republican Town Chairman in 1955; He served on the Board of Public Safety, The Board of Apportionment and Taxation and the Parking Authority; He was a Past President of the Kiwanis Club, Past Lieutenant Governor of the State Kiwanis; He was a member of the Elks and Eagles and a Past President of the Farms Country Club, serving on their Board of Governors until his death. His life-long association with Sports and the youth of Meriden was reflected in his election to the Presidency of the Meriden YMCA. He was also a Director of the Meriden Boy's Club and a Director of the Intermediate League. He was a parishioner of the Grace Baptist Church. He was a co-founder of the Spur Bottling Co., forerunner of Tomassetti Distributors which distributes Canada Dry Products in the area; He was recipient of Canada Dry's coveted Legion of Honor Award, Pace Setter Award, Gold Medal Award and the Million Dollar Award. He served in the Air Force in World War II for five years, attaining the rank of Captain.
Blanche Hixson Smith (Business & Commerce)
1894 – 1974
Founder Meriden College Club; Regional Director War Production Adm; Dedicated Newspaper Woman; "Outstanding Citizen" Award
Blanche Hixson Smith was born in Manistique, Michigan, educated at Smith College; joined the Record staff in 1923, moved through every facet of the Editorial Dept. to become Chief Editorial Writer, Executive Editor, Vice President, President and Chairman of the Board; She was one of the first women editors to become a member of the New England Society of Newspaper Editors and the American Society of Newspaper Editors. She was also active in the Inter-American Press Assoc., International Press Institute, American Press Institute and Conn. Daily Newspaper Assoc. She was active in the YWCA, Family Service Assoc., served as Vice-Pres. of Federation of Women's Club, President of Meriden Soroptomist Club, President of Meriden Women's Club, Founder and President of Meriden College Club, Honorary Member of Meriden Hadassah, President of Bridgeport Chapter of American Pen Women, Organizer and President of Meriden Music Association, President of Meriden Charity Club and Member of Thursday Morning Club. She served for 21 years on the Francis T. Maloney Scholarship Comm., and was Chairman of the Record-Journal Scholarship Comm. She served during the depression as Regional Director of Women's Projects, War Production Adm. She won the Disabled Veteran's Award, Civic Citation from the Meriden Police Dept., Outstanding Citizen Award from B'nai Brith Brotherhood; She served as Juror of the Nat'l Pulitzer Prize Comm.
John E. Stoddard (Science/Medicine)
1880 – 1964
Meriden's First Health Director; High School Team Physician Over 30 Years; "Cold Key" Recipient; Beloved Meriden Dedicated Physician
John E. Stoddard was born in Newington, graduated from Boston University taking several post-graduate courses there. He interned at several leading medical schools and at Flower Hospital in New York City. He came to Meriden in 1904, centering his career on medicine, sports and education; in his early days he made house calls by horse and sleigh or buggy. He never refused a house call and delivered 3,465 babies. He served over 30 years without pay as team physician for all Meriden High School and some semi-pro athletic teams. He was awarded the coveted "Cold Key" Award by the Connecticut Sportswriters Alliance for his service to sports. The Dr. Stoddard “Silver Bowl" Trophy was named in his honor. He served on the Board of Education for 12 years, fighting vigorously for a new high school. He became Meriden's first Health Officer under Mayor Francis Danaher and served continuously until his retirement in 1962. He was a beloved Meriden legend, a caring doctor serving the medical needs of many Meridenites, a friend to all, giving freely of advice and counsel whenever needed.
Michael B. Carroll (Law/Government/Military)
1890 – 1960
Police Chief 28 Years; Police Training School Organizer; Civil Defense Organizer; Conn. Association of Chiefs of Police Founder
Michael B. Carroll was born in Middlefield and was Meriden's Police Chief for 28 years; Founder and Past President of the Conn. Association of Chiefs of Police; Past President of the New England Chiefs of Police and a member of the Executive Board; A member of the International Associations of Chiefs of Police; Member of Meriden Lodge of Elks. Conn. State Police Association, Past President of Meriden Kiwanis Club, Past President and member of A.O.H., member of Y.M.T.A.B., St. Rose Holy Name Society, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree. He organized and directed the Civil Defense program, a Police Training School, Corps of Junior Police Cadets, Competitive Training for all policemen and introduced fingerprinting and judo as a part of police training. Integrity and honesty were his hallmarks.
Peter G. "RADM" Chabot (Law/Government/Military)
1938 –
Naval Academy Graduate; Nuclear Submariner; Command at Sea and Ashore; Rear Admiral U.S. Navy
Peter G. “RADM" Chabot grew up in Meriden. Graduated second in Meriden High Class of 1956. Sophomore and Junior Class President, Co-Captain of football team. Graduated from U.S. Naval Academy 1960; top three percent of his class. Completed initial nuclear power and submarine training in 1961. At sea, RADM Chabot served first in USS TRITON; then as Engineer Officer USS PATRICK HENRY; Executive Officer USS SPADEFISH; Commanding Officer USS SEA DEVIL for three and a half years; Chief Staff Officer to Commander Submarine Refit and Training Group, La Maddalena, Italy; and finally as Commander Submarine Squadron TEN. Participated in six extended submarine deployments at Atlantic and Mediterranean waters and two ballistic missile deterrent patrols. As COMSUBRON TEN, responsible for operational readiness, tactical training, and material condition of eight nuclear attack submarines. Ashore, served as Nuclear Power Officer for Commander Submarine Force Atlantic; Commanding Officer of Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho (responsible for training officers and men for service in propulsion plants of nuclear powered ships); and Program Manager in Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., directing submarine torpedo development, acquisition, and life cycle support. Selected for flag rank 1985; promoted to Rear Admiral 1987. RADM Chabot subsequently served as Inspector General for both Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command and Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, evaluating readiness and performance of 30 separate unified and Navy commanders. During his career, RADM Chabot was awarded Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, plus additional deployment and service awards.
