Hall of Fame Inductees

Catherine F. McNulty (Education)

1906 – 1993

Catherine F. McNulty was born in Southington, Conn., March 20, 1906. She was the daughter of Timothy Foley and Katherine Quinlan Foley. Her early years were spent in Southington, graduating from high school in 1923 and from the New Britain Normal School (Teacher's College) in 1925. After several years of teaching in Southington, she married Joseph T. McNulty of Meriden and moved to the community where she spent the rest of her life.

She was a teacher in the Meriden public school system and also taught at St. Rose and St. Joseph Schools in Meriden for more than 17 years. In 1974 she was named "Teacher of the Year" by the Probus Club, while the Eagles' Club honored her for her work with the youth of the Meriden area.

For more than 40 years, McNulty was involved in various areas of work on behalf of the Girl Scouts of America, both on local and state levels. Among her many achievements, Camp Glen Echo became the largest day camp in New England. As Girl Scout Executive Director for the Meriden Area Council, she had more than 900 Girl Scouts and 50 Girl Scout Leaders under her wing. For her service to the Girl Scouts of America organization, the Catholic Committee on Scouting awarded her the St. Anne Medal – the highest national recognition in Catholic Girl Scouting. She also received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal for outstanding service.

McNulty was a charter member of the Meriden Soroptimist Club and the first Catholic Mothers' Circle in Meriden. She also organized the first Bible School sponsored by St. Rose Church. McNulty was active in many other organizations as well. Prominent among them were the AARP, the then Meriden-Wallingford Hospital (now Midstate Medical Center) Auxilliary, and the Meriden Women's Club. For more than 45 years, she was active in the Meriden and Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women and delivered the keynote address at a national convention. McNulty remained active in the community until her death on May 22, 1993.

The late Joseph and Catherine McNulty have two children, Joanne McNulty Uliasz and Rosemary McNulty Schoen; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

James Peter Rybeck (Philanthropy)

1929 – 2000

James Peter Rybeck was born in Meriden, Conn., November 29, 1929. He was the son of William H. Rybeck and Beatrice Nell Rybeck. Rybeck attended local schools and graduated from Meriden High School in 1947 and the University of Connecticut in 1951. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a decorated veteran of the Korean Conflict during which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

After his military service, Rybeck earned an M.B.A from the Wharton Graduate School of Business in 1956. He returned to Meriden – the community he loved and supported – and began a life-long association with William H. Rybeck & Company as its President Active in the securities business, Rybeck became President of both the Connecticut Investment Bankers Association and the Connecticut Security Dealers Association. He also was a board member of the Boston Stock Exchange and a governor of the National Association of Security Dealers for New England and New York. Highly respected in the region's investment community, Rybeck also distinguished himself in the area of community service and philanthropy. A former member and President of the Meriden Board of Education and a former City Alderman, he served as President and Campaign Chairman of the United Way; President of the Bradley Home; President of the Home Club; an organizer and Director of Castle Bank; Secretary-Treasurer of the Meriden Cemetery Association; and a trustee of the First Congregational Church. His philanthropic support has helped many groups and organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, United Way, and the new Midstate Medical Center, which opened in Meriden in 1999 and whose Medical Office Building bears his name.

Rybeck, who died on March 25, 2000, was married to Barbara (Bunny) Duryea. They are the parents of Betsy Rybeck Lynd, Dean William Rybeck and Jennifer Rybeck Houde and have six grandchildren.

Norbert Fahey, Jr. (Sports)

1930 –

Norbert Fahey, Jr., was born in Meriden, Conn., August 12, 1930 – the son of Norbert Fahey, Sr. and Anna Angeletti Fahey. Educated in local schools, he graduated from Meriden High School in 1948 and from Fairfield University (Conn.) in 1953, where he excelled in baseball. He served as captain of the team during 1952 and 1953. His record of 23 strike-outs in a 10-inning game still stands. Fahey also captained the basketball team in his senior year. Upon graduation he continued to play semi-pro baseball and basketball in Meriden, New England and Canada into the mid-1960s, earning multiple Most Valuable Player Awards in both sports.

Fahey's interest in education and sports continued as he earned a Master's degree from Central Connecticut State University and later a Sixth-Year Certificate from the University of Connecticut. He began his teaching career at Hanover School, South Meriden, in 1955. In 1958 he went to Maloney High School, Meriden, as a Social Studies teacher, beginning a 37-year career there. He also served as department chairperson. Fahey transferred his skills in the classroom to the athletic field. He began coaching Maloney's first boys' basketball team which became a highly respected program. They earned six league titles – two CCIL and four Colonial Conference. The 1998 Colonial Conference championship was highlighted by an undefeated season. Fahey retired from coaching basketball in 1985 with a career record of 327-225.

An "institution" at Maloney, he became athletic director in 1978 and remained in that position until his retirement in 1992. Fahey received numerous awards during his prolific career, including the New Haven Tap-Off Club Coach of the Year, CHSCA Outstanding Coach, Athletic Director of the Year, and induction into that organization's Hall of Fame. He has also earned numerous local honors, including the Meriden Sports Reunion Award and induction into the Boys' Club Hall of Fame.

Fahey and his wife, Nancy Karnenoff Fahey, have five children – Thomas, Richard, Kenneth, Diane and David – and nine grandchildren.