Hall of Fame Inductees

Kevin Curry (Business & Commerce)

1963 –

Kevin Curry was born on February 6, 1963, the eighth of ten children of Paul and Peggy Curry, who immigrated from Ireland. He was educated in the Meriden Public Schools and graduated from Wilcox Technical High School, later completing his studies at Denver Automotive and Diesel College.

          He began his career as an auto mechanic and wrecker driver before becoming a Gulf Oil distributor, growing his business by acquiring convenience stores. Over time, Kevin and his wife, Patti, became sole owners of their company and launched the Teddy’s Stores brand—a chain of convenience stores committed to community impact. With the tagline “Fuel and Food with a Mission,” Teddy’s partners with local nonprofits to support animal welfare, individuals with special needs, and veterans.

          Kevin is a lifelong Meriden resident and has been active in his church and community. He is a past president of the Meriden Rotary Club, serves as Chairman of the Meriden Planning Commission, and is a member of the Cuno Foundation’s Distribution Committee. He also serves on the board of Beat the Street Community Center, where he mentors youth in career development. Kevin was instrumental in reviving Meriden’s Soap Box Derby after a 50-year hiatus, creating opportunities for all children—including those with special needs—to participate. His work with the Hometown Foundation and Special Olympics has brought athletes from Ireland to participate in the DreamRide experience in Connecticut, and he is currently organizing a DreamRide event in Ireland. Kevin takes the most pride in serving others, especially children with special needs.

          He married his high school sweetheart, Patti, and together they raised four children and now have four grandchildren. Kevin and his family have always had a dog named Teddy.

Joseph Pierce (Historic Persons)

1842 – 1916

Joseph Pierce was born on November 10, 1842 in Guangzhou (Canton), China. At the age of 10, his father sold him to sea captain Amos Peck of Berlin, Connecticut in 1852 for 6 silver dollars, and Peck brought him to live on the Peck family farm on Chamberlain Highway. He was likely one of the few Chinese in Connecticut and New England.

          On July 26, 1862, Pierce enlisted in the 14th Regiment, Company F of the Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. His unit became part of the Army of the Potomac, the main Union Army in the eastern theater of the Civil War. The unit fought in 34 battles and skirmishes – including at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg – and according to one historian, “lost more men killed in battle, in proportion to its size, and captured more prisoners, cannon and battle flags than any other Connecticut regiment.” On September 1, 1863, Pierce was promoted from private to corporal and served in that rank through the end of the war. In 1865, he marched in the Grand Review of the Armies in Washington, D.C. before mustering out of service as “the most famous and highest-ranking Chinese soldier to have fought in the Civil War.”

          Pierce settled in Meriden in 1868 and worked as an engraver at the Meriden Britannia Company. He married Martha Morgan from Portland in 1876 and they had four children: Lula, Edna, Franklin, and Howard. They lived at 17 Meridian Street in Meriden. Pierce retired from the Meriden Britannia Company in 1914 at the age of 72 and died on January 3, 1916. He is buried beside his wife in Walnut Grove Cemetery with a military gravestone. A Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Marker was placed at his grave and dedicated during a special ceremony on August 5, 2006.

Thomas F. Potter, Sr. (Art)

1918 – 2007

Thomas F. Potter, Sr. was born in Meriden on April 30, 1918, and attended Meriden schools. He served as a captain in World War II and received the Purple Heart for his service in the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he earned a bachelor's degree in art education from Southern Connecticut State College in 1952, the same year he began teaching art in the Meriden Public Schools system. He went on to earn two master’s degrees—one in school administration from Yale University and another in art from Central Connecticut State University.

          In 1959, he was appointed Supervisor of Art for Meriden Public Schools and served in that role until his retirement in 1987. During that time, he also taught a graduate-level art education course at Central Connecticut State University for over 10 years and wrote a weekly “Art Topics” column for the Record-Journal for more than 15 years. He was the first president of the Art Administrators of Connecticut and a member of its successor, the Connecticut Association of Art and Music Administrators. In 1982, he received the Probus Club’s Educator of the Year Award.

           Outside of his professional work, Tom was Chairperson of the Meriden Hall of Fame Association’s Arts Committee and a member of the Meriden Symphony Board. He and his wife, Marjorie, were avid supporters of MidState Medical Center and members of the Infinity Circle. An active parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, he served as a lector, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Renovation Committee member, and completed four-year terms on both the Church Council and as Chairperson of the Worship Committee. He was also a member and past president of the Home Club in Meriden and served as President of the Y's Men of Meriden. Tom passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 13, 2007.

Michael Rohde (Law/Government/Military)

1945 – 2025

Michael Rohde was born in Dayton, Ohio, on April 4, 1945. He has lived in Meriden for over 50 years and has been an energetic and omnipresent force in the city.

          He has held elected and appointed leadership roles, including: Meriden City Councilor (1989–2008, 2019–present); Mayor (2008–2013); Chairman of the Meriden Flood Control Implementation Agency (creator); Chairman of the Economic Development, Housing, and Zoning Committee; Chairman of the Linear Trail Committee; Chairman of the CT Commuter Rail Council; and Member of the CT Commission on Children.

          Michael helped create one of the state’s first “Transit-Oriented Districts,” providing incentives for businesses to expand in the city. His enduring legacy is as the driving force behind resolving downtown flooding issues that plagued Meriden since the 1860s. He assembled an effective bipartisan team, oversaw fundraising, and pushed relentlessly for years to see the project to fruition. The resulting Meriden Green, new housing, and commuter rail station created a revitalized canvas for commercial investment.

          Michael also goes above and beyond as a community leader: President of the Meriden Farmers Market; United Way Meriden/Wallingford Campaign Chairman; American Cancer Society Relay for Life Chairman; Co-Organizer of the Puerto Rican Festival; Finance Chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Albert Owens Scholarship Committee; Board Member of the Meriden Historical Society; Co-Founder of the Downtown Beautification Committee; Member of Hispanic Outreach Leaders in Action; and Member of the Kiwanis Club of Meriden. Michael received Liberty Bank’s 2019 Willard McRae Community Diversity Award for “connecting people who are different.” He continues as Director of Community Relations for Community Health Center, Inc. His five decades of service have left an indelible and positive imprint on the city.