Realty Owners Honor Carusi as ‘Outstanding Citizen of Year’

STONE HARBOR — For the second year, the Realty Owners Association and Borough Council held a joint meeting at Borough Hall Sat., Sept. 17.
At that time, the two-year presidency of the ROA passed to Jeff Alderton from Sandy Slabik, who presided over the half-hour session.
The ROA “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” was presented to Councilman Albert J. “Al” Carusi.
The award has been given “almost every year since 1991,” according to Sherry Tomlinson, secretary, who presented the award along with Jean Miersch.
Those who may be considered for the award must have established “a record of service to the community in various fields,” she added.
A plaque, with names of all honorees, hangs in Borough Hall.
Carusi, Tomlinson said, “has given so much of his energy and leadership skills to this town even before he actually retired here full time. He certainly deserves to be a member of this group of winners.”
A West Philadelphia native until 1956 when his parents came here to enter a family building supply business and he went to Wildwood Catholic High School.
After that, Carusi graduated from Seton Hall University. With an Army commission, he spent the following six years in the military in positions such as commanding officer of a tank company and as executive officer in an infantry company.
When he returned to civilian life, he worked for RCA-GE-Lockheed Martin, mostly in Camden and Moorestown for 35 years. He achieved positions as director of manufacturing operations, then director of engineering.
When he brought his leadership skills to the borough, he became active in the American Legion Post 331 for 11 years. He led the organization in a long-term project to refurbish the post and the U.S. Lifesaving Station to its original state.
The organization raised about $250,000, but Carusi created a volunteer team, got support of members from Avalon and here with four generations of military experience. The group then renovated and air-conditioned the building.
Presently, the Lifesaving Station and Legion post stand near the Bird Sanctuary. Today, it is listed on state and national Registers of Historic Places, and “serves as a beacon of pride for not only Stone Harbor, but for the whole Seven Mile Beach,” Tomlinson said.
Carusi also improved the Legion post’s veterans’ outreach program four years ago by teaming up with the Philadelphia Flyers for the “Trial on the Isle.”
That is a day of sports and games involving Philadelphia Flyers’ rookies and many people on the island to raise funds, $4,000 last year, to support homeless veterans.
Carusi serves on council as well as the Planning Board. He also advises the Legion post.
Carusi first thanked Betty, his wife of “’48 years of blissful marriage.” The couple had planned a retirement to travel the globe and otherwise “become beach bums in Stone Harbor, but we haven’t seen that yet,” said Carusi.
When elected to council, Carusi said he gave up being Legion post commander, since he wanted to devote full time to the borough’s work.
Although still in his first year on council. Carusi said he enjoys the job’s challenges.
“I knew what I was getting into,” he told the members.
Carusi said he enjoys helping townspeople to “better work together and prepare for the daunting challenges that face this borough.”
Carusi ended by stating he was “humbled, pleased and proud,” to accept the award.
New officers of the ROA serve two-year terms include Alderton and Treasurer Amy Welsh.
Alderton is a partner with Deloitte Consulting, LLP. He has been on the Board of Trustees since 2008 where he has focused his energy on the short and long-range plans for the ROA, as well as serving on various other committees. He is also a part-time resident of Chatham, N.J. and Palm Beach, Fla.
Welsh is a retired CPA who worked in public accounting, then in industry, most recently as CFO of an energy company.
She splits her time between Stone Harbor and Austin, Texas. Since she spends a lot of time on the water, oceans and beaches are one of her top priorities. She also volunteers at the Wetlands Institute, and is a part-time resident of Austin, Texas.
Trustees serve three-year terms. They are Charles J. Boylan, Frank Byrne, Dr. Timothy Clay, Karl Giulian, Harlan Krichman and James M. Prendergast.