NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck Rotary Club will honor a lifelong borough couple with its highest award.
The club will present Nancy and Wayne Buckmiller with the Paul Harris Award during the annual Paul Harris Dinner Nov. 15.
The award is named for the original founder of the Rotary Club. It is given out each year to recognize people that have given their time and talents to the community of Naugatuck.
“We are both very, very honored and humbled that we are receiving that award,” Wayne Buckmiller said.
Nancy and Wayne Buckmiller have been heavily involved in the borough community for years.
Wayne Buckmiller, 69, was the co-owner of Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home for 42 years before retiring. He has been a member of the Naugatuck Exchange Club for 46 years, serving as the past district director, secretary and treasurer. He has also been a member of the Naugatuck Elks Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians for 43 years, and has served as a Howard Whittemore Library Board of Trustees for 37 years.
He has also served as the president of the Salem School Parent Teacher Association and secretary of the St. Francis Parish Council.
Nancy Buckmiller, 54, has been a registered nurse for 26 years and currently works as a clinical evaluator for a company that owns nursing homes. She has been a member of the Naugatuck Exchange Club for 18 years, having served as the past president. She has also been the chairperson of the Naugatuck Exchange Community Champions Banquet for 16 years and a lifetime member of the Naugatuck Historical Society.
Nancy Buckmiller said the couple doesn’t volunteer for any accolades, but they are happy to help make the Paul Harris Dinner a success.
“We are not ones who like the limelight. But the Rotary is great organization. If we can help the Rotary out and make this a successful event, then we will do that,” Nancy Buckmiller said.
Wayne Buckmiller said they’ve volunteered for so many years because they want to help the community they’ve called home their entire lives.
“We were born and raised in Naugatuck. This is our home. We feel it is important to give back to the community,” Wayne Buckmiller said.
The Paul Harris Dinner is at the Crystal Room, 98 School St., and starts at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, contact Rotary Club President Kim Ostuno at naugatuckrotary@gmail.com or 203-720-3846.
