Congratulations to Orinda's 2023 Citizen of the Year
Bill Waterman
and winner of the Orinda Volunteer Award
John Fazel !
The Orinda Community Foundation hosted a
Presentation Dinner to honor Bill and John on November 5,2023. It was catered by Shelby's in the Founders' Auditorium of the Orinda Community Center at 28 Orinda Way.
Photos coming shortly.
2023 Citizen of the Year Bill Waterman
Bill was raised in Orinda and came back as an adult with his wife Marie to live in the family home. Long-time Orinda resident, Bill joined The Orinda Association in 2000 and has worked with the organization ever since volunteering his time to put on community forums, drive seniors to medical appointments, chair the 4th of July Celebration for 4 years as well as the Classic Car Show.
Bill has also been a member of Orinda Rotary for the past five years and has served on numerous city committees including the Historical Landmark Committee (still a member) and disaster preparedness committee.
A semi-retired attorney, Bill also volunteers his time as a mediator with the Congress of Neutrals helping the courts mediate cases where people don’t have attorneys. He is also on its Board of Directors and also finds time to volunteer as a judge for Superior Court.
2023 Orinda Volunteer Award John Fazel
For those who don’t know of John’s accomplishments—former (now retired) real estate agent in Orinda, best known for his knowledge of land use provisions in our area...founder of Orinda’s Road Runners... introduced the pancake breakfast into our July 4 celebration... was an active July 4 volunteer for many years... has orchestrated the very successful, long running ¾ Century Club luncheon which is hosted with donations by many of our local businesses and grocery stores, generally bringing in over 100 seniors in Orinda aged 75 and older. The ¾ Century Club luncheon is being expanded into Moraga and Lafayette. John is also now working with our schools to launch a CA mission discovery trail for school age children. Separately, he is an active member of the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club which takes on a number of initiatives benefiting all three communities.
2022 Citizen of the Year
Vince Dell'Aquila
Vince is a 35 year Orinda resident along with wife Kathie. They raised three children. He is a retired Miramonte High School teacher, Athletic Director and coach. Vince continues to volunteer as a MHS football and golf coach. He is actively involved in the community including his neighborhood Firewise group and served on the board of the Orinda Community Foundation.
2022 Orinda Volunteer Award
Kent and Teresa Long
Kent and Teresa Long grew up in Orinda and have been active community volunteers for many years. They have provided leadership in the restoration of the Joachim Moraga Adobe built in 1841. It is the oldest surviving building in Contra Costa County.
Past Citizens of the Year
2022 Vince Dell'Aquila
2021 Melanie Light
2020 Tom Trowbridge
2019 Peter Hasselman
2018 Carole & Andy Amstutz
2017 Janet Riley
2016 John Wyro
2015 Mark Roberts
2014 Susan Garrell
2013 Pat Rudebusch
2012 Richard Westin
2011 Steve Harwood
2010 Linda Landau
2009 Kate Wiley
2008 Ted Urban
2007 Bill Judge
2006 Rebecca Kunzman
2005 Randy Holleschau
2004 Sue Severson
2003 Kay Aaker
2002 Pam Hall
2001 Jo Alice Canterbury
2000 Pete Giers
1999 Rosina McKee
1998 Lynn Olson
1997 Jan Coe & Vanessa Crews
1996 Amy Worth
1995 Ellen Amen
1994 Bill Dabel, Bobbie Landers & Aldo Guidotti
1993 Janet Pease
1992 Richard Heggie
1991 Clarence Woodard
1990 Bob and Sheyla Kantor
1989 Carol Breuner
1988 Peirce McKee
1987 Jack and Linda Knebel
1986 Midge Zischke
1985 Joyce Hawkins
1984 Bran Yaich
1983 Lloyd McDonald
1982 Elizabeth Frazier Karplus
1981 Rev. B. Jean Clark
1980 Bill Cooper
1979 Capt. Ernest Hendricks
1978 Craig McCay
1977 Del Loper
1976 Martin McNair
1975 Harriet Ainsworth
1974 Vasco Giannini
1973 Jerry Wendt
1972 Stephanie Mann
1971 Irene Moylan
1970 Ann Christofferson
1969 Muir Sorrick Shank
1968 Carl Webber
1967 Clark Wallace
1966 Richmond Bartle
1965 Sam Stovall
1964 Barbara Parker Smith
1963 Waltor Treanor
1962 Dr. John Boulware
1961 Al Winsor
1960 Clarence Betz
1959 William Koch
1958 Gerry Cullen
1957 Ann Pallaczek
1956 Perc Brown
1955 Dr. George Prlain
1954 Frank Isola
1953 Jean Henderson
1952 Ernest Rahmeyer
1951 Edgar Stewart
1950 Ramsay Underwood
1949 Dr. Joseph Sheaff
1948 Dr. Ralph C. Hall